Goooo Georgia Bulldogs!

This might seem blasphemous, but when the Badgers take the floor at 2:30 today to kill the chief once and for all, my attention might be turned about 700 miles to the southeast in Atlanta. There, in an arena filled only with press, families, bands, cheerleaders, and players Georgia will take the court for the 3rd time in 28 hours and battle to keep their season alive, and perhaps save the job of their coach Dennis Felton.

Last week several stories came out on the net speculating that the SEC tourney will be Felton's last hurrah as Georgia coach. The guy who took over a program that was awash in NCAA violations (not to mention an ethical wasteland) now appeared he was going to be shown the door because he kicked malconents off the team and actually expected his players to go to class. Of course, he did not win either, which after 5 years will put any coach outside of Evanston, IL right in the firing line. Still, I always got the feeling that firing Felton would be irresponsible. The guy certainly can coach, and if he was called upon to lead the program because he was an ethical guy, then that should count for something.

So here we are, 22 hours since the Dawgs took the court for their quarterfinal game and according to Mark "SEC" Schlabach, it appears Felton might have already done enough to save his job.

I suggest everyone check out the column, its amazing that a team with 9 scholarship players, whose best player fouled out of BOTH games yesterday were still able to win 2 games and put themselves in a position to crash the dance.

So hunker down you hairy dogs, one more win to be the clubhouse leader for feel good sports story of 2008.


SOME MORE NOTES ON YESTERDAY:

Bo Owns Izzo: I used to be one of the gazillion people out there who thought Tom Izzo walked on water. But after watching Bo Ryan coach circles around him AGAIN yesterday, I can say my Izzo mancrush is over.

Say what you want about the refs, but it was clear from the outset the game was going to be called tough. Izzo either failed to adjust, or his big men ignored him. Of course, there was certainly no conspiracy to screw the Spartans, anyone who thinks that is nuts. Flowers, Landry, and Butch all had to spend time on the bench with foul troubles. The only two differences between those three and Suton, Ibok, Naymick, and Morgan, is that Bo did not put them in positions to commit fouls and when they were in the game they did not commit brain dead fouls. Indeed it was stupid fouls that killed the Spartans: Ibok fouls out when he lunges at Butch taking a 3, on the next posession Naymick loses a rebound to Krabby and decides to give him a bear hug- stupid stupid. I forget how Suton went out, but after he left we saw my guy Morgan once again go after Krabby after an offensive rebound. 4 guys fouled out on at least 3 dumb fouls. That, is coaching.

Izzo also got worked by Bo in the post. Bo recognized that by playing Big and working Landry against either foul plagued, or really shorter Spartans Landry could own his defender in the post 1 on 1. With Izzo choosing to not double the post until the Badgers had cut the lead to 5 or 6 Wisconsin was able to turn the momentum around and get back in a game that they really had no business being in.


REMOVE HEADS FROM RECTUMS:

What is going on with this team in Indy? I have been less than impressed with the effort so far. Sure, they were resilient yesterday and all that crap, but the first 30 minutes were a complete disaster. Bad offense, bad defense, not boxing out, Brian Butch playing like he did as a freshman, stupid passes, and an overall poor effort. This came on the heels of a terrible offensive effort on Friday versus Michigan that saw Butch set a BTT record for missing 8,236 shots in the paint. Hopefully the Badgers will continue their roll from the last 10 minutes of the game and put away the Illini early

WITH OR WITHOUT HUGHES:

I hope Travon never leaves the bench today. Wisconsin is a 2-3 seed no matter what happens today. The Badgers can also now pencil themselves in for a Thursday afternoon game in Omaha. This is what sucks: the team plays from 2:30-4:30 today. Watches the selection show in Indy. Then gets on the bus/plane to get back to Madison.
If they are smart the coaches already have mini scouting reports and maybe a tape or two on the opponent- someone like Belmont. The coaches start formulating their game plans on the trip home and then work late into the night.
Tomorrow morning: team meeting, regular afternoon practice.

Then things go to hell really quick. From my experiences travelling with the team 3 times for opening round games (1 Thurs, 2 Fri) here is the schedule that Dick Bennett used for the Thurs round in 2000:

9AM: Shoot around at Kohl

10:30 Leave for airport

11AM: Charter plane leaves airport

EARLY AFTERNOON: CHeck into hotel, get ready

30 mins later: leave for arena for private practice

Evening: team dinner, meetings, film study

9PMish: Travon Davis "hot tub treatment" with members of UW spirit squad.

The next day is just as hectic as each site oppens up their arenas to the fans who can come and watch a 60 minute public practice where, really, nothing gets done.

That team in 2000 had the benefit of not playing until Thurs night- the late game, but with Kansas seemingly headed for Omaha, there is a good chance the Badgers will be taking the court during daylight hours, making the turn around even more daunting.

The bottom line: sit Hughes today, work in Leuer and Jarmusz and there is no shame in losing on Saturday in the BTT


SEED MATH:

And finally, to wrap up my week of percentages:

1 Seed: 0%
4+ seeds: 0%
2 seed: 65% Wisconsin wins and they are a 2
3 seed: 35% The Badgers lose and they are a 3.

Easy enough. Go Red!