Tressel Gets Two (Players Got Five)

The punishment for Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel came down on Tuesday night, but not a punishment as severe as his players received.

In late December five Ohio State players were suspended for five games next season for accepting improper benefits in the sale of merchandise and awards. Now their head coach is only getting two games for neglecting to report the violation when he learned about it in April 2010.

With possible NCAA sanctions still waiting for the Ohio State Buckeyes the university elected to suspend Tressel for two games in a self-imposed punishment.

Now it will be up to the NCAA if they want to add any more time or more punishments to the university or coach Tressel. But a final ruling will most likely take time to come out with the recent pattern of decisions the NCAA is able to reach.

The court of public opinion on the other hand is not taking as long as the NCAA though.

With Tressel's players receiving five games, and the coach that was at the head of the program only receiving a two game suspension many in the public are not happy. Many have called the punishment weak, and unfair.

Regardless of the punishments already levied against Tressel and the Ohio State football program the NCAA will be the final judge, jury, and executioner. A process that will take most likely months; if not until after next season.

Video of the Week: It Must Be March...

March Madness is a lot of people's time of year. Yes, perhaps even more than Christmas or any other holiday, and with a lot of people looking to call in sick for the start of the tournament we thought we'd help.

Every year you hear those new excuses to miss work at the begginning of March Madness. Like putting something under your nose on Wednesday so you can call in sick on Thursday. Now we will give you the tools to miss work the true March-Madness way...with the flop.

That's right for this week's video of the week you will learn how to use the great basketball technique of the flop in almost any situation!

Tressel in Trouble?

Sunday's win for the Ohio State basketball no doubt was a great day for the Ohio State athletic program. Since then their has been a black cloud hanging over Columbus, Ohio. With new allegations being reported against the Buckeyes, and perhaps more importantly the football program.

Earlier this year five football players, including star quarterback Terell Pryor, were suspended for receiving improper benefits. Including receiving free or discounted tattoos, and selling merchandise for profit. Including Pryor selling his "Golden Pants," the award given to the best player in the Michigan - Ohio State game, as well as championship rings.

Now Yahoo Sports is reporting that Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel knew about the improper benefits. Not just the day before the violations became public, but months in advance. Possibly putting the entire program in jeopardy.

Tuesday night university officials will be having a press conference regarding the new allegations, and Tressel's job may hang in the balance.

Under Tressel's contract the university would have the option of terminating the head coach because of a clause that protects them against unethical conduct. Such as not reporting athletes receiving improper benefits to the university or to the NCAA Compliance Board.

The NCAA has not come out with any additional sanctions against Ohio State, and their is no clear resolution to the issue at Ohio State. But with out a doubt there have been better days for the Ohio State athletic program, and darker days may be on the horizon for the football team.

Leuer and Taylor Recieve Conference Honors

The 2010-2011 "sports year" has been a historic one for the Wisconsin athletic program. Now the Basketball team has made more history with thier two star players making the All-Conference first team.

Jordan Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises in the conference this season. Leading the Badgers to a comeback victory against number one Ohio State in the Kohl Center. Topping his career high on numerous occasions, and sitting on top of the list in turnover/assist ratio this season.

The other Badger to gain All-Conference first team honors was not a surprise this season. Coming into the 2010-2011 season Jon Leuer was expected to be one of the best in the conference, and despite the year Jordan Taylor has put together Leuer continues to be the rock in Wisconsin's line up.

Quietly the senior forward has averaged just under twenty points a game this season, At the same time ripping down over seven rebounds a game. Making Leuer the dominant post player to compliment Taylor. Not to mention a shooting threat from the perimeter that has affected every defense in the Big Ten.

Regardless of their personal statistics, and roles on the team; the Badgers this season have featured a dominant duo that rivals any in the country. Now they sit among the elite in the conference, and for the first time in school history sit on top together.

Still More Hockey at the Kohl Center

Men's hockey may be finished at the Kohl Center this season, but the women still have one more show left on the ice. This time in the NCAA tournament.

With the bids coming out on Sunday night for the NCAA tournament there was not much worry for the Lady Badgers. They knew they were in before beating the Gophers in the WCHA championship, and the win over the Gophers made a tournament bid completely certain.

When the bids officially came out the Badgers knew they would be the number one seed. Not to mention a quarterfinal match-up on their home ice. Taking on Minnesota-Duluth on Saturday at 7 P.M.

So far this season the Lady Badgers are 3-0-1 against the Bulldogs. Including an overtime victory as well as a tie on the road in Duluth, Minn.

A win for the Badgers would send them back to the Ladies Frozen Four to take on the winner of the Minnesota/Boston College match-up.

Two Out of Three 'Aint Bad

Sunday marked a chance at history for the Wisconsin men's basketball team, and the athletic department as a whole. The opportunity to defeat a number one ranked team three times in a year. Something that was not meant to be after the Buckeyes shot the Badgers out of the gym.

The overall statistic that summed up the season finale for the Badgers was the three point shooting of the Buckeyes. With Ohio State hitting on 14 of 15 three pointers for 93% from behind the arch.

Perhaps the even more amazing than missing only one three pointer for the Buckeyes was the fact that it was the first three pointer. Missed by Buckeye senior John Diebler who felt sorry about missing the only three pointer for the Buckeyes.

"I apologize for missing that one," said Diebler in the post-game press conference. Then followed with a laugh by the press corp.

Diebler may have missed that one three pointer, but the senior cashed in on his fair share against the Badgers. Hitting seven of those 14 three pointers as he notched a game high 27 points for the Buckeyes.

Notably missing for the Badgers on Sunday was the point leader in recent weeks Jordan Taylor. With only six points in the first half there was still optimism for the Badgers with Taylor matching his point total from the first half in the February meeting.

Unfortunately for the Badgers, Taylor would not tally 21 points in the second half. With only two points in the second half Taylor was relatively silent in the season finale against the Buckeyes.

With the Buckeyes high shooting percentages, and poor performances from the Badger stars Ohio State ended their season with a route of the Badgers. Getting the revenge game in Columbus, Ohio with a huge 93-65 victory.

Don't Call It a Comeback! (Ok...Call It a Comeback...)

"Don't call it a comeback!" were the words of L.L. Cool J. On Saturday night the women's made an "expected" comeback in the WCHA Championship despite being down 3-0 in the second period to Minnesota.

On the line was an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the two teams, but Wisconsin would more than likely already be in. But a win would also lock up an undisputed WCHA Championship for the Badgers after already winning the regular season crown.

Minnesota came out fast against the Badgers on Saturday night by scoring two goals from Sarah Erickson. Giving the Gophers a dominating lead to start the game, and a 2-0 deficit for the Badgers heading into the first intermission.

Coming out of the first break things did not improve right away for the Badgers. With the Gophers striking again with a goal by Sarah Davis. Stretching the lead out to 3-0 midway thru the game.

Later in the second the Badgers would start their comeback against the Gophers. First with a goal by Brianna Decker, and then senior forward Meghan Duggan struck for the Badgers second. Cutting the Gopher lead to just 3-2 with minutes to play in the second period.

That's when the Gophers struck again. This time with a goal by Jen Schoullis to knock the lead back up to two with just two minutes left in the period. A lead that the Gophers would hold heading into the third and final period.

In that last stanza the Badgers would make their comeback complete. First with a goal by freshman Madison Packer (who has the best name of any Badger of all time), and then followed by another goal by Duggan to tie the game up at four. Resulting in overtime to decide the WCHA Championship.

After fourteen minutes of over time the Badgers finally put the Gophers away after a goal by senior Kelly Hash. Making the Badger comeback complete, and locking up the WCHA crown yet again with the 5-4 overtime-comeback-victory.