INFOCUS
UNBEATABLE BEATA Three gold medals and three record-setting performances made Beata Nelson a repeat recipient of the title Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships at last week’s conference meet. The junior defended her titles in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke — events in which she enters next month’s NCAA championships as the national leader — and also claimed the crown in the 200 individual medley. Nelson now owns Big Ten records in all three events. PHOTO BY LYDIA KNOLL
INFOCUS
THAT ONETWO FEELING Alicia Monson and Amy Davis celebrate their 1-2 finish on Saturday in the 5000 meters at the 2019 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships. Combined with Shaelyn Sorensen’s eighth-place finish, UW scored 19 points in the event. PHOTO BY ROGER HART
INFOCUS
MAKING IT HAPP-EN Ethan Happ is the nation’s only player averaging 16.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game this season. Over the last 20 years, the NCAA has only seen one other player average those marks, which was LSU’s All-American Ben Simmons (19.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 4.8 apg). PHOTO BY PATRICK HERB
INFOCUS
PALM TREE LIFE Senior Jessica Reinecke hits her approach shot to the 8th green at the Vistas Course in Westbrook Village. The women’s golf team hosted the annual Westbrook Spring Invitational last weekend in Peoria, Arizona. PHOTO BY BRIAN LUCAS
INFOCUS
SMALLEST OF FANS Sophomore forward Sean Dhooghe takes a seat to autograph a young Badger hockey fan’s jersey at the Kohl Center during last Sunday’s ‘Skate with the Badgers.’ PHOTO BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO
INFOCUS
EYES ON THE PRIZE Olli Hoare breaks away from the field in the mile en route to his sixth Big Ten individual title on Saturday. Hoare’s win on Saturday was his second of the weekend as he also led UW’s distance medley relay to a conference crown on Friday. PHOTO BY ROGER HART
CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 27, 2019 ▪ VOLUME 9, ISSUE 25
DAVID STLUKA
30 PLAYING FORWARD Senior Marsha Howard has grown into a leadership role for the Badgers and for issues close to her heart. With her final home game at the Kohl Center on the horizon, she’s proud to play a role in moving the program forward.
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LUCAS AT LARGE
IN FOCUS
ICON OF THE PROGRAM
18 LUCAS AT LARGE
18
DAVID STLUKA
FEATURES
The men’s basketball team is celebrating Otto Puls’ 55 years as scorekeeper, lucky charm and so much more …
21 BY THE NUMBERS 22 WHAT TO WATCH 25 BADGERING
29 VIRAL VIDEO 37 INSIDE BASKETBALL 41 INSIDE HOCKEY 45 INSIDE SOFTBALL 47 INSIDE SWIM & DIVE 49 INSIDE TENNIS
TOM LYNN
27 BADGERS GIVE BACK
25 JESSICA REINECKE BADGERING
The senior golfer from Verona, Wis., shares her dream foursome, favorite memory on the course and future plans after UW 15
Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St. Madison, WI 53711
VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas
Director of Athletic Communications
Jessica Burda
Director of Digital Content Managing Editor
Julia Hujet
Editor/Designer
Brian Mason
Editor/Contributor
Mike Lucas
Senior Writer
Andy Baggot Writer
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Contributors
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David Stluka, Greg Anderson, Bob Campbell, Jack McLaughlin, Tom Lynn, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Problems or Accessibility Issues? VarsityMag@UWBadgers.com Š 2019 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide.
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LUCAS AT LARGE
BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM
Otto Puls: ‘An icon of the program’
DAVID STLUKA
JEFF MILLER
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two wrist bands for safe keeping. Puls slipped them on his right wrist and continued talking without missing a beat. “I’ve never been too big to pick up a towel or what have you,” Puls was now saying of his role as an assistant equipment manager, a non-entitled position that includes swabbing wet spots on the floor with a Swiffer during practice and filling up cups for water breaks, among other things. “The dressing room will be a pig pen sometimes. And I’ll ask them, ‘Do you kids do this at home? Does your mom pick up your clothes? And if they say, ‘Yeah, my mom does’ — I will tell them, ‘Well, I’m not your mom, so pick up the stuff on the floor.’” And they listen because they love the 86-year-old Puls. “He has always been a con-
DAVID STLUKA
DAVID STLUKA
DAVID STLUKA
A
t the Saturday afternoon shootaround, Otto Puls was seated in a folding chair facing the court; a few steps away from his customary gameday roost at the middle of the scorer’s table; a seat that he has kept warm for 55 years as Wisconsin’s official scorer. As Ethan Happ was limbering up with his teammates during an hour workout in preparation for the Big Ten matchup that night against Northwestern, he saw that Puls was engaged in conversation on the sidelines and couldn’t resist a playful tease, “Are you going to give me a shout-out, Otto?” Puls smiled at the request. It’s part of a familiar and comfortable give-and-take with the players, young and old alike. Moments later, Brad Davison came over and handed Puls his
stant, if you will, in the program,” Happ said. “Good game, bad game. Good practice, bad practice. His demeanor doesn’t change. If we lose, you can tell that he’s still proud of us.” It didn’t take long for Davison to learn that Puls is so much more than just a score keeper. “Every time I see him, I give him a lefthanded handshake and hug because we say the left hand is closer to the heart,” he said. “He never fails to brighten your day.” On road trips, Puls will help unload the bags from the plane to the bus. At the hotel, he will be the first to grab a luggage cart and the last to get on the elevator making sure everything is going to the right rooms. He’s not above any task. “I do it,” he said, “because I’m still part of the team.”
And the team has become an integral part of his life. “I think it’s a way to keep him young, too,” said Davison, who revels in Puls’ storytelling and the historical perspective that he brings to this program. “Being around us, he loves the energy, and he adds that energy, which is awesome.” After going through the pregame handshake line with the opposing coaching staff, Wisconsin assistant Joe Krabbenhoft will veer back to rub Puls’ head, a lucky charm ritual popularized by players long ago. “I have a Marine cut, flat on top, and as short as you can get,” said the white-haired Puls, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Army reserves. “Never had any other haircut.” Puls was raised on Madison’s Eastside (largely by his mom since his dad passed away when he was in his early teens) and that’s where he still goes for his haircut every three weeks. “My barber hates athletics,” he said, laughing. But he’s trust-worthy and reasonable. “Fifteen bucks including tip.” Many things are priceless about Puls. Like his impact on multiple generations. “To this day, when my mom and dad call, they ask, ‘How’s the team doing?’ and then right away they say, ‘How’s Otto?’” said Krabbenhoft, a former UW captain. “The personal relationship that he has invested in each of us is special. He has taught us all what it means to be true friend. He takes the time to get to know you as an individual. He is Badgers basketball in a lot of
ways. He has seen it all really.” Puls’ service over five-plus decades as the official scorekeeper for home games will be celebrated before Saturday’s tipoff against Penn State at the Kohl Center. During the ceremony, Otto and Barb Puls will be recognized along with their three children: Julie, Jeff and Joanne.
“HE DOESN’T HAVE HIS NAME IN THE RECORD BOOK IN TERMS OF SCORING OR REBOUNDING OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. BUT HE’S AN ICON IN THE PROGRAM. WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR 55 YEARS IS UNHEARD OF AND AMAZING.” “He has been the grandfather figure for so many guys for years and years and years,” said Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard. “He doesn’t have his name in the record book in terms of scoring or rebounding or anything like that. But he’s an icon in the program. “What he has done for 55 years is unheard of and amazing.” ▪▪▪▪ Bring up Barb’s influence to Otto and he gets choked up. “Listen,” he said, his voice cracking, “I wouldn’t be able to do all of this without her saying, ‘Yes.’ She has stuck with it. She’s an amazing girl.” Barb is 84. She’ll be 85 in May. “And I’m still kicking,” she wants everybody to know. Otto and Barb, a Middleton, Wis., native, have been married for 64 years. They have lived in the same house for 54 years. “I
don’t move around too much,” Otto reasoned. Barb remembers meeting Otto at an office picnic through a friend of a friend. “I said, ‘Oh, you must be little Otto,’” Barb recounted. “We were talking later and I said to him, “Well, what do you do?’ And he said, ‘I still have a year of pharmacy school at Wisconsin and I don’t want to say anything … but I played baseball for the UW for three years.’ “I said, ‘Were you any good?’” Otto didn’t answer. Didn’t have to. Lettered for three years with the Badgers. Once had three hits off Minnesota’s legendary Paul Giel. Took over at shortstop for Harvey Kuenn, a 10-time MLB all-star, a batting champ and the manager of Harvey’s Wall-Bangers with the Milwaukee Brewers. Barb spent a lot of their courtship watching Otto play baseball. “Nicest guy I’ve ever met,” she said. “And he’s still nice.” UW trainer Henry Perez-Guerra has a solid understanding of their makeup. “They’re probably the most perfect couple on earth,” he opined. “Barb is the eternal optimist and realist. She calls it as it is.” Perez-Guerra drives Puls home after every road game. It’s the payback for Puls herding players into Perez-Guerra’s room for pre-game taping. “I do the dirty work,” Puls said. “I get them there. If they don’t answer when I call on their cell phone, I go to their room and knock on their door.” Click to read more »
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BY THE NUMBERS WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING ▶ Beata Nelson’s winning time of 49.83 seconds at the Big Ten championships wasn’t her fastest in the 100yard backstroke — she holds the American record at 49.67 — but Nelson now owns five of the 11 marks ever recorded under 50 seconds in the event.
49.83
DEB LINDSEY
3:39.53
◀ WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD The Badger quartet of Haley Lubow, Ebony McClendon, Gabby DesRosiers and Bianca Stubler broke the school record in the 4x400 at the Big Ten Championships with a time of 3:39.53. The runner-up finish marks the best result for UW in the event in at least a decade.
ROGER HART
13:37.85 WOMEN’S HOCKEY ▶ Annie Pankowski is only the second Badger in school history to be a three-time Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalist. The senior was named to the prestigious list last Thursday.
◀ MEN’S TRACK & FIELD Morgan McDonald broke the meet record in the 5000 meters at the 2019 Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships crossing the line in 13 minutes, 37.85 seconds, breaking the meet record by almost six seconds. McDonald also won the race by almost 16 seconds.
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WHAT TO WATCH
SENIOR NIGHT
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. OHIO STATE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 ▪ 7:30PM KOHL CENTER ▪ BTN
GREG ANDERSON
Wisconsin celebrates its senior class on Thursday during the Badgers’ final regular-season home game against Big Ten foe Ohio State. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
buy tickets
GO B1G OR GO HOME MEN’S HOCKEY VS. MICHIGAN FRIDAY, MARCH 1 ▪ 8PM KOHL CENTER ▪ BTN
GREG ANDERS
Wisconsin closes out the regular season with a hard-hitting Kohl Center series against Michigan on Friday and Saturday. Both games begin at 8 p.m. and fans can watch the primetime puck drop on Big Ten Network.
ON
buy tickets
DARREN LEE
’90S AT NOON
MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. PENN STATE SATURDAY, MARCH 2 ▪ NOON KOHL CENTER ▪ BTN No. 19 Wisconsin returns home to the Kohl Center to face Penn State at noon. Join AreaRED in donning your best ’90s wear and watch the game live on Big Ten Network. 22
WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 2/27 MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at Big Ten Championships Iowa City, Iowa 6:30 p.m. Event info »
THURSDAY 2/28
FRIDAY 3/1 SOFTBALL vs. Princeton Tempe, Ariz. 10:30 a.m.
MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at Big Ten Championships Iowa City, Iowa 11 a.m. / 6:30 p.m. Event info »
MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at Big Ten Championships Iowa City, Iowa 11 a.m. / 6:30 p.m. Event info »
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Ohio State Madison, Wis. 7:30 p.m. Watch: BTN Buy tickets »
SOFTBALL vs. #11 Texas Tempe, Ariz. 1 p.m. WOMEN’S HOCKEY vs. St. Cloud State Madison, Wis. 4 p.m. Buy tickets » View more 3/1 events »
SUNDAY 3/3 SOFTBALL vs. Princeton Tempe, Ariz. 11 a.m. WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich. 1 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus WOMEN’S HOCKEY (if necessary) WCHA Playoffs First Round vs. St. Cloud State Madison, Wis. 2 p.m. Buy tickets »
ALL TIMES CENTRAL
SATURDAY 3/2 MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at Big Ten Championships Iowa City, Iowa 11 a.m. / 6:30 p.m. Event info » MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Penn State Madison, Wis. Noon Watch: BTN SOLD OUT SOFTBALL vs. #11 Texas Tempe, Ariz. 1:30 p.m.
View more 3/2 events »
MONDAY 3/4
TUESDAY 3/5
WEDNESDAY 3/6
MEN’S & WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships Austin, Texas All day
MEN’S & WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships Austin, Texas All day
MEN’S & WOMEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships Austin, Texas All day
MEN’S GOLF at Colleton River Collegiate Bluffton, S.C. All day
MEN’S GOLF at Colleton River Collegiate Bluffton, S.C. All day
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL at Big Ten Tournament vs. TBD Indianapolis Time TBD Tournament info »
VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »
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BADGERING...
JESSICA REINECKE SENIOR ▪ VERONA, WIS.
TOM LYNN
What’s the best club in your bag? “Driver has always been my favorite club because it’s the most fun to hit.” Who’s in your dream foursome? “My two brothers and my grandpa. It’s the three people I grew up playing with the most and who taught me to play.” What’s your favorite hole at University Ridge? “My favorite hole has always been No. 15 (321-yard, Par 4 – dogleg right). I like the risk/reward off the tee and being able to hit a wedge into the green.” If you could change one rule in golf, what would it be and why? “If you’re within an inch of the hole, it should only count as half a stroke.” What’s your favorite memory on a golf course? “Having a hole in one during a tournament my junior year of high school.” If you could play any other sport at UW, what would it be? “Volleyball because the atmosphere at their games is so fun, the team and the players are really nice and they are all tall like me.” Favorite golf movie? “Tin Cup. It’s the first one I remember watching and I still love it.” What are your post-UW plans? “I plan to go to medical school and become a doctor. ▪
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BADGERS GIVE BACK SPOTLIGHT
badgers give back
Aubrey’s Wish Upon a Badger
Joining the Badgers to upset no. 24 Michigan State BY BADGERS GIVE BACK STAFF
M
eet ten-year-old Aubrey Wayman, the newest addition to the Wisconsin women’s basketball team. Sporting her very own No. 15 jersey, she can be found sitting on the team bench or hanging out in the locker room with her Badgers basketball friends. However, their bond goes much deeper than friendship. “They’re not just my friends, they’re my family too,” Aubrey shared. Not only have the Badgers formed a relationship with Aubrey, but they have spent time getting to know Aubrey’s family. “We’re having an amazing time with the team. They have gone above anything I could imagine,” added Nicole, Aubrey’s mom. Aubrey was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma this past summer and has spent the last six months in and out of chemotherapy at the American Family Children’s Hospital. The team met Aubrey earlier this fall and welcomed her to their roster this season. Since then, the team’s relationship with Aubrey has blossomed. Earlier this month, Aubrey joined the wom-
en’s basketball team at the Kohl Center for an important game as they played 24th-ranked Michigan State. After taking part in the pregame shoot-around and team meal, Aubrey headed to the Badgers bench for warm-ups. Later during his pre-game speech in the locker room, head coach Jonathan Tsipis pointed to Aubrey stating, “You’re our inspiration. If they battle as hard as you do, we’ll be just fine.” And battle they did. For the first time since 2013, the Badgers secured a win against a top-25 ranked opponent. “Aubrey was thrilled after we got home and could hardly stop smiling. She felt like a star in their presence and like she won the game along with them,” Nicole shared. “It makes you feel like you’re not battling alone,” her dad, Adam, continued. This Thursday, Feb. 28, Aubrey will rejoin her teammates for their senior night. The team will take on Ohio State at the Kohl Center at 7:30 p.m. and continue battling alongside Aubrey and her family. For more information, visit Badgers Give Back. ▪
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VIRAL VIDEO
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
NELSON SETS BIG TEN RECORD IN INDIANA UP NEXT:
TAKING THE NEXT STEP TOGETHER
WISH UPON A BADGER: AUBREY WAYMAN
FOLLOW THE BADGERS â–¶ 29
M
arsha Howard still has the Post-It note she found hanging in her Kohl Center cubicle in the fall of 2015. She was a newcomer to the Wisconsin women’s basketball program, a serious-minded teenager from the south side of Chicago about to embark on a college career defined by dramatic learning curves, harsh realities and exponential growth. The 3-inch-by-3-inch piece of paper had a message from then-coach Bobbie Kelsey and her staff that spoke loudly to Howard. “Freshman year is not too soon to be a leader,” it read.
Kelsey doesn’t remember authoring that specific communique — she said it was a common motivational tactic for her and her staff, so one of her assistants likely was responsible for writing it — but the sentiment definitely applies to Howard. “She had a strong mindset and was a very determined person,” Kelsey said. “She cared a lot about being a great player.” Nearly four seasons have passed and Howard still remembers the feeling of being empowered by that 10-word reference to leadership. “I definitely knew and believed that I had it in me,” she said.
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ICON SPORTSWIRE
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Much has changed since that note was discovered — the Badgers have a new coaching staff and the 16-person roster has been almost completely turned over — but not the fundamental truth about Howard. “She naturally has leadership skills,” thirdyear coach Jonathan Tsipis said of the 6-foot power forward. “Without question, she’s become a better leader.” Howard will embrace that part of her legacy Thursday night at the Kohl Center when the Badgers host Senior Night while facing Ohio State in a Big Ten Conference game. The team leader in minutes, scoring, rebounding and steals per outing, Howard will be recognized in a pregame ceremony along with fifth-year senior guards Kelly Karlis and Lexy Richardson. The last home game for Wisconsin (13-15 overall, 4-12 in league play) will give way to a regular-season-ending trip to Michigan on Sunday before the Big Ten tournament begins March 6 in Indianapolis. Howard, a sociology major, said her final home appearance with the Badgers will be “bittersweet,” but pushed aside any sentimental instincts while assessing the road ahead.
“Finishing strong and having our underclassmen come along with us, giving it all we got,” she said. No matter how the Badgers finish, it appears that some sort of turnaround is upon us. The last time they won as many as 13 games overall was 2010-11 (16). The last time they won more than four Big Ten outings was 2014-15 (5). The last time they reached double figures in home wins — they currently have 10 — was 2008-09 (12). Tsipis said selling the program to recruits starts with a good Power 5 league — five of the 14 are in the top 50 of the latest Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) compiled by the NCAA — and includes an evolving sense of confidence and consistent playing opportunity for young players. Freshman forward Imani Lewis, who is second on the team in scoring average, rebounds and double-doubles, and sophomore guard Niya Beverley, who has a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, are prime examples of that phenomenon. Of course, a lot of prime minutes have become available due to major injuries to Richardson (knee), junior forward Courtney Fred-
ICON SPORTSWIRE
rickson (knee) and redshirt sophomore Grace Another aspect played out earlier this month Mueller (ankle). Fredrickson averaged 8.9 when members of the men’s basketball team points and 5.6 rebounds as a sophomore, so at Mississippi staged a similar protest to highher void is sizeable. light a racist rally near campus. Tsipis said the best way to gauge his team’s “Just knowing that I’m not the only one fightupgrades is to see them ing for this,” Howard in person. said. “You see an exciteKelsey wasn’t sur“SHE NATURALLY HAS LEADERSHIP ment, a joy the kids prised to see Howard SKILLS,” TSIPIS SAID. “WITHOUT QUESTION, have for playing,” he make her point. SHE’S BECOME A BETTER LEADER.” said. “Knowing Marsha Howard has led the and her personality,” way in more ways than one. She’s been the top Kelsey said, “I know she’s going to stand up for scorer for the Badgers 17 times, the leading what she believes in. rebounder on 16 occasions and led the club in “Anytime you stand up for something that steals 12 times this season. isn’t popular with a lot of people, you run the Howard has 13 career double-doubles, eight risk of alienating yourself and maybe losing of which have come this season. some potential future opportunities. Tsipis lauded Howard for being a mentor to Lewis, for “not letting her settle” for anything less than her best. Howard said she knows the program is going in the right direction — this after 7-22, 9-22 and 9-21 seasons — because of its “amazing” chemistry and the game-to-game effort regardless of circumstances. “His teams are harder,” she said of Tsipis, “and they don’t stop until the buzzer sounds at zero. “Knowing that whoever we step out on the court to play, we’re willing to fight and battle.” Howard said the collective focus “is trying to get the best out of everyone when they’re in their best moments and in their worst.” Part of Howard’s legacy is her pregame ritual of sitting quietly, head bowed, on the bench during the National Anthem. It’s her way of bringing light to the social injustices that she believes plague our nation. Howard’s protest has drawn criticism and support. She said the personal impact of her wordless statement is felt on multiple fronts. “One, that everyone who’s around me that believes in me is proud of the steps I took,” she said.
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“But you have to do it if you truly believe in cate with her teammates using different voicwhat you’re doing. I don’t think she’s doing it es and approaches. That’s something effective to get attention.” leaders do as well. What is the primary benefit then? Tsipis said the goal of every upperclassman “It’s not for me,” Howard said. “It’s for all the is to be playing their best at the end of their other voice-less people that don’t have the careers “and that’s definitely what you see” in platform to speak. It’s for everyone else who Howard. came behind me and everyone else who came “I want to make sure she gets credit for that,” before me.” Tsipis said. Tsipis said he underHoward said her “I HOPE MY LEGACY WILL BE AS A STEPPING stands the attention legacy will be defined STONE AND MOVING THE PROGRAM IN THE Howard receives bein part by what hapRIGHT DIRECTION,” HOWARD SAID. cause of her protest, pens to the Badgers “THE CLASSES THAT COME AFTER ME ARE but is determined to in the coming seasons. DEFINITELY BIGGER STEPPING STONES, see to it that her legIs there success? Did SO FOR ME TO BE A PIECE OF A STEPPING acy is viewed through everyone buy in? Did STONE WILL BE ALL I CAN ASK FOR.” more than one prism. the foundation of the “My concern at program become more times is that the stand sturdy? she has taken for social justice doesn’t overThe message on that Post-It note will soon shadow what she’s done as a basketball playapply to others. er,” he said. “I hope my legacy will be as a stepping stone In addition to becoming a vocal leader, Howand moving the program in the right direction,” ard has worked hard to make her game worthy Howard said. of All-Big Ten recognition and embraced the “The classes that come after me are definitechallenge of being the No. 1 defensive item on ly bigger stepping stones, so for me to be a every opponent’s scouting report. piece of a stepping stone will be all I can ask Tsipis said Howard has learned to communifor.”
TOM LYNN
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Championing the UW. Alumni and friends take great pride in giving back, especially during the Annual Campaign. Do your part. MAKE A GIFT TODAY. allwaysforward.org/go/UW
INSIDE MEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (19-9, 11-6) Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 11 Purdue
L, 80-84
Jan. 14 at Maryland
L, 60-64
Jan. 19 #2 Michigan
W, 64-54
Jan. 23 at Illinois
W, 72-60
Jan. 26 Northwestern W, 62-46 Jan. 29 at Nebraska
W, 62-51
Feb. 1
#21 Maryland W, 69-61
Feb. 6
at Minnesota W, 56-51
Feb. 9
at #7 Michigan L, 52-61
Feb. 12 #11 Michigan St. L, 59-67 Feb. 18 Illinois
W, 64-58
Feb. 23 at Northwestern W, 69-64 Feb. 26 at Indiana
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Trice, Wisconsin Grind Out Road Win at Northwestern
THIS WEEK Following a heartbreaking loss in double overtime at Indiana, No. 19 Wisconsin (19-9, 11-6) returns home to host Penn State on Saturday. Tip is set for noon at the Kohl Center.
GOOD TO KNOW Wisconsin is one win away from reaching 20 wins for the 15th time in the last 17 seasons. That would tie Michigan State for the most in the Big Ten.
LAST WEEK The Badgers earned a pair of wins, topping Illinois at home, 64-58, then earning a hardfought victory on the road against Northwestern, 69-64.
NEED TO KNOW Saturday’s game can be seen on BTN. Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas will call the game on the Badger Sports Network and worldwide via iHeartRadio. Live stats are available via UWBadgers.com and the Badger Gameday app.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Bracket Buzz: Forecast clearer for NCAA tourney return?
L, 73-75 2OT
Mar. 2
Penn State Noon
Mar. 7
#22 Iowa
6 p.m.
Mar. 10 at Ohio State 3:30 p.m. Mar. 13-17 at Big Ten Tournament
United Center, Chicago
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Better Together: ‘Our goals are right there within reach’ ▶ Davison, Wisconsin pull out road win at Northwestern
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INSIDE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (13-15, 4-12) Home events in bold. All times CT. Dec. 28 at Minnesota Dec. 31 Purdue
THIS WEEK The Badgers (13-15, 4-12 B1G) wrap up the regular season with a split week of Big Ten play. Wisconsin hosts Ohio State (13-12, 9-7) on Thursday in its final home game of the season. Tip time is 7:30 p.m. from the Kohl Center live on the Big Ten Network. The Badgers wrap up the regular season on Sunday, traveling to Michigan (19-10, 10-7). The game starts at 1 p.m. CT from the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. LAST WEEK Wisconsin won four Big Ten games for the first time since the 2014-15 season after downing Illinois, 75-67, on Feb. 20. The Badgers couldn't keep their winning ways going as they fell at Rutgers, 73-53, on Monday. GOOD TO KNOW UW celebrates Senior Night on Thursday, honoring seniors
Marsha Howard, Kelly Karlis and Lexy Richardson in pregame ceremonies. Howard became the 26th Badger to score 1,000 points in a career earlier this season, while Karlis earned a starting role as a redshirt senior after transferring from Ohio University. Richardson is a former team manager who was asked to walk on to the squad. She earned a scholarship before her junior season but missed her senior year due to a knee injury. NEED TO KNOW Wisconsin makes its third appearance of the season on the Big Ten Network on Thursday when it hosts Ohio State. Sunday's game will be streamed live on BTN Plus ($). Both games can be heard in the Madison area on 100.9 FM or anywhere with the iHeartRadio app with Jon Arias on the call. Live updates are also available on Twitter @BadgerWBB.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ UW holds off Illini comeback, 75-67
W, 76-69
Jan. 3
at Penn State
L, 64-71
Jan. 7
at #17 Iowa
L, 53-71
Jan. 13
#25 Indiana
L, 68-75
Jan. 17
#23 Minnesota L, 50-78
Jan. 20
at Northwestern L, 46-72
Jan. 24
Penn State
Jan. 27
Nebraska
Jan. 31
at #11 Maryland L, 57-75
Feb. 3
Michigan
L, 70-76
Feb. 10 at Illinois
L, 68-78
GREG ANDERSON
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Howard and Badgers Edge Past Illinois
L, 56-74
L, 59-65 W, 70-69
Feb. 14 #24 Michigan St. W, 79-62 Feb. 17 at Ohio State Feb. 20 Illinois
L, 68-70 W, 75-67
Feb. 25 at Rutgers
L, 53-73
Feb. 28 Ohio State
7:30 p.m.
March 3 at Michigan
1 p.m.
March 6-10 at Big Ten Tournament
Indianapolis
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ Badgers fall at Rutgers, 73-53 ▶ Long-distance dialing still the hallmark of Gilreath’s game
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SCHEDULE (11-16-5, 7-10-5-2) Home events in bold. All times CT. Dec. 7
Michigan State
Dec. 8
Michigan State W, 3-0
Jan. 4
#8 Denver
L, 3-6
Jan. 5
#8 Denver
L, 3-4 OT
Jan. 12
U.S. Under-18 Team Exhibition L, 3-6
Jan. 18
#12 Notre Dame L, 4-6
Jan. 20
vs. #12 Notre Dame T, 2-2 OT United Center, Chicago
Jan. 25
at Minnesota
L, 4-9
Jan. 26
at Minnesota
W, 4-3
Feb. 1
at Michigan St.
Feb. 2
at Michigan St. T, 2-2 OT
Feb. 8
#3 Ohio State
L, 1-2 OT
Feb. 9
#3 Ohio State
L, 1-4
PAUL CAPOBIANCO
INSIDE MEN’S HOCKEY
W, 5-3
L, 1-4
Feb. 15 at #15 Notre Dame W, 2-1
THIS WEEK Wisconsin (11-16-5, 7-10-52 B1G) closes out the regular season with a Kohl Center series against Michigan (13-127, 9-8-5-2 B1G) on Friday and Saturday. Both games begin at 8 p.m. and air on BTN. LAST WEEK The Badgers posted their second consecutive road split against a ranked foe, dropping an 8-2 contest to No. 19 Penn State, before responding with a 7-3 victory over the Nittany Lions.
GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers have an outside chance at home ice for the first round of the playoffs, needing a sweep over Michigan and needing Notre Dame to take at least four of six points at home from Penn State. NEED TO KNOW Both games air on BTN, as well as online at BTN2Go.com and the BTN2Go app for cable and satellite subscribers. Both games also air on 1310 WIBA and are on the Badger Sports Network, online on iHeartRadio and the iHeartRadio app.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Upper reserve tickets 50 percent off in honor of Leckrone
Feb. 16 at #15 Notre Dame L, 2-5 Feb. 22 at #19 Penn State L, 2-8 Feb. 23 at #19 Penn State W, 7-3 March 1 Michigan
8 p.m.
March 2 Michigan
8 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ 2019 men’s hockey awards banquet open to the public ▶ Donovan signs with Wisconsin men’s hockey
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INSIDE WOMEN’S HOCKEY SCHEDULE (28-4-2, 18-4-2) Home events in bold. All times CT.
THIS WEEK The Badgers (28-4-2) enter the WCHA playoffs this weekend to take on the St. Cloud State Huskies (10-23-2) in a best-of-three series at LaBahn Arena. Puck drop on Friday is at 4 p.m., Saturday’s game starts at 3 p.m. and if a third game is necessary, it would begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday. LAST WEEK In a top-10 matchup at LaBahn Arena, the Badgers and Ohio State battled to a pair of ties. Friday’s contest finished in a 1-1 stalemate, while Saturday's matchup ended 2-2. The Badgers honored seniors Sam Cogan, Maddie Rolfes, Mikaela Gardner, Annie Pan-
kowski, Sophia Shaver and Emily Clark during their last regular-season home series of their collegiate careers in front of two sellout crowds. GOOD TO KNOW UW has won 41 of the last 42 meetings with the Huskies dating back to the 2009-10 season with the only loss to SCSU coming on Feb. 20, 2015, a 2-1 setback at LaBahn Arena.
at St. Cloud State W, 8-2
Dec. 8
at St. Cloud State W, 3-1
Jan. 11
at #7 Ohio State L, 0-1
Jan. 12
at #7 Ohio State W, 5-2
Jan. 18
at #2 Minnesota W, 2-1
Jan. 19
at #2 Minnesota
L, 1-3
Jan. 25
St. Cloud State
W, 5-0
Jan. 26
St. Cloud State
W, 3-1
Feb. 1
at Bemidji State
L, 1-2
Feb. 2
at Bemidji State W, 4-0
Feb. 9
Minnesota State W, 7-2
Feb. 10 Minnesota State W, 4-1 Feb. 15 at Minn. Duluth W, 6-1
DAVID STLUKA
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Hockey || Annie Pankowski Patty Kazmaier Top-10 Finalist
Dec. 7
Feb. 16 at Minn. Duluth W, 3-0 Feb. 22 #10 Ohio State T, 1-1 OT Feb. 23 #10 Ohio State T, 2-2 OT WCHA Playoffs First Round (Best of 3):
March 1 St. Cloud State
4 p.m.
March 2 St. Cloud State
3 p.m.
March 3 St. Cloud State* 2 p.m.
*If necessary
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Fans can watch this weekend’s series on BTN Plus ($) or FloHockey ($) and can listen to them on WSUM. In addition, fans can follow the action on Twitter (@BadgerWHockey).
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers to host WCHA First Round Series
FOLLOW US:
▶ A deeply-forged friendship ▶ Pankowski named Patty Kazmaier Top-10 Finalist
43
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INSIDE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE (13-1, 0-0) Home events in bold. All times CT. at ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Raleigh, N.C.:
Feb. 15 vs. Pitt
W, 8-0
Feb. 16 vs. Pitt
W, 3-1
at #17 NC State W, 8-0
Feb. 17 at #17 NC State W, 6-3 at Islander Invitational, Corpus Christi, Texas:
Feb. 22 at TAMUCC
W, 3-2
vs. Texas Southern W, 8-3
Feb. 23 vs. Texas Southern W, 4-0
at TAMUCC
W, 9-1
Feb. 24 at TAMUCC
W, 9-0
at Sun Devil Classic, Tempe, Ariz.:
March 1 vs. Princeton 10:30 a.m.
vs. #11 Texas
1 p.m.
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Softball || New Season, New Digs
THIS WEEK Wisconsin (13-1 overall) will play in the Sun Devil Classic this weekend in Tempe, Arizona. The Badgers will play No. 11 Texas, No. 13 Arizona State and Princeton.
GOOD TO KNOW Stephanie Lombardo led her team to their 10th-straight win with a tournament batting average of .500 (7-14). The senior tallied a team-best seven hits, including a home run.
LAST WEEK The Badgers finished the Islander Invitational with a 5-0 record, including three wins over Texas A&M Corpus Christi and two wins over Texas Southern. Wisconsin outscored its opponents 32-6.
NEED TO KNOW Links to live statistics and live streams can be found on the softball schedule page at UWBadgers.com. Additionally, fans can follow live updates on the team’s Twitter page @BadgerSoftball.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Slug fest: Badgers run rule Islanders
at #13 Arizona St. 6:30 p.m.
YVETTE HEALY
March 2 vs. #11 Texas 1:30 p.m. View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ Slambardo strikes in Texas ▶ Home runs help Badgers top Islanders and Tigers
45
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INSIDE SWIMMING & DIVING SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Jan. 19
vs. Northwestern Iowa City, Iowa Results »
Jan. 19
at Iowa
Results »
Feb. 16-17 at Ohio State Winter Invitational Results »
Columbus, Ohio
Feb. 20-23 at Big Ten Women’s Championships Bloomington, Ind. Results »
Iowa City, Iowa
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Suguiyama Weekly Presser: Women Head to Big Ten Championships
THIS WEEK The Wisconsin men’s team is set for the 2019 Big Ten Championships, which run Wednesday through Saturday in Iowa City, Iowa. LAST WEEK The Badgers were idle since competing in the Red vs. White Intrasquad meet, in which Wisconsin’s 400 medley relay squad of MJ Mao, Matthew Novinski, Erik Gessner and Griffin Back bested a pool record with a time of 1:27.08. GOOD TO KNOW Sophomore MJ Mao, a twotime Big Ten Swimmer of the Week, holds three top-10 conference marks this season
in the 100-yard breaststroke (53.26), 200 breaststroke (1:55.14) and 100 butterfly (47.20). NEED TO KNOW All sessions of the Big Ten championships will be streamed live via BTN Plus ($), which can be accessed at BTN2Go.com or through the BTN2Go mobile app. Finals will be held each day at 6:30 p.m. CT, with preliminary races set for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Live results are available at UWBadgers.com and the Meet Mobile app. Fans also can follow along by following @BadgerSwimDive on Twitter and Instagram.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ True Colors: Mao has made himself at home in Madison
March 4-6 at NCAA Zone D Diving Championships
DEB LINDSEY
at Big Ten Men’s Championships
Feb. 27-Mar. 2
Austin, Texas
Mar. 20-23 at NCAA Women’s Championships
Austin, Texas
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ Swimmer of the Championships Nelson nabs third title ▶ Mao, Sehmann earn Big Ten Swimmer of the Week nods
47
ACCIDENTS | INJURIES
ONE CALL... THAT’S ALL! PROUD PARTNER OF WISCONSIN ATHLETICS
INSIDE MEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (6-2, 0-0) Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 25
DePaul
Jan. 27
Northern Illinois W, 6-1
Feb. 6
Chicago State
Feb. 9
Oklahoma State
W, 6-1 W, 7-0 L, 2-4
Feb. 10 Washington
W, 5-2
Feb. 14 Marquette
W, 5-2
Feb. 21 Green Bay
W, 7-0
Feb. 24 #15 Oregon
L, 3-4
Mar. 1
at Princeton
6:30 p.m.
Mar. 8
Nebraska
5:30 p.m.
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Men’s Tennis Falls Short vs. #15 Oregon
THIS WEEK The Badgers will look to rest and recover from the weekend before heading out east to play against Princeton on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. CT. LAST WEEK After defeating Green Bay 7-0 on Thursday, UW faced their toughest test of the year on Sunday against No. 15 Oregon. The Badgers proved once again that Wisconsin (6-2, 0-0 B1G) deserves to be in the conversation as one of college's most elite teams. The Badgers played the Ducks to the bitter end, but fell by the smallest of margins, 4-3.
GOOD TO KNOW In head coach Danny Westerman tenure, Wisconsin has thrived in team doubles. It is a focal point for Westerman and the Badgers in practice and transitions phenomenally come match time. Wisconsin is off to another blistering start in the team point, remaining an unbeaten 8-0 on the year. NEED TO KNOW Get in-depth, behind-thescenes coverage of Badger tennis on Twitter (@BadgerMTennis) and Instagram (WisconsinTennis). Follow our page on Facebook (Wisconsin Men's Tennis), as well as on our homepage UWBadgers.com.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Ducked and dodged: Wisconsin falls just short of upset
Mar. 20 at Pepperdine
10 a.m.
Mar. 24 at Iowa
Noon
Mar. 29 at #1 Ohio State
6 p.m.
Mar. 31 at Penn State
DAVID STLUKA
Mar. 10 #17 Minnesota Noon
11 a.m.
April 5
Indiana
April 7
Purdue Noon
3 p.m.
April 13 at Michigan State Noon April 14 at #14 Michigan
Noon
April 19 Northwestern
3 p.m.
April 21 #11 Illinois
2 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
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▶ In-state special: Wisconsin secures 7-0 win over Green Bay ▶ In-state champs: UW dominant over Marquette in 5-2 win
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INSIDE WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (8-2, 1-0) Home events in bold. All times CT. Jan. 11-13 at FIU Spring Invitational Results »
Miami
Jan. 25 Nebraska-Omaha W, 7-0 Illinois-Chicago
W, 7-0
Jan. 27 Colorado State
W, 5-2
Feb. 1
Marquette
W, 7-0
Feb. 2
Iowa State
W, 5-2
Northern Illinois W, 7-0
Feb. 15 at Denver
L, 2-5
Feb. 16 vs. DePaul
W, 7-0
Denver
Feb. 22 Utah
L, 3-4
Feb. 24 Minnesota
W, 5-2
Mar. 16 at Maryland
11 a.m.
Mar. 17 at Rutgers
11:30 a.m.
Mar. 20 at FGCU
4 p.m.
Mar. 22 at Michigan State 4 p.m.
THIS WEEK Women’s tennis is free from competition until Saturday, March 16 when it travels to Maryland for another Big Ten Conference match. LAST WEEK Wisconsin split a two-match weekend against Utah and Minnesota. UW suffered a 4-3 loss to the Utes on Friday and took down the Golden Gophers 5-2 on Sunday’s Big Ten opener.
GOOD TO KNOW Senior Sara Castellano remains undefeated in spring singles competition. The Carmagnola, Italy native is 10-0 and ranked No. 39 by the ITA this season.
DAVID STLUKA
Mar. 19 at Florida Atlantic 10 a.m.
Mar. 24 Purdue Noon April 5 at #14 Ohio State 5 p.m. View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW When UW is on the road fans can find results and a recap on Wisconsin Women’s Tennis on Facebook or @WisconsinWTennis on Twitter.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers shutdown Golden Gophers in conference opener
FOLLOW US:
▶ Heartbreak hotel: Wisconsin falls to Utah 4-3 ▶ The bounce back: UW cruises to 7-0 win over DePaul
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