Just a few days ahead of the first official practices of the college basketball season, Wisconsin has lost one of its senior starters for a month or more.

Forward Mike Bruesewitz underwent surgery after suffering a laceration to his lower leg at practice Tuesday and will miss the next four to six weeks.

Bruesewitz sustained the injury after "awkwardly coming in contact with the back half of the basket standard" while diving out of bounds, according to a release by the school.

A source told ESPN.com that the injury was "gory," severe enough that it could not be repaired by stitches on site. Bruesewitz feels lucky that he is only out four to six weeks and that he isn't expected to miss more time, the source said.

The 6-foot-6 Bruesewitz, who averaged 5.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 2011-12, has already begun rehabilitation.

ESPN.com's Andy Katz contributed to this report.