Bucky's Tour of the Big Ten

You're either with us, or you don't watch hoops and you're against us

2009-04-06T20:36:00.005-05:00

Editor's note: This post was thought out and mostly written prior to the ghastly first half that we are seeing on tv right now

So we've got a situation here. After Sparty's big win on Saturday night I got ridiculed by a couple of people for congratulating the Big 10 in what they considered a "down" season. Since I have watched a gazillion hours of hoops since around Election Day and since I actually follow the game while others are busy focusing on dopey politicians or their radio show, I actually understand that the Big 10 had a pretty good year. But before I get started at proving myself correct, let's review the following Facebook exchange:

TR is tired of people who don't follow hoops telling him that the BT is having a down year- go Sparty, Go Lions, Go Badgers!

RS: I will be the first to admit that, living in KC, I am better prepared to discuss the Big 12 than the Big 10. However, numbers still don't lie. Two teams in the top 25. Illinois loses to WKU, OSU loses to Siena, and the one good team in the conference gets to the finals.

By that logic, you're going to tell me that the Pac 10 is a great football conference even though USC is the only solid team they've fielded in five years...

JJH: I am sick of people who live and die by the numbers. Watch some fucking games! (JJH later admitted he was drunk and has no idea what point he was trying to prove)

RS: I suppose this would be the wrong time to mention that the Big 10 has never won the Big 10/ACC Challenge? That they're a big fat 0-10?

In the last ten years, the Big 10 has had one national champion and averages just under one team in the Final Four per year. If we look at the last five years, that's zero champions and four teams in the Final ... (and two of those were back in 2005). In three of the last six years, the Big 10 has not been represented at all.

Unless this is third grade and everyone gets a medal, winning and losing is all that matters. Is there something intrinsic about the Big 10 (other than regional bias) that I'm missing here? Or is the "uniqueness" of the Big 10 really just another word for mediocrity?

Ok, all caught up?

Since the Supervisor brought up the last 10 years- even though my point was this season (nothing like ignoring a comment to enhance your side) lets go with the Final Four fields between 2000 and 2009. I've decided to break them down in appearances, schools who made the final 4, championship losses, and championships. Lets look at how we did:

SEC: 4 appearances, 2 schools, 1 loss, 2 titles
PAC Ten: 4/2/2/0
Big Twelve: 6 appearances, 4 schools, 1 loss, 1 title
ACC: 9 appearances, 4 teams, 1 or 2 losses, 3 or 4 titles
BIG Ten: 8 appearances, 5 schools, 2/3 losses, 1/2 wins
CUSA: 3 appearances (MU and Lville were in CUSA for their Final 4 births) 3 schools, 1 loss, no titles
Big East: 5 appearances, 4 schools, no losses, 2 titles.

Yes, once again the RS wanted to use the last 10 years of data to prove a point about the Big 10- that point must be that the Big 10 is on par with every top conference in America. Even if we give the Lville and Marq appearances to the Big East the conference would still trail in appearances and title game losses and have a whopping one more title than the Big 10. To be honest, looking at their numbers, especially with 16 teams, the Big East is the conference that has certainly been overrated over the past decade.

Also, look at the number of schools that have made it. Out of the 11 members of the Big 10, 5 have gone to the Final 4 in the past decade. Only the Big East, with their 16 teams can beat that number. In addition, should we take this data back another 10 years we would be able to add 2 more schools who made it to the final weekend. My argument in favor of the Big 10 this season is that the conference is as deep as any in the country- the fact that almost half their members have made it to the Final 4 in the last decade shows that the top to bottom quality of this conference can not be matched.

Again, the original argument before the RS decided to turn his guns on himself was this season. So lets look at this season.

First off, the Big 10 was ranked either 2nd or 3rd in the RPI all season. The NCAA basketball committee also chose to put 7 teams in the tournament- the same number of teams as the ACC and Big East (the other two conferences ranked in the top 3 of the RPI all season). Those 7 spots were well-deserved. Lets look at the season, what two things do the following teams all have in common?

Butler
Florida State (2)
Texas
UCLA
Duke
Boston College
Washington
Kansas (2)
Louisville (2)
UConn
Mizzou

Each of those teams wore white on the first day of the NCAA tournament and each were defeated by a Big 10 program sometime this year. That is a pretty good list of scalps and would have looked even better had Notre Dame and Davidson not completely wet the bed all season.

The RS also brings up the Big 10-ACC challenge. So let's look at that event this season: The ACC demolished the Big 10 6-5 in the challenge. But those were not the only 11 games between the two conferences this year (there is one tonight, I hear). Maryland also beat MSU, Duke and Michigan split two games, Purdue beat BC. With all of that the breakdown would end up at 8-7 to the ACC, ah but the Big 10 are 2-0 in the tournament giving the midwesterners are 9 to 8 lead going into tonight.

Speaking of the tournament, lets use another control to compare the three conferences that got 7 teams in. Lets see how the schools did compared to their seeds. Did teams underachieve, overachieve, or just achieve what they were slated to do based on their seed. Ths should be fun (parenthesis will mean by how many rounds).

Big East:

Lville: Under
Pitt: Under
Villanova: Over (2)
W Virginia: Under
UConn: Achieved
Syracuse: Achieved
Marquette: Achieved

ACC:

Duke: Under
UNC: Over (1-2)
Wake: Under (2)
BC: Under
FSU: Under*
Clemson: Under*
Maryland: Over

*To a Big 10 team

BIG 10:

MSU: over (2)
Purdue: Over
Illinois: Under
OSU: Under
MIchigan: Over
Wisconsin: Over
Minn: Achieved

The Big 10 schools had a pretty good tournament here. These results show that the conference is not top-heavy, instead it is a deep conference. While you can scoff all you want, lets also keep in mind that both Penn State and Northwestern- two of the non-tourney teams won at Michigan State this year. Penn State also won the NIT in a field that included Kentucky, Creighton, Notre Dame, and ESPN's own St. Mary's.

Sure I could go on- I could bring up academic standards, the problems with recruiting warm weather kids to the upper midwest, and I could even add 5 teams to the conference in order to equal the monstrosity that is the Big East. But my point is more than made. The Big 10 in 2008-2009 is a deep conference, one that has good teams and great teams. A conference with some incredible scalps this season and one that has had a good last few weeks in this tournament.

With so many good players returning, the best is yet to come for the Big 10.

The Best Offense in the Big Ten

2009-03-12T09:40:00.003-05:00

File this under the heading "looks can be decieving." According to tempo-free statistics,
Wisconsin had the best offense in the Big Ten during conference play. The Badgers scored 1.08 points per possession (PPP), edging out MSU by 0.02 PPP.

The reason that Wisconsin wasn't able to crack the top 3? Its defense -- which was fifth best in the conference, allowing 1.00 PPP. The three teams that finished ahead of Wisconsin all allowed less than 0.95 PPP. For comparison sake, Wisconsin allowed 0.83 PPP over the course of the 07-08 season and was ranked second in the nation in defensive efficiency.

In my mind, the drop-off in defensive efficiency can be tied to the graduation of Flowers, Butch and Steisma. The sophomores and juniors on this year's squad have not been able to step up and fill the big shoes of the departed players. If Wisconsin is going to make a run in the Big Ten Tourney and the Dance, the defensive play must get better.

Big Ten Tournament Battleground

2009-03-12T08:13:00.005-05:00

Sorry to steal your thunder Heals, but here are my quick picks for the first day of the BTT:

Northwestern (9) over Minnesota (8) 57-54
Michigan (7) over Iowa (10) 65-60
Penn St. (6) over Indiana (11) 63-62

Explanation: Northwestern is playing as well as anybody in the Big Ten right now. Minnesota's offense is not good in the half-court and Northwestern will not allow this game to be back-and-forth will a lot of transition points, as Minnesota likes. The Cats will go through and the Gophers will go home.

Michigan is coming off a huge win at Minnesota. Iowa is coming off another OT game at home. Iowa has not beaten a single Big Ten team away from home and the trend will continue today.

Penn St. is coming off a disappointing loss at Iowa that could have sealed up the #2 seed. Indiana is playing at "home" with nothing to play for except the chance to ruin Penn St.'s season. I thank goodness that Wisconsin avoiding the #6 seed because this game vs. Indiana is a no-win situation. If you win, it is because you should have beaten the team with 1 conference win. If you lose, it is an inexcusable loss that will resonate with the selection committee. I expect Indiana to play well in front of a friendly crowd and really challenge Penn St. These two teams played less than two weeks ago in State College and Indiana was in it to the end. However, as he has shown during the year, Talor Battle will find a way to get the Nittany Lions the win.

QUARTERFINALS

Michigan St. (1) over Minnesota (8) 70-55
Wisconsin (4) over Ohio St. (5) 60-58
Michigan (7) over Illinois (2) 63-60
Purdue (3) over Penn St. (6) 66-60

Explanation: Michigan St. is peaking at the end of the season and playing for a #1 seed if it can pull of the double. I expect Michigan St. to display its lock-down defense and stymie a Minnesota team that has trouble running its offense in the half-court. Minnesota will not be able to improve its bubble position and be sweating it out at 5 pm Sunday.

Wisconsin and Ohio State will be a repeat from the February 14th game in Madison -- hard fought and down to the last possession. The key match-ups will be Krabbenhoft vs. Turner, Bohannon vs. Diebler and Leuer/Landry vs. Mullins. I expect Krabbenhoft and Landry to display senior leadership and lead the Badgers over a senior-less Buckeye team.

As I blogged earlier, I'm not sold on this Illinois team. They play great defense, but the offense is hit-or-miss. I expect a lot of misses from the Illini offense and the Wolverines to win a game they need to win to make the big dance.

Finally, Purdue is coming off back-to-back losses to finish the season and faces a PSU team that waltzed past Indiana yesterday. I believe that Purdue is going to play well in the BTT, motivated by the loss in last years' quarterfinals. I don't put too much stake in PSU's win yesterday and I expect the Purdue defense to slow down Talor Battle and "cut-off the head" of PSU's offense. Purdue looks to be a good bet to make the finals in the BTT.

Accountability

2009-03-10T18:16:00.004-05:00

Before the season I predicted every game on the Big Ten Mens' Basketball Schedule. Here was my prediction for the final regular season standings:

1. Michigan St.: 16-2
2. Purdue: 14-4
2. Wisconsin: 14-4
4. Michigan: 12-6
4. Minnesota: 12-6
6. Ohio St.: 8-10
7. Illinois: 6-12
7. Northwestern: 6-12
7. Penn St.: 6-12
10. Iowa: 5-13
11. Indiana: 0-18

Here are the actual final regular season standings:

1. Michigan St.: 15-3
2. Illinois: 11-7
3. Purdue: 11-7
4. Wisconsin: 10-8
5. Ohio St.: 10-8
6. Penn St.: 10-8
7. Michigan: 9-9
8. Minnesota: 9-9
9. Northwestern: 8-10
10. Iowa: 5-13
11. Indiana: 1-17

So let's analyze my predictions John Wayne style:

The Good - Picking MSU to win the title and Indiana to finish dead last. However, I would have never predicted that MSU would have lost two home games, much less games to Northwestern and Penn St. I also thought that Iowa would be able to take Indiana at Bloomington -- silly me.

The Bad - Picking Minnesota and Michigan to each finish 12-6. I thought both of these teams were poised to make the leap in their second year with a new coach. Minnesota was actually closer to 7-11 if you consider the two "wins" vs. UW. I still contend that Carter committed goaltending on JBo's layup in the first meeting and UW's four corners approach in the second game was disappointing. Michigan was frisky at home, but could not deliver on the road until its final game at Minnesota. Plus Michigan relies too heavily on the 3 pointer. When they are on, they are hard to beat. When they are off, they are easy to defend.

The Ugly - Picking Illinois and Penn St. to each finish 6-12. Allow me to defend these predictions though - I still can't figure out how Illinois won 11 games. Ok, I guess they played pretty good defense, but that offense was offensive at times. And they should have lost at Northwestern had the Wildcats had any ability to score a basket in the last 5 minutes of that game. With respect to Penn St., the were actually outscored over the course of the Big Ten season, so that should have meant a below .500 record. But somehow the Nittany Lions won 10 games, including two gifts was Illinois and a win vs. a Purdue team without Hummel or Kramer (not as big a loss as Hummel).

On to the Big Ten Tournament.

And the Winner of the BT Tournament Will Be...

2009-03-09T11:54:00.002-05:00

Click here to vote in the Chicago Tribune poll. Little surprise that UI has the early lead, followed by MSU, then Purdue, with Bucky pulling in the same place as their position in the conference standings. I'll be back prior to the tournament with my picks for what should be an interesting weekend in Indy.

Owen Daniels to the Pro Bowl

2009-01-29T10:42:00.000-06:00

Texan's TE and former Badger Owen Daniels will be making his way to Honolulu next week for the Pro Bowl in his third season. The former option QB at Naperville Central has come a long way, and is perhaps paving a path for future NFL-bound Badger TE's like Travis Beckham and Garret Graham.

Beat-Up Boilers

2009-01-06T10:22:00.004-06:00

Robbie Hummel and Chris Kramer are both nursing injuries for the pre-season conference favorites, and judging by the former's play last Tuesday against Illinois, and the latter's absence down the stretch, this is but a shadow of the same team without them both at full strength. Look for Penn State to give them all they can handle in Happy Valley this evening, and add a little more intrigue to Sunday's showdown at Mackey with Bo's Badgers.

Six is good, you got a problem with six?

2009-01-04T13:54:00.002-06:00

If we can only agree on one thing about the first 2 months of the college basketball season it is that the Big Ten is much deeper than it has been in the past. 8 of the 11 teams have realistic NCAA hopes and I would even argue that NU has that potential as long as they can steal some early wins in conference play- something they failed to do vs PSU on Wednesday, however.

After slumming with 4-5 bids in the NCAA in recent years the BT should be able to pull 6, or even 7 teams into the dance.
Think that is a little optimistic? It actually might not be when you look at the college hoops landscape.

Taking the auto bids for the small conferences while throwing 2 bids at the MVC, WCC, MWC, and A-10 and then 2 extra bids in case teams like Butler or Memphis do not win their conference tournies, that gives us 31 of 65 bids. Which leaves 34 bids left for the 6 BCS conferences.

So, now breaking those down:

Big East: I like this conference getting 9 bids. 10 could be ambitious because teams like WVU, Providence and Cinci wil lose 9+ games in conference and be excluded come March.

SEC: Wow, the SEC is not very good this year, but some schools put up gaudy non-conf records feasting on nothing but garbage. I'll give them 5 right now, with a potential for a 6th should someone like S Carolina or LSU have a good league slate

Big 12: Like the SEC, another one that has an awful lot of teams roll up good NC records against teams from the SWAC. I will right now go with 5 teams.

So after 3 leagues that is 19 teams, room for 15 more

Pac 10: 6 teams have double-digit wins and that does not include Arizona, so 7 have a chance, but I will only take 4 from a very very weak league

ACC: The ACC's cream will probably allow for 6 teams to make it.

So, after that we have 5 spots remaining that should be locked in for the Big 10.
I think even if teams like Butler, Ill State, and Memphis win their tournies it will be difficult for the conference to get a 7th team. A week ago many in the media would have had you believe that the Badgers would have been that 6th or 7th team, but a lot of us know otherwise.

Who will be able to experience the joy of 6, let's look ahead with my first power rankings of the year (through Sunday's action):

NCAA LOCKS:

1. Michigan State: The Spartans have bounced back nicely from a rough start and seem to be ready to compete for the league title and a 2 seed in March.

2. Purdue: Despite the loss to Illinois the Boilers will be in the top 3 all year long. They will live and die by their outside shooting, which means some head scratching losses like the one at home to the Illini this week.

NCAA PROBABLES:

3. Wisconsin: Yeah, remember them? The Badgers non-conf results might not be NCAA worthy, but they probably only need 10 BT wins to get in thanks to at least playing a tough NC schedule. Already 1/5 of the way there.

4. Illinois: The Illini edge out Michigan here because I think they are going to be just a tad more consistent than the Wolverines this season. In other words, I can see UM going to Bloomington and losing, I cannot see the Illini doing that.

NCAA BUBBLE WATCH OR NIT FAVORITES:

5. Michigan: Harris and Simms, Harris and Simms, oh and Novak knocking down the 3's. I like Michigan going about 9-9 and maybe drawing the 6 seed in Indy, but with their two huge non-conf scalps that could get them in.

6. Minnesota: Personally, I think Minnesota is a year away. Color me unimpressed with their victory over a tired Louisville team in front of an empty football stadium in freaking Phoenix. Another team that is going to win 8-10 conference games, but unlike Michigan they do not have the non-conf heft.

7. Penn State: The Lions are certainly improved. Enough to make the NCAA tourney? Maybe not. Just like the 2 teams ahead of them and the one behind them, they appear destined for 8-10 wins

8. Ohio State: Think this is too low? If so, you might want to check out the Buckeyes. They have been unimpressive to awful in their last three games with their lone win being over a bad Iowa team at home. Still, if the Big Ten gets 6 teams, these guys could jump PSU and Minn or Michigan to claim that spot.

THE QUESTION MARK:

9. Northwestern: A week ago I would have had the Cats ranked 7th. Words cannot explain how damaging that loss to PSU was on Wednesday. A chance to go 1-0 and beat a team of your same skill level on the road would have been HUGE for this team. Instead they are 0-2 with a trip to Madison on Wednesday. What it all means is probably a 5-7 win season and a potential NIT birth. However, if this team can gel before the end of the week after next and maybe start 2-4 they could be a scary team in February and threaten the NCAA bubble.

AT LEAST WE WON OUR BOWL GAME:

10. Iowa: I do not think much of the Hawkeyes and think their close shave against OSU says more about the Bucks than the Hawks. I see them getting 4 or 5 BT wins, but it could be less if they cannot defend the home court against the middle of the league.

WAIT TIL (the year after) NEXT YEAR:

11. Indiana: I cannot see IU going 0-18 when you have enough teams like OSU and Michigan who could lack concentration over an 18 game schedule. But if IU gets 4 wins Tom Crean might win coach of the year.
Oh, speaking of which, in the BTN ad with all the coaches, why is he so angry? Is this guy ever look happy? Or does he wake up every morning and watch someone pee in his Wheaties before sitting down for breakfast?
Oh, and something else, Bo Ryan's first year in Madison was supposed to be a complete disaster- 6 wins would have been a huge accomplishment- and yet he won the conference. Now, the cupboard was not as completely bare in Madison in 2001 as it is in Bloomington this year, but Ryan lost 5 top players to graduation, Ricky Bower to transfer, and their #1 recruit (Latrell Flemming) to a medical condition. His two seniors were Travon Davis and Charlie Wills. Anders Helmigk was supposed to be a main contributor! The bottom line is, Crean deserves a break for this year, but I am not going to buy that a 2-16 season is not at all his fault.

Live Game Blog: Penn St. vs. UW

2009-01-03T13:07:00.003-06:00

Badgers fresh off big road win at Michigan, while PSU held off Northwestern at home. Penn State 12-2 on the season, best start in 13 years.

19:20: Cornley opens scoring with long 2. Nankivil answers to tie game at 2.

18:45: Hughes on give and go backdoor cut.

18:18: Landry pivots and hits from short corner. Jones answers with solid interior feed for Penn St. 6-4.

17:40: Battle ties game with another long J for PSU. Lions getting good looks early at the basket.

17:08: Perimeter foul called on Penn State.

17:00: J-Bo for 3 on a rattler.

16:38: Cornley on baseline hook.

16:17: Leuer loves the elbow. Hits contested shot. Instant offense from #30! 11-8 UW.

15:45: Cornley hits third basket. Lack of helpside D. 11-10.

15:33: J-Bo draws another perimeter foul. Timeout Penn St. Jarmusz and Gully enter game for UW.

14:59: Jordan Taylor makes first appearance. Let's hope he builds on Wednesday's strong performance in limited minutes.

13:55: Brooks gives Penn State the lead. Lack of offense on the floor for Bucky, and defense looks shaky, too.

12:25: Rob Wilson in the game, great hustle on offensive glass saves possession.

12:07: Krabby stops bleeding with driving runner. Bucky regains lead, 13-12. Ends 4-minute FG drought.

11:44: TV timeout. Penn State fails to take advantage of UW's dry spell. Let's see if Wisconsin can create some separation during the next stretch.

11:29: Landry draws foul underneath on Cornley, 4th on PSU. Hits both. 15-12.

10:54: Morrisey hits contested 2 over J-Bo as shot clock expires. 15-14.

10:30: Another Penn State foul, this one as Krabby battles for position in the paint. Badgers with only one foul.

10:08: I spoke too soon. Landry whistled for foul on what looked like a clean block. Cornley getting the better of matchup so far, hits both FT's. PSU 16-15.

9:33: Hughes misses from 3, needs to get in on action.

8:32: Landry turnaround J over Cornley. Bucky regains lead in see-saw battle.

7:31: TV timeout. Bucky still struggling on offense, and it starts with the PG position. Hughes settled for a contested jump shot on last possession and has yet to take the lid off the basket. Defense has tightened up and played decent helpside, yielding the current 1-point lead.

7:18: Landry on another turnaround, taking advantage of his height over Cornley.

6:52: Ott draws foul on drive. Nankivil whistled for 1st.

6:11: Cornley with half hook over Leuer. 19-18 WI.

5:39: Krabby on excellent baseline drive. Pringle answers with quick 2 on the other end.

4:58: Landry from 3! Great half on offensive end. Cornley answers in the paint once more. 24-22 Bucky.

4:23: Cornley called for 2nd foul, stays in game with 12 points.

3:34: Landry on fadeaway. Badger red hot!

3:01: Floater by Pringle. UW's transition D poor.

2:43: J-Bo on baseline drive. 28-24 UW.

2:05: Taylor draws foul on drive to the basket. Timeout on the floor. Bucky needs a strong finish to an up and down half. Landry has shouldered the offensive load so far, and Krabby has scored the critical baskets when the team needed them most, but the guards have been MIA. Taylor misses first, drills second. 29-24.

1:39: David Jackson scores off of offensive RB.

1:04: Brooks bails out J-Bo with foul on drive to basket as shot clock winds down. Hits one, plus the bonus. 31-26.

:34.6: Wisconsin timeout. 4-second differential on shot and game clocks. UW should wind clock down and try to find a way to get the ball in Landry's hands once more.

:04.4: J-Bo for three as shot clock expires. 34-26.

HALFTIME. Penn State hitting half of shots from the field, UW slightly below. Look for BO to stress better helpside defense at halftime and ball pressure on the perimeter as post entries to Corney have come to easy despite Landry's fronts. On offense, as I said before, Hughes needs to contribute, first by taking the ball to the basket and kicking out if the shot isn't there. That said, a lackluster half still yields a 8-point lead against a 12-2 team.

Landry leads UW with 13, Cornley with 12. Penn State yet to hit a 3, and Bucky has made 3-6. This, along with a +3 turnover differential (5-2), the reason for the halftime lead. Both teams officially shooting 48% from field. Taylor Battle, BT's leading scorer, has only 2 points. Hughes has made a difference here.

SECOND HALF.

19:20: Hughes corrals offensive RB, draws foul.

19:02: Cringle converts in transition after Krabby misses bunny on other end. 34-28.

18:20: Krabby misses a 2nd open layup off of excellent spin move.

17:49: Make that a third Krabbenhoff miss. UW still scoreless.

17:38: Jackson draws foul with poor transition defense to blame once more. Hits first, misses second. UW up five.

16:57: Loose ball foul called on Jones. UW fortunate as they get beat back on defense once more. Taylor in for Hughes.

16:38: J-Bo makes aggressive move to basket, draws foul. Hits both. 36-29. UW still looking for a FG.

16:23: Cornley hits deep 2. Game leader with 14.

16:05: Leuer takes lid off basket on excellent drive to hoop, scores on floater. 38-31.

15:51: Timeout on the floor. UW has weathered early second half storm thanks to J-Bo and Leuer. Time to extend this lead to double digits. I'm confident the offense will be there, so they need to get back on D and play strong helpside in the post.

15:05: Cornley hits two, draws 2nd foul on Hughes. Converts 3-point play. 38-34.

14:45: Krabby GETS ROLL ON one end, while Pringle answers on the other. 40-36.

13:56: J-Bo with a transition layup, pass from Krabby. Cringle answers once more.

13:28: Landry with bunny from right block. 44-38.

13:00: J-Bo forces jump ball on RB, possession arrow to Bucky. PSU showing 1-3-1 zone.

11:54: Landry on turnaround from left elbow. Restores halftime lead. 46-38.

10:42: Timeout on the floor. Penn State has challenged, but simply cannot close the gap. Outside of Cornley and Cringle, they have failed to hit open and contested jump shots. UW provided an opener during the first 10 minutes of this half, and now must close the door for good.

10:31: Pringle hits tough shot to close gap to 6.

9:53: UW with several looks at the basket, battles for RB to keep possession.

9:34: Krabby uses the glass from 5 feet away. Back to eight.

9:14: Pringle answers yet again from 3. Down to five.

8:53: landry misses from 3, Hughes called for reach-in on RB, his third.

8:36: Battle for 3, lead down to 2. Hughes failed to get hands up.

7:47: Penn State takes lead on another Pringle 3. Timeout Bucky. 11-2 PSU run. Score: 49-48.

7:22: Hughes answers bell (FINALLY) with a 3.

6:53: Pringle hits a ridiculous 3 to restore Penn State lead. 21 points for PSU guard.

6:30: Taylor draws foul on drive to the basket. Makes 1-2 from line to tie game. 52 all.

5:44: Pringle draws three shot foul on Taylor. Freshman mistake. Hits 2-3. 54-52 PSU. J-Bo replaces Taylor.

4:51: Landry with hugh post-up basket. Ties game at 54. Hughes needs to work within offense, especially with only the short strokes of the clock remaining in this nail-biter.

3:59: Timeout on the floor after both teams fail to convert. Hughes takes a tough shot in the paint, once again not an ideal decision. Leuer and/ or Landry should touch the ball every possession from here on out. Penn State has never won at the Kohl, but they have a prime opportunity today. Time for Bucky to tighten up on D and convert with solid looks at the basket during the remaining handful of offensive possessions.

3:36: Bucky grabs RB after a series of PSU misses on contested J's, including a Morrisey three from long-range.

3:22: Timeout UW. Bo to draw up go-ahead basket.

3:02: Hughes for 3 with shot clock winding down. Forget all of my criticism this far. ;) 57-54.

1:55: Penn State foul on Cornley as he battles with Krabby for loose ball with 1 second on shot block. The bulldog converts both for double-double (10 points, 10 boards).

1:42: Cornley converts layup, draws foul on Landry. Epic battle today between these two forwards. Hits FT for 3-point play. 59-57.

1:18: Pingle fouls Hughes on perimeter. Bo playing offense-defense with Bohannan and Taylor. Hughes hits both for 4-point lead. 61-57. UW 12-14 from FT line.

1:12: Timeout Penn State. DeChellis still seeking first win versus UW in six seasons. He'll need some late magic to reverse this equation.

0:59: Pringle drills contested 3 to make it a 1-point game. Career-high 27. Taylor burned by going for steal on pass off of screen. 61-60.

0:53.9: Timeout WI.

0:38.9: Landry backs in and scores off glass. 21 for senior F. 63-60.

0:13.1: Battle draws foul on dribble drive from left on Krabby. Misses first, hits second. 2-point Wisconsin lead. Timeout PSU.

0:07.8: Landry scores on dunk, draws foul. Hughes broke press perfectly as backcourt trap failed to arrive. Misses FT.

FINAL. UW 65 PSU 61. Bucky survives a close shave. Penn State showed they have some weapons, and Bucky played with poise down the stretch. Landry tied a career-high with 23. Wisconsin is now 31-1 when he scores in double figures. There is no question that the team goes as the senior forward does. His long absences against Marquette and Texas illustrate this point. Krabby was solid as always, and J-Bo played well on the perimeter. Hughes was largely absent on offense most of the game, but came up big late. Leuer simply looks to score every time he catches the ball. I look for him to play a bigger role as the season progresses. Taylor played important minutes, even late in the game, earning more as January yields to February and March. In the end, Bucky takes care of business and is 2-0 in the league with Northwestern on deck at the Kohl.

Live Game Blog: UW @ Michigan

2008-12-31T13:03:00.003-06:00

The BT opener on the road against a ranked opponent.

19:42: Michigan wins tipoff and scores on easy layup.

19:24: Landry follows with contested layup and converts the three-point play. Bucky 3-2. Leuer enters game early.

Michigan in a zone press.

18:32: Leuer carves it up with a jumper from the elbow. 5-2.

17:29: Landry books it on a long three. 8-2.

17:05: Michigan answers. 8-5.

Badgers look sloppy on the perimeter as Michigan is pressing the ball and the passing lane. No TO's yet, though.

16:23: Another layup for Michigan. Leuer answers with a quick J. 11-7.

First timeout: Michigan's size underneath will be an issue. Looks like a recurring them for this season. Bo really needs to develop his current bigs and make this a recruting priority moving forward. Who would think the team would miss Brian Butch this desperately?

Landry off to a great start. UW 29-1 when he scores in double figures.

15:47: Simms converts 2 FT's. 11-9.

15:20: Landry with 8 after beautiful inside feed from Leuer. 13-9.

14:38: J-Bo with clearout layup. 15-9.

14:18: Gullickson, Jarmutz, and Wilson in the game.

13:58: Leuer creates a shot from the elbow over Simms. Leuer and Landry perfect from the field. 17-9.

13:26: Rob Wilson gets in the action with a mismatch in the post. Converts 3-point play. 20-9. Taylor enters the game. The future is before us.

12:58: Novak hits second 3. 20-12.

12:43: Jarmutz answers with a layup. 22-12. Bucky has missed only once from the field.

12:07: Wilson draws foul with dribble drive. Hits both. 24-12. I really like his aggressiveness.

11:46: Gully called for blocking foul. Timeout. Bucky looks crisp after 8-day layoff and disappointing loss at home to Texas. Michigan seems clueless as how to defend the swing. This game will inevitably tighten, but solid start nonetheless. Michigan hits one at the line. 24-13.

First UW turnover as Wilson travels. Questionable call.

9:43: Landry still perfect from field. Turnaround J. Lucas answers for MI. 26-15.

8:53: Michigan's Lee for 3. 26-18. Nankivil slow to close out.

8:36: J-Bo called for charge. Questionable call once more.

8:24: Landry called for second foul. This is where Bucky was hurt last week.

8:13: Perry drills three. 26-21.

7:42: Krabby takes it to the hole to stop bleeding. 28-21. Michigan has tightened up defense and Bucky has lost fluidity on offense. The defense needs to do a better job of chasing on screens and closing out perimeter shooters. 3's have helped Michigan back into game.

7:23: Timeout.

6:57: Hughes from long distance. 31-21.

Bucky playing too fast for my liking on offense.

5:06: Leuer good on baseline drive after missing from 3 on last possession. Leuer simply looks to score every time he has the ball in his hands. He is a true triple threat. 33-21. Michigan timeout. Leuer the leading bench scorer in the BT.

4:52: Michigan in the bonus after Lucas drives and draws second foul on Leuer. Badger offense on the bench in foul trouble. Lucas hits one from the line.

3:42: Novak hits wide open three. 33-25.

3:13: Krabby with solid drive to hoop to stop bleeding once more. Timeout. He'll shoot two when we come back.

I used this analogy last week when the team suffered from foul trouble. This is a penalty killing unit for the rest of the half. Milk the clock, get solid looks at the basket and FT's, and play solid on D without compounding the foul problem and we go into the half with a lead.

Krabby hits both. 35-25.

2:08: Krabby sinks three from left corner. The shotput is ugly, but hey, we'll take it. Mcihigan answers with Harris layup. 38-29.

1:34: Hughes hits two FT's after drawing perimeter foul.

1:20: Foul on Gullickson, his 2nd. Lucas-Perry hits 2. 40-31.

33.6: Bo calls timeout to draw up one last look at the basket. Bucky still hitting 2/3 of shots. Should be up by more, but fouls have hurt.

05: Jordan Taylor converts. Badgers head into half with 11 point lead. 42-31.

HALFTIME

Novak has 11 for MI, 3-4 behind the arc. 9 for Lucas-Perry. Badgers have contained Harrris and Simms so far.

19:11: J-Bo with a jumper from the right elbow. Novak answers with 3. 44-34.

18:28: Novak scores bunny on reboud of Lucas-Perry miss. Nankivil answers with elbow jumper off of Krabby's dribble-pen.

17:36: Simms from 3. 46-39.

17:10: Landry whistled for 3rd foul, this one backing in. Stays in game.

16:46: Nice dribble dribve to basket by Hughes, followed by a steal and a layup by #3. 50-39.

15:51: Simms from short corner. Hughes answers from 3. 7 straight for junior PG. 53-41.

14:32: Hughes draws permiter foul. Timeout. Novak is single-handedly keeping MI in game with 16 points. He's a froshie, and that's already a career-high. I'd shift Krabby over to him. The looks are coming way too easy.

14:00: Hughes en fuego, hits another 3. Largest lead of game, 56-41.

13:44: Harris draws foul on Krabby, his 1st. Harris hits 1-2.

13:30: Landry hits underneath on spin move. 58-42.

12:28: Simms scores transition layup. 58-44. Timeout. I would sit Landry here for a few minutes and ask Leuer to shoulder his scoring load. Hughes needs to touch the ball each time down anyway given that he scored 10 straight this half. Bucky still looks crisp on offense. Still hitting 66% of shots last I saw.

12:15: Novak fouls Landry on post entry.

12:03: J-Bo on curl. 60-44.

11:26: Jordan Taylor in the game and looks great on perimeter D. Dives on floor for loose ball, too. TV timeout. I predict that UW is 10 points away from a huge road win to begin conference play. 70 takes it.

11:15: Landry dunks as Bucky breaks the press. Still playing with 3 fouls.

10:16: I spoke too soon as Landry is whistled for his 4th on drive to basket.

9:30: Novak from corner as Jarmutz late to close. 62-47.

9:01: Krabby called for illegal screen. 4 fouls on team. This feels like a critical juncture as MI must make a run now.

8:10: Leuer turns the ball over and Michigan scores in transition. Gibson misses 3-point chance. 62-49.

Bucky struggling offensively as MI has tightened pressure.

7:03: Hughes draws perimeter foul. Timeout. Bo should come back with the starters minus Landry and Nankivil, adding Leuer and Wilson. Need a bucket here.

6:25: Poor clock management by Bucky. Hughes launches desperation 3 and fouls Harris on rebound.

6:09: Krabby fouls Harris once more. MI in bonus. Harris hits both. 62-51.

5:52: Great cross-court pass by Jamutz for air-em bunny by Wilson. 64-51.

4:53: Simms corrals 1st RB of day and draws foul on Hughes. Makes 1-2. 64-52.

Timeout: Great helpside D by Bucky as Michigan fails to covert. Poor play on offense offset by cushion and hard work on other end of the court. MI has not lost at home this season, but this record is in severe jeopardy.

3:57: Novaks hits one, misses bonus. 64-53.

3:15: Harris should have been called for a charge, hits lay-in. Landry answers with open bunny.

2:43: Offensive foul on Harris. make-up call.

2:40: Hughes breaks press all by himself, draws foul. Great PG play today, Taylor in his limited minutes included. Timeout.

2:27: Leuer with dunk on excellent feed by J-Bo.

2:04: Lucas-Perry draws foul on drive. Hits 2. Landry fouls out. 16 points for the senior F. 68-57.

Jarmutz shows ability to handle the ball under pressure. He is a quiet contributor each and every game.

1:37: J-Bo at the line, misses front end of bonus.

1:14: J-Bo fouled once more, hits one, 69-57.

0:59: MI's Merritt scores easily on dribble-drive. Timeout. Bucky up 10.

0:53.8: MI shows FC press. Krabby fouled as he is trapped. The bulldog hits 2 to seal the win. Warm up the bus.

0:43.1: Krabby forces TO, Hughes fouled in process. Double bonus. Hughes misses first, drills second. 72-59.

029.7: Simms scores easily on layup with limited contest from Jarmutz. 72-61.

0:23.6: Leuer fouled in backcourt, hits front end.

GAME OVER: Bucky wins 73-61.

Analysis: Solid win and great play on both ends of floor. UW showing it may indeed possess the offense necessary to compete with the top tier of the BT. Looks like Michigan and Minnesota are both overrated and likely .500 teams in the league. Both are ranked and lost at home today. Purdue looked shaky last evening, and Illinois showed moxie and perhaps will knock on the door of the upper echelon of the league once more. MSU is the clear favorite, with Bucky and the Boilers battling for #2. The January 11th match-up in W. Lafayette will be an early indication of the league's pecking order. First, Bucky must take care of business at the Kohl against perennial bottom feeders Penn St. and Northwestern.

Yes, Indiana Will Go 0-18 (Big Ten Mens' BB Predictions)

2008-12-29T20:45:00.016-06:00

I sat down last night and predicted every game on the Big Ten Mens' Basketball Schedule. Here is what I think the final regular season standings will look like on March 8th (The Ws and Ls in the parenthetical indicate each team's predicted wins and losses):

1. Michigan St.: 16-2 (LWWWWWWWWWWWLWWWWW)

2. Purdue: 14-4 (WWWWWLLWWWWWWWLWWL)

2. Wisconsin: 14-4 (LWWLWWWWWWWWWWLWLW)

4. Michigan: 12-6 (WWWWWWLWLLWLWWWWLL)

4. Minnesota: 12-6 (WWWWLLWWWLLWWLWLWW)

6. Ohio St.: 8-10 (WLLWLLLWWLWLLWWLLW)

7. Illinois: 6-12 (LLWLLWLLWLLLWWLWLL)

7. Northwestern: 6-12 (LLLLWLLWLLWLWLWWLL)

7. Penn St.: 6-12 (WLLLLWWWLLLLLLLWWL)

10. Iowa: 5-13 (LWLLLLLLLWWLLLLLWW)

11. Indiana: 0-18 (LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL)

Notes: I believe Indiana will lose all 18 games -- yes, they are that bad (see losses at home to Northeastern and Lipscomb). I predict Wisconsin will lose @MSU, @Purdue, @Minnesota and @Michigan. I predict that this is the year that MSU lives up to the preseason hype and wins the Big Ten. Now that the Spartans have Goran Suton back, I believe that they are a better team than Purdue.

For comparison purposes, here is what Ken Pomroy predicts for the final regular season standings:

1. Purdue: 13-5
1. Illinois: 13-5
3. Ohio St.: 11-7
3. Northwestern: 11-7
5. Michigan: 10-8
6. Michigan St.: 9-9
6. Minnesota: 9-9
6. Iowa: 9-9
9. Wisconsin: 8-10
10. Penn St: 7-11
11. Indiana: 1-17

Let's home that Pomroy is way off. However, last year he did predict that Wisconsin would win the Big Ten regular season title, which was against the grain at the start of the regular season

ACC/Big Ten Challenge - Will the Big Ten Ever Win This Thing?

2008-11-30T17:51:00.002-06:00

This year marks the 10th annual ACC-Big Ten challenge. The Big Ten has never won the challenge, losing four of the challenges by a 5-4 margin; however the Big Ten has lost the last 2 challenges by an 8-3 margin. Can the Big Ten finally break through and top the ACC? It will be tough, as 6 of the games will be hosted by the ACC team, 4 played at the Big Ten venue and one game played at Ford Field in Detroit.

Here are my picks. I think I am being very optimistic, but I believe this could be the year:

UW over VTech
Miami over OSU
Purdue over Duke
Boston College over Iowa
Illinois over Clemson
Minnesota over Virginia
Wake Forest over Indiana
UNC over Michigan State
Penn State over Georgia Tech
Michigan over Maryland
Florida State over Northwestern

Final tally: 6-5

Badgers Be Jammin'

2008-11-20T17:43:00.007-06:00

The Badgers will make their second appearance at the Paradise Jam tournament in the U.S. Virgin Island this weekend.

With no slight to LBS or SIU-E, the Badgers will get their first real tests of the season. Up first for the Badgers are the Iona Gaels from the MAAC. Iona finished 12-20 last year and return 2 starters. The Gaels are young, particularly at the guards, but the guards do have talent and this team should not be overlooked.

If Wisconsin wins Friday night, they would face either San Diego — a team that returns everyone after advancing to the second round of last year's NCAA tournament with an upset win over UConn — or Valparaiso, a team that hung with the Badgers at the Kohl Center last year and if not for some mistakes down the stretch, could have won the game. I contend that the Badgers' win over Valpo was the turning point in the season last year, not the win at Texas.
.
And should Wisconsin win in the semis, UW could face Connecticut — ranked second in the nation and considered a serious national title contender — or Miami (Fla.) — ranked in the top 25 and featuring star senior guard Jack McClinton — in the tournament final.

To compare, in 2005 the Badgers beat Norfolk State, Eastern Kentucky and Old Dominion to claim the Paradise title.

My first round picks:

UW (-16.5) over Iona 60-50
Miami (-6) over S. Miss 72-62
UConn (-16) over LaSalle 75-57
San Diego (-6) over Valpo 55-45

My semifinal picks (11/23 8 am):

UConn (-5) over Miami 72-69
UW (-4) over San Diego 58-56

Note: I expect two close, hard-fought games today. I'm going with my heart over my head with the UW pick. San Diego is a formidable opponent.

My final pick (11/24 4 pm)

UConn (-4.5) over UW 70-60

I hope I am wrong, but I believe that UConn has too much firepower for the Badgers. I hope this game is not a repeat of the Duke loss last year where the game was over at the half. This is a game against top-quality competition, so win or lose the Badgers will come away a better team.

Why Not the Wildcat

2008-11-19T14:10:00.002-06:00

With one regular season game remaining and a hopeful trip to the Valley of the Sun for the Insight Bowl, the football Badgers are ending on a strong note after one of the most disappointing starts to conference play since the dawn of the Alvarez-Bielema era. Holes will remain next season, particularly along the defensive line and also at linebacker, but with PJ Hill returning for his senior season, and John Clay back as a sophomore, there has to be a way to get these two talented performers on the field more often.

The answer: try the Wildcat formation. Given that Dustin Sherrer is nothing more than the quarterback of the present, why not send him to the sidelines periodically and employ the formation Arkansas used so effectively with McFadden and Jones? The Dolphins have even used it in the NFL this season to get Ricky Williams on the field alongside stud Ronnie Brown.

I don't like Hill as a blocker and haven't seen much of Clay in this capacity, but Zach Brown is adequate in this area anyway, so he remains our best bet on third and long. Hill and Clay are great decoys and foils of one another. I would guess that Clay is a good enough athlete to split wide, too, as Alvarez did with Calhoun in his single season as a Badger.

Bottom line: there is some talent at wideout and tight end, but our two best players are stationed at running back, and it is imperative that Clay see more action while also capping off a solid career for Hill with another workmanlike 1,000 yard season. Soon-to-retire Joe Tiller took the league by storm with the spread a decade ago, and it's time for similar innovation on the ground in Madison. Perhaps our nine year drought in Pasadena will end with a thunder and lightning one-two punch in 2009.

Insightful

2008-11-18T21:11:00.002-06:00

Let me get away from my thoughts on AC/DC that were mistakenly posted here to just give one quick thought:

Say what you will about the Badger football team this year and the disappointment and the poor coaching, poor development, poor play, poor everything- but you cannot say this team quit. Yes, they were bad in the 2nd half against Michigan and both halves against PSU and Iowa, but they should be on a 4 game streak right now and had their coaches developed any sort of depth on the D-Line they would have defeated OSU.

Thumbs up to the players for playing hard and trying to get better as the season went on. These guys deserve a good, spirited crowd on Saturday versus a good Cal Poly team.

With that being said, here is this week's power rankings and bowl predictions:

1. Penn State: The best team, too bad they had one slip up ROSE BOWL
2. OSU: Based on the big win over MSU, CAPITOL ONE BOWL
3. Michigan State: A really really good year for Sparty, OUTBACK BOWL
4. Northwestern: I did not expect Pat Fitzgerald to do this well. ALAMO BOWL
5. Iowa: An OK year for the Hawkeyes punctuated by the win vs PSU CHAMPS SPORTS
6. Wisconsin: Record be damned, the Badgers are the 6th best team. INSIGHT
7. Illinois: As big of a disappointment that the Badgers have been do not forget the Illini NO BOWL
8. Michigan: Yeah, right now the Wolverines are better than the Gophers NO BOWL
9. Minnesota: Minnesota did not play badly in Madison, unlike their previous 2 losses, MOTOR CITY BOWL
10. Purude: Not a good way for Joe to go, NO BOWL
11. Indiana: YEEEEEEEEEESH, NO BOWL

Bracketology '09

2008-11-12T19:49:00.002-06:00

On the day after Wisconsin wrapped up its exhibition schedule with a win over UW-Whitewater, Joe Lunardi (aka Joey Brackets) posted his latest 2009 March Madness Bracket.

Without looking, where would you guess Mr. Lunardi slotted the Badgers? 4 seed? 5 seed? 6 seed?

Guess again -- The Badgers are listed as the...2 seed in the Midwest!

Other Big Ten teams included in the bracket were MSU as a 3 seed, Purdue as a 4 seed and OSU as a 10 seed.

When asked how he could have the Badgers as a 2 seed and Purdue as a 4 seed (Purdue generally being considered the team to beat in the Big Ten), Lundari responded:

"I'll admit the Wisconsin seeding is a bit high. Then again, they've finished first or second all but one time in the last five seasons. So what's more likely? A return to form by the most common champion [Wisconsin] or a repeat performance by a team no one will be surprised by in 2008-09 [Purdue]?"

I can't argue with that logic.

I'm happy to move my attention from football to basketball and I am excited about the prospects of Bo Ryan's team, but I see the Badgers on the 4 to 6 seed line come March.

Finally, I am very bullish on Jordan Taylor's career as a Badger. I am expecting big things from him this year and even bigger things the following 3 years. This kid has poise, is athletic and seems to have a high basketball IQ. J. Taylor will end up having a better career than K. Taylor and T. Hughes.

Spring Musings

2008-04-29T16:32:00.006-05:00

Even though this gray April day in Chicago feels more like a late-season college football Saturday at Camp Randall, I felt it an appropriate time to break the month-long seal on postings in the wake of the basketball Badgers ugly departure from the Dance. This post is devoted entirely to football, as I still believe a promising 2008 season awaits us despite a looming quarterback controversy, an injury-rattled DL, and the need to replace both NFL-caliber kicking specialists. Evridge should emerge as the QB, the DL will get healthy even before camp, and the kicking game will be fine with stellar replacements lined up for Melhaff and DeBauche.

Speaking of these two soon-to-be graduates, Melhaff was the first kicker taken in the draft and should replace one of the annoying Grammatica brothers. DeBauche, while not drafted, was signed immediately by the Pack and should give mediocre Jon Ryan a run for his money at punter come fall. Word is DeBauche is taking advice from Kevin Stemke, the Ray Guy of Badger football. This time there isn't a future pro bowler (Craig Heinrich) in a Badger's way.

Happy also to see Nick Hayden land on a team that needed help on the DL. The Hartland Arrowhead grad had a great senior season and is an effort player like Aaron Kampman who could be a solid pro in his own right. Paul Hubbard will join Joe Thomas in Cleveland, a team on the rise with two solid QB's. I was surprised that Philly took a early flier on Ike, but few would question their past success with former members of the Badger secondary (see Troy Vincent).

As for next season, ESPN's Todd McShay already has Travis Beckum projected as a first round pick. Shaughnessy, assuming he recovers completely from his most recent malady, should also be a high pick. Word is that Levy is poised to have a breakout season, so he too could be taken, probably in the later rounds.

On another front, the BCS commissioners are meeting in Florida to discuss the potential of adopting a plus-one championship game format beginning in 2010. Rumor is that BT Commish Jim Delaney and his Pac 10 counterpart are dead weight in these negotiations, as both are more concerned about their historic ties to the Rose Bowl and the payoff associated with it. I vote for the plus-one system as a reasonable compromise for the refusal to have a best of eight tournament, but doubt that Delaney and his compatriots will come up with anything besides the status quo.

Regardless, it's well past the time that Bucky makes a curtain call at a BCS Bowl. Lord knows the rest of the BT can't win in Pasadena.

ROAD TRIP!!!!!

2008-03-29T13:46:00.002-05:00

I'll have a post mordem on the Badger season sometime in the next few days, but lets move on to something completely different- Wisconsin Football!

We have 5 road games this year and I am proposing the first annual (although we were all in Cleveland 2 years ago) BTOTBT Road Trip.

Here are the 5 games, let me know what you think:

9/13 Fresno
9/27 Michigan
10/18 Iowa
11/1 MSU
11/8 Indiana

Ok, so Fresno is out. Right now my top two would be MSU or Michigan. I know there have been vows never to go back to Ann Arbor (still a whore) ever again. However, for me this trip makes some sense with a sister in law living there. Also, Michigan is going to be average this year and so now is a good time to kick their ass and destroy the Big House.

That being said, MSU really intrigues me. I have not been to a game there and I have a co-worker who is a Spartan and really wants to get some Badger fans up there this year.

I figure the sooner a decision is made the sooner we can get working on the logistics.

The blame game

2008-03-29T10:18:00.002-05:00

Ok, so who deserves the blame for last night's debacle?

Brian Butch and Greg Steimsma for rolling out a shocker?
-No

Bo Ryan, for the worst game I have seen him coach at Wisconsin?
-No

Us fans, for feeling overconfident?
-No

Georgetown, for completely pissing away their game last week?
-Nope

Stephen Curry! I have to blame him, right?
-Not even close

The rest of Davidson?
-Sorry.

Ok, so who do I blame?

Seth Greenberg

That's right, the head coach of Va Tech. A few weeks ago Greenberg was all over your tv and radio pleading for his team to get a birth in the tourney and then bitching when they did not. At one point he said that anyone who didn't think his squad was a tourney team was "criminally insane"

Well, Seth, you know what is criminally insane? When a former superstar at your school who had an NBA career shows up at your door (We'll call him "Dale") with his basketball precocious son (we'll call him "Steve") and tells you that young "Steve" wants to play for your program, you tell him no. Seth, that is criminally freaking insane, you jackass half wit.
HOW COULD YOU TURN DOWN STEPHEN FREAKING CURRY?!?

You want to make the tournament- SIGN STEPHEN CURRY!!!

There, boom, in the dance and probably a high seed.

Thanks Seth, I'm glad you didn't make it this year, I hope you never freaking make the tourney, I hope they run you out of Blacksburg on a rail, because not only are you PR stupid, you apparently would not know talent if it hit you in that bald head of yours you stupid, stupid f*ck.

Lines Lines, everywhere are lines

2008-03-19T21:13:00.002-05:00

My mind is bracket mush, but my picks are down on paper.

But before I give you my selections, some things to keep in mind over the next 3 weeks:

1. The SEC is dog crap. Take SEC teams to get past the first weekend at your own risk. Don't forget, their conference tourney was won by the 11th best team who had to win 3 games in 2 days, oh and all 3 games were against teams in the field.
Not a good sign

2. Every year there is an overrated team that everyone gives way too much credit to and they end up getting bounced in the first or second round. This year, that team is USC.

3. Every year there is one or two "upset" teams that everyone loves. Usually one of them comes through. Last year, that team was Winthrop. This year: look out for Davidson and Siena

4. When someone is discussing their bracket with you and they tell you with pride that they picked several upsets and then boast about the two 9 seeds, the 10 seed and the (oh my god!) 11 seed they picked: PUNCH THAT PERSON IN THE EAR. Nothing short of a 12 seed is an upset. The teams seeded 6-11 are practically the same. There are usually 1-2 wins that separate the teams. Want proof? Look no further than the Big 12:

6. Oklahoma
9. Tex A&M
11. Kansas St
11. Baylor

Now look at how these teams finished in the conference:

3. Kansas State
4. Oklahoma
5. Baylor
6. Texas A&M

So K State finishes ahead of Oklahoma and are 5 seeds lower? Really? So no, 11 seeds winning are not that much of an upset

5. Speaking of the Sooners, I don't think there is another team in the field that is more overseeded than the Sooners. Oh, and there is no team more underseeded than Butler. Oklahoma is the 6 in the East and Butler is the 7. What, the committee could not have switched these two? When they put the bracket together no one stood up and yelled "Bullshit!" Well I yell it now. It's absolute crap. Maybe they did it for the pod system, right? WRONG, they are both playing in Birmingham. There is no excuse for this. Plus, by downgrading Butler they take away a great darkhorse special in South Alabama, but on the other hand, if I was a betting man it would be a great time to load up on St. Joes.

Ok, so here are my picks, starting with 2nd round matchups:

EAST:

UNC over Indiana
Wash St over ND
Lville over St. Joes
Butler over Tenn

Tennessee needs to spend less time bitching about their seed and more time worrying about whichever team comes out of that 7-10 split. Both can keep up with the Vols and Tennessee will have a tough time on Sunday

MIDWEST:

Kansas over UNLV
Clemson over Siena
Wisconsin over KSU
Georgetown over Davidson

A couple of dangerous teams...dangerous to pick. USC is good, but KSU is underrated here and I'll go with Beasley knocking off a USC team that might not be as good as everyone thinks. Vandy is too inconsistent to win 2 games in 3 days. Oh, and Siena completely dominated a solid Rider squad last week. I really like Siena here

SOUTH:

Memphis over MSu#1
MSU#2 over Pitt
Stanford over Marq
Texas over Miami

Miami is a hunch to win and Miss State is an actual SEC team I respect. Oh, and it pains me to pick the Gold

WEST:

UCLA over Tex A&M
UConn over Drake
Purdue over Xavier
Duke over Arizona

Here is the bracket where PPP and tempo free statistics finally got to me. I was going to pick BYU, but A&M is the better pick, so is UConn as Drake can't do much other than shoot 3s- although Drake was awesome against ISU last week. Also Purdue is strong as well. Arizona could beat Duke, but they could lose by 20 to WVU too. In those situations, I take the highly seeded team.

FINAL 8

Louisville over UNC
Kansas over Wisc
Stanford over Memphis
UCLA over Duke

I've said all year that UNC is losing in the second round. They probably won't but I cannot see them playing Indiana/Ark, WSU/ND, Tenn/Lville without a massive defensive disaster. I bet it happens agains Pitino who will outcoach Roy and get to the Final 4

The Badgers are going to kick Georgetown's ass, but damn is Kansas great. Clemson could give Kansas a tough game, but I am picking the talented squad here who plays defense and scores at will.

Texas' home court in Houston gets thrown out the window the moment you realize 1. It did no good for Tex A&M in San Antonio next year and 2. Whatever sound they can create goes right into the rafters the moment the ball goes into the air. Plus, playing on the 50 yard line means a tough shooting backdrop, but not if your name is Lopez and you are shooting from 2 feet away.

UCLA is miles ahead of UConn and Duke and they move on

FINAL 4:

Kansas over Louisville: Too much firepower, the ability to stay physical with Carracter and Padgett and they'll be able to knock down enough 3s of their own should the Cards get hot. A lot of offense in this one, 75-67

UCLA over Stanford: Will the 4th time be a charm for the Cardinal? Probably not, Stanford got screwed 2 weeks ago in LA, but UCLA puts the clamps on the Cards early and win a 60-51 snoozer.

FINAL:
UCLA over Kansas: I said I was picking a Pac 10 team, so for the 3rd year in a row I take the Bruins. This game might not be a classic, but it will be a balanced matchup. UCLA and Kansas are both great at the same things, but UCLA just does them better. 74-69.

Let's See How Far We've come

2008-03-18T21:15:00.002-05:00

My official bracket projections will be up as soon as Ken Pom (Wisconsin with an 8% chance to win it all!!!!!!) gives me his odds for the other half of the bracket.

But on the eve of that happening we need to talk about something, the TR Kiss of Death, or as we lovingly refer to it the TRKOD. This term was coined on the eve of the 1995 tournament when I mentioned to a friend that the last 3 years I picked tournament winners, my champion lost in the second round each of those years.
Incidentally, those three years were the first three years I started picking teams. Unfortunately, the TRKOD did not die in March of 1995, and it has appeared several times since. It is a bad record, one that needs to be reviewed:

1992 Pick: Kansas. Lost in 2nd round to UTEP
1993: Seton Hall: lost in 2nd round to Memphis State
1994: Umass: Lost in 2nd round to Maryland
1995: Arkansas

Arkansas in 1995 was lucky to actually get out of the first round. In the second round they found themselves matched up against Syracuse in Austin, Texas. The game went into OT and was close with the Hogs enjoying a one point lead, but the cuse had the ball (O my God, O my God) and took a last second shot that was online, but bounced off the rim. I was lying on the ground in agony at the time, but the wings of angels picked me up and led me around the house screaming "THE CURSE IS DEAD"

Unfortunately, the curse was not dead, just suspended. The Hogs ended up losing in the title game to UCLA

1996: Kentucky: Won it all
1997: Kentucky: Lost in title game

Wow, so Kentucky was treating me well. Usually when you find a horse that is a winner you ride that horse until she bucks you, right? RIGHT???
So while Kentucky avenged its 1997 loss by winning it all in 1998, I decided to pick...

1998: Kansas: Lost in 2nd round to URI (AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH)
1999: Stanford: Lost in 2nd round to "I effing hate them" Gonzaga
2000: Stanford: LOST IN 2nd ROUND

Yeah, I was not doing well here. The curse was back. Remember the above comment about riding the winning horse? Yeah, apparently I misunderstood the word "winning" because I found a horse, but she really sucked at the end of March

2001: Stanford: Lost in Elite 8 (hey hey!)
2002: Maryland: Won it all!!!!!!!
2003: Arizona: Lost in Elite 8

Right, so now I just decided to take Pac 10 teams. And on the eve of the 04 tourney I was feeling confident that a one loss Stanford team could not screw this up, right? RIGHT????

2004: Stanford: Lost in 2nd round
2005: Wake Forest: Pittsnoggled in 2nd round.

I hate this world

Ok, for 2006, we got back to basics, meaning taking a Pac 10 team, jut not one named Stanford. And it worked out pretty well:

2006: UCLA: Lost in Final
2007: UCLA: Lost in Final 4

So there you have it, 16 years of pick ems and 2 champions compared to 8 2nd round losers. So there is a 50% chance that my team to win it all gets bounced on Sat or Sunday.

I have also picked Pac 10 teams 7 of the 16 years, including 7 of the last 9. Oh and btw, the Pac 10 has won the title twice since I started picking, BUT NOT IN ONE OF MY 7 YEARS! So while I hope the first trend does not continue, there is a solid chance that I'll still be picking a team who plays in the Pacific time zone. But you will just have to tune in tomorrow to see who that might be.

Goooo Georgia Bulldogs!

2008-03-16T08:59:00.003-05:00

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!

Hubert Davis is an idiot

2008-03-14T12:25:00.002-05:00

The Badgers are just terrible today, soI need to take my frustration out on someone. Today that someone is ESPN Basketball Idiot, Hubert Davis.

You might remember Davis from his less-than-mediocre career in the NBA which was punctuated by him not getting fouled by Scottie Pippen in game 5 of the 1994 NBA Eastern Conference Semis. More recently Davis has replaced Doug Gottlieb riding shotgun on the ESPN Hoops Short Bus.

As of last week Davis did not have Wisconsin in his top 16.

Today at halftime he said that Wisconsin will not go far because "they struggle to score 50 points."

Fine Hubert, but I call "Bullshit" here.

So I took the liberty of checking out the results from the season. You can check it out here

According to Hubert the Badgers struggle to score 50 points. Of course, they struggle to score 50 points so much, that they did not, once all year score less than 55 points (their lowest was 56 at Purdue) In fact, the Badgers scored less than 60 only 4 times all season- 2 in losses to Purdue (56) and Duke(58) and then wins at OSU (58) and MSU (57). Of course, in those two games OSU scored 53 and MSU put up a 42 spot on the Badgers.

In Wisconsin's signature win over the season against Texas the Badgers, without their PG, scored 67.

What gets me about Davis' stupidity is what drives me crazy about the stupidity of a lot of commentators out there who think that good offense means tons of points. Anyone who feints attention at tempo-free statistics knows that Wisconsin's offense this year has been incredibly effective.

I've always suspected that Hubert Davis does not know what he is talking about, today he just proved it.

Live Game Blog: UW vs. Michigan

2008-03-14T11:00:00.016-05:00

My turn to assume the in-game reins seeing that I took the day off to watch the quarterfinals of the BT Tournament. I know, pretty pathetic. The math before tip-off is pretty simple. Best FG D in the conference against the worst shooting team. Take care of the basketball, and Bucky should have a date tomorrow with Sparty/Brutus.

Side observation: ERIN ANDREWS! Oh yeah, I love Coach Lav and Musberger, too. Lav said Coach Ryan should win nat'l coach of the year and he is warming up tpo them as a final four candidate.

19:04: Marcus for a deuce and the first basket of the game.

17:41: Krabby with a steal and layup in transition. 4-0 Bucky.

17:10: Michigan turns the ball over again and looks sloppy of offense.

16:55: Layup by Hughes on strong drive to basket.

16:35: Air ball by Michigan. Stiemsma and J-Bo enter the game.

16:20: Great dish by Landry to the Iceman for a layup. 8-0 Badgers, timeout Michigan.

16:04: Steal by Flowers and another transition layup.

15:41: 3 for Manny Harris, 10-3 Bucky. Hit from the top of the key. The lid finally off the basket for the young Wolverines.

15:06: TV timeout. Stiemsma leads the BT in blocks and just altered, but did not block, a Michigan layup. Great box by Flowers underneath!

Butch and Krabby back in the lineup for Stiemsma and Landry.

13:33: Flowers an animal on defense. Draws an offensive fall chasing through a screen.

13:16: 3 secs in the lane for Butch? Wipes away a layup.

12:50: J-bo travels, negating an assist to Butch for a layup.

12:17: Sims scores off turnover on fast break.

12:02: J-bo for three! 13-5 Bucky.

11:06: Sims for 2 in transition. Badgers late getting back on D after missed 3 by Flowers. Badgers out of sync themselves after solid start.

10:02: Timeout. Landry coming back into the game. The tempo seemingly favors Michigan right now. Time to slow it down, work the ball around the permiter, and look for the post entyry passes to Butch and Landry that have been there all game so far.

9:51: Hook shot by Krabby close to the basket. 15-7 UW.

9:15: Butch beat by Gibson for a layup. Still the weak link defensively.

Michigan has 8 turnovers, but Butch can't convert underneath. 0-4 from the field. Needs to take his time and square his shoulders.

7:51: Bo Ryan gets a T. Contends he was instructing his player, Butch, to no avail. Time out. Harris makes 1 of 2. 15-10 Bucky.

7:28: Gibson for 3.

6:52: J-bo answers! 18-13.

Stiemsma alters another shot, but Flowers travels on the other end.

5:54: Flowers on backdoor layup. Great pass from Stiemsma.

The big guy is really contributing on both ends. Alters yet another shot!

4:17: Layup by Stiemsma. 22-13. Follows with board on other end.

3:30: Timeout. EA reports that Flowers took Manny Harris' 26-pt game in Madison personally. Thinks it cost him defensive player of the year (he was robbed!). Harris with only early 3-pointer. Echoes of Drew Neitzel?

Technical glitch costs me three minutes of solid posts. Halftime score is 26-18. Sloppy play by both teams. Bo protests his T again on the way off the floor, said he had no explanation from refs. Credits team for solid D on Manny Harris, who finished half with 4 points.

Michigan with only 2 fouls, 5 for Bucky, with only Butch in mild trouble with 2. Michigan shoots only 23% for half, Wisconsin 44%. J-bo leads Badgers with 7, 8 for Zach Gibson of Michigan.

Michigan starts half with 5-0 run, but Flowers answers with a 3. 29-23. J-bo checks in early for Krabby.

17:21: Landry splits the lane for a dribble-drive dunk! 31-23.

16:58: Stiemsma commits stupid foul while showing on screen. I like the effort, but he simply has to play smarter if he is going to play big minutes in the Dance.

Block by Stiemsma. Time out at 15:49. They credit him with only 2, but he has altered several more. With Flowers, Krabby and Hughes giving strong ball pressure and Landry a tough post-up defender, Stiemsma plays great help side making this one of the best defensive units in the country.

15:32: Landry on turnaround j from short corner. 7-0 run for Badgers. 33-23.

Butch with 3 fouls, thus the benching.

14:32: Landry with a dunk on behind-the-basket pass from J-bo! Stiemsma hit #12 on long outlet pass. Who set Wisconsin basketball isn't pretty? Beautiful team basketball. TO, Michigan! 35-23.

Anthony Wright hits a 3 out of the TO, but Flowers draws foul on strong dribble-drive from right. Hits both FT's. 37-26 Bucky.

Hughes picks up third foul. Krabby replaces him. 37-28.

Michigan goes zone. Landry turns it over in the paint.

Sloppy underneath, as Badgers miss three tip-ins and Stiemsma ends up on floor with foul. Jarmutz and Butch enter the game.

12:12: Foul on Michigan as Flowers drives from perimter. Badgers nearly turn it over on inbound. Bo, we have to have some better plays come March!

11:22: Butch can't finish underneath again, but is fouled. Will have chance for 1st pts of game after TO. This stretch of basketball is just plain ugly on both sides of the ball. Badgers continue to turn it over, negating chance to put this one away early and rest for tomorrow with Tanner on the floor. Polar Bear hits one of two. 38-28.

11:03: 6th Badger foul. Landry replaces Jarmutz.

Flowers with a steal, but Butch can't finish again. Krabby sense of spacing on offense is amazing!

9:44: Gibson draws foul underneath on Krabby. Team's 7th. Hits 1 of 2 shots. 38-29.

9:32: Krabby fouled on strong take to basket. Hits both FT's. 40-29.

9:22: Flowers draws offensive foul on Harris and an Oscar nomination. Harris 1-10 from field with 4 points and 3 fouls.

Timeout.

9:06: Krabby on the line again. Flowers sits. Two more FT's. 42-29. Largest lead of game.

8:38: Great defensive possession. Michigan with another offensive foul.

Butch misses open j and Michigan answers with 3. 42-32.

7:36: Krabby with a bunny underneath on Landry miss.

7:12: Jarmutz drive blocks his man on rebound, finds his way into scorebook. Timeout. UW 44, UM 32.

6:25: Krabby called for foul after Hughes hits a j. Michigan misses front end.

Flowers is all over the floor. Great hustle!

3:59: Wright for 2. TO Michigan. 46-34. Game has reached the beyond ugly stage. Please let it end!

J-bo long board on Landry miss. Milking the clock. Ran 1:10 off the clock on a single possession.

2:52: Krabby fouled. Hits both FT's. Leads team with 12 pts. 48-34.

Harris can't even get the ball as Flowers is chewing his gum. Word is he doesn't like the flavor.

Flowers hits a bunny. 50-34. Under 2 minutes to go. Warm up the bus, this one is in the bank and earning interest.

1:32: Leuer and Jarmutz in the game. Where's Tanner?

J-bo misses from Lebanon, IN.

56.1: Here's comes Tanner. Is this the last we see of him as a Badger?

38.2: Bronson fouled on the perimter. Tanner hits 1 pof 2. 51-34.

Michigan misses a couple of more shots as Tanner dribbles out the clock. Lowest scoring game in BT tournament history!

Manny Harris 1-11 from field. Flowers gets to spend a minute with EA. Badger Nation is incredibly jealous. She asks him about his prospects as a DB. Coach B certainly could have used him last year.

Michigan shoots 21% from the field, but the Badgers have nothing to brag about either at 36%. Time to get some rest and prepare from the winner of the next game. I'd rather see OSU, but expect Sparty to exact revenge for Sunday's dismal performance.

The Week ahead

2008-03-09T20:09:00.002-05:00

Some notes and thinks to look forward to over the next 7 days.

Seeds:

The chances of a 1 seed and a 5 seed are pretty much gone. The Badgers took care of business this week and the teams fighting for a 1 seed did the same.

With a sweep this week and with losses by MSU, IU, and Vandy this weekend, the chances of the Badgers dropping to a 4 seed seem more and more remote, I would put them around 8% right now, but probably less.

A 3 seed seems most likely, but with losses by Xavier and 2 to Stanford, the competition for the last 2 seed is now between the Badgers, Georgetown and Louisville, but only if the Cards can win their tourney. If Georgetown cuts down the nets in MSG on Saturday night, I would have a hard time denying them the final 2 seed.

I would give the 3 seed 54% and the 2 seed 38%, but things will change as games go on in Manhattan.

The Badgers will square off against the winner of Iowa/Michigan at 11AM on Friday. The game will be on ESPN, so plan your lunches accordingly. The Badgers are 0-2 as #1 seeds in the BTT and the top seed has only won the tourney 3 times: MSU in 1999, Illinois in 05, and OSU last year. After watching the Wolverines hang tight with Purdue today, I will be rooting for Iowa to win a 5 OT drainer on Thursday afternoon.

Off the top of my head here are my predictions for this weekend:

Michigan over Iowa
Minn over NU
Illinois over PSU

Wisconsin over Mich
MSU over OSU
Indiana over Minn
Purdue over Illinois

MSU over Wisconsin (fine by me, incidentally)
Purdue over IU

Purdue over MSU

With that in mind I'll give 3 seeds to Wisc, Lville, Purdue, Xavier. 4 seeds to ND, Conn, Stanford, and either Vandy or Drake (who looked awesome today, btw)

IU and MSU probably grab 5 seeds with Drake or Vandy and then someone like Gonzaga or Clemson if they have a big ACC tourney.

I also think OSU will be the 65th or 66th team. So they need to keep it close against MSU if they are going to lose, and hope someone like Texas A&M gets bounced early.

Oh, as for the big dance itself, it certainly appears Wisconsin will be headed towards Omaha, which is the closest sub-regional to Madison and the Big 10. It is a Thurs/Sat sub regional which is good news/bad news: games on Thurs afternoon (bad) no games on Easter (good).

Finally, during Championship week you might want to scout the following teams as potential first round foes: Oral Roberts, S.F. Austin, the SWAC winner, the WAC winner, and the Nashville combo of Belmont and Austin Peay. For the record, I would much rather have Belmont than anyone else on this list and Austin Peay or S.F. Austin would scare me to death.

Seed Money

2008-03-05T21:03:00.002-06:00

We are at the half and the Badgers appear to be on their way to their 15th Big 10 win. As the TOTBT resident Bracketologist, I thought I would take a few minutes to speculate what seed the Badgers will get in the Big Dance.

First off, there is no chance the Badgers will be a 6 seed or lower. And, unless there is going to be a disaster in the second half, we can pretty much throw out a 5 seed as well.

So that brings us seeds 1-4, lets break them down:

1: Very small chance. Wisconsin will need to win out and have at least 4 teams completely crap the bed. Unfortunately since Kansas and Texas, and UNC and Duke are in the same conference if one craps the bed, the other probably won't. Also, if UCLA becomes a bed crapper it would probably be at the benefit of Stanford, a team that is probably ahead of the Badgers for a top seed. Oh well

CHANCE OF SEED: 1%

2: There are clearly 7 top teams and only Texas could probably finish lower than a 2 seed, which means that the Badgers are fighting for just one available 2 seed. With Purdue's loss last night here are the potential 2 seeders: Xavier, Stanford, Georgetown, Louisville, Wisconsin. The Louisville/Georgetown loser could eliminate themselves from the 2 and Xavier has 0 margin for error. Stanford can probably lose tomorrow in Pauley and still get the 2, but that would require winning out. The winner of the Georgetown/Lville game probably gets the inside track, but if the Badgers can get to the Big 10 final they would be right there. They might not even need ti win the BT Tourney since we all know that the committee has mailed it in by half time anyway. However, they probably need to at least be playing on Sunday for a shot/

CHANCE OF SEED: 17%

3: This is our sweet spot. A win Sat and a win on Fri and the Badgers can probably count on this seed. The teams that don't get the 2 will be involved in the 3 seed running as well as the Purdue/Indiana winner, Stanford, Notre Dame and UConn. Even Vandy theoretically has a chance if they can win out. But the Badgers have to feel good about ending up here

CHANCE OF SEED: 52%

4: There are really only 3 ways this can happen and 2 of them still might not do enough: Losing to NU and the first round game, Losing to NU or losing in the first round game. The other factor that could come into play is if the committee really believes that the Big 10 is complete garbage, like they did back in 04. I hope that does not happen, but I certainly would not be surprised.

CHANCE OF SEED: 30%

Painting the Town Black and Gold

2008-03-04T11:53:00.002-06:00

If not for Matt Painter, Coach Ryan would have conference and perhaps national coach of the year honors sewed up by now. The NY Times does an excellent profile of Painter in this morning's edition, and the dramatic turnaround he orchestrated is more than worthy of such accolades. Should the Boilers win on the road at OSU tonight, Purdue is a cinch to share the BT title with the Badgers assuming Bucky can hold off an improving Nittany Lions team at home and conquer their annual demons against the Princeton Offense and zone defense in Evanston.

Let's hope they're singing "Hang on Sloopy" well into the early morning hours in Columbus, as sharing isn't all that fun, especially with a team that slapped us twice.

Seriously?!

2008-02-22T17:24:00.002-06:00

The football Badgers scheduled a Nov. 22 home contest against Cal Poly today. This comes on the heels of talks of a two-year agreement with budding powerhouse Rutgers, which would have done much for both programs. True, the Mustangs are no 1AA slouch, but it's hard to see this as anything but a cash cow, when a true race horse, the Scarlet Knights, where waiting there with all of their shining armor.

Such are the choices in a world where bowl games drive the success of entire athletic departments.

The Bank Is Open

2008-02-22T14:44:00.002-06:00

I was cleaning out my inbox and came across Sherby's link to the Butch bank (the window was open late) that ended one of the worst days in Indiana basketball history, and made the Polar Bear a legend for years to come in Madison. I post in here for the mere purpose of posterity.

Can Bucky keep the dream alive come Sunday in Columbus?

That's Our Boy!

2008-02-21T16:22:00.004-06:00

Yes, that Russell from NY, one of the charter members of Bucky's annual tour of the BT, was quoted in Seth Davis' "Hoop Thoughts" in SI. He claims that Davis paraphrased him when stating that the Badgers have "minimal talent."

Garbage In, Garbage Out

2008-02-20T10:14:00.002-06:00

I'm quoting Rick Telander here, who said it all in this piece about IU's hollow victory over Purdue last evening. This may be the last we see of Sampson, even if Bucky plays the Hooisers for a third time in Indy come March. To this we reply, "Good riddance, and by the way, thanks for knocking off a Boiler team that we simply cannot beat." Now it's time for a tough match against the Illini at Assembly Hall. On Wisconsin!

The Dream is still alive

2008-02-14T20:39:00.003-06:00

Now that we have still not calmed down from the win in Bloomington last night we need to talk about what will be the #1 Big Ten Hoops story in 2008. No, not Sampson, not Purdue, not the Badgers. No, the BIG story this year is the pending perfect season by the Northwestern University Wildcats.
Right now the Cats sit dead last in the conference at 0-11. Out of those 11 losses, 11 (11!) have been by 10 or more points. While NU has been competitive in some games for 20-30 minutes they have ended up getting torched in every single Big 10 game.

And, of the 7 games remaining there are 2, maybe 3 games they would even have a chance at:

Purdue: Boilers are white hot, this will be another NU loss

@Iowa: Could be their closest game this season, but they aren't winning in Iowa City

Indiana: Who cares who is coaching the Hoosiers? IU rolls

@Michigan: One of those 2-3 potential chance games. But I can't see them winning on the road unless Michigan is terrible on that night

@Purdue: Boilers will be battling for a Big 10 title, they aren't losing this one

Iowa: Their best chance for a win. If they go 1-17, this will be the 1

Wisconsin: Of course, Badgers might have a chance to win the BT title and send the Cats to 0-18. Of course the only thing standing in the way is a Badger game at Welsh-Ryan arena. Chances I get any sleep the night before the game: 0%

Right now you have to give the Cats at 75% chance at completing the perfect season and if that happens I cannot see Bill Carmody keeping his job. Sure Carmody has struggled in his tenure in Evanston, but his teams are usually good for a memorable upset or 3. And while this team is young, they still have Kevin Coble. Also, don't young talented teams get better as the year goes on? So either this team has been poorly coached or poorly recruited. I'll go with a little bit of each.

The bigger question might be, what is the matter with this program?

I have not researched this at all, but my recollection has NU playing one whopping game on the BT Tourney Friday and never being seeded higher than #8. Save for the 98-99 season when the 7th year senior Evan Eschmeier was on the team the Wildcats have enjoyed a decade of futility- oh and things were not much better before the BT tourney era.

Northwestern has been consistently pathetic in a sport where that is increasingly difficult for big name programs. To prove this point- take the 5 other BCS conferences and name the worst program in each of those leagues: Oregon State, Baylor, Auburn, Virginia Tech, and South Florida would be my picks. However, in 99 Auburn was actually a #1 seed in the NCAA tourney, Va Tech was a #5 seed last year. Baylor has a great chance to make the tourney this year and is headed in the right direction. Only OSU and USF can come close to matching the consistent levels of futility that Northwestern has experienced and USF deserves a break because they have only been in the Big East for a few years and did have moderate success during their time in C-USA.

What makes the the problems with the NU program even more puzzling is the peaks of success that the football program has experienced over the past 15 years. In 15 years the football cats have experienced One Rose Bowl, 3 shared Big 10 titles and a handful of bowl games. One would think that being able to succeed with a football program would be more difficult than being able to finish 6th just one season in basketball. Afterall, football has more players, and costs more money to lure the big name coaches and create top notch facilities for the players.

So once again, what is the problem with NU hoops?

I believe that most of the problems with the program are self-inflicted. While Bill Carmody seems like a nice man and from what I have heard, a solid teacher of basketball, he is not a big time baskeball coach. He has not been able to recruit good talent to Evanston and save for a couple of exceptions he has not been able to harness the talent once it arrives on campus. In addition, his Princeton style seems to keep some of the good local talent away from the north suburbs.

More self-inflicted wounds involve the poorest facilities in the Big 10. First time fans who enter Welsh-Ryan arena feel like they have entered into an over-sized high school gym. I cannot imagine players from East Aurora or Downers North are impressed when they realize that their potential college gym is just slightly larger (and probably more quiet) than their current gyms.

NU apologists seem to always want to point at the high academic standards as a reason that good players cannot attend Northwestern- but these same players have no trouble attending schools with equally rigorous standards like Vanderbilt. While Vandy is certainly no power in the SEC they are good for an NCAA bid 2-3 of every 5 years.

While the Northwestern administration has stood by Carmody during his tenure in Evanston this season SHOULD be the breaking point. Northwestern will be hard pressed to finish in the top 7 under Carmody. While I am skeptical that Northwestern will ever be able to have consistent 8-10 win seasons in conference they should be able to compete for an NIT bid 2 of every 5 years and receive an NCAA birth sometime in the next 6-8 seasons. But the Cats will need to find a coach who has proven that he can recruit solid players, can win with programs that are traditionally at the bottom of their conference, and be able to excite the NU supporters and win over the attention of high school recruits in the fertile Chicago suburbs.

Oh, I guess this is the time where I am supposed to throw out some names but it is Thursday night and I am stumped. What is Paul Westphal doing these days? I'm sure he'd love Evanston after working in Malibu.

Keep Away

2008-02-11T14:41:00.000-06:00

The Wisconsin Badgers are 19-4 this season, having lost twice in BT play to Purdue. I was in attendance for both contests, and I am clearly bad luck, that or the Badgers simply don't match up well with the Boilers. True, Purdue is a three-point loss at MSU from being undefeated in league play, so maybe the latter can be said about the rest of the league. From these eyes, the bigger Badgers, who vastly outrebounded the Boilers and kept the contest close at the FT line, match up poorly against a team with few post-up options, but a least four starters who can shoot from any place on the court.

Several culprits were at play on Saturday, a diversion from the loss two weeks ago when a late non-call should have sent the game into OT. First, the statistics are simple. The Badgers shot a season low 35% while allowing their opponent to eclipse 50% for the first time, with the Boilers shooting a blistering 55%. This was a product of our bigs' failure to show off screens, a overall lapse in closing out shooters along the arc, and the mismatches the ensued off of defensive switches.

Should we face the Boilers at the BT tournament in Indy, my suggestion would be to begin the game with a smaller line-up with either JaBo or Leuer on the floor. Bring Butch and Stiemsma in the game when the match-up warrants, but Landry can handle the Bosnian just fine thank you, and Krabby can contain Hummel. Butch simply cannot defend short of occasional shot blocks, and this is the reason Bo keeps him on the pine late in close contests.

Two, Travon Hughes had a horrible game at the point. He contributed little in the form of dribble penetration, thus the dearth of open shots along the perimeter, and turned the ball over in self-inflicted fashion on too many occasions to count. One fast break late in the game summarized the team's struggles. Hughes had a two-on-one that he tried to finish himself instead of drawing the defender and kicking to his trailer for a layup. Purdue grabbed the rebound, hoisted it downcourt for an easy layup of their own, then drained a 3 on the ensuing possession. Down 9, it was over for all intents and purposes.

Three, Purdue plays a physical, grab and hand check defensive style that kept the Badgers going to the FT line, but even though the team shot a season-high percentage, coupled with 20 turnovers, they were trading 2's and blanks for 3's on the other end. The Boilers simply cannot be beaten with this aggressive style coupled with money ball shots all over the court.

Looking ahead, the Badgers face a tough road, especially should they lose on Wednesday at IU. MSU should give Purdue another run for their money tomorrow, and the Boilers still must travel to Bloomington themselves. Anything more than 3 losses in the league will probably end the Badgers' title hopes, with the championship seemingly safe somewhere in the Hoosier State. Bucky will win at home next Saturday against the Gophers, with the home game against Penn St. and road contest in Evanston seemingly gimmes. On the road at UI and OSU will be tough, along with the Kohl Center matchup with Sparty.

Needless to say, Bucky went from inside position of the front row to the outside at best by failing to hold court at home. Counting on the young Boilers to stumble is poor planning, for Bucky must take its collective fate back and win in Bloomington. Saturday's disappointing loss need not break this team; it can be reborn on Wednesday with a second blow to the Hooisers.

Ike Derailed

2008-01-25T09:27:00.001-06:00

Jack Ikegwuonu injured his knee and will miss the 2008 season. He made a mistake to leave early anyway, and now will not be drafted. Instead of entering the NFL through the front door as a sure-fire first day selection in 2009, Ike will battle free agents for a flier on the practice squad. Bucky and Ike are both losers in this sordid ordeal.

Separation Anxiety

2008-01-13T19:06:00.000-06:00

We are two weeks through the conference schedule and we have 7 weeks until the end of the regular season. Before the conference schedule started you could divide the 11 teams into 4 categories:

Leaders:
MSU
IU

NCAA Bound:
UW
OSU

NIT Worthy
Minn
PSU
Purdue
ILL

Terrible:
Iowa
NU
Mich

After two weeks, there really have not been many changes. But since I have not done a power ranking yet for 2008, lets get at it.

THE CONTENDERS:

1. Indiana: Really struggled at home with Illinois today. They are going to have problems if teams try to exploit them down low where they are weaker. Also, has Eric Gordon ever committed a foul? I mean, he gets called for fouls, but he bitches at every call. Keep this up and he can join the IU soccer team.

2. MSU: Well, if they go back to being the team that insists on turning the ball over at the rate they did last year, they will be lucky to finish in the top 3. They dont have enough consistent players to succeed when they are turning the ball over. When Neitzel plays well they are the best team in the conference, but out of the 18 games he will do that 11-12 times. Its what happens the other times that will make or break their season

3. Wisconsin: Well, well, well. Look who is tied for first after two weeks. Brian Butch is looking like a candidate for player of the year in the conference and Bo Ryan has molded a solid team. They have turn over issues just like MSU, but they also have the benefit of not having to go to the Breslin Center.

NCAA BOUND:

4. Ohio State

The Buckeyes have a ton of talent, but as we saw yesterday, they are not poised enough to beat the good teams on the road. Their lack of a really good win could pose them some bubble trouble, but I think they get 11 wins in conference.

NCAA BUBBLE TROUBLE

5. Minnesota

Tubby has done a good job turning around the Gophers and this team has a good deal of talent. However, they have not beaten one team on their schedule that is better than them, and they did not play much of a non-conference schedule. They will probably need an 11-7 showing in conference play to find themselves playing in the big dance.

6. Purude

The Boilers probably have too many bad home losses in order to make the big dance, but they are certainly going to be another dangerous home team. Boiler fans are probably looking forward to next year.

7. Penn State

Huge win at Illinois, but why were they so bad back at the beginning of the season? I am not looking forward to Wisconsin's trip to Pennsylvania this week. I have a feeling the Lions go 9-9 and could be an interesting team in the NIT

8. Illinois

Apparently the Illini need to play more games away from home/or withouth Chester Frazier. They are just a better team when they move the ball and they dont have one guy jacking up bad shots and turning the ball over. It's also not a good sign when you are playing walk-ons this early in the season- even if their last name is Jordan. 0-4 right now, and winning 9 games is probably a stretch. 8-10 might even be tough, but lets stick with that for now.

NEXT YEAR

9. Iowa

Wow, impressed with that win yesterday. They have a great 1-2 punch in Johnson and Freeman. Whether or not anyone else on their team can score is going to be a major issue for the Hawkeyes. Still, they probably have a stranglehold on this position.

10. Michigan

The Wolverines won the battle of tallest midget yesterday in Evanston and help keep the dream of the dream season alive. Michigan is really not very good and 4-5 wins might be considered a success.

11. Northwestern

The Wildcats have lost at home against PSU and Michigan and probably will not have a chance for another win until 2/6. By then they will be well on their way to finishing the dream season. Go U Northwestern, please lose 18 games!

Sweater Vest vs. The Hat

2008-01-06T22:06:00.000-06:00

Before I get to my pick for the BCS Championship Game, let's recap my predictions for the other Big Ten bowl participants:

The Good: Predicting the exact margin of victory in the Purdue and Illinois bowl games.
The Bad: Wisconsin's performance in the Outback Bowl and my prediction of a 4 point win.
The Ugly: Picking Indiana to "win 8" and underestimating Michigan's desire to send out Lloyd Carr a winner.

Allstate BCS National Championship Game
LSU vs. Ohio State
Jan. 7, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

Analysis: The red herring that has been talked about constantly leading up the this game is whether OSU is "fast enough" to keep up with LSU. Can "Slow-hio" keep up with the Tigers? This question is a byproduct of the 2007 Championship Game demolition of OSU at the hands of Florida. The prevailing thought is that Florida used four and five WR sets to spread OSU out and exploit one-on-one matchups. However, OSU primarily used zone coverages in that game. Florida QB Chris Leak was able to find the "soft spots" in the zone and move the ball down the field. He was able to do so because Florida's offensive line gave him enough time.

LSU probably does have more speed on the offensive side of the ball than OSU defense, but I think that it does not match Florida's speed from last year. WRs Doucet, LaFell, and Byrd are all capable of hitting a home run, but they don't run as well as the Florida WRs. QB Matt Flynn is a very good college signal caller and he will spelled at times by QB Ryan Perrilloux, who is a dangerous runner and will give the OSU defense something to worry about. RB Jacob Hester will get most of the carries and he is a tough runner capable of getting the extra yard. RB Trindon Holliday is a speed burner and you can be sure that LSU will try to get him on the edge. Unfortunately for LSU fans, LSU is at its best running out of shotgun formations and two-and-three receiver sets -- however, this is different that the four and five WR sets discussed earlier.

OSU's defense comes in ranked third in the nation in rushing D, only giving up 80 yards per game. However, the Buckeyes surrendered over 250 rushing yards in their loss to Illinois team and allowed an average of six yards per carry in the win at Penn State. Outside of those two games, though, the Buckeyes have been tough to run against - ask Zach Brown. OSU must do certain things to hold LSU's offense in check. First, it must prove capable of matching up in coverage versus multiple-receiver sets. Second, the defensive linemen must stay in their gaps. Third, LBs James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman must read their keys quickly and get to the ball.

The centerpience of OSU offense is RB Chris Wells. He is coming off a 200 yard plus game vs. Michigan and has the ability to burst up the middle and take the ball to the house. I see the game's biggest match-up being the OSU o-line vs. the LSU d-line. Can OSU's center and guards handle All-American DT Glenn Dorsey? Before being slowed by injury, the answer for most of LSU's opponents was "no." OSU QB Todd Boeckman showed throughout the year that he was a capable replacement for Heisman winner Troy Smith. However, Smith struggled mightly in the game vs. Florida and Boeckman struggled in OSU's loss to Illinois. LSU has a talented defensive backfield led by CBs Jonathan Zenon and Chevis Jackson. OSU will counter with two excellent route runners in WRs Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. OSU would do well to pick up three and four yards on first and second down so that they find themselves in manageable third down situations. I have a hunch that OSU's o-line has heard enough about last year's performance and will come up looking to shut up their doubters.

Both teams have above-average special team units, so the team that gets a big return, a coffin-corner punt or a long FG could see momentum swing their way.

Line: LSU -3.5

Pick: Tigers 27-24. Having seen the homefield advantage that LSU enjoys in the Superdome (2002 Sugar Bowl vs. Illinois), as much as I want to pick OSU, I can't. Ohio State is far more focused heading into this year's title game than it was a year ago and coach Tressel certainly has his players' attention in practice, so expect his team to be exceptionally prepared. However, there is just something about the year LSU has had with all the bounces that went their way. "The Hat" seems to have somebody looking over his shoulder and LSU has enjoyed a multitude of breaks this year. The BCS will see its first 2 loss National Champion and hopefully this will accelerate a playoff format.

My Belated Christmas Present

2008-01-05T12:35:00.000-06:00

Rashard Mendenhall is going to the NFL.

WOOO HOOO!

Big 4, Little 7

2008-01-03T21:53:00.000-06:00

With the Big Ten mens' basketball regular season underway and 4 games in the books, the race for the top of the standings is starting to take shape. By my estimation, there are four good-to-great teams in the Big Ten and 7 average-to-bad teams. Here is one fan's prediction of what the final regular season standings will look like on March 9th (I have indicated each team's predicted wins and losses and included the results already in the books):

1. Michigan St. = 17-1 (WWWWWWWWWWWLWWWWWW)
2. Indiana = 16-2 (WWWWWWLWWWWWWWWLWW)
3. Wisconsin = 14-4 (WWWWWWWWLWWLWWLLWW)
4. Ohio St. = 13-5 (WWWLLWWWWWLWWWLWWL)
5. Purdue = 10-8 (WLWWWLLWLWLLWLWWLW)
6. Penn St. = 8-10 (WLWLLWWLLLWWLLWWLL)
7. Minnesota = 7-11 (LWLLLLLWWWWLWWLLLL)
8. Illinois = 6-12 (LWLLWLLWLWLLLLLWLW)
9. Michigan = 5-13 (LLLWLWLLWLLLLLWWLL)
10. Iowa = 2-16 (LLLLLLLLLLLLWWLLLL)
11. Northwestern = 1-17 (LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLWL)

Notes: I predict that Michigan St. will lose only 1 game, at Indiana. I predict Wisconsin will lose at Indiana, at Minnesota, at Ohio St. and vs. Michigan St. If the regular season standings end up as predicted, the Big Ten will receive four NCAA bids, with Michigan St. receiving at least a 2 seed, Indiana receiving a 3 or 4 seed and Ohio St. and Wisconsin receiving 4 or 5 seeds.

The games I changed my mind on (resulting in the 14-4 prediction vs. the 11-7 prediction) included vs. Indiana, at Purdue and at Illinois.

Reason to Believe

2008-01-01T21:04:00.000-06:00

Fellow Badger fans looking for some good news after the football team's loss to Tenneesee will be interested to know that kenpom.com predicts the Wisconsin mens' basketball team will finish with only one loss during Big Ten play.

Wed Jan 2 Wisconsin vs. (138) Michigan (sr) Away W, 69-53
Sat Jan 5 Wisconsin vs. (153) Iowa (sr) Home W, 62-42
Thu Jan 10 Wisconsin vs. (35) Illinois (sr) Home W, 60-49
Tue Jan 15 Wisconsin vs. (71) Penn St. (sr) Away W, 64-55
Sat Jan 19 Wisconsin vs. (177) Northwestern (sr) Home W, 75-48
Tue Jan 22 Wisconsin vs. (138) Michigan (sr) Home W, 73-50
Sat Jan 26 Wisconsin vs. (83) Purdue (sr) Away W, 65-54
Thu Jan 31 Wisconsin vs. (11) Indiana (sr) Home W, 66-60
Sun Feb 3 Wisconsin vs. (31) Minnesota (sr) Away W, 63-58
Wed Feb 6 Wisconsin vs. (153) Iowa (sr) Away W, 59-44
Sat Feb 9 Wisconsin vs. (83) Purdue (sr) Home W, 69-51
Wed Feb 13 Wisconsin vs. (11) Indiana (sr) Away L, 64-63
Sat Feb 16 Wisconsin vs. (31) Minnesota (sr) Home W, 67-55
Wed Feb 20 Wisconsin vs. (35) Illinois (sr) Away W, 57-52
Sun Feb 24 Wisconsin vs. (42) Ohio St. (sr) Away W, 58-53
Thu Feb 28 Wisconsin vs. (14) Michigan St. (sr) Home W, 64-56
Wed Mar 5 Wisconsin vs. (71) Penn St. (sr) Home W, 68-52
Sat Mar 8 Wisconsin vs. (177) Northwestern (sr) Away W, 71-51

I am predicting an 11-7 campaign. I plan on predicting each game after seeing how the team performs in Ann Arbor tomorrow night.

Tubby and the Twin Cities

2007-12-26T11:01:00.000-06:00

New York Times profile of the Gophers' new basketball coach.

Big Ten Bowl Bonaza

2007-12-25T18:26:00.000-06:00

Here is one fan's view of the Big 10 bowl line-up.

Motor City Bowl
Purdue vs. Central Michigan
Dec. 26, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Analysis: This is a rematch of Purdue's only victory against a bowl team. Normally, you would expect a repeat of the September blowout victory, but bowl games can be very unpredictable. CMU's Dan LeFevour joins Florida's Tim Tebow as the nation's only 3,000 yard pass / 1,000 yard rusher. CMU boasts a dynamic offense, but a porous defense -- scoring 30 points nine times but giving up 44 points five times.

Like CMU, Purdue's offense carried the day while the defense struggled to keep up. QB Painter likes to find WR Dorien Bryant, who led the Big Ten in receptions.

Line: PU -7.5

Pick: Purdue 45-42. As much as I would like to take CMU in the upset, their D doesn't appear to be up for the task of slowing down Purdue's offense. However, Purdue playing in Detroit against a more motivated opponent will keep this game close.

Champs Sports Bowl
Boston College vs. Michigan State
Dec. 28, 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Analysis: Like death and taxes, MSU's yearly conference meltdown is one of life's guarantees. MSU held four non conference opponents to under 20 points, then allowed 24 or more points in every Big 10 game.

This matchup doesn't seem fair when you realize that one of the ACC's divisional champs is facing an opponent with an under .500 conference record. "Matty Ice" (BC QB Matt Ryan) will show why he is expected to be a first round NFL draft pick.

Line: BC -4

Pick: BC 35-14. BC will keep its stellar bowl record intact with an easy win over Sparty.

Valero Alamo Bowl
Penn State vs. Texas A&M
Dec. 29, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Analysis: Former A&M coach Fran's coaching stint ended in part because he thought it was a good idea to make money on the side selling injury information in a booster newsletter. Former Packer coach Mike Sherman will take over the reigns next year. I would expect the Aggie players to try to make a good first impression for their new coach.

On the other sideline, Coach Paterno keeps chugging along. PSU QB Morelli finished the year strong (5 TDs and 1 INT last 3 games) and showed the PSU fans why many prognosticators picked PSU to finish near the top of the Big 10. A&M prefers to pound defenses with its ground game, but run defense is one of PSU's strengths because of its two great LBs.

Line: PSU -5.5

Pick: PSU 31-21. Nittany Lions have won 8 of their last 10 bowl games and even though they are playing in A&M's home state, the riverwalk will be teaming with PSU fans. PSU will be able to play smashmouth football and win the turnover battle.

Insight Bowl
Indiana vs. Oklahoma State
Dec. 31, 6 p.m. ET (NFL Network)

Analysis: "I'm a man! I'm 40." Yes, you can be sure you will see the clip of OSU coach Mike Gundy going ballistic over a newspaper article calling one of his players soft. OSU has a dynamic offense, led by QB Zac Robinson, RB Dantrell Savage and WR Adarius Bowman. Robinson threw 20 TDs and only 8 INTs, so the Indiana pass rush will need to generate pressure and force Robinson to throw the ball before his receivers get open. WR Bowman, a legitimate pro prospect, missed the last two games with a knee injury, so the Cowboys would really be at a disadvantage if he was not at full strength.

IU offense is directed by Kellen Lewis, a dual-threat QB. Lewis led the team in rushing and combined with RB Marcus Thigpen to gain 1,100 yards on the ground. When Lewis does throw the ball, his first look is WR James Hardy, who set a school record 'with 16 TD catches. Hardy's 6'-7" frame will give him a significant height advantage over any of OSU's DBs.

Line: OSU -4

Pick: IU 41-38. Both teams have great offenses and average defenses. The difference in the game will be (i) IU's special teams, featuring K Austin Starr and returner Tracy Porter and (ii) IU's desire to win for their late head coach Terry Hoeppner. Hoeppner set the goal this year to "play 13" and his team will go one step further and "win 8."

Outback Bowl
Wisconsin vs. Tennessee
Jan. 1, 11 a.m. ET (ESPN)

Analysis: Volunteer RB Arian Foster should be able to exploit a UW defense which has allowed an average of 4.3 yards per carry. This is due in part to the injuries and dismissals the UW d-line has suffered this season. In addition, since the end of the regular season the UW defense suffered a devastating loss -- frosh CB Aaron Henry tore his ACL -- and therefore the UW safeties will not be able to crowd the line to stop the UT rushing attack.

UT QB Erik Ainge has been labeled as a game manager who takes what the defense gives him. Ainge will be without leading WR Lucas Taylor, who is one of many ineligible Volunteer players. Wisconsin CB Jack Ikegwuonu is big, tough and instinctive enough to blanket the other UT WRs and Ikegwuonu will be anxious to put on a showcase performance for the NFL scouts after having an up-and-down season.

I am excited to see the Wisconsin ground game at full strength, as RB PJ Hill is supposedly healthy and RB Lance Smith has served his five away game suspension. I expect OC Paul Chyrst to rotate all three RBs, giving the UT defense looks of the power running game with Hill, the edge running game with Smith and a combination of power and edge with Brown. The UT defense gives up an average of 4.2 yards per carry, but I expect the UW offense to average at least 6.0 yards per carry in the Outback Bowl.

TE Travis Beckum should be the top priority for the UT secondary, as he's caught an astonishing 48 more passes than any other player on the roster. The Volunteers are one of the few teams who have the personnel -- SS Eric Berry -- who could limit Beckum's production. UW QB Tyler Donovan should look to WRs Paul Hubbard and Kyle Jefferson down the field if Beckum has trouble getting open. I expect Hubbard to end his UW career with over 100 yards receiving and a TD.

Wisconsin return man David Gilreath had a break-out game vs. rival Minnesota. He finally is returning the ball with confidence and could provide a couple of key returns which would swing momentum to UW. As has been the case the past three years, Wisconsin will have the edge in kicking and punting with K Taylor Melhaff and P Ken DeBauche.

Line: UT -2

Pick: UW 27-23. C'mon on, did you really think I was going to pick the Volunteers? Since the 2004 Outback Bowl vs. Georgia, the Badgers have picked off SEC opponents in the last two bowl games. In both of those games, the Badgers were the underdog, whereas this game sees the teams more evenly matched. Both the Volunteers and the Badgers should be able to move the ball, but I see the Badgers getting key stops in their red zone and forcing UT to settle for FGs. Offensively, the Badgers will have most of their weapons healthy and/or available (with the exception of WR Luke Swan) for the first time all year. With more than a month to prepare, OC Chyrst will have a dynamic game plan.

Capital One Bowl
Michigan vs. Florida
Jan. 1, 1 p.m. ET (ABC)

Analysis: Lloyd Carr will coach his final game as Michigan's head coach in the Capital One Bowl. A digression -- One of the knocks against Carr and the reason most Michigan fans wanted him gone was his record vs. OSU and in bowl games (i.e., "big games"). So Carr "retires" and the Wolverines flirt with Les Miles and Greg Schiano before settling for former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez. The same coach Rodriguez whose team choked away a BCS championship game birth to a 28 point underdog coached by Dave Wannstead??? I think that would qualify as a "big game." The same coach Rodriguez who has lost two straight to S. Florida?? WVU's record vs. top 25 competition is 7-5 since 2004 (i.e., only facing three ranked teams a year). Good luck Michigan.

Back to the analysis -- we have all heard that UM RB Mike Hart is the "heart" of the Wolverines. If Hart isn't 100% and/or isn't able to move the chains, the Wolverines will struggle against a Florida defense that has speed to burn and flies around the field making plays.

Another Wolverine coming off injury, QB Chad Henne, has a legitimate deep threat in WR Mario Manningham. UF will probably roll coverage to stop Manningham, which will leave WR Arrington with single coverage. UF will need to generate pass rush from their undersized D-line to make Henne uncomfortable.

UF's offense is based around the running and throwing of Heisman winner Tim Tebow. Tebow is the kind of mobile QB that has given Michigan fits this year (see Oregon's Dennis Dixon and App. State's Armanti Edwards). Michigan should not play man-to-man because Tebow will take off running after the DBs and LBs turn their back; and if Michigan blitzes, Tebow should be able to find the open man. Michigan will have to mix coverages and do a good job of tackling Tebow when their have a shot (easier said than done). UF's offense doesn't only come from Tebow, as RB Percy Harvin has sub-4.4 speed and UF's receivers continue the tradition of having good speed and stretching defenses.

Line: UF -10.5

Pick: UF 41-28. UF did lose three times this year, so they can be beat. In addition, there is the chance that UF could overlook Michigan because most pundits have picked UF to win big. However, I don't think Michigan has the horses to compete with UF, and Carr will go out having lost the last two games of each of the last four years.

Rose Bowl presented by Citi
Illinois vs. USC
Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Analysis: I was reading the Trib a few days ago and the sports section had a multi-day feature analyzing the Illinois-USC match-ups in the Rose Bowl. The match-up in question was coaching -- i.e., which coach, Ron Zook or Pete Carroll was better. The Trib gave the edge to Illinois and my jaw dropped. Evidentially, the writer in question thought that one great year for Zook made him a better coach than Carroll -- who has lead the Trojans to two national championships and a BCS bowl each year since 2002.

The Illini rushing attack, led by QB Juice Williams and RB Rashard Mendenhall, will try to run the option against the #4 ranked defense of USC. USC has a great defensive line anchored by DT Sedrick Ellis and DE Lawrence Jackson. The USC D-line should be able to tie up the Illini offensive line and as a result, USC's linebackers, MLB Rey Maualuga and WLB Keith Rivers, will have the room they need in order to pursue sideline-to-sideline in run support. I believe that Illinois will struggle to run the ball and QB Juice Williams will have to throw the ball, which is not his strength.

USC offense played well down the stretch because several of its members recovered from injuries and the unit's inexperienced WRs rounded into form. QB John David Booty threw for four TD against Arizona State in the second-to-last regular season game and blue chip WRs Vidal Hazelton, Patrick Turner and David Ausberry matured from the first half of the season. Booty's favorite target is TE Fred Davis, who led the team with 55 receptions.

Illinois' defense is better equipped to defend against the run, so expect the Trojans to have favorable match-ups in the passing game against every member of the Illini secondary other than CB Vontae Davis.

Illinois LB J Lehman is big, strong and has a great motor. He will have to contend with USC's stable of running backs, all of which were blue chip recruits coming out of high school. The Illini should watch out for super frosh Joe McKnight, who struggled early with injuries, but has shown great moves in the open field.

Line: USC -13.5

Pick: USC 45-21. The Big Ten hasn't won the Rose Bowl since Wisconsin in 2000 and I don't see the Illini carrying the banner this year. USC simply has too much talent on defense to contain a one-dimensional Illini attack. On offense, the USC attack is too multi-dimensional for the Illini to contain. The Illini were fortunate that Missouri and WVU lost the last weekend of the regular season, thus allowing OSU to go to the championship game. In all actuality, the Big Ten should have received only one BCS bid this year.

Take Me Away, Country Roads

2007-12-17T16:57:00.000-06:00

Almost heaven, Ann Arbor?

It's safe to say that I'm relieved that Coach B was not among the top three choices to replace Lloyd Carr as head football coach at Mighty Michigan. That said, Rich Rodriguez will bring the vaunted spread offense to Ann Arbor and provide new wrinkles not witnessed at the Big House since the days of Fielding Yost. Jim Tressel and the rest of the Big Ten be warned, for Rodriguez will work with talent beyond what he assembled at WVU, who was a Pittsburgh loss from the BCS title game this season.

Must be tough for the hillbillies in the Blue Ridge Mountains as it grooms coaches for a superior league on both the gridiron and the hardwood. Better them than Bucky. Let's hope that Coach B and Bo stay in Madison until they retire, and continue to beat up on the whore that is Ann Arbor.

P.S. With the $4 million buyout, the university should buy sets of false teeth for the entire state. If it wasn't for them we wouldn't be using a toothbrush each morning.

A Baker's Dozen

2007-12-12T11:22:00.000-06:00

The BT approved a one-week extension to football season, allowing for a bye week in the 12-game schedule and a games the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This means that the classic rivalry games, including Michigan-OSU, will be served with leftover turkey. Conference games won't shift until 2009, but members may move non-conference opponents with permission beginning next season.

Kudos to the league for a positive decision in terms of national exposure, elongated development through practice regardless of whether or not a team is bowl eligible, and crisper play during bowl season with a gap in play comparable to other conferences. This means no more excuses for Michigan and OSU: They must play to their potential as Bucky does year-in, year-out on New Year's Day.

Battle For Top Cheese

2007-12-08T08:36:00.000-06:00

If you hadn't heard, Marquette and Wisconsin will battle for Wisconsin hoops supremacy (sorry UW-GB and UW-M) tonight at 5pm at the Kohl Center. The Wisconsin media has played up the back court match-up comparing MU's Jerel McNeal, Dominic James and Wesley Matthews against UW's Trevon Hughes, Michael Flowers and Joe Krabbenhoff.

After reviewing each team's statistical profile on BasketballProspectus.com , it appears that the key match-up will be MU's offense vs. UW's defense inside the arc.

Marquette currently has the 19th best effective field goal percentage offense (effective field goal percentage is like regular field goal percentage except that it gives 50% more credit for made three-pointers) while protecting the rock and rebounding nearly 40% of its misses. As a result, Marquette is currently has the 3rd most efficient offense in the nation.

Wisconsin currently has the 3rd best effective field goal percentage defense, as opponents are making only 40% of their shots (giving 50% more credit for made three-pointers). The Badgers also clean the defensive glass exceptionally well, with only Santa Clara (?) being better (UW opponents are rebounding a measly 22% of their missed shots). As a result, UW is currently the 2nd most efficient defense in the nation.

At the other end of the court, Wisconsin ranks 51st in offensive efficiency and UW ranks 45th in defensive efficiency.

So where does this leave us? With two teams so evenly matched, home court and the benches should play a big role. UW currently has a 28 game home court winning streak so the Kohl Center is been a virtual fortress. As far as benches, Bo Ryan brings veteran guard Michael Flowers, sharpshooter Jason Bohannon and rising freshman Jon Leuer. MU coach Tom Crean has sharpshooter David Cubillan, guard Maurice Acker and big man Ousmane Barro waiting in the wings. The bench match-up appears even so far, but the edge goes to Wisconsin because Coach Ryan can bring in reliable Kevin Gullickson to throw his body around and get some boards.

BasketballProspectus predicts a 67-62 Wisconsin win. My prediction is 59-56 Wisconsin. Go Badgers!

Tuck D-moted

2007-11-29T16:59:00.000-06:00

The Phoenix Suns sent rookie Alando Tucker to the NBA's Development League to work on his j. To date he has played in 2 of the Suns' first 14 games an averaged 6 points in eight minutes. Coach Mike D'Antoni said, "It's the best thing for him. He needs to improve his shooting to have a chance. He wants to show he can play."

I concur. Minus a consistent outside shot, Tucker's back-to-the-basket game with the ability to take it to the hole from the perimeter makes him a "tweener" without a position in the bigger NBA. This was always the glaring hole in his game, wonderful as he was in 5 years under Bo Ryan. Let's hope Tuck finds his stroke and returns to the most exciting team in the NBA.

Challenge This...

2007-11-28T20:28:00.001-06:00

With our conference now 0-9 in the ACC/Big 10 Beat Down, I think Jim Delaney needs to look to pick on someone his own size.
Last night I suggested the Big 10/SWAC Challenge, but that could be too difficult and we need a win. So with that in mind, a 2008 Big 10/East Suburban Catholic Conference (ESCC) Challenge:

Michigan State at Notre Dame
-MSU has to go to one of the toughest stadiums in the conference, still too physical for the Dons to handle
BIG 10 WINS

Carmel at Wisconsin
-No one is winning at the Kohl, not even a well-coached Corsairs squad
BIG 10 WINS

Joilet Catholic at Northwestern
-Will the Cats have Kevin Coble? They better hope so
ESCC WINS

Iowa at Nazareth
Iowa better hope they can hit their outside shots otherwise they could succumb to the speed of the Roadrunners
ESCC WINS

St. Viator at Illinois
Illinois will be able to pound the ball inside, this will be a close game
BIG 10 WINS

Benet at Purdue
Purdue's young stars might have trouble with Benet's size. Coach Gaughan will have his team up for a big game on the road. BLOODY GAUGHAN!
ESCC WINS!

OSU at Marian Catholic
OSU will rely on their inside outside game and pressure defense to destroy Marian
BIG 10 WINS

Marist at Minnesota
Minnesota will still be learning to play Tubby Ball, but Marist can't win in the barn, right?
BIG 10 WINS

Michigan at St. Pats
It will be about 90 degrees in the gym with the toughest atmosphere of any gym in the conference. It will not be a great day to be a Michigan Wolverine
ESCC WINS

Indiana at St. Joe's
The marquee matchup goes the way of Isaiah Thomas' former school, um, the Indiana one.
BIG 10 WINS

After all that, the Big 10 wins 6-4!

There we go, a real challenge

Tampa Bay Bound

2007-11-28T13:26:00.000-06:00

The Badger football team accepted an invitation to the Outback Bowl to play a still undetermined SEC opponent on January 1st. The decision was precipitated by Capitol One Bowl officials releasing Bucky from a third straight trip to Orlando. Congrats to Coach B for leading the team to a fourth straight January bowl despite the adversity the team faced on account of injuries throughout the mostly disappointing 2007 campaign.

The Challenge

2007-11-28T08:18:00.000-06:00

On the eve of the 9th Annual Big 10/ACC Challenge we here at BTOTBT would like to invite everyone to participate in the Big 10/ACC Challenge, Challenge.

Participating is easy:
Just pick the winners of all 11 games and give the total points scored in the Wisconsin/Duke game.

Post your picks in the comments section and on Thursday morning we will crown a winner.

Picks must be in the comments by the time I get home from work on Monday when I will post all picks that were e-mailed to me.

Here are your matchups:

MONDAY:
Wake Forest at Iowa

TUESDAY:
Georgia Tech at Indiana
Minnesota at Florida State
Northwestern at Virginia
Wisconsin at Duke
Purdue at Clemson

WEDNESDAY:
NC State at Michigan State
Illinois at Maryland
Boston College at Michigan
UNC at Ohio State
Virginia Tech at Penn State

Good luck to everyone!

Maybe I'm crazy

2007-11-27T20:37:00.000-06:00

Rando thoughts from the Wisconsin/Duke game

-I hate ESPN

-JESUS GEORGIA TECH, GIVE UP ALREADY!

-Why is IU Fouling?????

-Oh crap, Vitale, can I get the feed from Cameron but the audio from Assembly Hall?

-I hate Greg Paulus

-DEFEND THE FREAKING 3!

-Flowers is a train wreck with the ball

-SOMEONE, DEFEND THE 3!

-CHRIST!!!! Why even bother showing up if we're going to play defense like this

-I Like Bo's tie

-Um, whoever kidnapped Marcus Landry, what do you want?

-Seriously, we'll pay it

-Punching Paulus in the face should earn the puncher 2 shots and the ball on the side

-33-18, what a disaster

-36-18, I quit

-Wow, a blocking foul, Duke cannot believe a blatant bad call didnt go their way

-Ha, and then we take a charge, my night has been made

-SIT DOWN YOU SNIVELING RAT

-Has anyone ever seen a team bitch as much about officiating? Well, outside of Euro Soccer

-Of course, it does not matter if Hughes cant make a free throw

-Hey, Ronde Barber has been to Dick Vitale's house! How lucky is he?

-Tell us more Dick...

-SHUT UP DICK

-MAKE A FUCKING FREE THROW

-I wonder how the Bulls are doing?

-OMG, the BULLS ARE WINNING!

-Hey, Steimsma is in the game

-And he just turned it over

-Hey, the laundry list of "leave of absences" for Wisconsin. Dont forget Boo Wade

-Wasn't Krabby supposed to be a shooter out of high school

-Ok, I went to the kitchen at the 4 min mark to get a glass of milk, and Marcus Landry's picture was on the carton

-Apparently Marcus Landry has money on Duke

-Ok, next year I propose a Big 10/SWAC challenge

-OR...lets stack the deck in our favor: NU/Duke, PSU/UNC, that way maybe we can get wins over the middle of the ACC

-Butch is so soft

-Hey Dick, I think there are about 30 Freshmen not involved in this game that you have not mentioned yet

-Does this idiot ever shut up

-48-25, I think this experiment is over

First Impressions

2007-11-25T11:09:00.000-06:00

It was fantastic to watch the Badgers dispatch of a quality SEC opponent last evening after the first half scare. I remain rather bullish about this team, for its size and quality depth should make it a player atop the BT in what is looking like a lackluster league two weeks into nonconference play.

Stiemsma has made tremendous strides defensively as he remains a tremendous shotblocker, but appears to have shed his tendency to play with his hands and commit stupid fouls. Butch has been a beast on the boards, and Krabby is every bit as rugged on both ends of the floor. The South Dakota native is also an excellent outlet passer and is money on the FT line. Flowers and Hughes are quick on the perimeter, and in total make Bucky a formidable defensive unit.

The two guards are also excellent penetrators on offense, though both need to become better finishers. Butch falls in the same category for a team without a go-to, back-to-the-basket scorer. Landry makes his presence known in waves, but remains absent for significant stretches of games. The team will need consistent scoring from him as the season grows old. The BTN announcers have repeated the notion that the Badgers need a player to emerge who takes the game in his own hands when the team desperately needs a basket, a la Alando Tucker. For better or worse, I think that player is Travon Hughes. He's not afraid to shoot, and is a threat to score from anywhere on the court.

My narrative thus far has only mentioned six players. Bo got solid minutes last night from Gullickson, and I'm hopeful he'll remain part of the rotation if only for his energy and fearlessness on the boards. JBo was quiet last evening as Georgia stretched the floor defensively and provided few wide open looks for a catch and shoot player. His deep threat capacity will be needed, especially when teams employ the zone to stifle the swing offense. I am a fan of nine-man rotations, as is Coach Ryan, and Leuer or Nankivil are the most likely candidates for this cameo. Both may not yet be prepared for primetime, but expect one or both to be ready for significant minutes comes January and the arrival of BT play.

Joe Banks? Are you Joe Banks?

2007-11-21T21:45:00.000-06:00

Marquette and Duke are approaching half time of the finals of the Maui Invitational.

Still waiting on that volcano to erupt, God.

Power Play

2007-11-19T21:45:00.000-06:00

Two sets of football power rankings: The end of the regular season rankings and the rankings of each team's bowl appeal:

Regular Rankings:

1.OSU: The best team and the sole champions
2.Illinois: Beat OSU, must be kicking themselves for losing to Iowa
3.Wisconsin: As of right now they have to be considered the third best team.
4.Michigan: Still too much talent to be any lower, but they have been bad as of late
5.Penn State: This team had one good week, and it was unfortunately against Wisconsin
6.Michigan State: The best win during the last month for any of the remaining teams. They also played Michigan tough three weeks ago.
7.Indiana: Gets the nod after the win over Purdue.
8.Purdue: I'm betting they start 4-0 next year and then go 3-5 the rest of the way.
9.Iowa: 4-4 in conference, and an inexcusable 2-2 out of conference. And they didn't even have to play OSU or Michigan. They are lucky to be 6-6
10.Northwestern: Just not a terribly good team. How can you lose to Duke? I mean, not even Notre Dame lost to Duke!
11.Minnesota. Maybe the Gophers can win a conference game in 2008

BOWL APPEAL
-based on 4 categories: On field appeal, noteworthy players, fan appeal, backstory

1.OSU
ON Field: ****
Players: ***
Fan: *****
Backstory***

No real interesting backstory and this team lacks the stars of last year, but the Buckeye faithful will sell out their Rose Bowl allotment and then some

2. Illinois
On Field: ***
Players: ****
Fan:**
Backstory *****

The 5 star backstory for a showdown of Ron Zook vs Florida will get them a spot in the Cap One Bowl. Their only problem is the fact that very few fans north of I-80 cares about Illini football

3. Michigan
On Field: *
Players: ***
Fan:****
Backstory: ***

I'm sorry, but the Lloyd Carr Bacsktory does nothing for me and probably very little for most fans around the country. The question the Cap One and Outback Bowls need to ask themselves is Will fans choose to watch our game over the other three in the same time slot because it will be Carr's last? The answer is no, which is why they are probably headed for San Antonio.

4. Wisconsin
On Field:***
Players:***
Fans****
Backstory:**

No real interesting backstory, but the Badgers are a solid solid invitation. They will sell out of their tickets, or come close, and their defense is so bad that you'll certainly have enough points scored to keep people tuned in

5. Penn State
On Field: *
Players: *
Fans: *****
Backstory: **

This is a bad year for on field play in the Big 10 and no teams exemplify that more than Penn State and Iowa. Penn State's fans are real their only appeal. Speaking of which...

6. Iowa
On Field: *
Players: *
Fans: *****
Backstory: *

If it wasn't for the nutsy Iowa fans would they even be considered for a game? But even if 20,000 white shorted Iowans show up for your bowl, good luck getting a ratings point for anyone who wants to watch them play.

7. Michigan State
On Field: ***
Players: **
Fans: **/*****
Backstory: **

They get the fan 5 stars if they are invited to the Motor City Bowl. Otherwise, this isn't a bad team and they can score a ton of points, which is why they will be playing an extra game this year

8. Indiana
On Field: **
Players: **
Fans: **?
Backstory: ****

Interesting backstory in regards to Coach Hepp and their first bowl since 1993. Their problem might also be their strength, bowl officials don't really know what to expect from Hoosier football fans. Think of them like you'd think of Penn State basketball fans. My guess is that whatever Bowl invites them will be pleasantly surprised.

9. Northwestern
On Field: *
Players: **
Fans: **
Backstory *

Their fans have money, but that is about all they have going for them. That loss to Duke is a disaster

10. Purude
On Field: **
Players: *
Fans *
Backstory *

This team is bad, they aren't exciting, no one cares, and their fans are probably sick and tired of crappy bowl games.

11. Minnesota (can't go, but lets break them down anyways)
On Field *
Players: *
Fans: *
Backstory: *****

Can Minnesota lose 12 games in one season??? Hell, I would invite them just for that.

Say It Ain't So

2007-11-19T09:39:00.000-06:00

The New York Times suggests that Lloyd Carr's anticipated resignation today could ignite a carousel of coaches as his timing may be calibrated to reduce the probability of bring Les Miles back to Ann Arbor. No Miles means a more open field, with Coach B listed as one of the candidates.

A Bowl full of Jelly

2007-11-18T09:02:00.001-06:00

Well since the Big 10 is once again stupidly done before Thankstaking the conference's bowl picture brightened a little bit in the last 16 hours. Since Hawaii pulled out a squeaker in Reno and since their SOS will get the much needed bump in the next two weeks with games against Boise State and Washington we still need to split off two scenarios. I still believe that if the Rainbows lose, Illinois will be in the driver's seat for a BCS game. The Illini could still move up if the Pac 10 circular firing squad continues to off its potential BCSers, but I think that either ASU or USC will survive with 2 losses and my coveted by the good folks in Tempe or New Orleans. Oh yeah, and OSU still has a good shot to play for the whole marbles.

SCENARIO 1, Hawaii gets the birth:

Title game: LSU vs West Virginia
Orange: Va Tech vs Mizzou
Fiesta: Kansas vs Hawaii
Sugar: Georgia vs USC

Big 10 Bowls:

Citrus: Illinois vs Florida
Outback: Wisconsin vs Tennessee
Alamo: Michigan vs Texas A&M
Champs Sports Penn State vs Clemson
Insight: Indiana vs Nebraska
Motor City: Mich State vs MAC Champ
Purdue will also get a birth somewhere as at at-large

SCENARIO II, Illinois to the BCS

*Change the Fiesta to Kansas vs USC and add Illinois to the Sugar Bowl

Citrus: Michigan vs Florida
Outback: Wisconsin vs Tenessee
Alamo: Penn State vs A&M
Champs: Mich State vs Clemson
Insight: Indiana vs Nebraska
Motor City: Iowa vs MAC Champ
Purdue receives at-large

I think IU and Wisconsin should feel pretty safe in their destinations. IU could jump up to the Champs Sports Bowl if Illinois makes the BCS, but I see MSU as having a slightly better draw for the Orlando people. Purdue appears to be on the outside looking in no matter what happens. They Boilers have had a poor second half and their loss yesterday will probably put them behind IU in the bowl pecking order.

Nice work by the Hawkeyes yesterday. Apparently their players had 0 interest in going to Phoenix in December. I guess Iowa City is too nice around the holidays.
At 6-6 the Hawkeyes can only go to a game with a Big 10 tie in, but they are really behind the 8 ball in scenario I as the Motor City Bowl would probably prefer inviting the Spartans to come down the road for the game. In scenario II, however, I can see Jim Delany "strongly encouraging" the bowl officials to take Iowa since Purdue has the 7 wins necessary to award them an invite somewhere. Plus, I believe Iowa is much more appealing to the bowl committee than Purdue.

In other news, the Citrus Bowl probably wants nothing to do with the Badgers and probably would salivate over the chance to be the site of Lloyd Carr's final game. With Penn State having visited Tampa last year and with Michigan being dreadful the last two weeks the Outback Bowl is probably begging for the chance to take the Badgers. Works for me.

Bowl projections

2007-11-11T08:56:00.000-06:00

Well yesterday's games did very little to un-muddy the bowl projections water. The Big 10's hopes were made worse by what happened in Columbus as Illinois not only knocked the Bucks out of the BCS title game, but might have knocked the Buckeyes out of an at-large bid as well should they lose to Michigan this weekend.

Illinois, however, might have an outside shot at their own BCS game depending on some of the football remaining to be played- specifically any game featuring Hawaii.

Ok, with all this in mind I have 2 bowl scenarios, both that involve the following results from next weekend:

No Brainers:
Wisconsin over Minn
Iowa over W Mich
Illinois over Northwestern

Tougher Picks:
Mich State over PSU
Indiana over Purdue
Michigan over OSU

In each of those games the better team is the road team, but all are pretty equal so I am going with the home squads.

That would leave the conference with 10 bowl eligible teams, 9 of which would have 7 wins. It would pretty much leave NU out in the cold, but any team that loses at home to Duke has no business making a bowl game.
Indiana and MSU really need wins next weekend to get to the magicical 7 win plateau. A 6-6 IU team that goes 2-6 in conference can join NU at home for the holidays as far as I am concerned*

So with all of that in mind scenario #1 involves Illinois making the BCS, scenario #2 involves the Big 10 only getting one team in the BCS.

With that in mind, here is scenario #1

Championship: LSU v Orgeon
Orange: Clemson v KU/Mizzou loser
Sugar: Georgia v Illinois
Rose: Michigan vs Arizona State
Fiesta: Oklahoma v West Virginia

Big 10 matchups:

Citrus: Ohio State vs Tennessee
Outback: Wisconsin vs Florida
Alamo: Penn State vs Texas Tech
Champs Sports: Iowa vs Virginia
Insight: Indiana vs Nebraska
Motor City: Purdue vs Central Mich
Las Vegas: Mich State vs BYU

Iowa is going to jump a few teams and I think the Insight Bowl would like a crack at an IU squad that has not made it to a Bowl game in 14 years. The Motor City Bowl will have a hard time passing up on the Spartans, but Purdue might make for a more interesting game.
Wisconsin gets picked over a 4-4 Penn State team (so lets hope they lose at MSU)

Scenario 2

Championship: LSU v Oregon
Orange: KU/Mizzou loser v Clemson
Sugar: Georgia v Hawaii
Fiesta: Oklahoma v West Virginia
Rose: Arizona State v Michigan

Citrus: Illinois vs Tennessee
Outback: Ohio State vs Auburn
Alamo: Wisconsin vs Texas Tech
Champs: Penn State vs Virginia
Insight: Iowa vs Nebraska
Motor City: Indiana vs Central Mich

Las Vegas: Purdue vs BYU
NO BOWL: Michigan State

Now watch as Illinois will lose to NU and screw it all up

*I think the next NCAA rule needs to be a minimum of 3 conference wins in order to make a bowl.

The Champagne Room

2007-11-09T17:43:00.000-06:00

I want to take 5 minutes out from my basketball breakdowns to talk about something that is going on right this minute 145 miles northwest of here on the shores of Lake Mendota.

The Wisconsin Marching Band just finished up their last practice before the final home game of the regular season.

Back in the stone age of the 1970s and 80s before the Badgers went to bowl games this practice was the last practice for the band and for the 4th and 5th year seniors who marched up and down that practice field on so many hot, freezing, wet, and sweaty afternoons and evenings. It is an emotional time for those seniors. So many memories are made, so many friendships forged, and so many experiences are enjoyed during one's time in the band and this was usually the end of the road for those seniors.

When the whistle blows for your first ever tryout practice for the band, Before you even have an instrument in your hands, before you ever play one note of Varsity, and before you eat one rock you are told that Freshmen line up on the left side of the field, everyone else goes on the right.

Four to five years later practice ends and the seniors go back to that same left side of the field. Champagne bottles are brought out onto the field, cigars are lit and the seniors are soluted by the underclassmen and Mike Leckrone. Everyone sings varsity, corks are popped, and champagne is poured over everyone. On what is typically a dark, 40 degree night there is no greater rush than getting a half a bottle of Andre doused on you.

When you talk to band members and ask them how much effort and time is put into being a member of the band they usually give you a half laugh and a quick comment like "well, you know." And, you do know. The sacrifices are 6AM wake up calls on gamedays, shorts only in November. It is having to blow as much hot air as possible through your horn just to keep it from freezing up. It is dips in the lake after a humid August practice, long bus rides, and longer Saturdays in the hot sun.

But one a chilly Friday every November none of that matters, it is memories, it is friendships, it is those magical moments you never forget, and it is pride in your band and in your school. Cheers.

The Hunt for Red November

2007-11-08T18:22:00.000-06:00

Step 2 of my basketball preview will be breaking down the Badger's schedule game by game. I will withold comments on the Big 10 games until closer to the new year.

I still wish the Badger's non-conference schedule would be tougher, the first 3 games will probably cause the Badgers to have a submarine-like SOS for at least a month, but there are some challenges along the way.

Lets go:

IUPUI-FW: I honestly cannot tell you one thing about this team.
W 84-45

Savannah State: Yikes, this team will be lucky to finish in the top 310 teams this year
W 91-55

Florida A&M: I wish they would bring their band- so the Badger band could kick their ass, just like the Basketball team kicks ass here

W 74-59

Colorado: Hopefully the Badgers do dominate so they can be well-rested for the 3rd game in 3 days. Colorado is not very good at all, probably the 11th team in the Big 12

W 69-57

Georgia: Georgia let me down last year. Badgers need to be careful here as the Dawgs can defend and are very athletic.

W 71-63

Duke: Finally! The Badgers get an ACC team not named Maryland or Wake Forest. We've been waiting so long for Duke or UNC, but be careful what you wish for- a trip to Cameron is not easy. The Badgers match up very well with Duke, however. If Flowers can continuously slash to the lane and dish to Butch and J-Boh the Badgers can win. But it is Cameron

L 81-78

Wofford: Wofford is a small school from Spartanburg, SC, not to be confused with Winthrop who is a small school from Rock Hill, SC. Withrop is good and almost beat our Badgers in Madison last year. Wofford is not a good team.

W 84-50

Marquette: BRING IT ON. History tells me that this will be a great game. Paper and video tells me that Marquette will be a tough matchup. But the game is in Madison. Therefore, this is an easier one to pick

W 76-71

UW-Milwaukee: The last time Wisconsin went to Milwaukee was 6 years ago, was on campus and was a nail biter. This one will not be an easy game and could prove dangerous if the Badgers do not shoot well and get out-worked on the boards. Jeter will have his team up, but the Badgers are better.

W 59-52

UW-Green Bay. Along with Milwaukee, the Phoenix should end up in the top 3 of the Horizon. They are slowly improving, but they aren't winning at the Kohl.

W 65-49

Valpo: Holy crap! Another team from the Horizon! What, would no one from the Valley or the MAC come to Madison. This is Valpo's first season in the Horizon, but that is the least of their worries on this night.

W 75-58

Texas: This is the toughest non-conference matchup in my mind. In order to win Flowers is going to have to take DJ Augustin out of the game. Control Augustin and get in his head and he becomes a turnover machine. If the Badgers can keep it close Rick Barnes will screw it up down the stretch. But I am afraid of Bo's boys on the road in non-conference games ouside of the state.

L 78-62

That puts the Badgers at 10-2 and probably just inside or outside of the top 25 going into the Big 10. I can maybe see this team going 11-1, and would not be shocked with a 9-3 or even 8-4 record if they cannot turn the Kohl into a fortress against MU and Georgia. 8-4 would not be a disaster, but it would force the team to probably win 10 big 10 games in order to make the NCAA tourney.

Quickly, conference W-L:

@Mich: W
Iowa: W
Illinois: W
@PSU: L
NU: W
Mich: W
@Purdue: L
IU: W
@Minn: L
@Iowa: W
Purdue: W
@Indiana: L
Minnesota: W
@Illinois: L
@OSU: L
MSU: W
PSU: W
@NU: W

Big 10 Record: 12-6, good for a tie for 2nd with Indiana.

22-8 regular season record would be remarkable and is probably slightly inflated (although BT Wonk had the Badgers 13-5 tied with MSU- which would probably make the Badgers the #1 seed since the Badgers do not go to East Lansing)

A 22-8 record with a 1-1 record in Indy and wins over Georgia, MU, UW-M, Purdue, Illinois, IU, and MSU (all projected tourney teams by me) would probably warrant a 4-5 seed in March.

I think the Badgers are realistically in the 4-7 seed range come March and their ceiling is probably a sweet 16 run unless the bracket opens up like it did in 2005.

My next post will be a Big 10 preview followed by my national preview.

It's almost time

2007-11-07T20:32:00.001-06:00

As I sit at home watching the Badgers take on UW-Eau Claire, it is shocking to realize that the mens hoops season is all of 4 days away when the Mastadons of IU-FW rise from the ashes to take on the Badgers.

I spent a good deal of my lunch hour reading some of the preseason articles. A lot of people seem to be down on the Badgers, and for some good reasons- the bad taste left in everyone's mouth after the events of 3/18, the questions surrounding Michael Flowers, the improvements of IU and MSU, and the graduations of Kam Taylor and Alando Tucker are pretty much the most prominent reasons to be down on the Badgers.

However, it would be short-sighted to just dwell on those reasons heading into the season.

First of all, what happened on March 18 was nothing more and nothing less than a team who lost a key cog in its wheel and was playing bad basketball at a bad time to play bad basketball. Had the NCAA tournament been held 3-4 weeks earlier not only would Wisconsin had been a #1 seed, but they might have won it all.

While I am also concerned with the LOA of Flowers, he is back on the team and will have plenty of time to get back into the swing of things in the next two weeks before the Badgers play anything resembling a difficult game.

And while MSU and IU should be better than the Badgers, the Badgers and us fans can only worry about our team.

So that brings us to the 3 graduations. First off, losing Chappell is probably a net positive. The guy was absolute rubbish for most of last year. I feel better with Greg Steimsma, anyways.
Taylor and Tucker hurt, no doubt. You just cannot lose an excellent ball handler/scorer and also arguably the greatest player in program history and just move on without difficulties, but programs have to move on. Personally, I have a world of confidence in Marcus Landry, J-Boh, Hughes, and one of our bigger freshman to step up and pick up the points, minues and leadership that graduated last May.
And that goes without mentioning the guy who I think will be one of the 3 best players in the conference by year's end- Brian Butch. Oh sure, Butch needs to step up and be tougher/score more/dominate/not disappear/DUNK. But why can't he? In 3 years he has certainly showed us all of those characteristics, and after the way his season ended last year he has all the motivation in the world to shut jackasses like Doug Gottlieb up.

So how 'bout it all of you out in Badgerland, what can we expect of our heroes this season?

My Big 10 preview and game by game look ahead is coming this weekend.

Busting the Nuts

2007-11-01T13:22:00.000-05:00

Since 1999, Bucky has owned the Shoe, and Sherby and myself have been privileged to witness the last two triumphs (TR, weren't you at the 1999 2nd half tsunami?). Oddsmakers gave UW's modest three-game streak in Columbus a fleeting glance in naming the Buckeyes 15-point favorites on Saturday. While the uncertainty of PJ Hill's availability is probably a contributing factor, OSU's blue chip win in Happy Valley on Saturday installs them as the team to beat as they run through the gauntlet of Bucky, Illinois, and Michigan the next three weeks.

OSU returns home with the top rushing and overall defense in the nation against Bucky's third-string running back and an offense that has failed to convert turnovers into points, not to mention committing an inexcusable share of their own. Todd Boeckman has apparently transformed from game manager to Tom Brady clone after his short excursion in the Nittany Mountains, and Beenie Wells leads a formidable backfield.

So how does Bucky win when all signs point to a lopsided affair sending the Badgers home with their tails between their legs?

It all starts with defense. Should the team turn in its third straight solid defensive performance in Columbus this can be a four-quarter game, and if it can force a couple of turnovers after knocking Indiana around for five last week, Bucky has a chance to even out the apparent mismatch on the other side of the ball.

12 turnovers in 5 BT games is a recipe for disaster and Bucky is lucky to be 3-2 in the aftermath. Should this trend continue...(I need not complete the sentence). TD must complete passes underneath, particularly to the TE's. I still like the idea of looking to the RB out of the backfield, especially with OSU's tendency to load the box. Maybe Zach Brown will add this dimension in PJ's absence. TD has found trouble when he forces the ball downfield, although I could see Jefferson taking another long one to the house on a go route. Hubbard must step up and show senior leadership, hauling in third down grabs to move the sticks.

PJ, if he plays, will need help, and Zach Brown must be up to the challenge. He needs to run hard for four quarters as the yards might not be there at the outset. UW has won here by pounding the ball relentlessly and completing key third down passes. This recipe, without turnovers, could spark an upset.

The remaining ingredient is our special teams. Field position always seems to matter against OSU, and Melhaff and DeBauche can help to keep the Buckeyes starting drives deep in their own territory. Gilreath has been close to busting a return for a score all season. Saturday would be the optimal time to finally elude the punter and find paydirt.

In the end, this narrative reads like a Shakespearean drama, but this team is as capable as any in the BT of shocking the world and making the conference race interesting once more. Imagine Bucky winning out, and Michigan beating OSU in the Big House. Yes, it can happen, but first things first. Follow Coach B's mantra, and make the Michigan game matter.

Back to 1-0

2007-10-26T09:05:00.000-05:00

Bucky faces a tough test on homecoming tomorrow when Hardy and the Hoosiers come the Camp Randall. His size is comparable to Calvin Johnson, and Ike will need help from our safeties to keep him out of the endzone multiple times (11 TD's in 7 games). Lewis is a solid QB, but I am a firm believer in shutting down the running game first and never getting beat over the top when an opponent goes back to pass. Hardy will have his catches, but make him get the ball underneath and gang tackle him to avoid the big play. Most of all, keep Langford far away, for he doesn't stand a chance with the cushion he provides. Pressure from the DL, Levy, and Henry would help prevent the deep ball.

I don't expect a 52-17 verdict like last year, but I also can't see the 2001 debacle when Randal El (Antwan, not Marcus) ruled Madison and Bucky was routed in one of the few Alvarez seasons that didn't end in a bowl. IU will put points on the board, but PJ Hill and company should have an answer and then some, particularly late in the game. Lance Smith may again be the difference as Bucky drives for the clinching score. UW in a barnburner, 34-31.

I like Bucky's chances heading into Columbus 7-2, and expect that OSU may be reeling after their Saturday night showdown in Happy Valley. Am I the only one who smells upset here? After that, Michigan heads the Madison, and if the Badgers are 8-2, all bets are off. Bucky could conceivably decide the BT championship in these consecutive games even though they will be shut out of Pasadena for yet another year. Then, we'll travel the Axe to the Humpty Dump and bring it home safe and sound, with a 10-2 record and a likely date in Tampa on New Year's Day.

First things first, though. Let's send those Hoosier Daddies back to the state God created as an afterthought (sorry, Sherby). 1-0.

And the ball just stuck there

2007-10-21T21:03:00.000-05:00

Part of me wishes I could say "I'm not a Packer fan, nor have I ever been one." That would be a lie, however.

Back in the early 90's I committed what would have been a cardinal sin for any sports hungry boy who grew up in Chicago- I started rooting for the Packers. Oh sure, I wasn't a Bears fan and my dad was from Wisconsin and grew up rooting for the Pack, but still- growing boys in Glen Ellyn aren't just supposed to start pulling for the Pack.

But I did. I was dressed in green and gold when #4 found #84 in the end zone in the Silverdome, when Reggie came to Titletown. I remember sitting in the parking lot of the now-holy pecan store in Tifton, Georgia listening to Brett roll out and dive into the end zone in the last game in Milwaukee County Stadium. The radio call of the Falcons announcers still sticks in my head:

"Favre rolls right, he's rolling, he's going to run, he dives, he scores"
"NOOOOOO"
"Touchdown Packers"

It was great, but the only thing missing was the voices of Jim and Max. Sitting in the car in sourthern Georgia I could only imagine how nuts Jim Irwin and Max McGee were going at the time. The always partisan, permanently loyal, homers to a fault Packer broadcasters loved their team, their city, their state and their listeners. I was one of them all too often during the 90s. I loved listening to them for the same reason I still love listening to Bob Uecker do Brewer games. Not only were they funny, not only were they entertaining, but you learned something about football at the same time. You enjoyed the broadcast with a smile, win or lose for the Pack.

And even though we could not make the trip down to New Orleans, they made us feel at home during that winter night in 1997 when the Packers beat the Pats and won it all.

Of course, for Max McGee, winning a Super Bowl was nothing new, he was there when the first one was won. Not only that, he found the end zone twice during that matchup of the AFL and NFL in a not-so-sold out LA Coliseum. As everyone knows McGee was hung over when he found the house twice, and as we all know now Max McGee is dead at the age of 75.

The world of sports has never been devoid of characters and my guess is that we will never have that problem. When Manny stops being Manny and TO goes and Planet Kobe ceases to revolve there will be plenty of characters waiting to fill their enormous voids. But Max McGee was an originial, a Super Bowl hero who told of his I legend parked in front of a lucious swimming pool at his home in Phoenix. Who parlayed those two scores and thousands of stories into a gig bringing us the wins and losses of the green and gold.

Oh sure, Max has been an afterthought for most of the last 8-10 years. Before you woke up this morning to read the horrible news I'm sure Max has not crossed you mind in the last few months. But every time we talk about Super Bowl heroes, when we mention John Elway's helicopter, Timmy Smith's career day, Larry Brown, Dwight Smith (Bucs reference, sorry) The Fridge, Adam Vinateri, and Jonh Taylor, we have to mention the unathletic, hung over wide receiver from the Packers whose career day just happened to be in the first ever Super Bowl.

Thanks Max for all the memories, the stories, and the laughs. Here's hoping that wherever you are there is a well-stocked bar and that St. Vince is kind enough to at least buy you that first drink.

Chchchchanges

2007-10-19T08:52:00.000-05:00

Time to face the music.

For a team bleeding red of the wrong variety, reeling from consecutive road losses to Illinois and Penn State, the latter an absolute embarrassment, the Northern Illinois Huskies are certainly a sight for sores eyes. Not that this MAC opponent should be taken for granted given close shaves against UNLV and the Citadel, but Bucky desperately needs to find its way on both sides of the ball tomorrow.

Changes on defense are looming. Aaron Henry will take snaps with the first defense in light of Langford's dismal performances, week-in, week-out. His inability to cover in week two against UNLV should have been a sign of what was to come against MSU and Penn State. Loyalty to last year's starter should be thrown out the window, especially with the talented true freshman waiting in the wings. Langford plays too far off his man, a product of his lack of speed, but also fails to close fast and make a secure tackle. Next man in.

Bucky should also take a longer look at the LB position. Levy is clearly lost in coverage. Bring him from the corner on passing downs and generate some pressure on the QB that the DL hasn't to date (Shaughnessy, what's the deal? #92 is MIA in the opponent's backfield). Hodge also lacks instincts on passing downs, and doesn't fill quickly enough against the run. St. Jean's miserable performances at Mike the last two weeks are evidence that we're better off with Hodge's growing pains nonetheless.

I'd also like to see more of DeCremer on non-passing downs. Newkirk hasn't had much of an impact at DE, so I'd gamble with DeCremer's lack of size to generate a better pass rush, more tackles for loss, and possibly better lateral pursuit on running plays. Kurt Ware, if he ever gets healthy, could also help here.

On offense, Hubbard is back at practice, and I expect to see him return to the rotation next week against IU. Coupled with Jefferson, this is a talented tandem and should give TD two solid options along with our stud TE's as teams continue to stack the box and muck it up inside for PJ. Lance Smith's availability at home should also help as PJ simply can't find the corner. I'm hoping this is the difference next month against Michigan.

We also need more consistency out of our special teams. Gilreath was quiet the last two weeks, and Melhaff's misses in both road games didn't make the going any easier when our offense was turning over the ball, and the defense opened like a gate. DeBauche also needs to rebound.

In the end, Bucky has always won by running the ball, playing tough D with a bend, but don't break philosophy, and winning the field position battle through stellar special teams. Aberrations from this formula were the teams that didn't make bowl games, or who failed to live up to pre-season expectations. Time to get the house back in order against the Huskies.

Operator, won't you help me place this call (since according to NCAA rules, I can't)

2007-10-15T20:29:00.000-05:00

Dear Kelvin Sampson:

What the hell were you thinking?

You did an ok job at Oklahoma. Sure, you went to a Final Four, but more often than not your team flamed out in the NCAA tourney. You really never developed any superstar players. Some successful coaches might see that as a badge of honor, I see it as a sign that you only get the bare minimum out of your most talented players. And just when your Oklahoma program was about to descend into oblivion alongside the Missouri Tigers, just when Bob Huggins, Bob Knight, and Billy Gillespie were going to join KU, OSU, and Texas and supplant your team in the upper half of the Big 12, out of nowhere a big crimson parachute found you and took you to Bloomington, Indiana. Oh sure, a lot of the fans noticed the warning signs I just laid out, they saw right though your passion and your self-proclaimed ability to recruit and decided you were a mediocre hire.

But it was your job, you had a position at a top 10 program, congrats.

But not everything was going perfectly for you, the big bad NCAA was coming after you. Apparently, you cannot stay off the phone. You love phone like a junkie loves their smack. You were told to lay off the phone and you could not. You left the good folks in Oklahoma saddled with NCAA violations and your also decided to saddle your new employers with problems as well.

But those problems proved to be little more than a distraction and a punch line during most of your first year in Bloomington. You started winning. The IU fans took to your team, and best of all you pulled the wool over Bruce Weber's eyes and "stole" Indiana's own Eric Gordon from the Illini. Who cared that a bunch of orange-clad, Indian hating crybabies got their panties in a bunch- you did nothing wrong, you just basically stole the girl after she told you she loved you more than that jerk, anyways. What's wrong with that?

You beat Wisconsin, you finished 3rd in a weak Big 10 (after the top 2) and your team appeared to try hard. Then you made it to the second round of the NCAA and lost a close one to UCLA. Not a bad year.

But as we found out over the weekend, the addict inside of you was present all year long. You couldn't kick the habit. You had to make your precious phone calls. Oh, like most addicts you absolved yourself "who is it hurting?" "I'm not doing anything wrong" "I'm smart enough, I wont get caught"

You sought to bend the rules- you couldn't make outbound CALLS, so you sent text messages, you couldnt MAKE outbound calls, so you had your assistants do that and then patch you in. You cheated. And you knew the NCAA and IU would be watching.

Kelvin, I know this is a long letter and you probably want to know what my point (besides taking a swipe at Illinois fans) is? Well, my point is this: how stupid are you? Did you think you weren't going to get caught? Did you really think you were doing nothing wrong? Did you not think that once you did get caught that everyone else in the midwest who already did not like you would crucify you? Did you not expect local writers who went after Sir Robert Knight to easly go after you?

And, are you really expecting the NCAA to not throw the book at you right now?

$550,000 and a scholarship or two are going to seem like a bargin to what I am sure the pinstripes in downtown Indy want to do to you right now. Do you realize that if you do this again you'll be joining Todd Bozeman (remember him?) in the MEAC?

Kelvin, I think you are a better basketball coach than I always gave you credit for. But you're either an addict or an idiot, and you better hope that this is it, or else your next job is going to be in front of 800 fans in a gym in Eastern North Carolina.

Poll Position

2007-10-14T15:47:00.000-05:00

I kept my mouth shut last week in regards to the Coache's Poll. I laughed it off when 2-3 Stanford received 4 votes. I ignored USC only dropping to #7 and Indiana receiving 8 more votes than Michigan.

But after another week, I can't hold back any longer.

I have two words to describe the results: in sane.

Please, look at the poll. You can find it right here

The top 5 is actually ok, I would have USF #1 or #2, but putting them at #3 is no scandal. In addition, LSU and Oklahoma are probably the two best 1 loss teams.

6-8 are ok, too. But then we have an issue.

Remember back in September when Michigan lost to App State and the reaction for the college football community was the ex-communicate any voter who dared to rank the Wolverines?

Last week USC lost to Stanford, a team that is probably worse than App State. The Trojans were favored by 41 points, they lost and they didnt even fall from the top 10. Hypocritical isn't even the right word to describe this. USC should have been ranked no higher than 20 last week and after they struggled with Arizona yesterday they should still not be any higher than 17ish.
Instead the coaches have them at #9. If they were South Florida they would be lucky to be receiving votes.

Oh, and look at #13- its Kentucky! A one-loss team who only beat LSU this week. I know, I know, a run of the mill win for them. They also crushed Louisville this year and their only loss was at #8 South Carolina.
Kentucky should not be below USC, much less 4 spots behind them.

I could talk about how 2 loss Auburn (with one of those being to South Florida) should be ahead of Texas, but aren't, but instead let's look at #20 and #22.
Georgia is 5-2 and ranked #20
Tennessee is 4-2 and ranked #22

Last week Tennessee beat Georgia by roughly 87 points. How are they ranked below them? Anyone? Anyone?

Ok, enough for the top 25, how about teams receiving votes:

Wisconsin received 82 votes. I have no idea why
The Badgers received more votes than Illinois.
And how is Illinois not ranked?
They beat PSU, they lost a 10-6 game on the road. Penn State is ranked, Illinois is not.

Oh, but we haven't even hit the most in sane part of the program yet.
Look at 3 spots below Illinois, it's PURDUE!!!!! A team that beat no one, then got crushed at home by Ohio State only to follow that up by getting crushed at Michigan.
I would have been shocked had the Boilers received a vote, much less 19. What kind of an idiot do you have to be to think Purdue is worthy of a place in the top 25???

On the plus side, at least Stanford didn't receive any votes this week...

Nowhere to go but up or down

2007-10-14T08:35:00.000-05:00

WEll that was certainly a disaster.

Shawn, I should have left at halftime just like you did. From what I can recall...the Badgers showed no heart and no fire during the second half. Injuries and suspensions take their toll, but they take their toll on every team.
I know this team can turn things around, but have they shown us any reason to expect that?

5 games left, three are very winnable. Win those 3 and split with Michigan/OSU and 9-3 doesn't look like too bad of a season- not for this college football season, at least.

So where does that leave us in the conference? Let's check out my power rankings which will last all of a week:

1. Ohio State: The best team, the best defense, and the only one who is unblemished all season
2. Michigan: A long way back for the maize and blue. This is the team I expected to see back in September.
3. Illinois: They finally got trapped. I think they might be a little overrated, but we'll see on Saturday against the Wolverines
4. Penn State: Impressive game against an unimpressive team. If they can score 31 a game they will be tough to beat
5. Wisconsin: Awful effort yesterday. The defense is bad and now we have offensive issues. Coach B is going to have to get the train back on the track, soon. Otherwise a 7-5 season would not surprise me
6. Michigan State: Huge win yesterday. This team has been a good surprise
7. Indiana: Ouch. Hoosiers will go bowling, but they have not reached the top half of the Big 10...yet
8. Purdue: Hey, this is the Purdue team we know and love. Welcome back guys, we missed you
9. Iowa: Unlike the Badgers they can play defense. However, this team will be lucky to win 2 more conference games
10. Northwestern: I'm sorry, I am just not that impressed with a one point win at home over Minny
11. Minnesota: They'll win a game against a team they should not beat. I'm just worried it might be our team

Ok, so where does that leave us with Bowl projections? 9 teams, 9!!! Have a good chance at winning 6 games and going bowling. Right now only one team is bowl eligible, but 7 teams (7!!!!!!) are just one win away with 5 to play. Northwestern needs two wins and should get one next week against Eastern Michigan, in a game that, for reasons passing understanding, will be played at Ford Field.
Iowa needs 3 wins, but they have Western Mich at home and some other games that they can win.

For the sake of my sanity, lets say Iowa does not qualify.
Also, I am basing these projections on where things stand right now and how I think they will go the rest of the year.

Rose Bowl: Michigan (7-1)
Sugar Bowl: Ohio State (7-1)
Capitol One Bowl: Illinois (5-3)
Outback Bowl: Wisconsin (5-3)
Alamo Bowl: Penn State (4-4)
Champs Sports Bowl: Indiana (4-4)
Insight Bowl: Michigan State (3-5)
Motor City Bowl: Purdue (3-5)
MISC low-tier game: Northwestern (3-5)

Of course, if Iowa becomes bowl eligible they would probably bump everyone from Indiana on down. And, if the conference does not field 2 BCS teams (and Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan have 0 margin for error when it comes to an at-large birth) this could further muddy the waters.

If Wisconsin does go to the Outback Bowl I can see the Badgers playing Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky, or South Carolina. Afterall, as crazy as the Big 10 has been, it is still not SEC crazy.

Midnight (err..Early Evening) Madness

2007-10-13T00:27:00.000-05:00

The 2007-2008 Wisconsin Mens' Basketball team kicked off its campaign tonight with a "Night of the Grateful Dead." With Alando Tucker, Kammron Taylor and Jason Chappel having graduated from last season's record breaking team, Coach Ryan's motto of "NEXT" is appropriate.

This is not to say that the accomplishments of last year's senior class should be dismissed or forgotten. However, in order for the program to continue to strive, the team must move on and returning players must step up.

I am looking for Marcus Landry (winner of tonight's slam dunk) and Tim Jarmusz (winner of the three-point contest) to be the team's best player and best newcomer.

Jarmusz displayed a sweet stroke tonight, and his ability to knock down 3s should open up the floor and be a nice complement to J-Bo.

Back from the Ledge

2007-10-11T14:26:00.000-05:00

Okay, I allowed for five days of grieving after the first Badger football defeat in more than a calendar year. The loss was particularly difficult with the season-ending injury to #1 receiver Luke Swann, not to mention another buffet-style serving of swiss cheese by the disappointing Badger defense.

Once again, I turn to poor linebacker play as the root cause of the struggles, that on top of poor assignment responsibility by the DE's against the option (take the QB and allow the LB's and DB's to chase down the pitchman!). Culmer St. Jean turned in one of the most attrocious performances I have yet to witness as a Badger fan, and I'm not engaging in hyperbole here. Replacing injured starter Elijah Hodge, St. Jean spent the afternoon shooting the wrong gap, running right by ball carrriers, and with DeAndre Levy, contributed to what must have been a score of missed tackles.

Despite outgaining the Illini by more than 100 yards, the offense failed to run the ball consistently, and Lance Smith's change-up contributions were notably missing. Zach Brown did play well when called upon, but the running game was incredibly inconsistent, and PJ Hill limps into Saturday's game in Happy Valley with a groin injury. Brown will be asked to prove himself once more against one of the top run defenses in the land.

TD went to the air early and often, but from where I sit, his penchant to throw downfield contributes to unnecessary interceptions and misses the opportunities to move the sticks by throwing underneath. In addition to Beckum (thank God for #9!), PJ Hill and Zach Brown should be open in the flats and hook zones for 5 yard gains all day as defenses charge hard to stop the run. The bubble screen should also be effective against the Nittany Lions.

Let's hope that the defense can improve against a solid, but not superb Penn St. offense, and that the offense can control the clock through a power running game and dink and dunk passing game. We also lost the ST battle last Saturday in all facets of the game, from returns, to kickoff and punt coverage, to a missed field goal, even a botched 2-point conversion. Make the FG and the conversion, and the game is tied at 31.

TR said it best. Win on Saturday and we're still California dreamin'. Lose and we'll be eating Kangaroo burgers at Outback in Tampa (or worse). Coach B rallied the troops after a BT opening loss at Michigan last year and ran the table. Here's hoping for a reprise act.

Out of Office

2007-10-04T13:54:00.000-05:00

Paging the Badger defense. Through five games, the vaunted Red Storm has failed to materialize, particularly in the first half. It goes without saying that a failure to plug the identified holes outlined below will result in a loss to the upstart Illini.

1. To date, the linebacker play has been simply atrocious. Casillas, Levy, and Hodge are simply too talented to exhibit such mediocrity week in, week out. Kudos to Casillas for his touchdown-saving tackle at the beginning of the second half last Saturday, and to Hodge for finally jumping MSU's swing pass to the trips side, but these plays fail to offset the poor positioning, tackle angles, and inability to shed blocks that have victimized this unit and placed undue pressure on the secondary.

2. The safeties have failed to live up to their name, permitting big plays in a way that Rogers and Stellmacher forbade last season. Missed tackles and poor angles are the cause, not to mention missed assignments, particularly with men in motion. Ike's illness and injury have slowed him down, and Langford provides too large of a cushion for my comfort and fails to play the ball upon arrival. Benn will exploit the entire unit on Saturday should they fail once again to come to the party. Kudos to the froshie Aaron Henry for filling the aforementioned gap and providing great pressure on the QB from the secondary.

3. The D-line has probably played best as a unit, most notably Nick Hayden. Chapman hasn't made much noise to date, nor has Shaughnessy. Newkirk is playing out of position, but has certainly contributed, and DeCremer looks like a keeper. Our three-man rush on pass downs has been mostly ineffective, and the line has made few tackles for loss on running plays. Most of their tackles are seemingly downfield. The loss of Cooper hurts on 3rd and long.

Depth Perception?

2007-10-03T08:51:00.000-05:00

Depth on offense is a major concern as Bucky faces two consecutive road tests in Champaign and Happy Valley in games that will decide whether or not the team heads to Columbus undefeated for the decisive three-game stretch to end the season. Paul Hubbard's injury, not to mention Andy Crooks' limited availability throughout this young season, has hampered the receiving corps and placed even more pressure on TD, Swann, and Beckum.

Lance Smith's idiotic suspension could potentially jeopardize the season should the team not be able to survive these early exams away from home. He has been a valuable change of pace to the bull that is PJ Hill in the first two BT contests, pulling off game-clinching runs to set up decisive scores.

I'm not as confident that Zach Brown is up to the task, though he will without doubt see action on Saturday. He needs to focus on ball security and moving the sticks, giving PJ sufficient rest to prepare for a 4-quarter battle against J Leman and the rest of the Orange Crush. Although I was a fan of redshirting John Clay, and the team has apparently gone in this direction, this may be a critical time to reconsider. PJ can't beat UI or the Nittany Lions alone. Next man in!

Avoid the Lloyd

2007-10-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

Just when the world seemed to right itself in Ann Arbor comes word that Mighty Michigan may be forced to forfeit its BT opening win against PSU for illegally playing freshman safety Artis Chambers. Looks like Lloyd gave the maize and blue faithful another reason to ship him out of the Big House come January.

Remember 2004!

2007-09-26T20:35:00.000-05:00

After three shaky games against UNLV, the Citadel and Iowa, college football experts like Stewart Mandel have dropped the Badgers from their top 10 rankings.

If that wasn't motivation enough for Wisconsin to make a statement against Michigan State on national TV this Saturday, there is that little matter of the Badgers' last game against Michigan State.

Here is a video highlight from that fateful day. Looking back on that game, it is amazing how many breaks went against the Badgers that day: a blocked punt, a stuffed reverse turning into a TD. a controversial goal line stop and on-side kick recovered.

This team has been making its own breaks so far. Let's hope that trend continues.

Next Man In

2007-09-11T08:50:00.000-05:00

Paul Hubbard sprained his MCL and will be out 6-8 weeks, with a return pegged either for the Indiana or Michigan game. This provides an opportunity for either Jefferson or Randel El to step up in Hub's absence. The passing game looked relatively lackluster on Saturday against UNLV, and drops by Swan and Hubbard didn't help matters. Beckum will need to carry an even larger load in the offense, especially with more attention directed at Swan. The return of Andy Crooks, along with the emergence of Graham, shows that TE is a position of strength. Hopefully we can say the same about WR when the book on the 2007 season is written.

A few ruminations on Saturday's night's Houdini act are warranted. Langford simply must play better in coverage, as his island was all too visible on Saturday, the pitfalls of playing opposite a shutdown corner in Ike. On a larger level, the Badgers continue to struggle with the spread. It's not the big plays anymore, but steady gains on each and every down that result in consistent chain movement. The team will likely see some of these wrinkles throughout the BT schedule, and discipline and gap responsibility is the answer to solving the spread. It eats alive aggressive defenses, and the Badgers to date are guilty as charged.

Admittedly, it's hard to be overly critical of a defense that surrendered a mere 13 points on the road. The offense simply didn't get the job done for much of the game. PJ Hill ran the ball consistently, and Zach Brown looks like a solid, even flashy backup (at least when we're wearing white), but the big play was mostly lacking, and it didn't come from our pass offense. While TD's numbers were a mere shadow to those of week one, he did fall victim to the aforementioned drops in critical downs and distances. Moreover, he didn't make a mistake to cost us the game and did a more graceful impression of Darrell Bevell's sideline scramble in the 1994 Rose Bowl to negate the Runnin' Rebels' upset bid.

In the end, the Badgers are 2-0 and ranked #7 in both polls in a perch atop the BT. Penn St. and OSU look solid as expected, and Purdue may surprise as their pass offense has been phenomenal against a couple of cream puffs. I'm going to take the week off as Bucky gets fat against the Citadel, but I'll be back for the hated Hawkeyes in the BT opener in what should be an electric atmosphere at Camp Randall.

The Big Book of Lists

2007-09-08T09:03:00.000-05:00

Time for some lists.

First off, if I did my Big 10 power rankings last week before the first ball was kicked in anger it would have looked like this:

1. Michigan
2. Wisconsin
3. Ohio State
4. Penn State
5. Iowa
6. Illinois
7. Purdue
8. Indiana
9. Michigan State
10. Minnesota
11. Northwestern

Ok, so a few changes need to be made. As of Saturday morning week 2:

1. Wisconsin: beat the best team of anyone in the Big 10 and seemingly answered their #1 question mark in doing so
2. Penn State: If this team can score a lot of points, they will be dangerous
3. Ohio State: A deep team that should be tough by the end of the season
4. Michigan: I'm keeping them in my top 4- too much talent on offense. The defense might be a lot worse than we all thought, however.
5. Iowa: Unimpressive against NIU. I think that is about how Iowa will play all year
6. Purdue: They won, but I don't think they are that good
7. Indiana: They have enough playmakers for 6 wins, one of which could be an upset
8. Illinois: They showed they can score points
9. Michigan State: could be higher, but I think they will struggle mightily in the Big 10
10. Northwestern: Not a very good team
11. Minnesota: BRUTAL

Also, I dont believe in polls until the beginning of October, but since I will be gone for the next 3 weeks, I am polling now. Let's go:

1. USC: Simply the best
2. Florida: Last year they were better than all the rest
3. LSU: They could be rolling on a river close to home in January
4. West Virginia: I hate them, but what's love got to do with polls?
5. Wisconsin: I can't think of any other Tina Turner lyrics
6. Nebraska: You watch, they will win the Big 12
7. Cal: Great win in week 1
8. Georgia: They will stomp my cocks tonight
9. Louisville: Um, play some defense please
10. UCLA: Pac-10 is underrated this year
11. Oklahoma: Big 12 is overrated
12. Texas: See 11
13. Penn State: Should have an easy win over ND today
14. Virginia Tech: Terribly overrated. I see them getting smashed by LSU tonight
15. Ohio State: A Solid team
16. Arkansas: Only if Houston Nutt stops his in-game texting
17. Rutgers: Interesting to see if they can build off of last season's success
18. Tennessee: Ran into a buzzsaw last week
19. Wake Forest: Interesting matchup today vs Nebraska
20. Appalachian State: Why not them
21. Oregon: Big game in the big house
22. Michigan: Whatever, you can't tell me there are 25 better teams in the country than Michigan. People need to shut up
23. Clemson. Seriously. Put Michigan on the same field as Clemson and Michigan wins by 2 scores. People really need to shut up. If Michigan was in a different conference no one would be trying to make their rankings a moral case.
24. South Florida: DANGEROUS, and still not better than Michigan.
25. Iowa: Because I cannot think of anyone else that deserves to be ranked, and yes, I am sure I missed a handful of rankable teams (that would all lose to Michigan)- deal with it.

And now for some fun. My 10 favorite college football teams:

1. Wisconsin
2. The real USC (the one in Columbia, SC)
3. Georgia
4. Penn State
5. Stanford
6. Northern Illinois
7. Clemson
8. LSU
9. Texas Tech (I know, random)
10. The other USC

Although after the top 2 I start reaching.

Ranking the college stadiums I have seen games at:

1. UCLA's Rose Bowl
2. Ohio State's Horseshoe
3. Wisconsin's Camp Randall
4. Penn State's Stadium
5. USC's Williams-Brice
6. Iowa's Kinnick Stadium
7. Michigan's Big Hizzle
8. Illinois' Memorial Stadium
9. UTEP's Sun Bowl
10. Miami's future home of Jack Murphy or whatever it is called

Top 10 places I would like to see games at:

1. Georgia
2. LSU
3. Clemson
4. Oregon
5. Michigan State
6. Notre Dame- just because
7. UNLV (when the Badgers play there in 2011)
8. Florida
9. Tennessee
10. Nebraska

Soldiering the Gates

2007-09-04T11:03:00.001-05:00

While we were away in Madison for the Badger opener, word is the Windy City looked like IOWA (Idiots Out Walking Around) threw up all over it. 45,000 fans streamed through the gates of Soldier Field to see their Hawks earn a solid, if underwhelming victory over Northern Illinois. The sold out venue (61,000) makes it an attractive option for later Husky games, namely the 2009 contest versus our very own Wisconsin Badgers. Book it!

Is the Grass Greener

2007-09-02T17:55:00.001-05:00

I could comment on the Badger's 42-21 win yesterday. I could go on and on about how solid Tyler Donovan looked and how good Luke Swan was. I could share my feelings on the Big 10 preview and I could update that after the results from yesterday. Heck, I could even take a shot at Notre Dame who lost 33-3 yesterday (thank God Charlie Weis is an offensive genius or else lord know how bad they would have lost). Instead, I'm going to take a shot at The University of Michigan, who was ranked #5 at the beginning of the year and lost to Appalachian State (school of Miss Teen South Carolina, btw) in the Big House.

Oh, and as you can imagine the natives are getting restless up in Michigan. Lloyd Carr has been on a warm seat the past few seasons and now that seat has gotten extremely hot. But what would life look like for the Wolverines if they did get rid of Carr. Afterall, Lloyd has kept this team competitive and shared a national title during his tenure in Ann Arbor. Would they really be better off with someone else and who would that someone else be if Carr got the axe in the off-season.

Let's look at who some of the likelier candidates could be if the Wolverines decided to make a change, broken down into several categories:

No Way in Hell is It Going to Happen, but let's mention their names and get it out of the way:

Bob Stoops
Mack Brown
Charlie Weis- although it would be hysterical to watch the reactions of both fan bases
Pete Carroll
Urban Meyer
Steve Spurrier

They might get a call, but there are too many reasons why the won't get the job:

Nick Saban- unless the money is right. This guy will do anything for cash
Steve Mariucci- I dont think Michigan fans would be too happy with this one
Jerry Moore- Not sure who he is? Yeah, that's the coach who beat them yesterday

Fringe Candidates:

Les Miles- I can't see him leaving a good gig at LSU, but he would be a good hire
Jack Del Rio- an NFL name that might be available, but unlike other NFL names he is more suited for the NFL game
Tommy Tubberville- see Nick Saban
Rick Nieuheisel- way too much baggage

Could be good candidates:

Pat Hill- The Fresno State coach seems to be more inclined to go after a NFL job, but he is a solid smaller school option
Barry Alvarez- a great Big 10 name, someone who can get to (and win) Rose Bowls
Kirk Ferentz- this might be the most likely name so far. It's not hard to see him leaving for Ann Arbor
Bill Cowher- he wants to coach again, probably in college. But he might not be a long-term hire.
Rich Rodriguez- he'll certainly be at the top of the list
Tommy Bowden- could be looking for a job come this winter

The guy I would hire:

Jon Gruden

Seriously. He made noise a few years ago that he might be interested in the Notre Dame job. He has struggled enough in Tampa that he could also be available this winter. Like Cowher, he has won a Super Bowl, but unilke Cowher he is younger and might be able to stay at one program for 10 more years. Will bring instant credibility to recruiting and should be able to employ a sophisticated offense. Think of him as the next Pete Caroll.

So there you have it, a handful of NFL retreads and some good college coaches who will turn down the job in .4 seconds. Hill, Rodriguez, and Ferentz would certainly be the top choices amongst college coaches. My feelings, however, is that the Wolverines would go for someone who has had success at the pro level. If any of these guys would actually be better than Lloyd Carr remains to be seen.

Scoop the Coop

2007-08-28T15:57:00.000-05:00

Badger fans can now rest assured that the Jamal Cooper soap opera is over. In dismissing him from the team on a permanent, not "indefinite" basis, Coach B achieved classic addition by subtraction by cutting a clubhouse cancer. Cooper's talent is undeniable, but his practice antics and poor classroom performance threatened a team ready to contend for the BT title. Kurt Ware will fill in ably at end opposite stud Matt Shaughnessy, and Kirk Decremer is ready to give #34 a blow when he taps his helmet.

Lance Smith, be forewarned. This train's heading to Pasadena, and it won't be derailed by any one individual, for character counts, and wearing Badger red on Saturday in front of 80,000 fans is a privilege that should be bestowed on only those worthy of the Motion W. Helmets in the air for Coach B!

Big on the belly, short on the brains

2007-08-26T20:27:00.000-05:00

Charlie Weis is an absolute ass.

Yes, mom said "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." and dad said "Go Irish" But mom never had a blog and dad said that when Lou Holtz was coaching up the Fighting Irish in the late 80s.

Charlie Weis thinks he's Bill Parcells and Bill Billichick. And why not? Afterall, for the past 6 years he has been taking credit for everything from Tom Brady, to 3 Super Bowl rings, to Brady Quinn's development, to great recruiting classes, to the success of the Bourne movies.

During that time Weis has also been labeled an "offensive genius" although I am told that has nothing to do with his behavior towards the media.

I'm sorry, but after watching the Irish the past two seasons I am still waiting for the genius to manifest itself. Apparently in order to be a "genius" all you need to do is recognize that Maurice Stovall and Jeff Samardzjia are much taller than the defensive backs covering them and then ask Brady Quinn to heave jump balls to them downfield. I believe jump balls accounted for 65% of Notre Dame's passing offense in 2005.

Weis now devoid of Samardzjia, Stovall and Quinn (who, after reading stories about how wonderful Weis was in developing, you would think was sucking on his thumb unable to take snaps and throwing balls underhanded before the genius arrived), and is thus forced to develop an actual roster. Weis recruited the top qb in the country in Jimmy Clausen. Apparently high school scouts noticed Clausen's ability and completely forgot that his brothers were complete train-wrecks in college and still annointed Clausen the next Todd Marinovich. Weis also had two other quarterbacks who are not very good.

So a qb competition was opened and after spring practice and summer drills Weis found himself 10 games out from their first game against pesky Georgia Tech and realized that his team is complete crap. I mean, that is the only rationale I can think of for choosing to name the starting quarterback without actually naming him aloud, or via sign language, or by writing it down. That's right kids, Weis is so confident in his play caller that he is telling everyone but, well, everyone.

Either that or maybe Weis is petrified over the schedule the Irish have concocted for him. The schedule is neither tough nor easy, but is instead loaded with games that are either tough or easy.

After opening up with Mr. X at the helm vs the Yellow Jackets, ND then hits the road to Michigan (Loss) and Penn State (loss) after an easy game against a badbadbad MSU squad at home ND then travels to Purdue for a clash against another bad team. The Irish need to hope for 3-2 at this juncture, but 2-3 is probable and 1-4 is not out of the question.

After that game they find themselves going to LA for UCLA for an almost certain loss followed by a toss-up against BC and then another home loss to USC. At this point, I see ND at 3-5. Oh, but don't cry for the Irish, two service academys (apparently Army was deemed "too tough" and matchups against Duke and Stanford close out a winning season for Weis and a trip to a Bowl game they probably do not deserve, where they will certainly be un-masked by a much better team for the 17th year in a row.

Of course, that will be of little consequence to Weis who will probably rail on the media all year, mention a Brady's name at least 3.5 times per day and be slurped by ESPN and NBC all the way through their December bowl loss. Weis will not lose the "offensive genius" monniker and the Irish fans will continue to swear he is an upgrade over Ty Willingham, you know, because he is one of them and because he is white.

Keep 'em in the Closet

2007-08-24T13:03:00.000-05:00

With Bucky's depth chart set for the opener against WASU, and the early season polls and preseason predictions chewed and digested, its time to turn to lighter, but nonetheless important fare. Drivl took a shot at D1's worst mascots, and two BT teams found spots in the bottom 25, Purdue Pete and Brutus Buckeye. Brutus ranked #11 and was described as "...a turd nugget that has a chunk of corn embedded in it. He should be called a Butteye." Purdue Pete drew an unfavorable comparison from the movie "Mask."

What follow is my own list of BT mascots, ranked from top to bottom.

1. Buckingham U. Badger: I'm a homer, but Bucky is original, lovable, and universally admired.

2. Goldie Gopher: Not a fan of ground squirrels, but rodents rule in a top-heavy league.

3. Sparty: He kicked Athens' ass, and although a bit too Disney, the fear of God he instills in other mascots places him in the top tier.

4. Brutus Buckeye: the poisonous nut scores high on authenticity, but needs regular visits to the weight room.

5. Chief Illiniwek: I know, he's extinct, but the Chief, college's first mascot...I mean symbol...lives in the hearts of those few faithful who wait for basketball season on fall Saturdays at Memorial Stadium.

6. Wildie: Adds to Mildcat reputation of athletic dept. Couldn't the geniuses among their student body craft a more creative name?

7. Herky: Ask Iowa fans to define Hawkeye, and they stand with their mouths agape, sometimes referencing the Last of the Mohicans. Herky doesn't help clarify matters either.

8. Purdue Pete: Not officially the university mascot. That would be a train. Pete's connection to the locomotive appears spurious, and his costume is nothing more than a plastic head and a sledge hammer.

9. The Lion: Looks like an old (predating Joe Pa) dorm rug that survived (barely) an around-the-world party.

10. Hoosier: See my earlier post about the origins of the nickname. Sad blowup dolls are emblematic of the perennially pathetic showings of their teams and fans on Saturdays in Bloomington.

11. NA: Michigan fails to even make an effort an making a caricature of the only animal more ferocious than the Badger.

Linky Dinky Dos

2007-08-22T19:01:00.000-05:00

I don't want to write too much, so here are just a bunch of links for everyone to enjoy:

First off, Jimbo wants us all to know how long until the season begins.
Who is joining us on Regent for a beer?

If you are into the Brewers/Cubs Check out The Wisconsin Sports Bar Blog
Sure their stuff tends to read like a bad Skip Bayless column (or in the case of Ched Head, the writing on the wall of a truck stop urinal) but they love the Badgers.

Like Wisconsin folks who like the Cubs, hate the Badgers, and root for those bastards at Marquete, check out the hysterical Yellow Chair Sports

YouTube is a great spot for highlights- like this video of a Michigan recruit who is called the White Reggie Bush. Hope he tears an ACL hurdling a defender.

How 'bout some YouTube love for the Badgers- how bout a home video of Freddie Owens' shot to beat Tulsa with Matt LePay's audio dubbed in. Seriously, check it out here

Joe Lunardi did a very early Bracketology back in June. He has the Badgers as the 4th Big 10 team, but as an 8 seed.

Finally, Bruce Weber announced today that sharp shooter, and circle of death "winner" Jamar Smith will not be on the team next year, but will have the chance to come back in 2008.
I know every program has DUI issues, but it is shocking that Weber took this long to cop out on this issue.

Let me get this straight, Smith drinks, drives, almost kills a teammate, and then leaves said teammate for dead and he'll be back next year? Is that right, Bruce? What exactly does a Fighting Illini have to do to get kicked off the team?? There are times for second chances, and then there are times when a teammate leaves another teammate for dead. Weber should have given Smith the same respect Smith gave for Brian Carlwell- none at all.

Red Shirts...

2007-08-21T16:49:00.001-05:00

For Oglesby and Toon. Another sign that the program is on the cusp of sustained success. Blue chippers in the bullpen...

Starting at LT...

2007-08-21T09:03:00.001-05:00

Gabe Carmimi, redshirt freshman and former Monona Grove standout. He beat out Danny Kaye (of New Berlin Eisenhower...still a hated crosstown rival for me) and Jake Bscherer. I like the fact that Coach B is comfortable going with talented youth over experience. Let's hope that this carries over to the QB position as Sherby predicts, with Allen Evridge emerging as the beauty pageant winner tomorrow.

What About Wisconsin?

2007-08-20T18:18:00.001-05:00

ESPN's Mark Schlabach did an in depth analysis of D1 programs over the last ten years, comparing pre-season rankings with final finishes, ultimately yielding a net score to reflect the degree to which a team was over/underrated. FSU emerged as the most overrated team, and to my surprise, the Domers were completely absent from the top ten. OSU (T-5) and Michigan (8) were members of the overrated ranks. Bucky ranked 5th amongst the underappreciated programs, also accompanies by Iowa (T-8). Opening opponent Washington St. was the most underrated program, and last year's Capital One Bowl foe Arkansas ranked just ahead of the Badgers.

Bucky's standing in this study should come as no surprise. Coach B's stellar rookie season falls in line with a lineage of overachieving and underappreciated Alvarez teams (think 1998 RB champs). Wisconsin is the latest challenger to the BT's Big Two, threatening their hold on the conference hardware and proving that superior coaching and a devoted fan base can help offset the immense resources and blue chip talent herded by the Buckeyes and Wolverines every season.

It's hard to sing the blues this season with a stellar #7 ranking in both polls and a widely predicted BCS bowl finish, but we do have a bone to pick with the Wolverines come November. Until then, congrats to the winningest program in the BT over the last three years...

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

2007-08-19T11:45:00.001-05:00

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

Capital One Bowl Memories

2007-08-18T15:50:00.000-05:00

I was surfing on youtube today and I found this highlight package from the 2007 Capital One Bowl featuring the Badgers vs. Arkansas.

I am still amazed by two things: (1) how Jack Ikegwuonu caught Darren McFadden and (2) how Travis Beckum is such a weapon - he looks like a man among boys when matched up with a DB.

Summer School Isn't Always Bad

2007-08-18T06:36:00.000-05:00

With the Brewers frustrating Wisconsin sports fans to no end, we all received great news on Friday when frosh RB John Clay donned the #32 jersey at Badger football practice.

Clay's much-anticipated debut was delayed while he completed two summer courses at his high school. He was able to take advantage of a new NCAA rule that allows student-athletes to take one additional credit hour at the completion of their senior years.

Coach Bielema was critical of a premature Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article last month that Clay would be ineligible this season. Bielema also stated that Clay would have a chance to play this season despite missing 14 practices.

A spot on the 105 player roster opened Friday when safety Tony Megna left the program, thus allowing Clay to be added to the roster.

The addition of Clay gives UW five scholarship tailbacks on the roster. The others are P.J. Hill, sophomore Lance Smith, freshman Zach Brown and freshman Quincy Landingham, who was recently switched from strong safety.

Down the Home Stretch

2007-08-17T21:03:00.000-05:00

With next Wednesday representing the day when the "quarterback competition" (Coach Bielema's term) is set to end and a winner declared, MJS Badger football beat writer Jeff Potrykus thinks transfer Allen Evridge will emerge as the opening day starter.

When Bielema spoke at the Big Ten Kickoff Meeting two weeks ago in Chicago, he said it was hard to imagine fifth year senior Tyler Donovan not being the starter. However, between then and now the Badgers have had 13 practices and Evridge has shown that he can make big plays while not making unnecessary mistakes.

The concern with Evridge has always been that, while he has superior arm strength and similar running ability to Donovan, he could not be the game manager that John Stocco was the last three years. The prevailing logic was that a team coming off a 12-1 season and widely considered a top 10 preseason team needed a QB that would minimize mistakes.

While both starting QB prospects have made more mistakes than the coaching staff would like, Evridge has shown supreme confidence in his arm and an ability to make big plays in the passing game. Evridge has also gained a greater grasp of offensive coordinator Paul Chryst's offensive scheme.

This fan is hoping that Jeff Potrykus' prediction is a good one. Tyler Donovan played tremendously in a spot start against Iowa last year and has certainly put in the time during his four years to earn the title of starter. However, this season could be a special one and Evridge has shown that he has the athletic talent to make the offense really terrific. Ultimately, the coaching staff has to go with the QB who can put the Badgers in a position to win every game, not the QB who they feel won't lose the game.

Meet the Cougars

2007-08-13T22:11:00.000-05:00

This is the first in a thirteen part series (hopefully) previewing each of the Badgers' opponents.

Overview: The Cougars return 12 starters from a team that finished 6-6 in 2006. Washington State was 6-3 through its first 9 games and ranked at #25 (losing to Auburn, USC and Cal), but lost their last three to Arizona, ASU and Washington and fell out of bowl contention.

Offense: WSU had the number 5 ranked offense in the Pac-10 last year, averaging 23 points per game. Even though it averaged more than 3 TDs per game, the 2006 version of the offense disappointed after the 2005, 2003, 2002 and 2001 offenses averaged at least 30 points per game.

Senior QB Alex Brink leads the offense, throwing for almost 2,900 yards with a 2-to-1 TD to INT ratio. Brink is the latest in a line of gun-slinging Cougars, following in the footsteps of Drew Bledsoe, Ryan Leaf and Mark Rypien. WSU threw the ball 60% of the time last year. Expect the same in 2007.

Because of Brink and his receivers, WSU had the Pac-10's best passing offense, averaging over 265 yards per game and 16 yards per pass. The Cougars return 3 of their top 5 receivers from last year, including Brandon Gibson, who led the team with 731 yards and 4 TDs. The Cougars should feature a lot of 3 and even 4 wide receiver sets, which will test any opponent that doesn't have quality depth in its defensive backfield.

The Cougar running attack will play second fiddle to the air show. Sophomore Dwight Tardy rushed for 667 yards and 4 TDs in 2006 and consequently the Cougars had the Pac-10's third worst rushing attack. The Cougars game plan is to keep defenses from blitzing every down by running the ball approximately 40% of the time.

Washington St. returns three offensive lineman from a unit that allowed 29 sacks (6.7% of the passing attempts). The offensive line suffered from a rash of injuries last year and only one offensive lineman started all 12 games. Expect the unit to be improved assuming they can stay healthy.

Defense: WSU had the 6th best Pac-10 defense last year, giving up an average of 23 points and 361 yards per game in 2006. The strength of the 2007 D should be the defensive line, with the LB and DB units ranking near the bottom of the Pac-10.

The Cougar D returns three defensive lineman, one linebacker and its free safety. WSU was burned for 293, 177 and 196 rushing yards by Auburn, California and Arizona St., respectively, in 2006. Such gaudy numbers will have PJ Hill and Lance Smith licking their chops.

Not to be outdone, WSU's defensive backfield allowed half of its 2006 opponents to pass for more than 250 yards. The low points were giving up 367 and 266 passing yards to Oregon and ASU. The D has nowhere to go but up in 2007.

Special teams: The kicker and punter return to lead a special teams unit that was generally considered to be ranked in the bottom half of the league. The Cougars' kicker hit 3 of 3 attempts last year and the punter averaged 41.4 per punt. The returners averaged only 17 yards on kick returns and 6 yards on punt returns.

Summary: Washington State has a generally followed the same game plan year after year: Pass on first, second and third down and hope for the best on defense. Expect the passing attack to test Wisconsin's athletically talented by unproven safeties. Coach Hank should have Shane Carter and Aubrey Pleasant ready for the challenge

Balance Returns to Backfield

2007-08-06T20:50:00.000-05:00

Lance Smith was reinstated to the roster this afternoon one hour before practice began. Given PJ's late season swoon last year, Smith should help to share the duties if his not guilty plea to misdemeanor charges prove convincing to the judge. Sorry to see such a talented back underachive in practice and apparently life--hopefully this stands as his wake-up call.

Button Up the Chin Straps!

2007-08-06T08:41:00.000-05:00

The 2007 Badger football season begins today with a 3:50pm practice. The first five days will include single sessions before giving way to two-a-days. Few seasons have begun with more excitement and anticipation, and Sept. 1st (the home opener) is less than four weeks away! A stellar freshman class will be combed over in search of help in the secondary, on special teams, and perhaps on the depth chart at wideout. The O-line minus Joe Thomas may be better overall should the LT position be solidified. The QB battle also promises to be a good one with a decision expected by 8/22, ten days before the first game. My money's on TD.

Parsing the Poll, Take 1

2007-08-03T09:25:00.000-05:00

The first USA Today/ Coaches Poll was just released, and Bucky registered at #7, probably right about where expectations lie for a team with question marks at QB and LT and staring at a tough schedule. Michigan came in at #5 and received two first place votes. OSU is ranked #10 and PSU #18. No other BT teams cracked the top 25, but I can't think of another team worthy of the distinction.

High Hopes Reign

2007-08-02T18:06:00.000-05:00

Boosterism was abuzz in a Windy City hotel ballroom this week, but the Chicago Tribune sorted through the hot air and constructed a reality meter for all 11 teams, tempering expectations in most cases. They remain bullish on Bucky and the favored Wolverines, however, pointing to strong lines on both sides of the ball (profile of D-line), an experienced receiving corps, and the rookie successes of Coach B and PJ Hill. Potential weaknesses include an unresolved QB situation, both safeties, and a difficult conference schedule. In mirroring the top three picks to emerge from the meetings, only Michigan registered higher on the reality scale (11 to Bucky's 9).

Looking at the league as a whole, Purdue returns 20 starters, although many of them on defense are nothing to write home about. Iowa doesn't play Michigan or OSU. Either could surprise, but my sleeper rests in Happy Valley. Joe Pa tried to diminish our expectations, but the Nittany Lions may stand as the Badgers' toughest test given the fact the Michigan comes to Camp Randall.

In other notes, Teddy Greenstein wrote an extensive piece on various BT topics, including expansion, the coming TV network, an end-of-the-season playoff, and the potential to extend the season beyond Thanksgiving through the addition of a bye week.

Henry Mason visited the team in his wheelchair and may assume some coaching role as the season evolves. The biggest impact so far is the assumption of additional recruiting responsibilities by Coach B and the entire position staff.

The battle to replace Joe Thomas is a three-horse race with 5th-year Senior Danny Kaye added to the mix (Jake Bscherer and Gabe Carimi are the original contenders).

Crystal Ball in Chicago

2007-08-01T09:48:00.001-05:00

Bucky landed the #2 spot in the pre-season BT poll conducted at the annual gathering of coaches and media in Chicago behind Michigan and ahead of OSU. The conference only releases the top three picks. It's only the second time in the twelve years the poll has been conducted that a team other than Michigan and OSU cracked the Big Two. Bucky leads the league in wins the last three years with 31, ahead of OSU (30) and Michigan (27).

Bucky Rising?

2007-07-30T18:20:00.000-05:00

ESPN took a shot at ranking the 119 NCAA D1 football programs over the last decade. Bucky came in at an admirable 13, tied with Nebraska, and trailing only OSU (2) and Michigan (6) in the BT. Penn St. (21) and Iowa (25 also cracked the Top 25. Barry brought Bucky out of obscurity. Now it's time to see if Coach B can bring the Badgers to the promised land of the college football elite.

Rivals.com: Bucky #8

2007-07-24T18:02:00.000-05:00

Detailed analysis and grading of the 2007 football Badgers. Other than stating the obvious, improvements in the return units on special teams and a bounce back by DeBauche are key to reaching a BCS bowl, particularly because Michigan also excels on special teams. I'm really concerned about depth at RB given Clay's ineligibility and Smith's suspension. The froshie from Florida, Zach Brown, really needs to step up given Hill's track record of wearing down as the Tour of the Big Ten turns the final corner. The battle to fill the two safety spots is also key on an otherwise stellar defense.

Mason Jarred for the Season

2007-07-18T14:45:00.000-05:00

Bret Bielema's staff will work without veteran WR coach Henry Mason this season as he recovers from an apparent back injury. Mason has been a staff member since 1995 and was set to begin his first season as associate head coach. He'll be replaced on an interim basis by Delvaughn Alexander, a man with whom Paul Cryst has worked with before. Thankfully the offensive guru survived the offseason free of injury with a substantial pay increase to stave off the pros for at least another season.

I Want My Big Ten TV?

2007-06-26T21:16:00.000-05:00

Following the "success" of "The Mtn", the Mountain West Conference TV channel, the Big Ten is scheduled to roll out its own TV network in August.

The start-up will air nearly 400 conference events in its first year, headlined by 35 football and 105 men's basketball games that previously would have fallen to regional syndicate ESPN Plus or gone un-televised. The Badgers' football game vs. The Citadel will be broadcast on B10TV.

It remains to be seen if Big Ten fans will have the Big Ten Channel on their cable line-up. Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney is engaged in a stare down with cable providers over the placement of the Big Ten Channel. Delaney believes the Big Ten Channel should be on the regular cable line-up and subscribers should pay $1.10 per month for the privilege. Comcast and the other cable providers are insisting that the Network be placed on a "sports tier."

I'm not sure what Delaney is on, but he is delusional if he thinks the Big Ten Network should in the same sentence of ESPN or Fox Sports Net. For reference, the $1.10 per month per subscriber the Big Ten is asking is more than the NFL Network charges ($0.70).

Because of the selection process for games, with ABC and ESPN getting priority, the Big Ten Network will often get the third or fourth choice of games. For example, the Network's opening-weekend slate features all three of the league's most recognizable powerhouses, Ohio State (vs. Youngstown State), Michigan (vs. Appalachian State) and Penn State (vs. Florida International), all versus sub-standard opponents. When asked about the quality of games, Delany balked at the critics' appraisal of the network's offering as "second and third-tier events."

If no progress is made this summer, Big Ten fans will have a decision to make this fall: stand behind Comcast and the other cable providers in their fight against the Big Ten's ridiculous demands or switch to Directtv.

Bucky Coast-to-Coast

2007-06-12T17:16:00.000-05:00

The home opener against Wazu will be televised regionally on ABC and nationally on ESPN or the Deuce. 2:30pm kickoff...drunken stupidity and national exposure all at once. Bucky is 6-2 all time on ABC and will battle the high expectations game immediately. Athlon's picked Wisconsin to win the BT and finish 4th nationally. Other publications favor Michigan, but have Bucky in the top ten or mid-teens. September can't come soon enough...

12th Game Dilemma

2007-05-24T12:55:00.000-05:00

Coach Alvarez was initially a proponent of adding a 9th BT regular season football game now that the NCAA has given a thumbs up for a 12 game season with the difficulty of finding non-conference opponents and the ransoms they tend to charge for "appearance fees." The idea was scrapped when it was suggested that the formatting change would cost the league one bowl berth each season. In a sport where each game counts and bowl revenue determines the long-term stability of any program, even athletic dept., I tend to agree with this financial capitulation as much as I'd love to have a shot at Purdue or NW this season.

The idea to establish a pre-season interconference challenge similar to the BT-ACC basketball pairings is also intriguing, although I think it exposes the bottom half of the league to similar bowl-less seasons as a result of a non-conference loss paired with a losing conference season. Additionally, the bowl schedule as it now exists fosters such pairings in a less organized manner.

Given Bucky's recent postseason matchups against Georgia, Auburn, and Arkansas, I could see a BT-SEC contest generating huge interest in early Sept. A more likely and workable scenario may be to formalize our annual pairings with MAC teams. Although Northern Illinois, Toledo, Bowling Green and Company have won a few from their regional big brothers and put a scare onto all comers, such a challenge may have to award the MAC double the points for a win to keep the contest close.

Deep in the Heart of Texas

2007-05-23T14:31:00.000-05:00

It appears as if Coach B's spring foraging in the Lone Star State is yielding ripened fruit alreadly. DB Marcus Cromartie's commitment is #2 for the Class of 2012.

Border Bitches

2007-05-19T12:06:00.000-05:00

I hate to cannibalize my most recent post (scroll down to read my ode to Michael Finley) but I needed to draw everyone's* attention to the final Border Battle standings:

UW: 445
UM: 435

Ha, suck on that you stupid Gophers!

* And by that I means, Shawn, Sherby and me