Yardbarker: Wisconsin Badgers

The Hunt: No. 36, Wisconsin

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:44:27 -0500

(Screw you, I'm an anteater!)The Hunt for the Most Interesting Team in the World is the Dagger's 2009-10 countdown preview series. Check out the overriding principles here. Last year's record: 20-13, 10-8 Big Ten 2009-10's toughest games: Duke, at Michigan State, at Purdue, at Ohio State Primary attraction: Wisconsin is boringly awesome, each and every year, which ironically makes them interesting. But is 2009-10 the year they're just boring? 1. Bo Ryan, model of consisten...

Marcus Landry’s Hustling His Way To The NBA

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:10:20 -0500

Marcus Landry wasn’t drafted, nor was he invited to any training camp. But that’s not stopping the former University of Wisconsin forward from playing in the NBA. Marcus, whose brother Carl plays for the Rockets, is on his hustle like a hungry rapper showing up uninvited to record lables’ offices. He (or Carl) reportedly paid [...]

Wisconsin Boots Two Freshmen

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:53:00 -0500

In a surprise to nobody familiar with their situation, freshmen guards Diamond Taylor and Jeremy Glover had their Wisconsin careers end before they started. Both players had been suspended indefinitely after being arrested for burglary, among other crimes, a couple of weeks ago. While certainly disappointing, this won't have a big effect on the 2009-10 season for Wisconsin. Glover was actually a walk-on, and was likely going to redshirt. Taylor might have redshirted as well, and even if h...

Badgers beat, sweep complete!

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:05:14 -0500

As anyone who has participated in a live blog here can tell you, I check my objective blogger persona at the door when the Gophers are in a close game. This is especially the case at The Barn when Wisconsin comes to town. While comparisons to past games and various statistics are still floating around in the back of my head, I am reduced to yells of "Yes!" and "No" and am caught up in the emotion that makes college basketball my favorite sport. So much so in fact that I'm lucky if I remember who made the last basket let alone what happened a few plays ago. That was once again the case last night. I know the Gophers won, and I know Lawrence Westbrook had a lot to do with it, but the specifics are all missing. In intense rivalry games, concentrating on anything other than red being evil and Bo Ryan being even worse would have just gotten in the way of the exciting chaos that swept the student section during the Gophers' first close home win in years.

While that brilliant blur is great and all, I do want to have some idea of how it all happened. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, I can do just that, and thought I would share my thoughts with you all.

Badgers in town for a Border Bubble Battle

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:15:12 -0500

Meaningful March basketball will finally make its return to The Barn on Thursday when the Gophers take on their arch-rival the Wisconsin Badgers in the first home game with real NCAA tournament ramifications since Frank Williams hit a game winning shot in the final seconds in 2002 to knock the Gophers out of NCAA tournament contention.

Its hard to believe that it has been seven years since there was March Madness in Minneapolis. While the Gophers made the tournament in 2005, their bid was never in doubt, and The Barn never achieved its ear splitting roar that made it famous. Since then Williams Arena faded into obscurity as the Gophers struggled to draw anyone's attention during the dark final days of the Dan Monson regime. Last year the resurrection began for the historic arena. On Thursday night, it will finally come back to life.

Barn Blurbs 3/3/09: Wisconsin Hatefest Edition

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:23:32 -0500

Not that anyone needs a reason to hate the eastern neighbors, but here are just a few:

1. The Serial Killers
There must be something in the water that causes Wisconsinites to want to drink that water after devouring human flesh, or wearing that flesh as clothing. Between the acts of Jeffrey Dahmer and Ed Gein at least 19 people lost their lives in some of the most brutal ways imaginable.

2. The House on the Rock
For years people have been stopping by this tourist trap about halfway between Minneapolis and Chicago, and for years they have been confused, frightened, and ultimately demanding their money back. Charging $30 to see rooms full of fake antiques, instruments that don't really play themselves, and tacky knick knacks is worthy of more than a little hate.

3. The Beer
New Glarus makes some of the best beer in the country, but only sell it in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, we get inundated with Miller, Milwaukee's Best, La Crosse Lager, and the may varieties of "weiss" put out by Leinenkugels. Sorry Leine's, but it isn't beer if it is only quaffable with fruit.

4. Bud Selig
He tried to contract the Twins, tied the All Star game, and caused the pre-mature end to one of the best baseball season's ever along with Kent Hrbek's career, let steroid use run rampant. And what qualified him to do all this? Owning one of the worst teams (the Milwaukee Brewers) in baseball history.

5. Milwaukee's left exit ramps
If you have driven through Milwaukee, and didn't instantly pass out due to the horrible smell, you probably noticed that many exit and entrance ramps are on the left side of the free way. Who thought it was a good idea to put slowing, merging traffic directly in the "fast lane"? Coupled with Wisconsin's nation leading drunk driving rate, you'd be safer avoiding the state altogether. And seriously Milwaukee, you aren't a city of 18 million people. You have no excuses for this:

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6. The Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
The folks that brought you Michelle Bachman believe that women should hold no positions superior to men, strict creationism, and that the pope is the anti-christ. I guess I'll be seeing you in hell?

7. Latrell Sprewell
In addition to the multiple choking incidents, his notoriously bad attitude, and complete waste of legitimate talent, there is his complete wast of money. While refusing to sign a contract that wasn't up to his bloated standards, he went bankrupt, had his yacht repossessed, and was sued for $200 million. I've never been offered $7 million to play a kids game, but if I was in serious financial trouble, I think I'd take the offer.

8. Kaeto Kaelin
The famous house guest from the OJ Simpson trial may be more responsible than anyone for the phenomenon of people who are famous because they are famous. Thankfully, Kaelin didn't extend his 15 minutes of fame, having failed as a talk show host, reality TV contestant, actor, public speaker, and at life.

9. Aldrich Ames
The convicted spy single handedly set back US intelligence several years, betraying the identity of many US spies, and leading to at least 10 deaths and the compromise of more than 100 US intellgence operations. And no, he didn't show any remorse when he was convicted.

10. Joe McCarthy
The father of the "red scare," he accused his enemies of being communist, and used the national paranoia that he caused for his own political gain. He was eventually disgraced and censured. At least his reign of terror resulted in a pretty good R.E.M. song.

Still hateable but not making this list: The Bodeans, Steve Miller, the cast of "Step by Step", Sam Okey, Dick Bennet, Bo Ryan, Rashard Griffith, "On Wisconsin" and many, many more.

So why do you hate Wisconsin?

Ohio State Loses to Wisconsin 55-50 in Madison

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:12:06 -0500

Another road game and another good game for Evan Turner but he was unable to get the help he needed from his Ohio State teammates to beat Wisconsin Saturday night in Madison. Turner had 23 points on the night and played the entire game but 15 offensive rebounds by the Badgers and 19 turnovers by the Buckeyes allowed Wisconsin to finish in the win column.

Illinois Downs Wisconsin

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:16:02 -0500

Make it eight straight at home. Five game losing streak to Wisconsin? Over. There's a different streak involved here and that is the four straight games UW has dropped in Big Ten play. The Illini were ranked 24th coming into the game and after an impressive week, they're sure to move up. It's all about the numbers in college basketball and it's hard not to be excited about the ones associated with Illinois basketball this season. After a season to forget last year, the I...

Gophers going for first win in Madison in more than a decade

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:15:15 -0500

That headline should tell you all you need to know about tomorrow night's game. The Gophers don't win in Madison, or at least they haven't since they put up 109 points in a 31 point win. Whether it is some sort of mystical force, a well founded fear of serial killers that takes the Gophers off their game, some less than consistent officiating, Bo Ryan's hair, the menagerie of Minnesotan's playing for the Badgers, or the fact that over the last decade and a half the Badgers have just been better, the Gopher basketball team just can't quite get it done across the border. It isn't just the bad Gophers teams that have struggled. Even the best Gopher team that technically never existed (1996-1997) lost what would have been a heart breaker in the last game of the regular if they weren't still assured a number one seed. That loss was probably the last time I didn't associate a game in Madison with overwhelming negativity. Even though this is the best chance Minnesota has had in recent years at winning in the Kohl Center, inevitably some vaguely super-natural force will lead the Badgers to victory. Seriously, don't be shocked when a Gopher half court shot gets stuck between the rim and the backboard as time expires.

Billy Packer dismissed by CBS

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:02:47 -0500

Does the sun seem to be shining a little brighter today? Do the flowers smell a little sweeter? Is the summer breeze just a little more refreshing? If so, you have CBS to thank. They finally replaced Billy Packer. (Read the rest of the post after the jump.)

Quote of the Day: Michael Flowers on defending Stephen Curry

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:01:25 -0500

"At the end of the game I want him to be breathless and remember what team he played against and how hard he worked." -Wisconsin guard, Michael Flowers on stopping the darling of this years NCAA Tournament, Davidson's Stephen Curry As we predicted earlier in the week we see Wisconsin ending Davidson's Cinderella run. However, we are a bit unnerved that Flowers is giving Curry some added motivation.

Ed Hightower, Shrimp Cocktail and Two Teams Ready to Dance

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:16:18 -0500

Seated next to Ed Hightower and over a choice strip steak, Hoopraker reflected on having just watched Wisconsin and Michigan State, two of the Big Ten's best, play to the music of the zebras' whistles. Both are ready to dance deep into March.

Waiting for Erin Andrews

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:08:59 -0500

Ordinarily a 28 point, 13 rebound, 6 assist game from your freshman point guard might garner some attention from big media types, but when your team plays in State College you take nothing for granted. While Penn State (14-14, 6-10) toils in relative obscurity, Talor Battle (Albany, NY) has emerged as one the few bright spots for Ed DeChellis and the Nittany Lions. Perhaps when Battle is a sophomore, Brent, Steve and Erin will arrive to watch the talented guard play meaningful games in March.

MSU at Wisconsin Live Blog!

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:51:30 -0500

Want to rant about the game? Want to hear me rant on the game? Well, you got it. MSU faces Wisconsin in a big road game tonight at 9pm. I'll be keeping you up to date with scores, highlights, and thoughts with my profane laden running commentary.

LavinBurger Getting a Little Creepy on Erin Andrews

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 06:07:24 -0500

Steve Lavin and Brent Musburger talk about Erin Andrews' "guns", her workout habits and visiting the Playboy Mansion with her. Yes, it is very awkward. Thank you for asking.

Nurture 1, nature 0: Bo Ryan edition.

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 07:56:42 -0500

Plenty of folks are doing the Soulja Boy. So what if Bo Ryan is a 60-year old white dude. Who lives in Wisconsin. Okay, so he's also the coach of the University of Wisconsin men's basketball team.

Old White Men Now Do The Soulja Boy

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:40:09 -0500

This dance is really taking over the world. This is a video of Wisconsin Badgers coach Bo Ryan doing the dance, and I must say, he is pretty good.

Wisconsin Swing Offense Breakdown

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:57:57 -0500

Bo Ryan has been incredibly successful at Wisconsin using his Swing Offense. Here is a quick explanation on how it works and why it is so successful.

NCAA Cheerleaders

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:45:32 -0500

Video compilation of cheerleaders from the March Madness tournament, cut to a catchy hip hop song about a guy's new girlfriend. Great visuals and even better song.

Wisconsin Stakes Claim to #1

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 21:10:03 -0500

Congrats Madison, not only are you the top party school in the nation, you also lay claim to the best basketball team in the land. The Badgers snagged the top spot in the AP poll after a weekend that saw the former top team, Florida, fall to Vanderbilt.