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ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! With No. 2 Michigan State in town and a nationallytelevised game on CBS, Brad Davison took full advantage of the stage and electrified the Kohl Center by scoring a career-high 30 points. Davison became the first UW freshman with a 30-point game since Sam Okey in 1996. PHOTO BY DARREN LEE
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BRONZED Former Badger Cody Goloubef captured a bronze medal in men’s hockey with Canada’s 6-4 victory over the Czech Republic at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. Goloubef joined fellow former Badger Rene Bourque in helping Team Canada bring home the hardware. PHOTO BY ANDREW NELLES / USA TODAY SPORTS
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FUN IN THE SUN Winning sure is fun! Freshman Reilly Peters (31), senior Samantha Arents (7) and the Badgers took home three wins at one of the most elite tournaments in the country, the Mary Nutter Classic, last weekend. PHOTOS BY JOANNE WELSH
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EMBRACING ELLENWOOD Casie Pawlik had hugs for teammate and fellow senior Georgia Ellenwood after Ellenwood won her second straight pentathlon title at last weekend’s Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships. PHOTO BY WALT MIDDLETON
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NO MORE WAITING AROUND The women’s golf team didn’t stand around for long at last weekend’s Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Arizona. The Badgers, led by top-15 finishes from seniors Becky Klongland (right) and Gabby Curtis (center), broke the 54-hole school record with a 20-under par total of 844. PHOTO BY DAVID E. KLUTHO / USA TODAY SPORTS
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GOLDEN OLLIE Ollie Hoare enjoyed a pair of medal presentations at last weekend’s Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships, as the sophomore swept the 3000 and 5000 meters titles at the conference meet. PHOTO BY WALT MIDDLETON
FORWARD Be a difference-maker during the University of Wisconsin’s Annual Campaign — it’s what Badgers do. AllWaysForward.org
CONTENTS
DARREN LEE
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FEBRUARY 28, 2018 ▪ VOLUME 8, ISSUE 25
A NEW SEASON Wisconsin’s trip to the Big Apple and the Big Ten Tournament offers a fresh chapter in the postseason. The Badgers are ready for the challenge — one game at a time — and ‘still have a lot more basketball to play.’
FEATURES 2
IN FOCUS
18 LUCAS AT LARGE 21 BY THE NUMBERS 23 WHAT TO WATCH
LUCAS AT LARGE
CORE VALUES
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For former Badger Jeff Mack, community service and leadership is at the core of how he grew up and how lives his life now.
27 BADGERING 28 BADGERS GIVE BACK 39 INSIDE BASKETBALL 43 INSIDE HOCKEY 47 INSIDE WRESTLING 49 INSIDE SOFTBALL 51 INSIDE TENNIS 54 BADGER HISTORY
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BADGERING
TONY GRANATO
The men’s hockey coach shares a meaningful Olympic moment and how he’s preparing his Badgers for the Big Ten Tournament. 15
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LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER
Community service at core for Mack
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lack History Month has always resonated with Jeff Mack Jr., a former Wisconsin linebacker. That tone was set at home by his mom and dad, Kerbie and Jeff Mack, a former UW flanker. “Both of my parents have been influential in my life,” said the 37-year-old Mack, confirming “Black History Month was a big deal for us … I grew up in a family of strong black leaders. “Seeing them stand up for who they were was instrumental in how I needed to act and how I needed to have knowledge of self — how I needed to know who I am and where I came from.” There was another reason to celebrate February in the Mack household. “It’s my birthday month, too,” he said, chuckling. “So, I thought it was kind of cool that way.” Many “cool” things have happened to Mack, a fixture on the Badgers’ defense for four sea-
sons (2000-03). As a senior, he was one of the captains and the co-leading tackler with safety Jim Leonhard. Since graduating from the UW School of Business with his degree in real estate and urban land economics, the former Madison Southside Raider and Madison West athlete has been active in the community.
“BEING A STUDENT-ATHLETE AT WISCONSIN HAS BEEN A HUGE PART OF WHO I’VE BECOME. IT’S A HUGE UNDERTAKING BUT IT GIVES YOU A SKILL SET THAT YOU CAN’T LEARN ANYWHERE ELSE.” Whether it has been with the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, the Overture Center for the Arts, or the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development, it has been his way of giving back.
In January, an online magazine, Madison365, selected Mack to its “Black Power 2017” list of the 35 most influential black leaders in the state of Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Bucks’ 23-year-old phenom Giannis Antetokounmpo is among them. This is the third year that the web site has come out with the list which has aimed to identify successful African-American role models for young people. “I know Henry Sanders pretty well,” Mack said of the CEO and publisher, “and when he told me that I was on there, I was taken aback because it was kind of shocking. “But it’s a huge honor and I’m really excited,” added Mack, a vice president of private banking at Park Bank. “Hopefully there’s more than 35. I know there are.” In fact, there are more since there are no repeaters on the three lists, by design, allowing Madison365 to annually rec-
ognize black leaders working tirelessly behind the scenes. “Being a student-athlete at Wisconsin has been a huge part of who I’ve become,” Mack said. “It’s a huge undertaking but it gives you a skill set that you can’t learn anywhere else. “It’s being able to understand time management. It’s being able to understand winning and losing. It’s being able to understand the attention to detail and what it means to put forth the effort.” Balancing athletics and academics can be challenging because of the physical and mental demands. Mack initially thought about pursuing a degree in medicine. He wanted to be a doctor. But he realized the potential for a logistical nightmare — scheduling labs around football practices. His love of math eventually led him down another path and to the school of business. “Have knowledge of yourself, first and foremost,” he said of his own student-athlete checklist. “People are always trying to change you. So, make sure you stay true to your own core values.” Over the years, Mack has stayed in touch with many former teammates, including Lee Evans, Bill Ferrario, Ben Strickland, Kalvin Barrett and Leonhard, the current UW defensive coordinator. “I try to keep in contact with as many as possible,” Mack said. “My fondest memories were from just being around the guys on the team and growing up with them and going through some of the tough times.”
Last fall, Jeff Mack Sr. was also named to a list — the Camp Randall 100 — along with quarterback Gregg Bohlig. In 1974, they combined for the winning touchdown in a memorable upset of Nebraska. “My dad really didn’t talk about his football career at the UW a lot. He would mention that catch every once in awhile.” Jeff Jr. said. “I can tell you honestly that my dad wanted me to do well in school and that was what he was focused on the most. He talked about a Plan A and Plan B, and Plan A was academics. “My mom was into heavier issues and topics. She taught me more about what it meant to be black in America. What really pushed me was seeing my mom fighting for what she believed was right.” Kirbie Mack was a community
activist and civil rights leader; a local and state government administrator; and the president of the Madison chapter of the NAACP and Affirmative Action Director. Sizing up all of her estimable achievements, Mack suggested, “My mom is on more prominent lists than I ever will be … and my dad has more trophies than I ever had … I can never win.” But he has won. He has obviously won over many people with his community involvement; something to celebrate not only in February but every other month of the year, too. “It’s important,” Mack Sr. said “because it tells me that my son has been doing things in the community to make things better for others. I’m just so proud. He’s following in his mom’s footsteps.” And his. A win-win. ▪
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We don’t like the cold. We love the cold.
WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN, WE’RE HAVING FUN.
VIEW the SNOW CONDITIONS Report At
BY THE NUMBERS
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD ▶ Senior Taylor Amann extended her win streak in the indoor pole vault to 11 straight meets when she repeated as Big Ten champion in the event last Friday at the conference meet in Geneva, Ohio.
WALT MIDDLETON
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◀ SOFTBALL The Badgers upset No. 6 Auburn last week at the highlycompetitive Mary Nutter Classic in Palm Springs, California. The victory marked the team’s highest ranked win since 2013 and ties the highest ranked win in the Yvette Healy coaching era.
MEN’S TRACK & FIELD ▼ Trent Nytes scored a personal-best 5,810 points in the heptathlon at last weekend’s Big Ten Indoor Championships en route to winning the conference title. Nytes’ score ranks third in school history behind UW legends Zach Ziemek (6,173) and Japheth Cato (6,165).
BRIAN LUCAS
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DAVID STLUKA
▲ WOMEN’S GOLF Senior Becky Klongland tied the school record by shooting a 7-under par 65 in the second round of last weekend’s Westbrook Invitational in Peoria, Arizona. Her three-round total of 211 (-5) is tied for the second-best 54-hole score in UW history.
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WHAT TO WATCH PATRICK HERB
TOURNEY TIME
MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. MARYLAND THURSDAY, MARCH 1 ▪ 11AM NEW YORK CITY ▪ BTN
DAVID STLUKA
Wisconsin begins postseason play against Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Seeded ninth, the Badgers tip off against eighth-seeded Terrapins live on BTN. The winner advances to face top-seeded Michigan State on Friday.
tournament central
WOMEN’S HOCKEY VS. BEMIDJI STATE SATURDAY, MARCH 3 ▪ 2PM MINNEAPOLIS ▪ WCHA.COM
JACK MCLAUGHLIN
FINAL FACEOFF
The Badgers travel to the 2018 WCHA Final Faceoff this weekend and will face Bemidji State on Saturday at 2 p.m. The winner will advance to face the winner of Minnesota vs. Ohio State in Sunday’s title game at 2 p.m. Catch Saturday’s game streamed live on WCHA.com, while Sunday’s championship will air on Fox Sports Wisconsin and Fox Sports North.
tournament central GREG ANDERSON
B1G PLAYOFFS
MEN’S HOCKEY AT MICHIGAN FRIDAY, MARCH 2 ▪ 6:30PM ANN ARBOR, MICH. ▪ BTN PLUS Wisconsin opens the 2018 Big Ten Tournament with a bestof-three series at Michigan. The sixth-seeded Badgers drop the puck vs. the third-seeded Wolverines on Friday, Saturday, and if necessary Sunday, at 6:30 p.m. CT on BTN Plus. 23
WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 2/28
THURSDAY 3/1
FRIDAY 3/2
SATURDAY 3/3
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Big Ten Tournament vs. (12) Northwestern Indianapolis 12:30 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus Tournament info »
MEN’S BASKETBALL at Big Ten Tournament vs. (8) Maryland New York City 11:00 a.m. Watch: BTN Tournament info »
MEN’S BASKETBALL (if win Thursday) at Big Ten Tournament vs. (1) Michigan State New York City 11:00 a.m. Watch: BTN Tournament info »
SOFTBALL at USF Under Armour Invitational vs. College of Charleston Tampa, Fla. 9:00 a.m. Tournament info »
SOFTBALL at USF Under Armour Invitational Tampa, Fla.
WRESTLING at Big Ten Championships East Lansing, Mich. 9:00 a.m. Watch: FloWrestling Tournament info »
vs. Central Michigan 12:30 p.m. vs. South Florida 3:00 p.m. Tournament info »
WOMEN’S TENNIS at Minnesota Minneapolis 11:00 a.m.
View more 3/2 events »
View more 3/3 events »
SUNDAY 3/4
MONDAY 3/5
TUESDAY 3/6
WEDNESDAY 3/7
SOFTBALL at USF Under Armour Invitational vs. Wright State Tampa, Fla. 8:30 a.m. Tournament info »
MEN’S & WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships Minneapolis All day
MEN’S & WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships Minneapolis All day
MEN’S & WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships Minneapolis All day
MEN’S TENNIS vs. Cornell Madison, Wis. 11:00 a.m. WRESTLING at Big Ten Championships East Lansing, Mich. 11:00 a.m. Watch: FloWrestling Tournament info »
View more 3/4 events »
ALL TIMES CENTRAL
VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »
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BADGERING...
TONY GRANATO
Wisconsin men’s hockey coach Tony Granato returned from the Winter Olympics this week feeling a mix of fatigue, wistfulness and pride. He spent the last three weeks in PyeongChang, South Korea — 15 hours’ difference — serving as Team USA’s head coach. The Americans, a mix of former NHL players, European league talent and U.S. college prospects, finished seventh after losing via overtime shootout to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. Granato will be back behind the UW bench starting Friday when the sixth-seeded Badgers open the Big Ten Tournament with a first-round, best-of-three series at third-seeded Michigan. UW lost all four games while Granato was gone, so getting his players refocused for the postseason is paramount if the Badgers want to finish the season strong. Granato spoke following practice on Tuesday. BY ANDY BAGGOT ▪ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER
What time is it on your body clock? “I think it’s 3 o’clock Central Time. I took a short nap when I got back (to Madison on Monday) and I stayed awake late last night to try and get a full night’s sleep. I got two 3½-hour chunks (of sleep) in. It’s good.” Was there a behind-the-scenes Olympic moment that was particularly meaningful to you? “The one I’ll remember is the first win (over Slovakia) because it was a personal thing. We lost (Team USA general manager and former UW teammate) Jimmy Johannson two weeks before the Olympics (to a heart attack). He gave me the call and showed the confidence in me to come as coach. Having his wife and daughter there to present them with the game puck was special.” What’s your demeanor right now? “I feel good. I feel this was a year that we thought there would be some obstacles, some difficulties, but I thought we’d have a better win-loss record because I’m convinced we have a better team than we did last year. We just haven’t played like a better team. That’s been a little bit concerning, a little bit of a mystery, but that’s our job as coaches to figure out and salvage something out of the year.” DAVID STLUKA
Click to read more »
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BADGERS GIVE BACK SPOTLIGHT
badgers give back
Small moments matter deeply for Badgers Spending time at American Family Children’s Hospital provides meaningful connections
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BY ANDY BAGGOT ■ UWBADGERS.COM INSIDER
he email addressed to Kareem Jackson arrived in the wee hours of the morning on Jan. 18 and quickly brought the Wisconsin assistant men’s and women’s track coach to tears. “I was definitely blown back,” he said. Jackson had recently accompanied members of the UW women’s team to American Family Children’s Hospital, where they visited with patients and parents facing all sorts of medical challenges. The focus of their visit was an activity called “Caleb’s Pitch.” It involves kids armed with plastic, paint-filled syringes trying — amid giggles — to turn student-athletes into stationary pieces of art. That’s where Jackson and his charges crossed paths with 7-year-old Chloe and her
family from Waunakee, Wisconsin. That’s where the contents of the email first came to life. Jackson read the introductory words of Chloe’s father, Scott, and felt his world change forever. “I am sure the women on your team have no idea how meaningful their visit, smiles and signatures mean to these kids,” it began. “We are huge Badger fans and being able to interact with a Badger student-athlete and then talk about going to watch them when we are better is something that is extremely powerful and motivating to a child who is recovering from something so devastating.” The email went on to detail how Chloe, an aspiring runner, had undergone surgery to remove a tennis-ball sized tumor from her brain
almost two weeks earlier. and usually forwards any feedback he gets to Chloe ultimately had two surgeries to comthem. pletely remove the benign growth and spent This time was different. 35 days in the hospital recovering from the Jackson, who oversees the sprint events, procedure. brought team members into a Camp Randall What Jackson and his student-athletes Stadium conference room and projected the didn’t know when “Caleb’s Pitch” began was email on a large big screen. He wanted them that Chloe hadn’t walked without assistance to read it at the same time. since her series of surgeries in late December. “It was very, very quiet in the room,” he said. She came to the playroom in her father’s arms. “You could see them just kind of being moved At one point, Jackson asked Chloe if she by it.” wanted to join team members — Rayce Albino, Discussion time followed. Claire Buck, Amy Davis, Gabby Derosiers, Eb“We talked about some of the injuries that ony McClendon, Chinne we had within the group Okoronkwo, Casie Pawand how very small “OBVIOUSLY, WE ALL WANT TO WIN lik, Sophia Rivera, Josie that was in the grand A BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP AND DO Schaefer, Kelsey Sullischeme of life,” Jackson THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT THAT RIGHT van and Isabella Weekly said. “We just tried to THERE IS SUCH A BIGGER CALLING, — for a group photo and tie everything together. THAT’S SUCH A BIGGER DEAL THAN she hesitated. “That’s more than just ANY CHAMPIONSHIPS THAT I’VE “So the girls called inspiration, it’s perspecWON OR BEEN A PART OF AT THIS out to her, ‘Hey, Chloe, tive.” UNIVERSITY. NOT EVEN CLOSE.” come take a picture Jackson said he was with us,’” Jackson said. moved by Scott’s email, “She lit up like a Christmas tree.” which arrived at 4:46 a.m. Chloe left her father’s arms and walked — un“He sent it very early,” Jackson said. “It must attended and unencumbered by a tube tower have been on his brain and it touched him. — to the middle of the photo and knelt down, “It must have radiated through the family, smiling for the camera with the Badgers. through the rest of that night and even in the “It takes away your breath a little bit,” Scott morning, that they probably talked about (the said, “because it’s one of your first moments hospital visit) more than any of us ever imagwhere you’re getting a glimpse of recovery and ined. into the future.” “That’s what I mean about the 10 minutes, Jackson, who has a daughter of his own, the 15 minutes (the student-athletes) commublinked back tears as he read the email. nicated with her, how long-lasting that was.” “We may have spent an hour at the hospital, The moment was a life-changer for Jackson. maybe 10 or 15 minutes with her,” he said. “It “Obviously, we all want to win a Big Ten tells you how important our time is to other Championship and do things like that,” he said, people — how valuable it is — even though we “but that right there is such a bigger calling, look at it as just a few minutes.” that’s such a bigger deal than any championJackson said he typically accompanies his ships that I’ve won or been a part of at this student-athletes to Badgers Give Back events university. Not even close.” ▪
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fter capping his first Big Ten regular season with a plucky, rousing 30-point effort against a national championship contender, Brad Davison is ready to embrace his first Big Ten tournament. Like an old friend. “I’ve watched it every single year ever since I started watching basketball,” said the freshman guard from Maple Grove, Minnesota. “I remember last year that I was really tuned into it. We came up short against Michigan (in the 2017 championship game) but we made the run to get back to that (title) game.” And, of course, befitting Davison’s infectious and upbeat personality, he expects no less than another trip to the finals, despite the odds. “That’s our goal again this year,” he said resolutely. After Sunday’s loss to Michigan State at the Kohl Center, Davison planted the “seed” with his teammates that it’s “far from over” and “we’re going to make a run at this thing” in New York City. Even though Wisconsin is a No. 9 seed — drawing No. 8 Maryland in the opening game
of Thursday’s session — Davison asserted, “A fresh slate is exactly what we wanted.” On one hand (or one good arm, in his case) he addressed the obvious, conceding “This is a new level for a lot of us. We do have a pretty young team. And people are kind of making excuses for us.” But stop right there. “That’s not what this is about,” he emphasized. Instead, the unshakable Davison is branding it, “The Revenge Tour.” “We get to play everyone that we lost to,” he explained. “All the early struggles — everything we’ve been through (with injuries) — we now get a chance to avenge all of that. “We wouldn’t want it any other way, either. We get to show how much we have improved. Some people might not believe in us. But we believe in ourselves. We’ve never given up on ourselves. “Now, it’s a new season. Everyone is 0-0 and you’ve got to lace them up and go out there and play. “In our opinion, we still have a lot more basketball to play.”
“W E GE T TO S H OW H OW M U C H WE H AV E IM PROVE D. S OME PE OPL E MI G H T N O T B E L IE VE IN U S. B U T W E B E LI EV E I N OU RS E LVE S. W E ’ VE N E VE R GIV E N UP O N OU RS E LVE S. N OW, IT’S A N E W SEA SO N . E VE RYON E IS 0- 0 A N D YOU ’ VE G O T T O L ACE TH E M U P A N D GO OU T TH E RE AN D P L AY. ”
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Davison has had more than one New York moment. He remembered watching his older sisters play in a Thanksgiving tournament at Hofstra University on Long Island. He remembered a couple of AAU trips to New York City, too. But he has never set foot inside Madison Square Garden, the fabled midtown Manhattan landmark atop Penn Station and the site of this week’s Big Ten Tournament. “That’s going to be pretty cool just because it’s something that you always dream about as a kid,” Davison said. “I’ve watched a lot of basketball games (televised) from there. That’s the Mecca.” Whenever he hears a broadcaster mention MSG by name, he says, “It means something, it draws people’s attention. And I’m very thankful for the opportunity to play there.” The new season starts on Thursday. “It stinks that we lost for our seniors,” Davison said after Sunday’s defeat to the Spartans, a team they’ll draw again with a win over Maryland. “But I’d rather beat them next week anyway.” ▪▪▪▪
isconsin’s first-year assistant coach Dean Oliver has a favorite and lasting memory from his senior season and the 2001 Big Ten Tournament in Chicago. “It’s obviously when we won four games in four days after everyone had kind of counted us out,” said Oliver, the former Iowa point guard. “I’ll never forget each game.” The No. 6 seed Hawkeyes beat No. 11 Northwestern, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 7 Penn State and No. 4 Indiana in the title game to receive the Big Ten’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. “I just remember how tired we were in that championship game,” Oliver said. “It was exhausting but it was about your will to win, your fight and believing in each other.” In early February of that season, Iowa was sailing along with a 17-4 record when leading scorer Luke Recker fractured his knee cap and was lost for the reminder of the schedule. That sent the Hawks into a tailspin. They lost seven of their next eight games. “It was our last hope,” Oliver said of the Big Ten Tournament. “We were at a point, basically, if we didn’t win the whole thing, we weren’t going to the NCAA tournament. “So that was the thought — it was gameby-game — win each game and give yourself a chance to keep the season going. Being a senior, the urgency was there. I didn’t want the season to end.” Reggie Evans and Oliver shouldered more responsibility without Recker, while freshman Brody Boyd came of age. “That was the turning
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one-on-one,” Oliver said. “They made big plays point,” Oliver said. “Our freshmen turned into down the stretch against us.” sophomores.” Cowan had 23 points and Huerter had 19, Asked if he might share that Iowa experience including a couple of clutch baskets in the in the Wisconsin locker room, Oliver grinned paint with less than two minutes to play. Noand said, “They get tired hearing about me as body else scored more than six points. a player. But we’ll bring it up that it’s game-byMaryland has since game. regained the services “Right now,” he reof an injured player: asserted, “it’s all about “WE HAV E A GRE A T GROU P OF GU YS W H O 7-foot-1 senior centhat first game.” AR E F I GURIN G TH IN GS OU T A N D RIGH T ter Michal Cekovsky, In their only preON TIME,” SA ID O LIVE R . “YOU H AVE TO who will tag-team the vious meeting this PEAK AT TH IS TIME OF TH E YE A R. ” low post (and Ethan season (Feb. 4), the Happ) with true freshBadgers played well man Bruno Fernando. in stretches against “Whenever you’ve got a guard like Cowan Maryland but struggled closing out the first who can create,” Oliver said, “and then you and second halves in a 68-63 loss at College throw big bodies in there like Fernando and Park. Cekovsky to ball screen for him, that can be Oliver had the scouting report on the Terratrouble.” pins then and now again for the rematch. The Badgers had four players in double-fig“(Kevin) Huerter and (Anthony) Cowan are ures: Happ (18), Nate Reuvers (13), Aleem Ford really talented offensive guys and hard to stop, DARREN LEE
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igan, Michigan State and Illinois for their second tourney title. Marcus Landry was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Krabbenhoft averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds and made 15-of-16 free throws during the three wins. Ten years ago, the Badgers used the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis as a springboard into the Big Dance. How will the approach be different for this season’s 14-17 team in New York City? “To be honest, I don’t think we’ll have a different approach,” Krabbenhoft said. “We haven’t had a different approach to every single day and every single game all year. DARREN LEE
(12) and Davison (12). But they’re a different team now with the re-emergence of Brevin Pritzl. Playing only six minutes, Pritzl missed both of his shots against Maryland. Since then, he’s averaging 12 points and the Badgers have won four of their last six games. But it goes beyond Pritzl’s impact on offense. “Our attention to detail defensively has been a lot better,” Oliver said. “We’re really locked in as far as what we’re doing and we’re doing it consistently and not straying from the plan.” The defense has begun to fuel the offense. “We have a great group of guys who are figuring things out and right on time,” said Oliver. “You have to peak at this time of the year.” ▪▪▪▪ henever Joe Krabbenhoft and some teammates discussed the potential for future reunions — once they had graduated from Wisconsin and gone their separate ways — there was a caveat. “We thought we’d never have real jobs,” he admitted, “nor be playing basketball.” So, he said, they all agreed, “Every year for the rest of our lives we’re going to meet at the Big Ten Tournament because we thought it would be great place to be a fan for four or five days.” Krabbenhoft, a second-year UW assistant, loved the atmosphere as a player. “Certainly, winning the title in 2008 is the greatest memory that I have,” he said. “With the trophy celebration on Selection Sunday, the live cameras are on you holding that trophy.” The Badgers, who were the No. 1 seed after winning the outright regular-season title, defeated Mich-
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“I’m not naïve enough to think that these players don’t know what they need to do to get into the Big Dance. I’m not going to hide from that. “But I’m also a believer in what this program stands for and that’s taking every day on its own and trying to do your best on that day. “These guys know what they have to do to play into March.” Krabbenhoft has attributed the late-season surge to the players paying more attention to the little details and recognizing how much they matter. “The light went on for some of them,” he said. An early block-out on a free throw, he noted, is just as critical as one that may decide the game. The concept is starting to sink in. “Confidence has grown in each and every one of these guys because they believe,” he said. “They believe in what we’re doing. Not that they ever wavered. But they’re seeing the results.” ▪▪▪▪
DARREN LEE
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“H OW W E ’ VE TRE N DE D H E RE OV E R T H E L A S T C OU PL E OF W E E KS IS A G R E A T S IGN , ” GA R D SA ID. “H OW TH IS G R O UP H AS C ON TIN U E D TO W ORK A N D A P P R OA CH E VE RY DA Y IS A GOOD S IGN N OT O N LY F O R W H A TE VE R C OM E S YE T OF TH IS Y EA R B UT A L S O A S W E GO IN TO TH E FUT UR E . ”
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oward Moore wishes that the Big Ten had a post-season tournament when he graduated from Wisconsin in 1995, three years short of the inaugural event. “I would have loved to have had that opportunity,” said the UW assistant, who was a role player on a Badger team that featured Michael Finley and Rashard Griffith. “Maybe if we get a second wind that season and win a couple of games in the conference tournament,” Moore said, “you make it to the postseason again.” An NIT bid might have been reachable under that scenario for the Badgers, who finished 13-14 overall and 7-11 in the Big Ten under
DARREN LEE
interim head coach Stan Van Gundy. Considering this season’s UW team is taking the same 7-11 league record to New York City, Moore said, “There’s no pressure. It’s a situation where we can just go out there and play. Last season, the Badgers played twice in Madison Square Garden. Both games went into overtime; a 61-54 win over Rutgers and an 84-83 loss to Florida that knocked them out of the Dance. Happ, Pritzl and Khalil Iverson are the only players on the current roster that saw action against the Gators. Charles Thomas saw limited playing time in the Rutgers game at MSG. Experienced or not, the approach is not go-
ing to change, according to head coach Greg Gard. “You’re trying to win a championship,” he said of the Big Ten Tournament. “You have to win four games in four days in the position that we’re in right now … Hey, Michigan did it last year. No matter what the outcome is Thursday at Madison Square Garden, or how many games they wind up playing in New York City, Gard knows how valuable this postseason exposure can be. “For our younger guys, it’s tournament experience, their first crack at loser goes home,” he said. “They haven’t been in this do-ordie situation in a primary role except for Ethan.” This will be another measuring stick for the Badgers, who have been tested by the top teams in the AP poll — Virginia, Michigan State and Xavier — nearly upsetting the Spartans and Musketeers. Moreover, they outlasted No. 8 Purdue in a spirited mid-February rock fight. The spirit and fight, if not the execution, have been constants. “How we’ve trended here over the last couple of weeks is a great sign,” Gard said. “There are a lot of teams that have been in this position that we have been in the last month. “And they’ve thrown in the towel. How this group has continued to work and approach every day is a good sign not only for whatever comes yet of this year but also as we go into the future.”
37
INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (14-17, 7-11)
Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 2
Indiana
Jan. 5
at Rutgers
L, 60-64
Jan. 9
at Nebraska
L, 59-63
Jan. 16 at #3 Purdue
W, 71-61
L, 50-78
Jan. 19 Illinois
W, 75-50
Jan. 23 at Iowa
L, 67-85
Jan. 26 at #6 Mich. St. L, 61-76 Jan. 29 Nebraska
Northwestern L, 52-60
Feb. 4
at Maryland
Feb. 8
at Illinois
Feb. 15 #6 Purdue
L, 63-68 W, 78-69 L, 72-83 W, 57-53
USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
Feb. 1
Feb. 11 #20 Michigan ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Brad Davison Highlights vs Michigan State
L, 63-74
Feb. 19 Minnesota W, 73-63 OT
THIS WEEK The Badgers begin postseason as they head to New York City to face Maryland in the second round of the Big Ten tournament at Madison Square Garden. Wisconsin is the No. 9 seed in this year’s league tournament, while the Terrapins earned the No. 8 seed. The winner advances to face top-seeded Michigan State on Friday. LAST WEEK Winners in four of their last six games, the Badgers earned wins over Minnesota last Monday and Northwestern last Thursday, before falling in a spirited battle with No. 2
Michigan State, 68-63, on Sunday. GOOD TO KNOW Brad Davison scored a career-high 30 points Sunday against No. 2 Michigan State, becoming the first Badger freshman with a 30-point game since Sam Okey (30) vs. Milwaukee in 1996.
Feb. 22 at Northwestern W, 70-64 Feb. 25 #2 Michigan St. L, 63-68 at Big Ten Tournament, New York City:
Mar. 1
vs. (8) Maryland 11 a.m. View full schedule/results »
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin’s game vs. Maryland begins at 11 a.m. (CT) on BTN. All radio broadcasts can be heard on the Badger Sports Network. Follow @BadgerMBB on Twitter for updates.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
FOLLOW US:
▶ Davison earns Big Ten Freshman of the Week honor ▶ Big Ten Tournament Fan Events Set for “Big Apple”
39
INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (9-21, 2-14)
Home events in bold. All times CT. Dec. 28 #23 Iowa
L, 46-56
Dec. 31 at Purdue
L, 35-57
2018 Jan. 4
#22 Michigan L, 57-80
Jan. 7
#13 Maryland L, 44-71
Jan. 11 at Northwestern L, 60-69 L, 62-69
Jan. 18 at Minnesota
L, 65-90
Jan. 21 Northwestern W, 58-46 ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Jonathan Tsipis Weekly Presser: Focusing on One Game at a Time
THIS WEEK The Badgers (9-20, 2-14 B1G) compete in the 25th-annual Big Ten Tournament, beginning on Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Wisconsin earned the No. 13 seed in the tournament, taking on No. 12 Northwestern (11-19, 4-12) on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday’s winner will advance to the second round to take on No. 5-seed Iowa (23-6, 11-5) on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. LAST WEEK The Badgers wrapped up the Big Ten regular season with a 2-14 mark after falling at Michigan State, 69-61, last Wednesday. Junior Marsha Howard scored a career-high 28 points against the Spartans and added 11 rebounds for her fifth career double-double.
GOOD TO KNOW Freshman Niya Beverley picked up her 100th assist of the season at Michigan State on Wednesday, marking the fourth straight season that the Badgers have had a player with 100-or-more helpers. The 5-foot-7 guard ranks eighth on the UW freshman season record list. NEED TO KNOW All first and second-round games of the Big Ten Tournament will be streamed live on the BTN Plus. You can listen to Jon Arias call the game in the Madison area on 100.9 FM or online using the iHeartRadio app. Live updates will be available on Twitter @BadgerWBB.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers earn No. 13 seed in Big Ten Tournament
Jan. 24 at Indiana
L, 55-69
Jan. 28 at Illinois
W, 70-61
Jan. 31 Minnesota Feb. 3
GREG ANDERSON
Jan. 14 Penn State
L, 61-71
#18 Ohio State L, 55-68
Feb. 11 at Nebraska
L, 48-51
Feb. 14 Rutgers
L, 50-63
Feb. 18 at Iowa
L, 61-88
Feb. 21 at Michigan St. L, 61-69 at Big Ten Tournament, Indianapolis:
Feb. 28 vs. (12) N’western L, 63-68 View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers stumble late, fall 69-61 at Michigan State ▶ Meet the Badgers: Kendall Shaw
41
INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY PAUL CAPOBIANCO
SCHEDULE (14-17-3, 8-13-3-1) Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 19 at #1 Notre Dame L, 2-4 Jan. 21 vs. #1 Notre Dame W, 5-0
Chicago
Jan. 26 #14 Penn State
W, 4-2
Jan. 27 #14 Penn State T, 4-4 OT
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Timmy Takeover: Cameron Hughes, Matthew Freytag and Max Zimmer
THIS WEEK Men’s hockey (14-17-4, 8-133-1 Big Ten) opens the 2018 Big Ten Tournament with a best-of-three series at No. 13 Michigan (18-13-2, 11-10-3-2 Big Ten) at Yost Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The games run Friday, Saturday, and if necessary, Sunday at 6:30 p.m. CT. LAST WEEK Wisconsin enters the postseason coming off a two-game sweep at the hands of No. 6 Ohio State. UW dropped 6-2 and 4-0 contests in Columbus, Ohio.
GOOD TO KNOW The sixth-seeded Badgers visit third-seeded Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten playoffs, which looks like a good match-up for the Badgers who won the season series 2-1-1 over the Wolverines, with the teams splitting their games in Ann Arbor, Michigan. UW’s mark against Michigan is its best conference record against any opponent this season.
WON SHOOTOUT 1-0
Feb. 2
at #20 Michigan
L, 3-5
Feb. 3
at #20 Michigan W, 4-2
Feb. 9
#12 Minnesota
L, 2-4
Feb. 10 #12 Minnesota
L, 1-7
Feb. 23 at #6 Ohio State
L, 2-6
Feb. 24 at #6 Ohio State
L, 0-4
Big Ten First Round Playoffs (best of three):
Mar. 2
at (3) Michigan 6:30 p.m.
Mar. 3
at (3) Michigan 6:30 p.m.
Mar. 4
at (3) Michigan 6:30 p.m.
Mar. 10 Big Ten Semifinals Mar. 17 Big Ten Championship Mar. 23-25 NCAA Regionals View full schedule/results »
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW The games air on 1310 WIBA and the Badger Radio Network. Information on a live video stream is still to be determined.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
FOLLOW US:
▶ Baggot’s 4Check: Badgers need timely spark for playoffs ▶ Bourque, Goloubef win bronze medals with Canada
43
INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY SCHEDULE (29-3-2, 20-2-2) Home events in bold. All times CT. Dec. 8
at St. Cloud State W, 1-0
Dec. 9
at St. Cloud State W, 3-0
2018 Jan. 13
Minnesota State W, 6-0
Jan. 14
Minnesota State W, 4-0
Jan. 19
at Bemidji State W, 4-3 OT
Jan. 20
at Bemidji State T, 3-3 OT
WON SHOOTOUT 2-1
Jan. 27
St. Cloud State
W, 4-0
Jan. 28
St. Cloud State
W, 3-2
Feb. 2
at #6 Ohio State L, 0-1
Feb. 3
at #6 Ohio State L, 1-3
Feb. 9
at Minn. Duluth W, 5-0
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Mark Johnson Press Conference
THIS WEEK No. 1 Wisconsin (29-3-2) opens postseason play against Bemidji State (16-18-3) at the 2018 WCHA Final Faceoff on Saturday. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. at Ridder Arena. The winner of UW/BSU takes on the winner of Minnesota/ Ohio State on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the WCHA title game. LAST TIME OUT UW swept Minnesota Feb. 16-17, topping the Golden Gophers 4-3 and 1-0 to end the regular season with a 202-2-2 conference record.
GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers look to win their fourth-straight WCHA tournament title this weekend as UW would become the first school in league history to accomplish the feat. NEED TO KNOW Fans can listen to this weekend’s games on 100.9 FM as Reid Magnum has the call. Saturday’s game can be seen online on WCHA.com while Sunday’s game will be aired on FS Wisconsin and FS North. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter (@BadgerWHockey).
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers haul in six All-WCHA honors
WON SHOOTOUT 1-0
Feb. 16 #7 Minnesota
W, 4-3
Feb. 17 #7 Minnesota
W, 1-0
ANDY MANIS
Feb. 10 at Minn. Duluth T, 3-3 OT
WCHA Final Face-Off, Minneapolis:
Mar. 3
vs. Bemidji State 2 p.m.
Mar. 4
vs. TBD
2 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Campbell earns spot on Patty Kazmaier top-10 list ▶ Cogan named WCHA Offensive Player of the Week
45
E N ZORAGE
E V CO
THE 2017.5 NISSAN ROGUE®
Now Standard on every Nissan Rogue: Automatic Emergency Braking | Blind Spot Warning | Rear Cross Traffic Alert The 2017 Nissan Rogue helps cover you from every angle. Straight up the A-gap. Down the middle. Even sideline-to-sideline. Rogue’s Intelligent Safety Shield Technologies work together to help sense more around you and give you an extra hand when you need it. Now, you can worry more about the big game. And less about getting to it, safely. Nissan. A proud partner of College Athletics.
,
TAKE ON TODAY
1. Automatic Emergency Braking: AEB cannot prevent accidents due to carelessness or dangerous driving techniques. It may not provide warning or braking in certain conditions. Speed limitations apply. 2. Blind Spot Warning: Blind Spot Warning is not a substitute for proper lane change procedures. The system will not prevent contact with other vehicles or accidents. It may not detect every vehicle or object around you. 3. Rear Cross Traffic: Not a substitute for proper backing procedures. May not detect all moving vehicles. Speed and other limitations apply. See owner’s manual for details.
INSIDE WRESTLING SCHEDULE (7-5, 4-5)
Home events in bold. All times CT. Dec. 7
Maryland
Dec. 9
at UW-Whitewater W, 38-3
Dec. 9
at UNI Open
Cedar Falls, Iowa
W, 32-6 Results »
Dec. 29-30 at Midland Championships Hoffman Estates, Ill. Results »
2018 Jan. 12 at Northwestern L, 14-18 Jan. 19 at #8 Michigan L, 10-29 Jan. 21 at Michigan State W, 28-7 Jan. 26 Indiana Feb. 9
Feb. 11 at #14 Illinois
W, 19-16
Feb. 16 #21 Rutgers
L, 12-24
Feb. 18 #22 Purdue
L, 15-25
Mar. 3-4 at Big Ten Championships
THIS WEEK Wisconsin is currently in heavy preparation for the Big Ten Championships this weekend as the squad is preparing to send its 10 starters to compete in East Lansing, Michigan. NEXT WEEK The results of the Big Ten Tournament will play into the seeding for the NCAA Championships, as the ordering of the weight classes will be announced in the week after conference championships.
GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers had six wrestlers appear in the most recent coaches poll, which is the selector in determining the qualifiers for the NCAA tournament.
L, 10-24
East Lansing, Mich.
Mar. 15-17 at
JACK MCLAUGHLIN
▲ TAP TO WATCH - For The W || Season 1 || Episode 7
#15 Nebraska
W, 24-19
NCAA Championships
Cleveland, Ohio
View full schedule/results »
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW The Big Ten Championships begin on Saturday, March 3 at 9 a.m. CT and will conclude with session three beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Stay tuned to @Badgerwrestling on Twitter for updates, as well as the preview on UWBadgers.com.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers Give Back: Isaac’s Wish Experience ▶ Robertson shines with major decision on senior day
47
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INSIDE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE (7-7, 0-0)
Home events in bold. All times CT. at ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Chapel Hill, N.C.:
Feb. 16 vs. Pitt
W, 5-1
Feb. 17 vs. Pitt L, 5-6 vs. North Carolina L, 7-9 Feb. 18 vs. North Carolina W, 6-0 at Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, Palm Springs, Calif.:
Feb. 23 vs. Fresno State ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Highlights: Mary Nutter Classic
THIS WEEK Wisconsin heads to the sunshine state for the USF Under Armour Invitational. On Friday, UW plays Central Michigan at 12:30 p.m. CT and USF at 3 p.m. Saturday starts off with a 9 a.m. game against College of Charleston and concludes with an 11:30 a.m. game against Western Michigan. Wisconsin closes out the tournament on Sunday playing Wright State at 8:30 a.m.
wins over Fresno State (6-5) in extra innings and over San Jose State (1-0). UW lost to No. 16 Oklahoma State (3-2), Missouri (7-3) and to No. 1 Washington (4-1).
LAST WEEK Wisconsin went 3-3 at the elite Mary Nutter Classic after facing some of the top talent in the country. The Badgers started the tournament with a huge upset over No. 6 Auburn (3-2) and claimed big
NEED TO KNOW Live statistics and live streaming links can be found on the Wisconsin softball schedule page on UWBadgers.com. In addition, fans and media can follow live updates on Twitter (@BadgerSoftball).
GOOD TO KNOW Kaitlyn Menz pitched a complete game to help the Badgers upset Auburn. She had a 2-1 record on the weekend with a 2.95 ERA in three appearances. In 19 innings, she recorded 21 strikeouts.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers top Bulldogs in extra innings at Mary Nutter Classic
W, 6-5
Feb. 24 vs. Missouri L, 3-7 vs. San Jose State W, 1-0
JACK MCLAUGHLIN
Feb. 22 vs. #12 Auburn W, 3-2 vs. #18 Oklahoma St. L, 2-3
Feb. 25 vs. #1 Washington L, 1-4 at USF Tournament, Tampa, Fla.:
Mar. 2 vs. Central Mich. 12:30 p.m. vs. South Florida 3 p.m. Mar. 3 vs. Coll. of Charleston 9 a.m. vs. W. Michigan 11:30 a.m. Mar. 4 vs. Wright State 8:30 a.m. at Wildcat Invitational, Tucson, Ariz.:
Mar. 9 vs. USC-Upstate 11 a.m. vs. #9 Arizona 2 p.m. View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Never count out the Badgers: UW takes down No. 6 ▶ Badgers edge out San Jose State
49
INSIDE MEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (6-6, 0-1)
Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 27 vs. #14 Mississippi St. L, 1-4
Stillwater, Okla.
Jan. 28 vs. Kentucky
L, 1-4
Stillwater, Okla.
Feb. 3
East Tenn. State
W, 4-2
Green Bay
W, 4-0
Feb. 9
at Oregon
L, 2-5
Feb. 11 at Washington Feb. 15 Marquette
L, 2-5 W, 6-1
Feb. 17 at Minnesota
L, 2-5
Feb. 23 Pennsylvania
W, 6-1
Feb. 25 at Middle Tennessee L, 3-4
THIS WEEK Wisconsin (6-6) returns home to Nielsen Tennis Stadium for a doubleheader match against very capable teams Cornell (3-5) and Green Bay (4-6) on Sunday afternoon. The Badgers will face Cornell at 11 a.m. and Green Bay at 4 p.m. CT. Admission is free. LAST WEEK The Badgers were in strong form against Pennsylvania last Friday, earning a dominant 6-1 win at Nielsen. However, the Badgers were unable to pick up their first road win of the season, falling to Middle Tennessee State in a thrilling
4-3 match two days later. Sophomore Daniel Soyfer picked up a pair of singles wins to remain perfect (10-0) on the spring season. GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers are 6-0 at home on the year, which improves Wisconsin’s home record to 26-6 (.813) under third-year head coach Danny Westerman. NEED TO KNOW Follow Wisconsin’s home tennis matches with live video and live scoring on UWBadgers.com and keep up with all things Badger tennis on Twitter (@BadgerMTennis).
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
Cornell Green Bay
Mar. 17 at Nebraska Mar. 25 Iowa Mar. 30 Penn State
11 a.m. 4 p.m. 10 a.m. 2:30 p.m. 6 p.m.
Apr. 1
#3 Ohio State Noon
Apr. 7
at Purdue
11 a.m.
Apr. 8
at Indiana
11 a.m.
Apr. 13 #8 Michigan
DAVID STLUKA
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Takes Down Penn
Mar. 4
3 p.m.
Apr. 15 Michigan State Noon Apr. 20 at #9 Illinois
3 p.m.
Apr. 22 at Northwestern
Noon
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ UW dries up Penn in bounce-back home victory ▶ Tennessee Heartbreak: UW falls in riveting 4-3 match
51
INSIDE WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (6-6, 0-0) Home events in bold.
Jan. 27 Colorado State
W, 6-1
Feb. 1
Northern Illinois
W, 7-0
Feb. 3
Bradley
W, 7-0
Green Bay
W, 7-0
ITA National Team Indoor Championship:
Feb. 9 #3 Florida
L, 0-4
Feb. 10 #21 Wake Forest
L, 0-4
Feb. 11 #10 Michigan
L, 0-4
Feb. 17 vs. Arizona Las Vegas
L, 3-4
THIS WEEK The Badgers open up Big Ten competition this weekend when they travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota to take on the Gophers on Saturday, March 3 at 11 a.m. CT. Wisconsin is looking for its first win over Minnesota since 2011. LAST WEEK The Badgers suffered two losses this past weekend. On Friday, Virginia Tech knocked off Wisconsin, 6-1, and on Sunday James Madison outlasted the Badgers, 4-3. Wisconsin is now 6-6 on the year.
GOOD TO KNOW Freshman Lexi Keberle remains ranked in the ITA singles rankings at No. 111. The freshman went 1-1 this past weekend, losing to a ranked opponent in No. 61, Natalie Novtona, 6-2, 6-4. She is now 20-7 on the season and 8-2 in dual matches. NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin has played its last three matches on the road and does not return to Nielsen Tennis Stadium until March 16, when it takes on Rutgers in its second match of Big Ten competition. Follow the Badgers on Twitter (@BadgerWTennis).
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
CANCELLED
Feb. 23 at Virginia Tech
L, 1-6
Feb. 25 vs. James Madison Blacksburg, Va.
L, 3-4
Mar. 3
at Minnesota
Mar. 16 Rutgers
DAVID STLUKA
Feb. 18 at UNLV
11 a.m. 4 p.m.
Mar. 18 Maryland Noon Mar. 23 at Purdue Mar. 25 Michigan State
2 p.m. 11 a.m.
Apr. 6
Penn State
Apr. 8
#11 Ohio State Noon
5 p.m.
View full schedule/results »
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers battle, lose match to James Madison ▶ Badgers drop first match of weekend
53
THIS WEEK IN BADGER HISTORY
DAVID STLUKA
CAMP RANDALL 100 SPOTLIGHT:
JOHN CLAY
The Camp Randall 100 honors a prestigious group of 100 people who shaped the first century of Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin Athletics revealed a new honoree every day from May 24 through the Badgers’ 2017 opening game vs. Utah State Sept. 1.
BY ANDY BAGGOT UWBadgers.com Insider
J
54
ohn Clay owns a unique, legendary set of bookends regarding Camp Randall Stadium. He won a championship in his first appearance there in 2005. He clinched another while playing his final game there in 2010. In between became one of the most productive ball-carriers in Wisconsin football history. He currently ranks 10th on the school’s all-time rushing list with 3,413 yards, eighth in touchdowns with 41 and sixth with a per-carry average of 5.43 yards. Clay is one of nine UW tailbacks to produce multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons — 2009 and ’10 — joining Ron Dayne, P.J. Hill and Billy Marek (three each) and Montee Ball, Anthony Davis, Rufus Fergu-
son, Melvin Gordon and James White (two apiece). Clay, from Racine, is one of six homegrown tailbacks to record a 1,000-yard season for the Badgers, joining Gordon (Kenosha), Alan Ameche (Kenosha), Brent Moss (Racine), Michael Bennett (Milwaukee) and Brian Calhoun (Oak Creek). What makes Clay’s career more unusual is that he had two elite experiences at Camp Randall. One: He was a junior at Racine Park High School when he helped lead the Panthers to a 28-7 victory over Wisconsin Rapids in the WIAA Division I state title game. Playing both ways, Clay rushed 19 times for 259 yards and three TDs on offense and amassed six tackles — including two sacks — on defense. Five Novembers later, as a junior at UW, Clay had 11 carries for 76 yards and a TD as the Badgers obliterated Northwestern 70-23 to clinch a share of the Big Ten Conference championship.
NEIL AMENT
▪▪▪▪ kickoff return for a TD by wide receiver David GilJohn Clay’s fondest memory of playing at Camp reath. Randall fits neatly between those two championAccording to Clay, the return opened the spigot ship moments. for everyone’s competitive juices. On Oct. 16, 2010, the 18th-ranked Badgers “I’ve got to do something special like David did,” hosted top-rated Ohio State in a Big Ten duel that Clay said of the mindset. “Having that mentality as had all the trappings of hype. a team, we fed off each other.” It was a night game. ESPN’s College GameDay Properly inspired, Clay soon went to work, setwas in the house. A national TV audience was tuned ting the stage for a milestone performance. in. A capacity crowd of 81,194 was on hand. On the ensuing Wisconsin drive, Clay carried five “All eyes on you,” Clay times for 51 yards, includsaid of the backdrop, “seeing a 14-yard thunderbolt “SOMEONE’S GOING TO TAKE THEM OUT. ing what you’re made of.” to make it 14-0. WHAT NOT US? I HAD A GOOD FEELING Clay didn’t get a lot of “I wasn’t getting touched ALL WEEK THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL WAS sleep the night before, but until 10, 15 yards down GOING TO HAPPEN, NOT JUST FOR ME, he wasn’t fretting as much the field,” he recalled. BUT FOR THE WHOLE TEAM.” as he was excited. On the scoring run, Clay “That whole week it was said tackle Gabe Carimi just everybody being locked in with the belief that and guard John Moffitt carved out a hole “that a this could happen,” he said, referring to a victory whole semi-truck could have went through, and I over the No. 1 team in the land. “Someone’s going just walked into the end zone.” to take them out. What not us? On the next UW series, Clay carried seven times “I had a good feeling all week that something for 23 yards and made it 21-0 with a 1-yard scoring special was going to happen, not just for me, but run. for the whole team.” To read the rest of the story, click here. For the Clay tried to recreate the pregame scene and got complete list, visit CampRandall100.com. shivers in the process. “You step out on the field and hear that crowd roaring,” he said. “You get goosebumps and chills. I still do at this time. “We got all eyes on us. The stadium’s full. The whole university is rocking and cheering for us. It’s just a feeling that you don’t want to let people down. You don’t want to let your teammates down. “We all came together like, you know what, this is our day and our night. We believed in each other and that’s how we went into that game.” UW prevailed 31-18 in a performance defined mainly by its first play. The Badgers won the coin toss and elected to receive. Twelve seconds later they had the lead thanks to a 97-yard
55