Badgers - Wildcats Gametime Moved

If you've been out of the country for a couple weeks it may come as a surprise to you that the Green Bay Packers are in the NFC Championship game. What wouldn't be a surprise after finding that out is the Wisconsin - Northwestern basketball game has been moved up thirty minutes.

Originally scheduled to play at noon the Badgers will now take on the Wildcats at 11:30 instead.

The move is obviously a direct result of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears playing in the NFC Championship game on Sunday at 2 PM. The exact time that the Wisconsin - Northwestern basketball game should end...unless there is overtime.

Because the Badgers occupy the state of Wisconsin and the Wildcats occupy the city of Chicago the ratings for the game would obviously be low. With both the state of Illinois and Wisconsin tuning into watch the NFC Championship game. Prompting the Big Ten to make the call to move the game up to avoid a clash with the NFL.

So if you're looking for a good way to start your Sunday why not start with the Badgers beating the Wildcats in Evanston, Ill. Could be a good start to a day featuring age battles between Illinois and Wisconsin...

Badgers Split Weekend in Duluth

In the first series with Minnesota-Duluth this season the Badgers struggled to find a way to finish off the Bulldogs. Forcing back-to-back overtimes, but falling in the extra session to the Bulldogs.

Friday night seemed to be a little bit more of the same for the Badgers when it comes to playing the Bulldogs. Mainly being unable to find goals early and often; or at all on Friday.

The performance by junior goaltender Kenny Reiter on Friday would be considered flawless by many. Turning away all 21 shots the Badgers threw at him, and leading the Bulldogs to a 2-0 victory in the series opener.

Saturday would be a different story for the Reiter and the Bulldogs...

The Badgers would come out strong on Saturday night against the Bulldogs. Scoring two goals on sixteen shots in the first period, and then tacking on one more early in the second.

Justin Schultz opened up the scoring in the first period off of an assist by Craig Smith. Then Podge Turnbull added to his goal total later in the period giving the Badgers a 2-0 lead. A lead that would be added to by Smith in the second period with another goal.

Heading into the third period the Badgers would lead 3-0, but there would be no opportunities to add onto the lead. Mainly because the Badgers would have no shots on goal in the final period.

Falling back on the goaltending of senior goaltender Scott Gudmandson would be key in the final period. Especially after the Bulldogs would find their stride in the final two minutes by scoring two goals.

But the surge by Minnesota-Duluth would not be enough to come back against the Badgers. As Wisconsin picked up a big victory, and only their second against a team with a winning record this season. Not to mention earning a series split against the number five Bulldogs on the road with a 3-2 victory.

Badgers Bounce Back

Following the heart-breaking loss to Michigan Sate in overtime many questions started to swirl around the Wisconsin men's basketball team. One of those questions was how would they bounce back from a crushing defeat. The answer came against the Fighting Illini at the Kohl Center.

In the first half the Badgers looked hot, and cold. Starting off relatively hot from the floor the Badgers jumped out to an early advantage against Illinois. Then the Fighting Illini stormed back late in the half. Even taking the lead in the final minute until the Badgers finally hit from behind the arch.

With just ticks left on the clock in the first half senior guard Tim Jarmusz hit a three pointer to put the Badgers ahead by two heading into intermission. A huge three that not only bolted the Badgers to the lead, but was the first of the game for the Badgers.

After starting cold from behind the arch the Badgers found their stroke from distance in the second half. Mainly coming from the shooting hand of Keaton Nankivil.

The Badgers as a whole started to hit from deep in the second half, but nobody hit from deep quite like Nankivil. Hitting three big tri-fectas in the second half and helping the Badgers stretch out to a twelve point lead mid-way through the final stanza. A lead that Illinois could not recover from.

The Badgers would hold off the Fighting Illini down the stretch despite foul trouble, and the free throw shooting of Illini senior guard Demetri McCamey. Giving the Badgers their second signature win of the season, and a key Big Ten victory with a ten point win over Illinois 76-66.

Lady Badgers Finish Off Purdue

Earlier this season the Lady Badgers ended a long losing streak at Purdue. In the rematch they didn't just finish off the Boilermakers...they dominated.

In the conference opener the Lady Badgers held on to beat Purdue in a nail biter. When Purdue made their trip to visit the Badgers it was nothing like the first match-up with the Badgers crushing Purdue 60-46.

Led by Lin Zastrow's 21 points the Badgers were able to establish control in the first half, and then finish off strong in the second. Leading by nine at the break the Lady Badgers would take the same aggressiveness into the second half. Outscoring the Boilermakers by five, and cruising to perhaps their most impressive victory of the season.

Not to mention their fourth conference victory in only five games. Keeping them in the hunt for a run at the Big Ten title.

Badgers Fail to Close Out Spartans

Prior to Bo Ryan coming to Wisconsin it seemed like the Badgers could never beat the Spartans. Since Ryan became head coach the Badgers have only tasted defeat five times at the hands of Sparty...make that six after Tuesday night. This time in crushing fashion.

Early in the first half it looked as if Sparty was still having a hangover from their loss to Penn State on Saturday. Struggling shooting from the floor, and making uncharacteristic mistakes allowed Wisconsin to jump out to an early lead.

That lead would grow to as much as 12 points in the first half until the Spartans would make a rally to cut that down to just three at the intermission. But that wouldn't be the last time the Spartans would rally to cut into a lead...or erase one all together.

Wisconsin would lose the lead to the Spartans in the second half, but Bucky would rally back to retake the reigns once again. Then expand on that lead until just under three minutes remaining in regulation. When the wheels would come off for the Badgers.

Leading by nine points the Badgers would turn the ball over three times, and the Spartans would score nine unanswered points to tie the game at 63.

What had been one of the more thrilling games of the 2010-2011 season now would need overtime to be decided.

Throughout overtime neither team could quite pull away with neither team leading by more than a basket up until the final minute. That's when Michigan State star guard Kalin Lucas would take over, but at the free throw line.

In the final minute the Badgers would be unable to find anything from the floor. Neither would the Spartans, but Lucas would knock down three of the final four attempts from the charity stripe to end the game. Giving the Spartans a three point cushion, and a three point victory 64-61.

Clay and Watt Heading to the Next Level

The 2010 football season could have been the best in Wisconsin history, but unfortunately any repeat will come without two of the Badgers best players.

This past season J.J. Watt became not only Wisconsin's best defensive player he became perhaps their best overall player. With 62 tackles the junior defensive end from Pewaukee, Wis. helped the Badgers move to their first Rose Bowl since 2000.

Now Watt is heading to the NFL after three years in Madison, and just two as a starter on the defensive line. A long way from being a transfer from Central Michigan as a tight end just a few years ago.

Joining Watt in the 2011 draft class is running back John Clay. While 2010 may have been a down year by Clay's standards the season could still be considered a solid end to a relatively solid career.

Despite the high expectations Clay was able to crack the 1,000 yard plateau this season. Doing it while sharing the backfield with James White and Montee Ball should make that mark even more impressive. Add in the fact that Clay missed pretty much the last three games of the season with a knee injury, and the mark of 1,012 yards becomes even more amazing.

2010 may have not been the year that the former Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year was hoping for, but it was by no means a poor showing in the stat line. Maybe the personal goals weren't met for him or the fans, but still a solid final season in cardinal and white.

A Tale of Two Games: Wisconsin's Sweep of UMass

"It was the best of times...it was the worst of times." That is how Charles Dickens opens his classic book A Tale of Two Cities. It also could be the way Mike Eaves could look at the sweep against UMass. A tale of one flawless game, and a game that could be sloppy at best.

Thursday night the Badgers not only beat the Minutemen...they dominated. With a 5-1 victory the Badgers saw goals early in the first period from Patrick Johnson, and Podge Turnbull. But that would not be the last UMass would hear from Turnbull.

In the second period the Badgers would open with a goal by Ryan Little in the third minute. That would give the Badgers a 3-0 lead until the Minutemen finally got on the board. With a goal by T.J. Syner that would bring the score to 3-1, but it would be the last and only goal for UMass.

Wisconsin would tack on two more goals in the second period. The final goal coming from Turnbull making the score 5-1, and putting a Badger victory on ice...literally.

On Friday night things would be a little more sloppy, and a little more chippy. A game loaded with pushing, shoving, and even a little fighting.

In what could be considered a controversial call UMass goaltender Paul Dainton got the hook along with Wisconsin's Mark Zengerle for a fight late in the first period. Bringing in a cold goaltender for the Minutemen to start the second period. Something that would perhaps come back to haunt them later in that period.

In the first period the Minutemen had struck first with the only goal of the period off the stick of Brenden Gracel. After his teammate Adam Phillips snapped his stick in half on the original shot...the shot that resulted in a rebound goal for the Minutemen. Giving them a 1-0 lead heading into the first break.

After the first intermission the official penalties were handed out for the late scuffle. Putting on goaltender in the locker room, and the other between the pipes.

With Jeff Tegila in the net for UMass the Badgers would capitalize midway through the second period. First from Craig Smith's tenth goal of the season, and then another goal from Podge Turnbull just 33 seconds later. Giving the Badgers a 2-1 lead, and Turnbull his eighth goal against UMass.

Despite being out-shot on Friday night, and at times looking sluggish as well as sloppy the Badgers were able to put two more pucks in the net in the third. Giving them a 4-1 lead late in the final period. Until the Minutemen would add one final goal in the closing minute, but it would be too little to late.

In a game that was filled with penalties, and sloppy play the Badgers closed out the series with UMass with a 4-2 win. Giving them their 12th win of the season, and once again showing the inconsistency of this team. A team that one night looks like a championship team...the other nights a team that leaves you scratching your head. But this time with a victory none the less.

Lady Badgers Hold Off Boilermakers

The Wisconsin men's basketball team got to open their conference schedule at home. The Lady Badgers on the other hand were not as lucky. Heading to Purdue to take on a tough group of Boilermakers in their conference opener.

To say that beating Purdue in West Lafeyette, Ind. has been a problem for the Badgers would be an understatement. Since they haven't won at Purdue since 1984 some could call that a tradition. A tradition that would end in 2010.

Ending the losing streak at Purdue would be a direct result of the Lady Badgers ability to shoot the three. A lot of threes to be honest, and a school record of 11 to be exact.

Leading the Lady Badgers from behind the arch would be Taylor Wurtz. Hitting on five of her seven attempts from downtown. Giving her a team high of 19 points, but she was obviously not alone in the scoring.

Two familiar faces also chipped in with big nights. The faces of Alyssa Karel and Lin Zastrow who combined for 30 points in the Badger win. A victory that would need to be won late because of turnovers.

The Lady Badgers had plenty of assists against the Boilermakers, but turnovers and mistakes late would open the door for Purdue. Missing free throws down the stretch the Badgers would allow the Lady Boilers to climb to within in two with just a minute remaining.

The Badgers would hold off the Boilermakers for the remaining minute to snap a 22 game losing streak at Purdue. As well as continuing their five game winning streak with the 68-66 victory.

Bucky's Minnesotans Take Down Gophers

It is not exactly a hidden secret that Bo Ryan likes to recruit in the state of Minnesota. Perhaps his two best players came from the Land of Lakes, and that would be why beating the gophers is so important. Especially in the opening game of the Big Ten schedule.

Early against the Gophers one of the Badgers that calls Minnesota home reached a career mark. That was when John Leuer hit his 1,000th point in a Badger uniform. Something that only seemed fitting coming against his home state team.

The other fitting part of his 1,000th point was how Leuer made it. Something that many Badger fans may forget is how Leuer made his mark with the Badgers when he first put on the cardinal and white. Hitting three pointers against Michigan in his first Big Ten game back in the 2007-2008 season.

On Tuesday night Leuer's 1,000th point would not come from the low blocks, but from behind the arch. Where is career started with the Badgers, and perhaps the only fitting way for him to knock in his 1,000th.

Against the Gophers Leuer accounted for 16 points, but it was another Minnesotan that would take over the game...junior point guard Jordan Taylor.

With a game high 22 points the native of Bloomington, Minn. knocked down most of his shots when they mattered most. Hitting shots late in both halves that would allow the Badgers to put away the Gophers, and lead to a 68-60 victory.

The victory would be the first of the Big Ten schedule for the Badgers, but it would also be the first quality for Wisconsin as well. A quality win picked up on the backs of Wisconsin's Minnesota duo.