One week ago, in a unanimous vote, the WIAA Board of Control approved a proposal that keeps the boys state basketball tournament at the Kohl Center in Madison through 2020, while moving the girls tourney to Green Bay’s Resch Center.  That vote ended some nine months of speculating about where the tournaments would be played.

While most of the conversation over that time centered on the “where,” one of the key issues in this whole process is “when.”  The WIAA has been adamant that it wants its basketball tournaments to be played on its “preferred dates”: the second and third weekends in March.  There’s a definite logic in that position.  Play your state tournaments any later in the month of March, and you run into conflicts with your member schools being on spring break.   Beyond that, you wind up competing with the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, and the general onset of spring (and spring sports).

While a cynic may claim that all the WIAA cares about is maximizing attendance at two of its most prominent state competitions, it’s absolutely necessary that the association does just that.   The WIAA sponsors 22 sports, but only a few of those sports make money at the state tournament level.

There’s another part of the attendance issue, one that makes good sense to split the two sites.  This past March, the two best-attended sessions at the boys tournament were in the 12-14,000 range.  Neither of those crowds could have been accomodated at the Resch Center.

Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of the Kohl Center seats were empty during Championship Saturday of the girls tourney–partly, due to those aforementioned conflicts.  Yet, the reality is that the girls tournament has been in an attendance decline for years.  Moving to Green Bay (and a smaller venue) might very well give the girls tourney some added energy.   If that happens, the WIAA could very likely keep that event in that city for the forseeable future.

One thing that won’t change: athletes, coaches, and teams will continue to work awfully hard to get to state–no matter where it is.  We’ll all continue to enjoy that journey.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

It may be a pointless exercise, but for me, it’s become an annual one: forecasting the Packers season well before anyone knows the exact makeup of the team.  While I’ll pay attention to the draft, free agency, and whether Nick Collins returns or retires, I’m a bottom-line guy: quarterback is the most important position in the NFL, and as long as Green Bay has an elite QB, the Pack should beat teams with lesser talent at the position.

In April, 2010, I was not that far off with my 11-5 prediction (10-6 after multiple injuries).  Last year, I undersold the Pack a fair amount (predicted 12-4), but did have GB winning the division.  Still, who else forecasted an “inexplicable road loss to the Chiefs”, and in April, no less?  Answer: no one.

So, here goes for 2012 (new for this year, projected scores!):

Packers 31, 49ers 20.

Packers 12, Bears 9.

Packers 41, Seahawks 35.

Packers 28, Saints 24

Packers 34, Colts 17

Texans 28, Packers 24

Packers 38, Rams 20

Packers 27, Jaguars 10

Packers 30, Cardinals 20

Lions 27, Packers 24

Giants 28, Packers 20

Packers 35, Vikings 21

Packers 42, Lions 20

Packers 17, Bears 14

Packers 24, Titans 13

Packers 37, Vikings 23

There you have it.  Green Bay goes 13-3, and wins the NFC North.  Are you buying it?  Agreeing? Disagreeing?  Post your comments below, and we’ll discuss.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

As we flip the calendar from to April, it’s worth taking the time to look back on some of the magical moments of March, 2012…moments you were able to watch on the WIAA state network.

KNETTER FINDS THE NET
After Onalaska opened the scoring in the first period of the girls hockey state championship game, Central Wisconsin Storm defenseman Kylie Knetter answered with a wrist shot from the point, and celebrated by doing Aaron Rodgers’ “belt” move.   Knetter scored on an almost identical shot in the 3rd period, after the Hilltoppers had closed to within 4-2.  Give her the belt, and give the Storm the state title.

SKATE, SHOOT, SCORE…CHAMPIONSHIP
Brett Gruber’s goal at 3:49 of the 2nd overtime gave Notre Dame Academy its first-ever WIAA state boys hockey championship, as the Tritons edged defending state champ Wausau West, 3-2, in an extremely well-played game by both sides.

DIAMOND’S BLOCK PARTY
Dominican’s 6-9 freshman Diamond Stone made his WIAA state tournament debut a memorable one, as he sutffed the stat sheet to the tune of 15 points, 15 rebounds, and  14 blocks in the Knight’s Division 3 semifinal win over Colfax.

SHOW TIME
Germantown sent a message to defending Division 1 champ Madison Memorial on the opening tip, when Zak Showalter, generously listed as 6-3 in the program, threw down an emphatic dunk in the face of the Spartans’ Jamar Morris.  It was the first of five dunks for Showalter in that game, showing the Kohl Center crowd that the future Wisconsin walk-on probably won’t be without a scholarship for very long.

NO DENYING DEKKER
Sam Dekker’s last second, game-winning 3 pointer to defeat Racine Lutheran is this generation’s Lamont Weaver moment.  It was the capper to a remarkable high school career, which ended with Dekker scoring 12 points in just over 45 seconds to lift his Sheboygan Lutheran team to its first-ever WIAA state title.

BATTLE OF THE UNBEATENS
Miss Basketball award winner Nicole Bauman outscored Tara Knapstein 14-12, but Knapstein’s New London team defeated Bauman’s club from New Berlin Eisenhower, in a very-well played and entertaining Division 2 state championship.

DE PERE DEFEATS KING
In another well-played and entertaining matchup for the Division 1 title, De Pere captured its 2nd-ever state championship when a potential game-tying 3 by Milwaukee King’s Shakeela Fowler rimmed out.

BOWE’S BANK SHOT
Heather Bowe of Regis wasn’t all that far from the spot on the court where Sam Dekker drained his championship-winning 3, when she launched a last-second 3 that banked in, sending her Ramblers to overtime against Oshkosh Lourdes.

What were your favorite moments from the state high school tournaments?  Feel free to add your comments below.  For all of us who worked to bring you all the action from the championships, thanks very much for watching.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

The girls high school basketball postseason tips off in less than two hours, which still gives me plenty of time to make my picks for this year’s WIAA playoffs.

Division 1

Chippewa Falls has the upper bracket’s best record, and the #1 seed, but not that much separates Chi-Hi from teams like #7 seed Eau Claire Memorial, which played the Cards fairly close in two regular season games.  Speaking of the Old Abes, they should have momentum after an 11-point win over Stevens Point, the other #1 seed in the sectional

Regional quarterfinals: ECM over Hudson, LCC over Wausau East, Neenah over Appleton West
Regional semifinals: Chippewa Falls over LCC, ECN over DCE, Superior over Wausau West, Marshfield over ECM, SPASH over Neenah, Appleton North over Fond du Lac, Oshkosh West over WI Rapids, Appleton East over Oshkosh North
Regional finals: Chippewa Falls over ECN, Marshfield over Superior, SPASH over Appleton North, Appleton East over Oshkosh West

Sectional semifinals: Chippewa Falls over Marshfield, SPASH over Appleton East
Sectional final: Chippewa Falls over SPASH

Other sectional winners:  De Pere, Middleton, Pius XI

Division 2

Regional quarterfinals: River Falls over Sparta, Onalaska over Tomah, New Richmond over Menomonie
Regional semifinals: LC Logan over River Falls, Rice Lake over Ashland, Holmen over Onalaska, Hayward over New Richmond
Regional finals: Rice Lake over LC Logan, Hayward over Holmen

Sectional semifinals: Hayward over Rice Lake, New London over Medford
Sectional final:  New London over Hayward

Other sectional winners: Beaver Dam, Monona Grove, New Berlin Eisenhower

Division 3

Regional quarterfinals: Spooner over Unity, Somerset over Cumberland, Amery over SCC, Osceola over Northwestern, Altoona over Ellsworth, B-W over G-E-T, West Salem over Viroqua, Prescott over BRF
Regional semifinals: Barron over Spooner, Somerset over Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, Amery over SCF, Bloomer over Osceola, Westby over Altoona, B-W over Arcadia, Durand over West Salem, Aquinas over Prescott
Regional finals: Barron over Somerset, Bloomer over Amery, Westby over B-W, Durand over Aquinas

Sectional semifinals: Barron over Bloomer, Durand over Westby
Sectional final: Barron over Durand

Other sectional winners: Freedom, East Troy, Dominican

Division 4

Regional quarterfinals: Chequamegon over Clear Lake, Grantsburg over Spring Valley, Flambeau over Webster, Glenwood City over Phillips, Abbotsford over Athens, Spencer over Cadott, Elk Mound over Stanley-Boyd, Fall Creek over Thorp
Regional semifinals: Ladysmith over Chequamegon, Boyceville over Grantsburg, Hurley over Flambeau, Cameron over Glenwood City, Regis over Abbotsford, Colby over Spencer, O-F over Elk Mound, Colfax over Fall Creek
Regional finals: Ladysmith over Boyceville, Cameron over Hurley, Regis over Colby, Colfax over O-F

Sectional semifinals: Ladysmith over Cameron, Regis over Colfax
Sectional final:  Regis over Ladysmith

Other sectional winners: Algoma, Neillsville, Howards Grove

Division 5

Regional quarterfinals: Shell Lake over Drummond, S. Shore over Solon Springs, Mellen over Butternut, Washburn over Birchwood, Siren over Luck, Frederic over Bayfield, Winter over Mercer, O-W over Granton, WI Valley Lutheran voer Loyal, Clayton over New Auburn, Greenwood over Bruce, Prentice over Gilman, Turtle Lake over Prairie Farm, Cornell over Marshfield Columbus, Lake Holcombe over Rib Lake, McDonell over Gilmanton, Independence over Royall, Alma/Pepin over Brookwood, Wonewoc-Center over Plum City, ECIL over C-FC, Elmwood over Hillsboro, Augusta over E-S, New Lisbon over Lincoln
Regional semifinals: Northwood over Shell Lake, Mellen over S. Shore, Washburn over Siren, Winter over Frederic, O-W over WVL, Clayton over Greenwood, Prentice over Turtle Lake, Lake Holcombe over Cornell, McDonell over Independence, Alma/Pepin over Brookwood, ECIL over Elmwood, New Lisbon over Augusta
Regional finals: Northwood over Mellen, Winter over Washburn, O-W over Clayton, Lake Holcombe over Prentice, McDonell over Alma/Pepin, ECIL over New Lisbon

Sectional semifinals: Winter over Northwood, O-W over Lake Holcombe, McDonell over ECIL, Seneca over Belmont
Sectional finals: O-W over Winter, McDonell over Seneca

Other sectional winners: Wausau Newman, Black Hawk

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

March is right around the corner, snow is in the forecast…it must mean that it’s basketball tournament time.  I’m feeling reasonably good about my HS hockey picks (6 of 8 boys teams at state, 2 of 4 girls teams), so here goes with boys hoops.

Division 1

The area bracket is wide open, and there are any number of teams that could put together a postseason run.   Chippewa Falls is one such team.  The Cardinals have perhaps the most explosive player of the entire bracket in Tyson Kalien.  Can he carry the Cards to Madison?  Expect opposing coaches to be game-planning to slow down the talented senior guard.

Regional quarterfinals: ECM over Wausau West, Superior over EC North, Appleton East over Wisconsin Rapids
Regional semifinals: DCE over ECM, Marshfield over Wausau East, Chi-Hi over Hudson, La Crosse Central over Superior, Oshkosh North over Appleton East, SPASH over Neenah, Appleton North over Oshkosh West, Appleton West over Fond du Lac
Regional finals: DCE over Marshfield, Chi-Hi over LC Central, Oshkosh North over SPASH, Appleton West over Appleton North

Sectional semifinals: DCE over Chi-Hi, Oshkosh North over Appleton West
Sectional final: DCE over Oshkosh North

Other sectional winners: Milwaukee King, Germantown, Madison Memorial

Division 2

Plenty of Eau Claire hoops fans have already told me they plan to be at the ECM gym for a sectional semifinal if the matchup is Onalaska vs. Rice Lake.  If this game does come to pass, I’d suggest getting there early, because this will be a sellout.

Regional quarterfinals: Hayward over Tomah, New Richmond over Ashland, LC Logan over Sparta, Merrill over Mosinee, New London over Waupaca
Regional semifinals: Onalaska over Hayward, Menomonie over River Falls, New Richmond over Holmen, Rice  Lake over LC Logan, Antigo over Merrill, Shawano over Medford, Lakeland over Hortonville, Rhinelander over New London
Regional finals: Onalaska over Menomonie, Rice Lake over New Richmond, Antigo over Shawano, Rhinelander over Lakeland

Sectional semifinals: Onalaska over Rice Lake, Antigo over Rhinelander
Sectional final: Onalaska over Antigo

Other sectional winners: Milwaukee Washington, Kaukauna, Waunakee

Division 3

An season-ending injury to La Crosse Aquinas junior guard Bronson Koenig definitely changed this bracket, opening the door for G-E-T to get to state, but teams like Bloomer or Barron could pull an upset if the shots are falling.

Regional quarterfinals: Northwestern over Osceola, Cumberland over Chetek-Weyerhaeuser, Unity over SCC, Amery over SCF, Altoona over West Salem, B-W over BRF, Aquinas over Viroqua, Ellsworth over Durand
Regional semifinals: Bloomer over Northwestern, Spooner over Cumberland, Barron over Unity, Somerset over Amery, G-E-T over Altoona, B-W over Arcadia, Prescott over Aquinas, Westby over Ellsworth
Regional finals: Bloomer over Spooner, Barron over Somerset, G-E-T over B-W, Westby over Prescott

Sectional semifinals: Bloomer over Barron, G-E-T over Westby
Sectional final: G-E-T over Bloomer

Other sectional winners: Little Chute, East Troy, Racine St. Catherine’s

Division 4

Regional quarterfinals: Mondovi over Neillsville, Whitehall over Iowa-Grant, Boscobel over Mel-Min
Regional semifinals: Mondovi over Necedah, Bangor over Whitehall, Luther over Boscobel, Blair-Taylor over Pittsville
Regional finals: Bangor over Mondovi, Blair-Taylor over Luther

Sectional semifinals: Blair-Taylor over Bangor, Cuba City over Cambridge
Sectional final: Cuba City over Blair-Taylor

Regional quarterfinals: Webster over Flambeau, Boyceville over Clear Lake, Phillips over Glenwood City, Spring Valley over Ladysmith, Cadott over Abbotsford,  Regis over O-F, Spencer over Athens, Thorp over Stanley-Boyd
Regional semifinals: Grantsburg over Webster, Cameron over Boyceville, Hurley over Phillips, Chequamegon over Spring Valley, Elk Mound over Cadott, Regis over Fall Creek, Colby over Spencer, Colfax over Thorp
Regional finals: Grantsburg over Cameron, Hurley over Chequamegon, Elk Mound over Regis, Colfax over Colby

Sectional semifinals: Grantsburg over Hurley, Colfax over Elk Mound
Sectional final: Colfax over Elk Mound

Other sectional winners:  Oshkosh Lourdes, Dominican

Division 5

These are the most entertaining of the area brackets, because there are a number of quality, local teams (McDonell, Augusta, Elmwood, Gilmanton, Clayton, Siren) that have what it takes to be playing on the floor at the Kohl Center.  Out of that group, it’s possible that two will make it through to state.

Regional quarterfinals: McDonell over Independence, C-FC over ECIL, Elmwood over Plum City, Gilmanton over Brookwood, Augusta over New Lisbon, Eleva-Strum over Lincoln.
Regional semifinals: McDonell over C-FC, Gilmanton over Elmwood, Augusta over E-S
Regional finals: McDonell over Gilmanton, Augusta over Royall

Sectional semifinals: McDonell over Augusta, Benton over Southwestern
Sectional final: McDonell over Benton

Regional quarterfinals: Siren over Butternut, Luck over Mellen, Washburn over South Shore, Frederic over Shell Lake, Solon Springs over Mercer, Bayfield over Birchwood, Winter over Northwood, Drummond over LCO, Prentice over Granton, Gilman over O-W, New Auburn over WI Valley Lutheran, Turtle Lake over Prairie Farm, Marshfield Columbus over Rib Lake, Greenwood over Lake Holcombe, Bruce over Loyal, Clayton over Cornell
Regional semifinals: Siren over Luck,  Frederic over Solon Springs, Solon Springs over Bayfield, Drummond over Winter, Prentice over Gilman, Turtle Lake over New Auburn, Marshfield Columbus over Greenwood, Clayton over Bruce
Regional finals: Siren over Frederic, Drummond over Solon Springs, Prentice over Turtle Lake, Clayton over Marshfield Columbus

Sectional semifinals: Siren over Drummond, Clayton over Prentice

Sectional final: Clayton over Siren

Other sectional winners: Sheboygan Lutheran, Randolph

It promises to be one wild ride through the regional and sectional brackets on the way to Madison.  See you at one of the gyms around the area!

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

2012 should provide plenty of postseason hockey thrills.  The playoff seeds have been set, but in both boys and girls hockey, I believe there’s a lot more parity than in recent years, which figures to make for some very competitive games…and perhaps a few surprises.

GIRLS HS HOCKEY

New Richmond Sectional
Hayward/Spooner is a deserving #1 seed, but the Hurricanes’ record includes a 5-4 home loss to #4 seed Chippewa Falls/Menomonie, and a 5-4 loss at #3 seed Eau Claire/Altoona.  3-time defending state champ St. Croix Valley plays a very tough non-conference slate, including a number of strong Minnesota teams, but are the Fusion deep enough to get through a rugged sectional bracket again?

Here’s how I see it:

Regional finals: Hayward/Spooner over New Richmond, Chippewa Falls/Menomonie over WSFLG, ECA over Hudson, St. Croix Valley over Superior.

Sectional semifinals: Hayward/Spooner over Chippewa Falls/Menomonie, SCV over ECA.

Sectional final: St. Croix Valley over Hayward/Spooner.   (I’m leaning on a couple of cliches: playoff experience, tough to beat a team 3 times in one season)

Other sectional winners: Central Wisconsin Storm, Onalaska, Bay Area Ice Bears.

BOYS HS HOCKEY

Eau Claire Sectional
This year reminds me a lot of 2009, when #1 seed EC Memorial had home ice advantage through the sectional final, and had beaten Rice Lake twice during the regular season, but it was the Warriors winning the sectional final over the Old Abes, in overtime, at Hobbs Ice Center.  Will history repeat itself?  Once again, a good (but not great) ECM team has the #1 seed and home ice advantage.   2nd-seeded Rice Lake has the tougher path through the brackets, but a tough sectional semi with # 3 seed Chippewa Falls looms before any showdown with the Abes. Is this the year when being battle-tested trumps having fresh legs?

Regional semifinals: Hayward over Ashland, R-M-B over ECN, Altoona over Medford.

Regional finals: ECM over Hayward, Chequamegon/Phillips over Marshfield, Chippewa Falls over R-M-B, Rice Lake over Altoona.

Sectional semifinals: ECM over Chequamegon/Phillips, Chippewa Falls over Rice Lake.

Sectional final: ECM over Chippewa Falls.

Amery Sectional

Regional semifinals: River Falls over Spooner, Amery over Baldwin-Woodville, Somerset over Barron

Regional finals: Superior over River Falls, Menomonie over WSFLG, Hudson over Amery, New Richmond over Somerset

Sectional semifinals: Superior over Menomonie, New Richmond over Hudson.

Sectional final: Superior over New Richmond.

Other sectional winners: Homestead, Wausau West, Marquette University, GB Notre Dame, Onalaska, Verona.

It promises to be a very exciting high school hockey postseason.  Agree with the picks? Disagree? Feel free to add your comments below.

See you at the rink!

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

Greetings from Lambeau Field, and welcome to the NFC Divisional Playoff blog.  As before, I’ll be updating this blog as the game progresses, with the newest comments at the top, so keep refreshing the page to stay current.  Or not…it’s your choice.

THAT WILL DO IT
Another Manning completion on a play when he had all day to throw, keeps a drive alive, and the Giants cash in on a Brandon Jacobs TD run.  I guess NYG backed up this week’s talk.  Speaking of talk, Wisconsin sports talk radio should be fun this week.   That’ll do it from here.  I’m packing up here in the press box, and heading to what promises to be a very festive GB locker room (sarcasm).

ODDS AREN’T IN YOUR FAVOR
When you need to successfully execute an onside kick.  Packers are now 0-2 in that department today.

NOT OVER YET
The Packers go 76 yards in 8 plays over 2:02, to pull within 10 on a Rodgers to Driver  TD pass.  However…

ADDING INJURY TO THE INSULT
Greg Jennings has a rib injury and his return is doubtful.

WILL THAT DO IT?
Ryan Grant’s 2nd-effort to gain yards after catching a short pass from Aaron Rodgers backfires, as Grant gets stripped by Kenny Phillips, and the loose ball is recoverd by Chase Blackburn, who hoofs it all the way down to the Packers 4.  On the very next play, Eli Manning finds Mario Manningham in the back of the end zone, which sends scores of Packers fans heading for the exits.

DEJA VU REARING ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN
The last time the Giants were in Lambeau Field for a postseason game, New York started the scoring on a Lawrence Tynes FG, and then ended it on another Tynes boot.  There’s still plenty of time in this game, but the Tynes FG gives NYG 23 points, which was enough 4 years ago.  It’s quite a bit warmer today in GB, but there’s that familiar sense of dread in this stadium.

NOT PERFECT
Aaron Rodgers was practically flawless last postseason in a divisional game in Atlanta, but today is a much different story.   On 1st & 10 from the NYG 44, Jordy Nelson had 1-on-1 coverage on a post pattern and appeared to be open inside the 10, but Rodgers chose to dump the ball short.   On 3rd & 5 from the 39, Rodgers misfired and led Jermichael Finley too much on a bullet that would have gotten Green Bay a 1st down.

THIS FEELS FAMILIAR
In the Packers last playoff game at Lambeau Field, the Giants had 20 points and led Green Bay heading into the 4th quarter.

YOUR TURN
The Packers defense does its job, and gets off the field.  The key play was Ryan Pickett’s bull rush on Chris Snee that resulted in a 10-yard holding penalty against the Giants RG.   Pickett is having an excellent game.

INJURY UPDATE
John Kuhn has a knee injury & his return is questionable.

BETTER THAN NOTHING
The Packers continue dropping passes and committing penalties, but getting points on their 2nd drive of the 3rd quarter was absolutely crucial for an offense that’s sputtered most of this afternoon.  Green Bay has to be thankful to only be down one score at this stage fo the game.

3RD TURNOVER
Green Bay’s 2nd, a Rodgers fumble, halts a promising drive to start the 3rd quarter.  I’d tweeted that the opening drive might be season-defining, and that’s not the definition anyone wearing green wants.

THOSE $*%&$@)#$ HAIL MARY’S!
Football fans in Wisconsin will be playing the what-if game until next fall rolls around…3 deep desperation heaves,  (2 against the Badgers, 1 against the Pack) resulting in 3 TD’s for the opponent.  At least this one comes at the end of a half, and not at the end of a game.  Still, Green Bay has a big hole to dig out of….

NOT HOW THEY DRAW IT UP
Getting the ball back was not the boon to the Packers offense as some would have thought.  Now, the pressure’s squarely back on the GB defense.

MAKING PLAYS
The Packers defense is hemorrhaging yards (242 allowed and we’re not even to the end of the 2nd quarter), but Green Bay is making enough plays on that side of the ball to hold the Giants to a mere 13 points.   Limited NYG to a field goal after the Kuhn fumble is a huge boost for the Pack.  GB now gets the ball to close out the half, and will have possession when the 3rd quarter begins.

2ND TURNOVER
A conservative play call backfires when the normally sure-handed John Kuhn gets stripped of the football.  In this case, the call is not the problem, it’s the ball security (or lack thereof).

1ST TURNOVER
A blitzing Desmond Bishop (with a little help from A.J. Hawk) forces Eli Manning into a bad pass over the middle, which is picked off by Morgan Burnett.   Give some credit to d-coordinator Dom Capers, for figuring out ways to pressure the QB even while Clay Matthews  is sidelined with an apparent injury.

FEEL FREE TO ADJUST THOSE GB QB STATS
Aaron Rodgers not getting much help, as James Starks & Tom Crabtree drop consecutive passes, to go along with Jermichael Finley’s 1st quarter drop.

MAKING MORE BREAKS
Brad Jones busts through the line and gets a hand on the Lawrence Tynes FG attempt, saving Mike McCarthy from second-guessing.

TRYING TO MAKE YOUR OWN BREAKS
Mike McCarthy’s decision to try an onside kick was interesting, to say the least.  Ironically, it was former Packers d-back Derrick Martin on the recovery.

TAKING ADVANTAGE OF BREAKS
1) Lawrence Tynes’ kick out of bounds. 2) NYG jumping offside on a 2nd & 4, giving GB a 1st down.  3) What appeared to be a Greg Jennings fumble is instead ruled down by contact, costing the Giants a timeout.  All 3  were key plays in the Packers’ 9-play, 60-yard scoring drive that ties the score.

GOTTA WRAP UP
Charlie Peprah lays a lick on Hakeem Nicks, but the Giants WR bounces right off the “tackle attempt” and races into the end zone to finish off a 66-yard scoring strike.

OLINE GOOD & BAD
The same NYG offensive line that neglects to block Ryan Pickett on a run play, gives Eli Manning all day to complete a pass on 3rd & 11.

DON’T SEE THAT TOO OFTEN
Aaron Rodgers misfires on a 3rd down pass to Greg Jennings, which would have at least gotten the Pack a 1st and goal, if not a TD.  On the scoring drive, Rodgers is 3-6 for 50 yards, with one dropped pass by Jermichael Finley.

GOOD SIGN
Ryan Grant’s 1st carry goes for 19 yards off the right side, behind a nice crease created by Josh Sitton & Bryan Bulaga.

I GUESS YOU WILL SCORE
The Giants march 67  yards in 13 plays,  scoring on a Lawrence Tynes field goal.  For the most part, the Packers stuffed the run fairly well (5 carries for 10 yards), but Eli Manning was able to complete passes on 3rd & 8, 3rd & 10, and 2nd & 7.   Green Bay got better pressure on the QB the deeper the Giants drove,  as Dom Capers sent a variety of blitzes (including Charles Woodson).

WE DON’T WANT THE BALL AND YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SCORE
The Packers win the toss, but defer to the 2nd half, so the NYG offense will get its chance first.

LOT WARMER THAN ’08
Plenty has changed since the Giants’ last postseason visit to Lambeau.  For starters, both teams have turned over the majority of their rosters.  It’s also a lot warmer than that frigid January day in 2008.   Even so, the Giants have the personnel & the toughness to keep this game close.  Turnovers, as always in football, will be the key stat.

INACTIVES
No big surprises.  GB: Graham Harrell, Davon House, Robert Francois, Herb Taylor, D.J. Williams, Howard Green, Vic So’oto.  NYG: Ramses Barden, Da’Rel Scott, Mark Herzlich, Jim Cordle, Justin Trattou, Jimmy Kennedy, James Brewer.

Posted under Hometown Sports

I wanted to give the Rose Bowl experience a few days to settle–so much happened in the game itself, I thought it important to have a bit of perspective beyond the disappointment that the Badgers lost to the Ducks.  I also wanted to have a better idea of which people are returning to the UW program and which were moving on.

For sheer entertainment value, the 2012 Rose Bowl has to rank at or near the top of any college football game I’ve personally witnessed.  There were huge plays on both sides, major swings of momentum, and no shortage of drama, all unfolding in what I consider the all-time best bowl venue.

On the plane flights back, I had the chance to talk with some 10-15 Badgers fans, and while all would have preferred a Wisconsin win, all said the experience of traveling to and from Pasadena was well worth it.  I”d have to agree with them…although I sure would like to have seen Russell Wilson have one last crack at the end zone.

Speaking of Wilson, I continue to be amazed at the maturity and class he diplays no matter what the outcome of the football game in which he just played.   Montee Ball is in that same mold, and his return to the program next season should give Badgers fans hope for 2012.

Bret Bielema’s immediate challenges are to hire replacements for departing coaches on the staff: most notably, offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, a very good guy when it came to X’s & O’s, but a person who inspired confidence and loyalty from his players.  While chemistry within players on a team is key, it’s probably even more important to have a good working relationship among the coaching staff.

Next, Bielema has to continue the recruiting momentum of the program.  Wisconsin’s visibility is maybe at an all-time high, so the head coach needs to capitalize on that trend, without abandoning the core principles of his recruiting philosophy.

Lastly, returning players need to “buy in” to getting ready for the next challenge.  Time waits for no one, and that’s certainly the case in the competitive world of college football.   Leading up to the Rose Bowl, I enjoyed getting the chance to talk with local guys Jake Keefer & Tyler Leonhard–both defensive scout team guys now, but both very ready to take the step into their new roles.

All in all, the UW football program seems to be in good shape.  Take a look back in not-so-distant history, and you’ll see plenty of lean years, if not lean decades.   Rose Bowl trips, win or lose, are a good capper to a season…even though we all love to dream of bigger and better things.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

According to Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, it was a quiet plane ride back from Kansas City.  Contrast that with the volume emanating from national TV talking heads Monday, dissecting Green Bay’s loss to the lowly Chiefs, and what it means for the Pack going forward.     McCarthy, at his weekly news conference, says he had this message for his team: “If ESPN bothers you, then don’t watch it.”

Still, whether you avoid national media or devour every word, you can’t help but wonder if the 19-14 defeat will be a mere speed bump for the Packers, or if it foreshadows more trouble ahead.

Clearly, if Green Bay’s going to make any sort of a playoff run, the Pack will have to stabilize its offensive line.  Injuries are starting to accumulate up front, which is likely affecting Aaron Rodgers, whose quarterback rating is on a 3-game decline.

11/24, at Detroit: 22-32, 307 yds., 2 TD’s, 0 INT, 120.2 QB rating, sacked 2 times, hit 2 times

12/4, at NY Giants: 28-46, 369 yds., 4 TD’s, 1 INT, 106.2 QB rating, sacked 2 times, hit 6 times

12/11, Oakland: 17-30, 281 yds., 2 TD’s, 1 INT, 96.7 QB rating, sacked 4 times, hit 7 times

12/18, at KC: 17-25, 235 yds., 1 TD, 0 INT, 80.1 QB rating, sacked 4 times, hit 5 times

On the other side of the ball, we now realize just how important it is that the Green Bay defense generates turnovers.  In that same four-game stretch, the Packers picked off 8 passes and recovered 2 fumbles–but none of those came in Kansas City.

There’s part of me that says  GB’s loss to KC is an aberration (after all, the Colts also won Sunday), but before I make any Packers postseason proclamations, I’ll be paying close attention to the physical and mental health of the team over its final two regular season games.

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports

I still haven’t decided if I’m doing a third straight year of “Bowl-O-Rama,” mainly because my disdain for the BCS has reached such levels that I can’t even muster up a mocking interest in this year’s bowl lineup.

There are a few exceptions, including the BCS National Championship, the Fiesta Bowl, and the Rose Bowl.

If you like offensive fireworks, the latter two games will be the ones to watch.  The Fiesta Bowl matches the second-highest scoring team in the country (Oklahoma State, 49.3 ppg) with the team ranked fifth (Stanford 43.6 ppg), while the Rose Bowl features Oregon (3rd, 46.2 ppg) and Wisconsin (4th, 44.6 ppg).

There have been some amazing shootouts in the Rose Bowl (2006: Texas 41, USC 38;  1999: Wisconsin 38, UCLA 31; 1991: Washington 46, Iowa 34), and there are plenty of reasons to expect another one when the Ducks and Badgers take the field.   Interestingly enough, Oregon’s defensive coordinator, Nick Aliotti, held that same title with UCLA in the 1999 Rose Bowl, when the Bruins defense had no answers for Wisconsin’s brute force offense, led by tailback Ron Dayne.

Suffice it to say, the Badgers have evolved from those days.   While Wisconsin still likes to pound the football, the team gained more yards via the air this season (3,148) than it did on the ground (3,086).  While Ducks-Badgers may be billed as a matchup of speed vs. size, there’s a lot more to consider.

BOWL READINESS
One of the most important factors in evaluating any bowl.  Simply put, there are plenty of bowl games in which players, coaches, and fans are just not emotionally invested.  That shouldn’t be the case in the 2012 Rose Bowl, even though both programs had legitimate national title game aspirations prior to the season.  Playing in Pasadena in January trumps every other bowl travel destination beyond New Orleans, so there’s no reason to look at this game as a consolation prize.  Besides, both programs should have plenty to prove.  The Badgers lost to TCU in last year’s Rose Bowl, while the Ducks have lost in BCS games (including the 2010 Rose Bowl, 26-17 to Ohio State) in each of the last two seasons.

Slight edge: Wisconsin, only because the Badgers hopes of playing for a national title were dashed in late October…compared to Oregon, which harbored those hopes until an 11/19 home loss to USC.

WHEN OREGON HAS THE BALL
The Ducks run a fast-paced offense, looking to maximize the number of plays run by minimizing the time between plays.  Oregon has run 951 plays from scrimmage this season, but only averages 25:03 in average time of possession, compared to 34:57 for its opponents.  (Contrast that with Wisconsin: 865  plays run, 31:58 average time of posession,  28:02 for Badgers opponents.)  UW coach Bret Bielema plans to prepare his defense by having them practice against two scout team offenses.

That may help the Badgers prepare for the Ducks’ pace, but good luck simulating the explosiveness of Oregon’s offensive standouts: LaMichael James (1,646 rushing yards), Kenjon Barner (909 rushing yards), De’Anthony Thomas (440 yards rushing, 571 yards receiving), and QB Darron Thomas (2,493 yards passing, 205 yards rushing).    Keep an eye also on senior WR Lavasier Tuinei (441 receiving yards, 8 TD’s ), who is a matchup problem at 6-5, 216, as well as TE senior David Paulson (428 receiving yards, 6 TD’s).

The last we saw of the Wisconsin defense,  it was allowing 471 total yards and 39 points to Michigan State–but the Badgers still won the game. Linebackers Mike Taylor (84 total tackles) and Chris Borland (75 total tackles) have led Wisconsin’s defense all season, and if the Badgers are going to slow down the Ducks, both will have to play big.  UW’s defensive line depth will be tested in this game as well.

Edge: Oregon.

WHEN WISCONSIN HAS THE BALL
See Montee Ball.  See Montee Ball run the ball.  See the Badgers play ball control offense.  The best way for Wisconsin to slow down Oregon’s offense is to keep it on the sidelines.  When USC won at Oregon, the Trojans managed to win the time of possession battle, 36:27 to 23:33, with a run/pass ratio of 38/34.  USC only gained 139 yards on the ground, but by committing to the run, it opened up routes for QB Matt Barkley, who threw for 323 yards & 4 TD’s.

Having some four weeks between the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl will allow Wisconsin’s offensive line to heal up, and if that unit can open holes for Ball while providing QB Russell Wilson time to operate, then the Badgers should be able to move the football.   Speaking of healing up, Wisconsin will need WR Nick Toon at full capacity vs. the Ducks, although Jeff Duckworth’s emergence in a big game situation was a pleasant development for the Badgers.  I also like Wisconsin’s ball security this season: in 13 games, 4 lost fumbles, and 4 interceptions.  Compare that with Oregon’s 12 lost fumbles and 6 interceptions thrown.

Edge: Wisconsin

SPECIAL TEAMS
Oregon’s explosiveness in the return game should be cause for concern, since that group includes James (1 PR TD), Barner, & De’Anthony Thomas (2 KR TD’s), while Wisconsin’s had some issues in its coverage units.  If the Badgers have an advantage, it’s with kicker Philip Welch, who’s 4-5 on FG attempts, including 1-1 on kicks from 40-49 yards, and 1-1 on kicks of 50+ (long of 52).  The Ducks Alejandro Maldonado, meanwhile, is 6-11 on his FG attempts: 2-5 from 40-49, and 0-1 on 50-59.

Slight edge: Oregon

COACHES
Neither Oregon’s Chip Kelly nor Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema has coached a team to a win in a BCS bowl.  Kelly is 0-2 these past two years, with Bielema 0-1 after last year’s loss to TCU.  Someone will get into the win column this year, leaving the other to deal with the dreaded “can’t win the big one” tag.   Both teams are very good at what they do, and both figure to be prepared for the challenge.

Edge: none 

COMMMON OPPONENT
On September 10, at Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers blanked Oregon State, 35-0, as Wisconsin rolled up 208 rushing yards to the Beavers’ 23.  At Autzen Stadium on November 26, it was Oregon over Oregon State, 49-21, with the Ducks dominating the ground game, 365-16.  What can we conclude from those numbers, other than OSU can’t run the football?

Edge: none 

PREDICTION
Not yet…I’ll wait until I’ve had a chance to see each team practice, and had a chance to talk with players and coaches from both sides.   Suffice it to say, I’m looking forward to that opportunity.  I will predict that there will be much more on this game on this very blog in the coming weeks.  With that, here’s a random comparison that has no bearing on the game whatsoever.

BEST COLLEGE THEMED MOVIE FILMED ON CAMPUS
“Animal House” – Oregon.   “Back To School” – Wisconsin.

Edge: Oregon

-BOB BRADOVICH

Posted under Hometown Sports