Who cares about football, we're a basketball school?

Ok, so maybe that is not entirely true, but it is a direct quote from yours truly several years ago.

With this disappointing ending of last season still haunting out subconscious I would like to turn everyone's attention to what most of the idiots in the national press will deem a rebuilding season.

That's right kids, the 2007-2008 men's basketball schedule is out.

The schedule excites and disappoints me at the same time. Let's review:


Excitement: The Badgers travel to Duke for the Big 10/ACC "challenge"

Disappoint: 3 very very weak home non-conference matchups vs. IPFW, Savannah St, and Florida A&M will really hurt the RPI.

Excitement: The toughest non-conference matchup could be a home tilt versus the hated Golden Eagles

Disappoint: Colorado at home could have been a much better matchup. I'm not opposed to playing bad teams from big conferences, but we already have one game against a Big 12 squad in Texas. How about trying to get a game versus the Pac 10?

Excitement: No Trip to the Breslin is needed

Disappoint: Th Bucks will not be coming to Madison

Excitement: Georgia at home!

Disappoint: Another snooze fest versus UWGB

Excitement: The Badgers will play UWM in Milwaukee

Disappoint: Egdewood as an exhibition? Seriously? Whatever happened to Gallos de Palella?

Excitement: Closing the season up the Purple Line in Evanston

Disappoint: Closing the season in the torture chamber that is Welsh-Ryan arena


So there you have it. In 12 non-conf games I have the Badgers at 10-2. With losses on the road at Duke and Texas. Both games can be winnable.

In 18 Big 10 games I see Wisconsin going 8-1 at home, with a loss to MSU. On the road I see the Badgers struggling, losing to Michigan, Purdue, Minnesota, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio State- with wins over Iowa, NU, and PSU. That would be a 11-7 record in conference, good for 4th or 5th and a solid 21-9 record overall going into the Conseco.

If the Badgers could then go 1-1 in Indy and finish at 22-10 they would certainly be a lock for the Big Dance. However, their best wins would be Marquette, Georgia, Illinois, and Purdue- all home games. The lack of a big road scalp would probably keep the Badgers from climbing above a 6 seed. My guess, would be a 7 seed. Not too bad for a rebuilding year.

Coaches who are expecting a rebuilding year certainly try and dial back the tough non-conference games. With MU, Duke, Texas, and Georgia on the schedule, the Badgers certainly have a good selection of top level opponents. The also have 2 good next level opponents in Colorado and UWM on the schedule. However, I think the Badgers have scheduled too much crap- Wofford??? What do they have to do with anything? Valpo stinks and IPFW will not bring a big RPI to the table. I wish this team would look to the football squad and try and schedule a MAC team every year. In addition, bringing in a middle or lower-level Mizzou Valley opponent would give the Badgers a great shot at a win against a team from a good conference that would bring a solid RPI with them.

Only playing one game against MSU and OSU is certainly a double edged sword. Less than 20 wins is now completely unacceptable. However, it will give the Badgers less opportunities for big wins and will give the committee an excuse to downgrade the Badgers.

Ok, now back to football