Moffit Brings Home His Home State Award

John Moffitt has won the 2010 Walter Camp Award given annually to the best college football player from Connecticut. Even though he doesn't play in Connecticut...

The award is given to anyone that still has residency in the state of Connecticut. Being from Guilford Conn. the senior guard is eligible to win the "Connecticut Player of the Year Award" and could you name anyone else more deserving? Of course not.

This past season Moffitt has been part of perhaps the best offensive line in Wisconsin history. On an offense that has set school records for scoring, and has almost three different players with 1,000 yards rushing for the year. Add all that together and you've got one thing...the 2010 Walter Camp Award winner.

In fact Moffitt isn't the first Badger to win the award. Actually he is not even the second either.

Total there have been four Badgers that have won the Walter Camp Award. Names like Tarek Saleh, Bobby Meyers, and Antajj Hawthorne. Add in Moffitt, and you have the four that have won it. But the Badgers have won the award five times...

In 1995 and 1996 Saleh won the award in consecutive years. Making the grand total of Walter Camp Awards for the Badgers five, but don't count on Moffitt winning it one more time. Unless they extend the eligibility to the NFL. Where Moffitt should be next fall.

Leuer's Hot Start Propels Badgers

It didn't take long for Wisconsin forward John Leuer to get going on Thursday night against Coppin State. Scoring the first 14 Badger points in the Badgers' last non-conference victory of the season.

Following a basket by Coppin State's Branden Doughty, Leuer lit up the Kohl Center with four consecutive three pointers. Resulting in the first 12 points of the night for the Badgers. Following those three pointers Leuer hit from inside the arch for the first time all night, and then got an assist on a Tim Jarsmz three pointer that bolted the Badgers to an early 17-9 lead.

The rest of the way Leuer would be held to just five points, but another Badger star was ready to pick up the slack.

Jordan Taylor would be silent for most of the first half until he hit a three pointer of his own. Kick starting his own 19 point night, but it would be his assists that would help lead the Badgers to victory.

With six assists on the night it looked like a below average night for Taylor. That is until you see the number of turnovers he racked up. A whopping doughnut is exactly how many turnovers the junior point guard tallied. Bringing his turnover to assist ratio to almost an impressive 4 assists per turnover.

Not turning the ball over combined with shooting a high percentage from the field helped propel the Badgers to a big 80-56 victory over Coppin State.

Pryor and Four Other Buckeyes Suspended

Badger fans may remember the "Shoe Box" scandal that broke after the Badgers played in the Rose Bowl in 2000. Now Buckeye fans have their own scandal. One that has landed five of their biggest stars on the bench in 2011.

The big name on the list of players that are getting sent to the bench is Terrell Pryor. Who said just weeks ago that he was coming back for his senior season, but now that remains up in the air. Especially after being suspended for the first five games of next season for getting inked.


Allegedly Pryor and four of his Buckeye teammates received improper benefits by selling awards and apparel, and in some cases receiving free tattoos. Prompting the NCAA to take action against the five nuts, and put them back on the pine. At least in the NCAA....


Pryor and a couple of the other players have contemplated leaving college early to head to the NFL. Now with the suspension that could be a realistic possibility for all of them, and a way to dodge the NCAA rules. Mainly because they are all still eligible for the Sugar Bowl.





In the NCAA's suspension of the five Buckeyes all will be eligible to play against the Razorbacks in New Orleans. Meaning that if the players that are eligible to leave for the NFL do...they will dodge any sanctions from the NCAA.

Regardless of what the players do, ultimately this will impact their teammates more.

Losing five "star" players to suspension for almost half of the season next year could be devastating. Or it could be just another situation where Ohio State doesn't just rebuild...they reload.


Something the Buckeyes will need to do fast if they come back. Playing Michigan State in the Big Ten opener without them. Then heading to Nebraska for their first game back. That is if they are still at Ohio State. Only time will tell that though...

Get Your Swag On

An iPod Touch, a $420 Best Buy gift card, and a pair of new Oakley Sunglasses. No that's not my Christmas list. That's just a sample of the things you could get if you were an FBS football player in a bowl game this year in the "swag bag."

The gifts that players get from the bowl games, or swag, have come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days of cheap watches and t-shirts. Now it's shopping sprees at Best Buy, various electronics, and expensive apparel.

What you get from the bowl game changes depending on what game you are going for, and the better the game the better the gifts. If you're going to the New Orleans Bowl all you get is an iPod Touch and a ring. On the other hand the BCS games are a completely different story if you're a team like Wisconsin.

The Badgers are only getting to go to the "gift suite," but the treasures in the suite are more than just an iPod Touch. More like $500 of goodies packed into one room that 125 members of the team get to pick through before heading to Pasadena.

Then tack on a few more bucks that the universities can give to the players to spoil themselves, and you have a big shopping spree. One that could rival any teenage girls dream...at least with daddy's credit card.

My Take: Why the Basketball rankings don't work...

It's that time of year yet again. The snow is flying, and so are the basketballs. But it isn't the time for the polls quite yet.

College football polls are somewhat valuable because of their roll in the BCS, but college basketball? Those polls are irrelevant because of the limited impact they have on the tournament, and at this time of year how accurate are the polls.

The answer is of course not accurate at all. Just take a look at this past week if you want proof. Take a look at Tennessee in particular.

Last weekend the Volunteers upset Pittsburgh in the "Steel City" for the first time in what feels like ages. Then this week the boys from Rocky Top dropped not one, but two games to mid-majors. Losing to Oakland on Tuesday, and then dropping a close on to UNC-Charlotte on Friday night.

Other great examples of how the rankings do not work would come from Saturday. When a total of four top 25 teams went down, and three of them to non-ranked opponents. Add in close victories by Kansas, and Texas to tilt the scale on top of that.

The truth of the matter is that basketball rankings really don't fully take shape until the conference schedule starts. Too many times we find teams that probably should have never been in the top 25, or perhaps teams that should have but will not work their way into position until February. So why not start the polls in January...at least then it would make sense.

Lady Badgers Out-Duel Cowgirls in Overtime

They won at Drake. Then they won at home against Milwaukee. A win at Wyoming would make it three in a row...that's called a winning streak. Something the Lady Badgers were able to achieve in Laramie, Wyo.

Wisconsin would strike first with a three-pointer by Taylor Wurtz, but that would only be the first points of what would become a back and forth affair.

Throughout the first half neither team was able to pull away from the other. With the lead never stretching to more than five points, and only two lead changes. Heading into the second half the Badgers would hold a 28-26 lead.

The second half was a bit of the same. Both teams hanging with each other. Including a scoreless drought of four minutes for both teams. Then the Cowgirls would put together their run of the night.

Kick-started by a pair of free throws then a three pointer by Aubrey Vandiver, Wyoming would go on a 13-5 run over the next five minutes. Giving the Cowgirls a five point advantage with just three minutes to play in the game. Putting the Lady Badgers backs against the wall.

Following a layup and a couple free throws by Alyssa Karel the Badgers had rallied to within four. Points that would come from Lin Zastrow, and two of them in thrilling fashion.

With just twelve seconds left on the game clock Zastrow knocked down the layup. Knotting the game at 54-54. And following a missed shot by Wyoming's Hillary Carlson the game was heading to overtime. When the Badgers would put the Cowgirls back in the barn.

The Lady Badgers would start out fast in overtime following a Wyoming basket to rattle off six unanswered points. Capped by a Karel jumper that made the score 60-56; putting the game away for good.

Wyoming would outscore Wisconsin by two in the remaining two minutes, but it wouldn't be enough. After a Karel free throw in the final seconds to push the lead to four points the game was officially over. The Badgers had survived their trip to the American Frontier, and had defeated the Cowgirls 63-59 in overtime.

Starting Five Coming to Form Against UW-Green Bay

So far this season the Wisconsin Badgers have appeared to be a two man show. Mainly Jordan Taylor and John Leuer, but on Monday night against UW-Green Bay the starting five started to take shape. As the Badgers defeated the Phoenix to lock down the sweep in the in-state series.

Just like normal Leuer got his 22 points and eight rebounds, and Jordan Taylor knocked in ten points and six assists. Those appear to be the standard numbers for the two Badger stars, but it was the rest of the starting cast that took form.

The only other returning starter this season was Keaton Nankivil, but the big man from Madison struggled from the floor early on. Against Marquette the senior forward started to show glimpses of what everyone saw last year, but on Monday he repeated with another throwback performance. In 32 minutes Nankivil was able to hit for 16 points while recording four blocks. Numbers that Badger fans had become accustomed to last season, and many were expecting to see from Nankivil this year again.

The other two spots that needed to be filled heading into the season are also beginning to take shape. The biggest of those was finding a true shooting forward to take the spot of Jason Bohannon from a year ago. Against the Phoenix that player was Mike Bruesewitz who went for a career high 18 points. Not to mention rocking the red Afro at the same time.

Filling the shoes of Trevon Hughes is not as easy as it could be this season though. Freshman Josh Gasser has been getting the start in the shooting guard position, but scoring has been tough since his breakout performance against Prairie View A&M.

Although the scoring may not be there for Gasser quite yet he is filling in shoes that have been empty for a couple years. Many that follow the Badgers consistently point to only one Badger that Gasser is starting to look like on the floor...Joe Krabbenhoft.

Diving on the floor and making hustle plays that other players can't seem to make were a large part of what Krabbenhoft was able to do in Madison. Something that we already starting to see with Gasser. Especially when it comes to getting tough rebounds.

So far this season Gasser has racked up 42 rebounds including three against UW-Green Bay on Monday. But it is the statistic that isn't kept that shows what Gasser can do...get the ball on the floor. Getting after those loose balls was what made Krebbenhoft a starter even without the scoring and is what right now could make Gasser a starter as well. At least until he starts shooting.

The starting five may be set, but there are still questions when it comes to the bench. But with players like Ryan Evans, Tim Jarmusz, and Jared Berggren the Badgers are starting to show the depth that made them Big Ten contenders. Something the Badgers need with the conference schedule just a couple weeks away.

Doeren New Head of the Huskies

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Doeren has been with Bret Bielema since the beginning. Now those days will come to an end after the Rose Bowl. When Doeren will officially take over as the head coach at Northern Illinois.

The Northern Illinois job originally opened when their head coach Jerry Kill bolted for the "warmth" of Minneapolis. Now it will be Doeren looking to fill his shoes in DeKabl, Ill. and don't let the words Northern Illinois fool you...Doeren has plenty of shoes to fill.

Despite the size of the university the football program has grown under Jerry Kill, and now it will be Doeren that will look to build upon the recent sucess. Coming off of a stunning defeat in the MAC championship game the Huskies are heading to their third straight bowl game. A feat that has not been matched in school history.

Doeren will be leaving the halls of Camp Randall to head into the hallowed ground of Huskie Stadium into what might be one of the best unknown jobs in college football. But not until he coaches the Badgers one more time.

As was stated earlier Doeren isn't jumping ship right away. He will stick it out through the Rose Bowl in the hopes of winning one more game at Wisconsin. That is until the next time he sees Wisconsin.

Next season the Badgers will travel to Soldier Field to take on the Huskies on September 17th. A mathc-up that could be all the more entertaining now that it will be a battle between the teacher and the student. Stay tuned for how that one plays out though. First Doeren will need to get through the Rose Bowl.

Video of the Week: Favre is the Abomimal Snow Man

The Minnesota Gophers played football there until 2009. The Minnesota Twins played baseball there until 2010. The Minnesota Vikings....well they weren't so lucky.

Almost everybody has seen the shocking video of the Metrodome collapse, and we're not just talking about this season. So for this week's "Video of the Week" we might as well throw it up there. Where the roof used to be....

P.S. Keep an eye out for Brad Childress in the roof...kind of think he's behind this.

My Take: Heisman Trophy Winner Scam (Newton)

The Cam Newton saga has been one for the ages. A tale of a father and a son. A tale of money swapping, lies, and the NCAA. Then with an ending with the Heisman Trophy and a national championship you will have one of the greatest tales in college football history. Unfortunately it is no tale...it is real life.

In a story that could be considered sad but true there have been plenty of characters. First Cameron Newton the star quarterback who everybody loves and thinks is the best player in college football.

Then we come to his father who appears to be the middle man between the evil recruiting brokers and boosters. Looking for money to land Cam's commitment. Mainly the number of 180 thousand dollars as the dowry for his son's commitment to their university.

Add in a cast of characters like boosters, recruiters, and of course Gene Chizik and you have one interesting tale of lies, money, and bronze statues.

The fact of the matter is that all of this adds up to true crime at it's best. From what we know now there is no way that Cam Newton should have won the Heisman Trophy. Never the less been eligible to play football this season.

With rumors that Cam Newtom himself told Mississippi State that the money was too great to turn down at Auburn is enough to turn heads. The fact that the star quarterback's father was proven to be shopping his son, and you have what looks like a solid case. The kid should never have been playing.

Too many times the NCAA looks at these matters in way that could be considered too harsh. Like players being suspended for taking a pizza, or a ride in an electric golf cart.

Then they turn around and say that even though Cam Newton's father had solicited funds for his son's commitment their is no proof that Cam Newton knew anything. Making him eligible to play in the SEC championship game just a day after Auburn University had themselves declared Cam Newton ineligible.

And that is just one part of the injustice of the whole Cam Newton saga.

What about the kids at USC that are being punished today by not being able to play in a bowl game because of Reggie Bush? Or how about Reggie Bush returning his Heisman Trophy five years later because of what the NCAA found about his parents receiving goods?

If you think that all sounds fair than ask yourself about some of the teams that played Auburn this season. Would Auburn have beaten LSU, Alabama, and South Carolina without Cam Newton? Probably not would be the correct answer.

So why does all of this matter...because Cam Newton cheated and he should be punished for it. Not rewarded with the highest honor in all of college football.

Now we all know that the Heisman Trophy is independent of the NCAA, but the people who voted for him are as well. They should have looked themselves in the mirror and asked "should I vote for this man?" in a more meaningful way.

Is Cam Newton the best player on the field this year is not the question. There was no doubt of that. The doubt is to whether he should have been on the field to begin with.

I'll vote no for that one.....

Lady Badgers Pound Panthers in the Paint

Shooting the ball was not a problem for UW-Milwaukee against the Lady Badgers. Defending the paint was the problem.

The Badgers using their size and power down low were able to counteract the 11 three pointers made by the Panthers by outscoring them 34-8 in the paint. Entirely in the backs of Tara Steinbauer and Lin Zastrow.

The twin towers down low for the Badgers combined for all 34 of the points in the paint for the Badgers against the Panthers. Evenly splitting the points between the two of them with 17 a piece.

Scoring in the paint was not a problem for the Lady Badgers, but for the Panthers the same could not be said. Shooting just 27.6 from inside the three point line the Lady Panthers were held to just 16 points inside the arch.

Outside the arch was a different story for the Lady Panthers. Shooting for 45.8 percent Milwaukee was able to put up 33 points from distance, but that would not be enough to slow down the Badgers.

The difference between the two schools on Sunday would be the power in the paint. And that would be all the Lady Badgers would need as they beat the Panthers 68-53. Perhaps starting a winning streak to counteract the seven game losing streak.....

Watt Wins Lott

On Sunday night in a "Heisman like" presentation JJ Watt got to stand to the immediate right of legend Ronnie Lott as he opened the envelope. Then Lott said the words, "oh god." Perhaps even he couldn't believe it. The winner was J.J. Watt.

The junior defensive-lineman has been one of the best defensive players in the country this season. Making him an obvious choice to be part of the award ceremony, but it was perhaps his work away from the football field that put him at the top of the list.

The Lott Award goes annually to a player that has performed both on and off the field, and J.J. Watt fits that qualification. Especially with the little known fact that the junior defensive end actually has his own foundation.

A new federally backed charity foundation the Justin J. Watt Foundation aims to help children and schools that are underfunded. But that might not be the biggest of Watt's contribution to children around Madison.

One child in particular comes to mind when you mention J.J. Watt. That child is none other than Jaxson Hinkens. The six-year old cancer patient was one that was touched by Watt and other Badgers over the past year. Not to mention the kid that told Watt to sack Terrell Pryor. Something Watt did in Wisconsin's upset victory over Ohio State this season.

Jaxson wasn't just in the hearts of the Badgers when they played the Buckeyes. He was in the building too. Just released days before the Ohio State game Jaxson was in Camp Randall on the night Wisconsin took down number one Ohio State. A night when Watt made good on his promise, and a Badger victory none the less.

J.J. Watt may not be the best defensive football player this season, but he is one thing. Watt is probably the best person on the football field this season, and that is why he is the Lott Trophy Winner for 2010.

Gudmandson and Badgers Finish Strong

Within the first three minutes of the Friday night match-up with the Bemidji State Beavers the Badgers were already down 2-0. Then the Badgers kicked it into another gear. Defeating the Beavers 3-2 on Friday night, and on Saturday senior goaltender Scott Gudmandson would finish strong.

Friday night Gudmandson was able to stop 25 Beaver shots, and hold Bemidji State scoreless for the other 57 minutes of the game. Against that same group of Beavers on Saturday Gudmandson would keep that scoreless streak going. Stopping every shot the Beavers threw at him, and earning his second shutout of the season.

Regardless of the goaltending the Badgers would need to find a way to score themselves in order to take home a victory. That scoring came from a variety of sources on Saturday night.

The first goal came late in the first period when Justin Schultz hit Michael Mearsch on a give and go for the goal. Giving the Badgers their first lead of the game and would end up being the only lead they would need.

For insurance purposes the Badgers called on Podge Turnbull rather than State Farm. Despite the thrilling save by Bemidji goaltender Dan Bakala the Beavers were unable to stop the Badger rush, and Bakala was unable to stop Turnbull.

The goal came off of a shot by freshman Frankie Simmonelli that Turnbull got a piece of. Deflecting the puck into the net, and in many ways putting the game out of reach.

With two minutes remaining in the contest Bemidji State pulled Bakala to gain the extra skater, but that would be no help. Gudmandson would stand the barrage of shots at the end, and hold on for his sixth career shut-out. Not to mention giving the Badgers a 2-0 win, and a sweep over the WCHA rookies from Bemidji.

Big Road Win for Bucky

If you look at the record for the Wisconsin men's basketball team you'd notice two things. One they are undefeated at home. The other is that Wisconsin is 2-2 on the road, and has failed to defeat a big name team on the road as well.

After falling to UNLV in a close one, and then blowing a lead in the second half against Notre Dame the Badgers needed a solid road win for their tournament resume. That win came on Saturday at the Bradley Center against Marquette.

The match-up between the Badgers and Golden Eagles was everything you would expect an in-state rivalry to be; close and down to the wire.

Early in the game you the tempo was established by Marquette with suffocating defense. Especially on Wisconsin star forward John Leuer. Holding the senior forward below his season average with 17 points.

Stepping up in the big game was none other than junior point guard Jordan Taylor. Scoring 21 points with three assists made Taylor the best Badger on the floor on Saturday, but there is one more statistic that solidified that claim.

The turnover margin for Taylor this season has been perhaps the most amazing part of his game. Against the Golden Eagles Taylor only turned the ball over once while recording three assists at the same time. Raising his totals to 42 assists, and only 12 turnovers for a margin of 3.5 assists to turnovers.

Also stepping up in the big spot was senior forward Keaton Nankivil. The Madison Memorial product has been missing for much of the early part of the season. Not missing on the floor, but missing in the stat sheet.

Against Marquette Nankivil showed flashes of the player he had been last season in Leuer's absence. Scoring 12 points in 22 minutes, and recording five boards. But it was behind the three point line that Nakivil did most of his damage nailing two of the three shots from downtown.

Between Taylor, Leuer, and Nankivil the Badgers were able to pull away from the Golden Eagles in the second half. That is until Marquette made on last push. Cutting into the lead, and in the final minute cutting it down to just three points.

Then Marquette's Jae Crowder made on final mistake that put the nail in the coffin for Wisconsin. While bringing the ball up the court Crowder succumbed to the pressure of Wisconsin's Josh Gasser. Crowder than dribbled the ball of his foot, and out of bounds.

Wisconsin would go on to make the last trow free throws after Marquette intentionally fouled Jordan Taylor. Giving the Badgers a 69-64 win, and a needed big road victory.

The Tale of the Beaver and the Badger

The old fable of the tortoise and the hare is one that everybody has heard at least once in their lifetime. Friday night's match-up between Wisconsin and Bemidji State at the Kohl Center was perhaps hockey's version of the old tale.

Prior to the series opener Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore told Brian Posic that his team needed to score more. Obviously they must have heard that interview, because that is exactly what they did in the first period. Make that the first three minutes for that matter.

Right off the bat the Beavers struck first with a goal by Radoslave Illo. Making the score 1-0, but Bemidji would strike again and quick order.

In just a matter of seconds the Beavers struck again this time with a Madison, Wis. native. On a power play the Badgers seemed to be staring down the puck and lost track of Jordan George. His teammates found him, and George found the back of the net. Bringing the score to 2-0, and giving the Beavers a big lead in just the first three minutes of the game, but remember the tale of the tortoise and the hare.

The rabbit always seems to jump out to a quick lead. Then the tortoise just keeps trucking. Moving along slowly, but inching ever so close to the hare. Exactly what the Badgers would do on Friday night against the Beavers.

Late in the first period Craig Smith would net the first of the night for the Badgers, and not the last. For either the Badgers or for Smith. The Badgers would enter the second period down 2-1, but they would not leave with the same score.

Mid-way through the second period the Badgers found the net for the second time of the night. This time it was a "knuckle-puck," (check your "Mighty Ducks 2" references) that would sneak by Bemidji State goaltender Dan Bakala. Making the score 2-2 heading into the third and final period. One that the Badgers would start in a five minute major power-play.

The Badgers would be unable to cash in the five minute major, but they would make good on a power-play later in the period. When it would be Smith finding the back of the net for the second time of the night. Giving the Badgers a 3-2 lead in the third period, but in order to win they would need to rely on senior goaltender Scott Gudmandson.

Despite a tough start to the night Gudmandson was able to make 25 saves on Friday night. More importantly being able to stop 11 of those in the third period when his teammates appeared to be fatigued.

With the goals by Smith, and Turnbull as well as the strong finish by Gudmandson the Badgers would hang on to win their first one goal game in what feels like ages. Not to mention showing that the tortoise always wins, but in the new tale we'll replace that with a Badger. Call him Bucky if you will....

Carimi Picks Up Hardware at the Home Depot (College Football Awards)

The 2010 season has been one for the history books when it comes to the Wisconsin football team. Starting quarterback Scott Tolzien already brought home one award, and now one of the big guys in front of him brings home one of his own.

For the first time since 2006 a Wisconsin offensive lineman has brought the Outland Trophy back to Madison. This time it was left tackle Gabe Carimi taking the award given annually to the best interior lineman in college football.

Part of what is considered to be the "best offensive line in the country," Carimi has put together a solid senior season. Being considered to be the anchor of that offensive lineman, and perhaps the best in the country. Receiving the Outland Trophy on Wednesday night only solidified that assertion.

The award just adds to a season full of accolades for the Cottage Grove, Wis. native. Including being named to the All-Big Ten first team, and seeing his name pop up on various All-American lists.

With the regular season of his senior year over their is only one more accolade that Carimi will seek in his college career...Rose Bowl Champion. Look for that one on January 1st. Then add a possible NFL draft pick this spring to the list.

Just another average lineman from Wisconsin, huh?

Lady Badgers Stop Streak

It's been a tough couple of weeks for Lisa Stone and her Lady Badgers...losing seven straight games. Including some tough loses against Kansas, Oklahoma State, and in-state rival Marquette, but that streak came to an end against Drake Thursday night.

Ironically the streak came to an end in a building that Wisconsin head coach Lisa Stone knows quite well. Spending three years as the top dog in Des Moines, Iowa. Winning 64 games in the games in the Knapp Center as the coach at Drake, but on Thursday she was looking for just one win. For her Wisconsin Badgers that is.

Just like the Wisconsin football team the women's basketball team leaned on their seniors. Alyssa Karel and Lin Zastrow to be more specific.

Karel led the way for the Badgers with a game high 24 points. Late in the first half 13 of those points came in a 13-2 run that extended the Badger lead to 30-19, and may have put the game on ice before halftime.

Fellow senior Lin Zastrow made her mark early and again late when it mattered most. Scoring 10 of the Badgers first 13 points, Zastrow go the Badgers off to a good start in the game, and then made her mark late when Drake made a run.

In the second half the Bulldogs cut into the Badger lead making the score 39-33, but that would be as close as Drake would get. Especially after the Badgers mounted another run of eleven points in which Zastrow nailed a key three pointer to help salt the game away.

The Badgers would go on to defeat the Bulldogs 60-49, and end the longest losing streak in the Lisa Stone Era. Ironically enough in the last building Stone called home before coming to Wisconsin eight years ago.

Badgers Pounce Panthers

The in-state games that Wisconsin plays are perhaps one of a kind when you look at the schedules of other schools around the country. Every year the Badgers take on all three of the division one teams in the state, and this year that series started against UW-Milwaukee.

To say that the Panthers and Badgers are familiar with each other would be an understatement. At one time Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan was the head man at Milwaukee. Now it is a former assistant and player of Ryan heading up the Panther program.

Prior to Wednesday night's game against the Panthers Bo Ryan detailed in an interview with Matt Lepay how close he is to Miwaukee head coach Rob Jeter. Saying that there are not many people that know Jeter as well as he does...outside of his family that is.

The familiarity between the two coaches was evident on Wednesday night when the two matched up. A defensive game between two teams that know each other very well, but unfortunately for the Jeter this time the student had not become the teacher.

Early in the game it looked as if Milwaukee was going to run their standard offense of handing the ball of at the top of the key, but Bo Ryan knew they would do that. The Badgers stopped it, and took the Panthers out of their rhythm. Holding Milwaukee to just 15 points in the first half, and limiting them to just 30% from the field for the night.

Although the Badgers were able to slow the Panther offensive attack it was Milwaukee that slowed the Badgers as well. Forcing the Badgers to turn the ball over a season high of 13 times and keeping the Badgers from completely running away from the game.

While the Panthers were able to slow down the Badgers for the most part,they didn't shut down Badgers star John Leuer completely. Quietly the Badger forward racked up a game high 20 points, and seven rebounds against the Panthers, but he wasn't the only Badger big man to have a good night.

Senior forward Keaton Nankivil also had a solid night against the Panthers. Just a few days after just playing seven minutes against South Dakota, Nankivil was on the floor for 26 minutes, and racked up 10 points. Not the stellar night many Badger fans have seen the Madison Memorial alum have, but an improvement in what has been a slow start to the season.

Wednesday's match-up against Milwaukee may have just been the first of the Wisconsin series for the Badgers, but it could be a big step in the right direction after a 61-40 win.

Before the game started Bo Ryan acknowledged how well these teams know each other. Then pointed out that will happened a lot in the coming months. With the Big Ten season just around the corner, and a match-up against in-state rival Marquette on Saturday.

Video of the Week: And of the Grammy is....

When the Packers made their run for Super Bowl XXXI the fans rocked out "Go Pack Go!" A song that was more than just a chant you hear at Lambeau Field. A song that identified a great time in Wisconsin sports history, and now Wisconsin has their own song.

A few weeks ago you learned how to Bucky. Now you get to smell the roses. That's right the same director that gave you "Teach Me How to Bucky," is back again with another awesome video, and the guys who perform the song aren't that bad either. So take a seat on the Badger Short Bus and enjoy the best rap video of all time (sorry 2pac you've been bumped). A video so good that even Biddy Martin had to rock out in this one for more than five seconds.

So for this week's "Video of the Week" we give you: "We're Smelling Roses!"

Tolzien Top Senior QB

The official awards banquet is just days away, but some awards are already coming out, and one of them is in the mail heading towards Madison. With senior quarterback Scott Tolzien listed as the recipient.

Tolzien has been named the 2010 Unitas Award winner. An award that is given annually to the top senior quarterback in the country, and this year that quarterback is from Wisconsin.

Three years ago Tolzien was a relative nobody in Madison. A third string quarterback that pretty much nobody had heard of, and a player that had not seen the field until he played against Iowa. A year later Tolzien was named the starting quarterbac, and as the saying goes "the rest is history."

In his senior season Tolzien is one of the top quarterbacks in the country in terms of completion percentage with 76%. Which is important, but what may be more important is how Tolzien manages the game.

As the Badger quarterback you are not asked to win the ball game, but not to lose it. Something Tolzien has done quite well as the man under center. Especially this season.

While Tolzien has quietly thrown for over 2,000 yards for the second consecutive season, the most impressive statistic is his touchdown to interception ratio. Last season Tolzien threw 16 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. This season the touchdowns have not dropped holding steady at 16, but the throw aways have dropped down to just six.

Showing the progress that Tolzien has made as the starting quarterback is one thing; making an impact on the win loss record of your team is another. A year ago Tolzien seemed to disappear in the big games. This season he stepped up when it mattered most.

One example could be the pass to Brady Ewing in the Ohio State game. At the time it looked like the Buckeyes were beginning to rally against the Badgers. That is until the Badgers chose to pass rather than the expected run. Tolzien connected with Ewing for a big game that flipped field position, and flipped the momentumn back in favor of the Badgers. As well as flipped the Badgers' season as well.

It seems like a long road from nobody to hero for Scott Tolzien. Just two years after being "who's that guy?" at Iowa, Tolzien has become "man I'm going to miss that guy!" against Northwestern. Not to mention being the best quarterback this senior class has to offer, and we're not just talking about the Badgers...

Hugs and Drugs: Tuesday in the Big Ten

Tuesday was perhaps a good day if you were in Indiana, but if you were in Iowa it could be a bad one.

Indiana Finds Their Man

Starting with the good news for Indiana the hunt for their next football coach is over. Just two weeks following the firing of Bill Lynch the Hoosiers have found their man. Naming Kevin Wilson officially as their next head coach.

One thing the Hoosiers have needed in a coach without question is someone who knows how to win, and win big. Wilson is obviously one of those people having been with Bob Stoops in Oklahoma. Meaning Wilson has been to the biggest stages in college football. Whether that means conference championships, BCS games, or a BCS national championship.

Wilson is more familiar with the conference championship recently with Oklahoma just beating Nebraska on Saturday. When asked about now being back in the same conference as the Cornhuskers Wilson won't see them for two years because of Indiana's schedule. That is unless he gets to see them in the conference championship. Don't count on that if you ask Wilson though.

"We could play them in the conference championship game if they're good enough to win their division," said Wilson.

DJK Behind Bars

The bad news for the Iowa Hawkeyes that is coming out today could be a giant stain on what is considered a good program. Especially with the departure of all-time leading wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was arrested on drugs charges.

On Tuesday afternoon Iowa City police obtained a warrant to search Johnson-Koulianos' residence for drugs with the suspicion that his roommate was a dealer. What they found is that it wasn't just his roommate with drugs. It was Johnson-Koulianos' as well.

In Johnson-Koulianos' apartment the police discovered marijuana, cocaine, and prescription medicine that all belonged to the Iowa wide receiver. As well as electronic media that showed Johnson-Koulianos in possession of the drugs.

After being taken into custody Johnson-Koulianos was given a urine test to see if drugs were in his blood stream. The tests came up positive for drugs, and Johnson-Koulianos admitted to smoking weed within 24 hours of being arrested.

Now Iowa will be without their star receiver for their bowl game against Missouri. A receiver who set Iowa records for receptions, and yards this season.. This comes after Iowa head coach suspended the senior from team activities. Including a trip to the bowl game.

Minnesota Offers Up Coaching Position...To Barry?

Who will be the next head coach at Minnesota is no longer a question at Minnesota. The question of what the Minnesota athletic director was thinking offering the job to Barry Alvarez is one that may never be answered.

The day after Jerry Kill was officially announced as the next head coach of the Gophers word is spreading that Minnesota offered the job to former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez. The man that resurrected Wisconsin football as we know it.

During his time at the helm of the Badger football program Alvarez won three Big Ten titles. As well as three Rose Bowls, and a 8-3 bowl record during his tenure. A legacy that Minnesota would obviously like to have in the twin cities.

That idea may have sounded great, but in many ways was unrealistic. Why would Alvarez leave his post as athletic director at Wisconsin to return to coaching? Would he even want to coach again? The answer to both of those questions was no, and perhaps a reason Jerry Kill is now the head coach.

The ironic part of all the talk today about Alvarez being offered the head coaching position at Minnesota is that he is being enshrined in the college football hall of fame, and not a long time from now. The ceremony is actually going on in New York City the same day as this announcement.

As of Tuesday night Alvarez joins the likes of Paterno, Bowden, and Bryant as one of the coaches inducted into the hall of fame. And if the announcement today that athletic directors still want Alvarez to be their coach didn't show why he's being inducted nothing will.

Minnesota Finds Their Man

On the same day that the Big Ten teams that have a postseason learn their fate the Minnesota Gophers are announcing their future. Mainly with the announcement that Northern Illinois' Jerry Kill will become their next head coach.

During his tenure at Northern Illinois Kill led the Huskies to three bowl games, but will not coach in the final one. After being formally introduced as the next head coach of the Gophers on Monday morning.

Before heading to Northern Illinois Kill was the head coach at Southern Illinois. Where he helped rebuild the Saluki's program that made consist ant in the FCS playoffs. But it might be what happened to Kill's health at SIU that challenged him more than being the head football coach.

In a game against Illinois State back in 2005 coach Kill suddenly suffered what appeared to be a seizure. After a set of examinations Kill was diagnosed with cancer, but he never missed a game.

Following the season Kill went under the knife, and had part of his kidney removed. Then just four days later he was back on the recruiting trail, and signing players to come to Southern Illinois.

His cancer would go into remission, and Kill would move on to become the head coach at Northern Illinois. That is until today when he accepted the job at Minnesota, and just days after his Huskies lost the MAC Conference Championship.

The Wait is Over: The Badgers Head Back to Pasadena

It sometimes seems like a distant memory. The day that Ron Dayne led the Badgers to their third Rose Bowl victory in a decade, and Wisconsin had moved into one of the elite teams in the Big Ten. Ten years later a new group of Badgers will get to make the same move again.

On Sunday evening what many people thought would happen became a reality. The Badgers received the official bid to be the Big Ten representative in the Rose Bowl. Taking on the TCU Horned Frogs in what is known as "the grand daddy of them all."

In a season that has been about automatic qualifiers and non-automatic qualifiers the Badgers will have the opportunity to stop the BCS buster. With a record of 12-0 the Horned Frogs very well could have been playing for a national championship this season, but with victories this weekend Oregon and Auburn will receive that honor. As a consolation prize TCU will get to play the Badgers.

Not much a consolation prize though. Wisconsin this season featured what has become one of the best offenses in the country. Not to mention an offensive line that very well could play on Sunday in the NFL. Then throw in the stable of running backs that Wisconsin features, and a quarterback with a 76% completion percentage and you have a team worth challenging TCU.

Teams like the Horned Frogs live for this opportunity. To take on the big boys, and knock them off. Fresno State has done it to the Badgers in the past. Boise State has done it on the grand stage against teams like Oklahoma. Now it will be TCU's chance to show they can play with the "big boys." A challenge they will either revel in, or perhaps wish they never wanted. Only time will tell.

Badger Stars Shine, but Others Struggle

So far this basketball season there has been one constant. The play of John Leuer and Jordan Taylor, but the play of the supporting cast has been hit and miss. On Saturday against South Dakota the Badgers stars hit, but the others missed.

On an afternoon when the Badgers started off strong against the Coyotes it was the lack of an ability to close out South Dakota that was the most troubling. After jumping out to an early "" lead the Badgers seemed to have trouble pulling away. Mostly because the production from the supporting cast that was there against NC State was absent against South Dakota.

The highest scorer of the supporting cast was starting forward Mike Bruesewitz with eight points. As for the rest it...was an abysmal night from the floor. Especially for senior forward Keaton Nankivil. Who only played seven minutes and failed to record a point.

His counterpart on the front line on the other hand had a career night. Leuer was on fire to say the least against a smaller South Dakota team. Leading to his career high 29 points on Saturday afternoon, and accounting for almost 40% of the teams scoring.

The vast majority of the rest came from Jordan Taylor. With 20 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists Taylor put together a career night of his own. Not to mention needing just one more assist to become the first Badger ever to record a triple-double.

While the stars appear to be bright at this moment, the progress of the supporting cast is still coming along slowly. And with the yearly match-up against Marquette just around the corner the production from the supporting cast will need to get better, and perhaps find the illusive third scorer this team is looking for.

Video of the Week: "Ahh...Winter is Here"

In case you didn't go outside today or you're out of town, today was the first official day of Wisconsin winter. That's right the snow is back! And how appropriate that our video of the week is snow and sports related at the same time.

There are some things about snow that are a constant. It can put your car in a ditch. It requires that you shovel it off of something. And it makes a pretty good weapon in a pinch...with a snow ball that is.

On Saturday at the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh football game the Cincinnati mascot decided he would partake in some of the seasonal fun. By making his own snow balls, but the police did not want to get in on the that fun. Arresting the pesky Bearcat right in the stands as the game was going on. Don't believe us...check it out for yourself.

For this week's video of the week we give you: "Tis the Season to Be...Arrested?!"

Another Hockey Heartbreaker....No Overtime Needed

Just when you thought they couldn't find a way to lose in more heartbreaking fashion. They prove you wrong. At least that's how the Wisconsin men's hockey team makes it seem at times this season.

With a young team this season the Badgers were not expected to be back where they were just a year ago, but to say that things have been interesting would be an understatement. Losing leads late, and giving up deciding goals in the third period. Losing two games in overtime on consecutive nights may have seemed at times devastating, but Friday night in Alaska may be the new definition of devastation.

In a game that went scoreless in the first period the Badgers were unable to capitalize on a power-play in the second period. But Alaska-Anchorage was able to cash in on that power-play; scoring a short handed goal by Craig Parkinson. Giving the Seawolfs a 1-0 lead in the second. A lead the Badgers would answer just ten minutes later.

Off of a wrist shot by Craig Smith, Wisconsin forward Jordy Murray was able to deflect the puck off the pipe, and into the net. Making the game all square at one heading into the third period. A frame that would be full of Badger penalties, and one in an bad spot.

Wisconsin would serve the first four penalties of the third period. Then Alaska-Anchorage would get their spot in the box following a hooking penalty against Daniel Naslund. Giving the Badgers a power-play, but one that would be short-lived.

Just thirteen seconds later Wisconsin's Jake Gardiner would be called for interference creating an even strength situation for the remainder of regulation. Setting up would be a devastating final seconds.

With just ticks left on the clock Seawolfs freshman Jordan Kwas centered a pass to senior Tommy Grant. Who would lift the puck over Wisconsin goaltender Scott Gudmandson's shoulder and into the net. With just eight seconds left on the clock the score read 2-1.

The final eight would tick off the clock giving Alaska-Anchorage their first win over the Badgers since 2006. Not to mention giving the Badgers another knock in the stomach in what is turning out to be a season of growing pains.

Lady Badgers Can't Recreate Challenge Magic

Wednesday night the men's basketball team crushed their ACC/Big Ten Challenge opponent at the Kohl Center. The following night the Lady Badgers would have their shot, but the results would not be as good.

At the start of the game it looked as if the match-up would be a back and forth affair. Wisconsin scored first, and the Blue Devils answered. Duke would put together a run, but the Badgers would climb back into it. Following a three pointer by Tara Steinbauer the Lady Badgers would take the lead from Duke at 10-9, but it would be all down hill from there. At least in the first half.

The Blue Devils would outscore the Badgers 18-8 for the remainder of the first half. Giving Duke a 27-18 lead heading into the break. A lead the Badgers would tap into in the second half from behind the arch.

Wisconsin came out of the gate fast in the second half hitting on two three pointers. Bringing the Badgers back to within three points. Then at the mid-way point Taylor Wurtz would connect for her third three pointer of the game to knot the score at 31. The closest the Badgers would get to the Blue Devils.

Duke was able to pull away in the second half, but not completely pull away. With just eight minutes left in the game Taylor Wurtz would again connect from downtown to bring the Badgers back to within three, but then the Lady Badgers would go cold again.

The Blue Devils would outscore the Lady Badgers in the remaining eight minutes by five to win 59-51. Resulting in a loss for the Big Ten and unlike the men a loss to the ACC in the challenge for 2010.

Now That's More Like It

So far this season the Wisconsin men's basketball team has looked both good and bad. Abysmal shooting on the road and in the Old Spice Classic made the Badgers look bad. Excellent shooting, and solid defense at the Kohl Center have made the Badgers look good. It was those good Badgers that showed up in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge against North Carolina State on Wednesday.

In Orlando the Badgers struggled to score in the first half, and only broke 60 once in the tournament. Not to mention scoring only 50 and 51 in the other two games of the holiday tournament. Against the Wolf Pack that would be a different story.

The Badgers came out fast against a young NC State team scoring 44 points in the first half. Led by Jordan Taylor and John Leuer the Badgers were able to get off to a faster start against the Wolf Pack, and they began to pull away as early as the first half.

Starting in the first stanza the Badgers showed their ability to play defense. Holding NC State scoreless for the last "", and they holding them to zero for another "" in the second half. During that time the Badgers opened up a "" lead, and never looked back. In part because of their performance from behind the three point line.

Taylor was the first to start stroking them in from behind the arch, but soon the threes were coming from different sources. First it was sophomore forward Mike Bruesewitz who nailed all three he attempted, and accounted for all nine of his points. Then it was center Jared Berggren who made all three of his shots from long range.

As a team the Badgers shot over fifty percent behind the arch. Reversing a trend of poor shooting from distance that had been haunting the Badgers all season, and was a major role in both of their losses.

By the end of the night the Badgers it appeared that the Badgers had solved many of the problems that they have faced so far this season. Led by John Leuer's "average" night of 22 points the Badgers were able to put up 87 points, and this time they found them from some unlikely sources. As the Badgers routed the Wolf Pack 87-48 at the Kohl Center.