Watching the Wisconsin Badgers loss to Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament felt like watching a painful early October scrimmage...at least until there were 5 minutes remaining in the game.  For 35 minutes, the only thing working for the Badgers was the guy wearing #30. Three-point air balls, missed two-footers, ugly free throw shooting...it was the kind of game your son or daughter would play juuuust before you suggested they take up another sport.

But it wasn't long after the game that I exhaled and breathed a sigh of relief.

Sure, the loss to Illinois seems devastating on the surface: The Badgers will not be a 3 seed, and they will not play in Milwaukee. Might I remind you that the Final Four team in 2000 was an 8 seed and played about as far away from their backyard as possible. Looking at the big picture, I'm pleased that this frostbitten performance happened during the second week in March and not the third or fourth.

Bo Ryan teams rarely clunk around in consecutive games and there's no reason to think they will when the ball goes up on Thursday or Friday.

George Karl used to say there are about ten games per (NBA) season that aren't even worth evaluating.  Either the team played so far above their capability, or so far below, that watching the video would be wasteful time.  The Badgers performance against the Illini was truly a flawed misrepresentation of the quality of this team.

How else would one explain the Badgers torrid 45.9 three point shooting percentage to close out the season versus the paltry 15% they chucked up today.  It's just one of those random occurrences...but at least it happened now.

March is finally upon us...and it's a good thing because Wisconsin February's are downright brutal. With the new month comes added responsibility.  I'm not talking about getting a jump start on your taxes or finding an establishment to hit up on St. Patrick's Day (though it's never too early to figure that out). I'm speaking about the responsibility we have as sports fans to join forces and consume as much of the wondrous spectacle that is college basketball in March.

Year after year, championship week and the NCAA tournament deliver in a major way. It's one of the few sporting events that starts off with a big enough bang to force the working public to be creative in their at-work viewing habits. Some will scurry around the office like mice looking for an empty conference room...others will take a 3 hours lunch...some will even buy the on-line package and watch from their office or cube. Ingenuity in this venture is appreciated and comical, but this once a year event deserves more. So take some well deserved vacation days and head out on the town, out to Vegas, or plop yourself right on the couch and enjoy the not so dulcet tones of Bill Raftery and Gus Johnson is right from your own couch with food, some friends, stunning HD quality, and your favorite beverage.

If you plan to host a gathering of friends, allow me to outline a few important considerations to ensure a high quality experience.

THE TV:

If you haven't hopped into the HDTV world, forget about hosting a gathering of any kind, for any sporting event. I don't care if you get U2 to play a live concert from your backyard in between games - no large HDTV, no chance.

BRACKET SMACK TALK:

Go ahead and bring all your brackets to the party, but don't be the person who brags about picking Cornell over Villanova after you lost twelve of your first sixteen games. No body likes a paper tiger.

FOOD:

With the weather improving, the urge to grill may consume you.  Don't fall into this trap as it takes away from your game viewing. The last thing anyone wants is for a burnt cheddarwurst to get in the way of a buzzer-beater. Catering is a great way to go...party platter, pizza, buritto bar...it's up to you.

GAMBLING: (for entertainment purposes only)

Go straight up on games or create a game of your own. Take the top 3 scorers from each team playing Thursday and Friday and throw 'em into a hat. Have everyone at the gathering draft a starting 5. Top point total at the end wins!

BABY RULE:

Since some attendees might be new parents, I completely understand and appreciate the dedication is takes to be great mothers and fathers. Your child will not be able to gamble, nor will they be allowed to be offered up as a prize for winning, but they can attend the gathering if it gives you, the parent, more piece of mind.

College basketball never fails in March, so why not embrace the time and soak it all in.  Following the tips outlined above will ensure a memorable experience that you will revel in and repeat in future years.

Various times throughout the year, the sports landscape is flooded with noteworthy topics of discussion. Early March is a great example of such a time.  It can be overwhelming to try and consume the feast of relevant topics, so from time-to-time I'll provide a short point of view on whatever is consuming my mind at the time.  I'll call these sporadic gathering of thoughts, "Freak Speak".

Volume I of "Freak Speak" is below...consume and digest:

I think...

...Buzz Williams' Marquette Golden Eagles no longer need a Big East Tournament win to be invited to the big dance.

...that this is outstanding: If Rob Jeter's Milwaukee Panthers can secure one more victory, all four division one men's basketball teams in the state will have 20 wins or more.

...that Wisconsin will not be granted a NCAA tournament game in Milwaukee, and will be shafted two seeds lower than they really should be.

...that North Carolina and UConn will play in the championship game...of the NIT.

...that if I had a giant "DO NOT TOUCH" sign, I would affix it firmly to the NCAA tournament.  Never has the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't' fix it," been more applicable.

...that a Gus Johnson / Biff Raftery broadcast team would be excitement overload and I would love it.

...that if a team was willing to take a chance on Maurice Clarrett in the first three rounds of the NFL draft, the same will happen with Tim Tebow. I have a hard time believing that 3 rounds of players are better football players than he is.

...that after running a 4.4 (40) yard dash at the NFL scouting combine, USC safety Taylor Mays will no longer be available to the Packers in the first round.

...the Bucks will represent the eastern conference as the 7th seed in the NBA playoffs.

...that having absolutely zero flexibility with Michael Redd, the Bucks have done everything possible to shape this roster for a run at the playoffs.

...that the most exciting team to watch in the NBA is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

...that Kevin Durant will be the first NBA MVP not named, James, Bryant, Nash or Wade.

...that people have forgotten about Greg Oden.

...that if I were going to start an NBA team today and needed a 1-2 punch, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook would warrant serious consideration as my top pick.

...that Jeff Suppan will be a part of the Brewers opening day rotation, and Dave Bush will start the season in the bullpen.

...that Chris Narveson will replace Suppan in the starting rotation before season's end.

...that the Brewers are going to be very happy Jim Edmonds is part of the organization.

...that Tiger Woods' first tournament back on tour will be the British Open.

...that if the NHL can't capitalize on the massive interest and excitement of Olympic hockey, they are completely hopeless.

 ...that's all.

Let's take a trip back to the summer of 2005. If you're anything like me, you witnessed Tom Petty and John Mellencamp at Summerfest, took a shot of tequila for each of Carlos Lee's 32 home runs (it was a long summer), and were positively thrilled about the Milwaukee Bucks holding the top pick in the NBA draft.

If you remember, the Bucks had their eyes set on two players: The NBA-ready 7'0" center from Utah, Andrew Bogut; or the 6'9" super frosh with tremendous upside, Marvin Williams.  It was thought that Bogut would be ready to play from day one and help a Bucks team that lacked an inside presence. Down the road however, it was thought that Williams would be a star. Both players have done well for their respective teams. Williams has improved modestly each year on an up and coming Atlanta Hawks team, while Bogut is the integral piece to the Bucks playoff hopes.

What the numbers don't exactly tell you is how crucial a player is to team success. You could argue that Derron Williams, Chris Paul, Danny Granger and Bogut are the only players from the draft who really control the team by having the offense run through them. Bogut is extremely skilled on the offensive end, is developing quite a presence on the defensive end, and has a variety of intangibles that add to his on-court presence and maturity level. He has developed into an outstanding player for the Bucks and is having his best season in the league. The other top center from the 2005 draft is the Lakers Andrew Bynum.  He's developed into a nice player, but he could hardly walk his first two years in the league...this is not what the Bucks were in need of at the time.

Keep in mind, only four players from the first round of that draft have been selected to an all-star game: PG Derron Williams (3rd overall pick to Utah); PG Chris Paul (4th overall pick to New Orleans); F Danny Granger (17th overall pick to Indiana) and F David Lee (30th overall pick to the Knicks). Expect Bogut to join that group in the near future.

Get ready to latch on to human interest stories and hometown hero's...the winter Olympic games are finally upon us! Over 80 nations and 5500 athletes ready to take Vancouver by storm (albeit a storm without snow). Like many Olympic games, the winter version, circa 2010 has a couple new wrinkles to it. While the staples of figure skating, luge and ski jumping remain in tact, a new favorite is about to emerge. For the first time ever, snow cross will make it's debut in Vancouver (think motocross and snowboard cross).

The IOC is continuously searching for new events (for both summer and winter games) to captivate the minds of the viewing public. They hit a home run with women's beach volleyball, but whiffed with trampolining. To assist the IOC in further advancing Olympic sport, I thought I would come to the table with a few prototype events certain to make a big splash.

Here are my suggestions for future Olympic sports.

H.O.R.S.E.

No longer would Angola have to worry about stopping Dwayne Wade in the open court, or Dwight Howard hitting his knees on the rim while snaring a rebound - the playing field would be pretty equal.  The U.S. team would be coached by someone with a history of great shot making...like former Globetrotter, Meadowlark Lemon. The rules would be simple: double elimination pool play in the team competition, and an individual competition. Unlike figure skating or diving, there would be no subjective judging the difficulty of the shot - you either make it or you don't. Next shooter!

COUNTRY WITH AN EDGE: Argentina

INDIVIDUAL FAVORITES: Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs guard; playing for home country of Argentina); Steve Nash (playing for Canada); Kevin Love (playing for United States, Love has a history of making full court shots in warm-ups with regularity - click here)

CROQUET

Way back in 1900 this was an Olympic sport and I think it needs to come back. The summer games need to have a sport where the Olympic dream remains alive for the better half of the population...after all, the winter Olympics has curling. Croquet takes on a bit of a different twist than most Olympic sports - unsportsmanlike conduct is somewhat encouraged. Where else can you whack someone else's ball clear to the other side of the lawn and giggle at their misfortune? The scoring is simple; first to finish wins - no complicated judging. I also think American's would appreciate the terminology such as "Irish peel", "wicket" and "booby".

COUNTRY WITH AN EDGE: France (click here to see why)

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

It seems to fit the mold of traditional Olympic sports. It's a team game where the athletes are well conditioned and Olympic gold would be the pinnacle achievement in the sport. For those who prefer football, but hate soccer, this is a nice alternative. There would also be one hell of a halftime show with dogs from different countries catching the discs as the fans in the stands erupt with applause.

COUNTRY WITH AN EDGE: Brazil...just a hunch

STRONGMAN DECATHLON

You've watched in on ESPN 2 at 3:00am, now watch comfortably in your living room during prime time. Competitors will carry slabs of granite shaped like Africa across a smoldering bed of coals, pull an 18-wheeler 50 meters with their teeth, and push California redwood trees up staircases.

COUNTRY WITH AN EDGE: Iceland. The brut power of Magnus Ver Magnussen earns Olympic gold.

CRICKET

Admittedly, I haven't spent too much time watching cricket, but from what I can tell, it's fast, fun, and matches are pretty quick (unlike the 20k race walk). This would be a very intriguing sport that would educate the unenlightened viewer. The arena is circular. Competitors can hit a version of a home run backwards; and players wield around over sized fraternity paddles at a wooden ball coming in at 80mph on a bounce. Some fielders don't even get the benefit of a glove! It would be like teeing up a Titleist 50 yards from a friend and ripping a screamer at their chest expecting them to catch it with their hands. American's would also fall in love with the term, "wicked googly".

COUNTRY WITH AN EDGE: South Africa

JAI ALAI

This sport is dubbed as the fastest sport on earth because the ball that is used has a traveling speed of up to 188mph. The ball is placed into play and volleyed by players wearing a glove with an attached wicker basket. The ball is about the size of a baseball, is covered in goat skin for some reason, and absolutely whistles through the air. Remember the TV show Jackass? They once did a clip on the show where Jai Alai players took turns slinging oranges at the backside of Johnny Knoxville and Steve-O. Click here to watch it.

COUNTRY WITH AN EDGE: Great Brittain

CANNONBALL RUN

If you've seen the movie, you know the learning curve would be short as a variety of countries would already be familiar with the concept. The rules are simple: teams of two would race from the furthest point possible (connected by land) to the Olympic host country. This would be the first official event and it would air in conjunction with the opening ceremonies. Winning team gets to light the torch. Burt Reynolds would captain the American team.

COUNTRY WITH AN EDGE: Which ever country is hosting the games

In summary, skiing is fun, and figure skating brings the family together at night, but broadening the spectrum of Olympic sports can only help the world become more educated and united. More sports = more country involvement (after all, you don't hear much about Ireland in the winter Olympics or Norway in the summer games).

Let the games begin!

Sports that didn't quite make the cut: pool, lawn darts, shot luge, dizzy bat race, speed quarters, text messaging, logging, whiffle ball, anything on the Wii.

Apparently the New Orleans Saints and the city of New Orleans are in a good mood following their Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Why else would Drew Brees be out at a bar on a Tuesday night following their welcome home parade? and why else would a bar be packed to it's gills on a Tuesday? Actually, I take that back...it's New Orleans.

But the purposes of this blog is to reveal the words behind Drew Brees' pre-game chant. Until now, Brees has refused to let reporters in on the chant saying it was between he and the players. Well, after a trip to Lucy's Bar in New Orleans, the fans (fittingly) were the first to be let in on the secret.

Click here to watch Drew Brees' chant reveal with the patrons at Lucy's in New Orleans.

I got goosebumps.

Super Bowl Sunday is finally upon us and with it comes the kind of fun and frivolity that transcends gender and game interest. One of the most interesting aspects of the Super Bowl - at least from a betting perspective - is the incredible range of prop bets that are offered. Some of them are typical and game action focused, others are far more creative. Many of the options aren't a particularly good bet, but that doesn't mean that they aren't fun.

We at Wisconsin's Sports Weekend knocked head's and developed our own list of prop bets (for entertainment purposes only). Print it out and follow along at home.  Feel free to e-mail us and show how your predictions stack up. We'll post our results after the game.

THE RESULTS ARE IN!

WSW PROP BETS!

Time of Kickoff: actual time - 5:31; winner GREG

Jeff: 5:38

Greg: 5:36

First TD Scored By: actual - Pierre Garcon; winner GREG

Jeff: Reggie Wayne

Greg: Pierre Garcon

Last Point Scored By: actual - Garrett Hartley; winner JEFF

Jeff: Garrett Hartley

Greg: Matt Stover

Total Penalty Yards: actual time - 55; winner GREG

Jeff: 113

Greg: 94

Coin Toss: actual - N.O. call / heads / N.O. received; winner JEFF

Jeff: New Orleans calls / calls heads / wins toss / elects to receive

Greg: New Orleans calls / calls tails / loses toss / Indy receives

Color of Fluid Dumped on Winning Coach: actual - orange; winner JEFF

Jeff: Orange

Greg: Yellow

First Sideline Report Made By: actual - Solomon Wilcots; winner GREG

Jeff: Steve Tasker

Greg: Solomon Wilcots

National Anthem Duration (o/u is 1:42): actual time - 1:46.6; winner GREG

Jeff: 1:56

Greg: 1:52

Color of Carrie Underwood's Dress/Outfit: actual - white; winner GREG

Jeff: Teal (seriously...Jeff chose teal)

Greg: White

Hurricane Katrina Mentions During Game: 0; no winner (no mentions means we misjudged from the start...no points awarded)

Jeff: 3

Greg: 4

Bourbon Street Sightings: actual - 1; winner JEFF

Jeff: 1

Greg: 3

Kim Kardashian Sightings: 0; no winner

Jeff: 2

Greg: 3

Archie Manning Sightings:  actual - 1; winner GREG 

Jeff: 4

Greg: 3

Windmill Twirls by Pete Townshend: actual - I counted 26;  winner is JEFF, but we were both waaay off on this one

Jeff: 6

Greg: 5

Will a Member of The Who Smash a Guitar on Stage?: no winner ... guitars remained intact

Jeff: Yes

Greg: Yes

First Advertisement (after kickoff): actual - Anheuser Busch; winner GREG 

Jeff: E-trade

Greg: Anheuser Busch

Final National Advertisement (before clock hits :00): actual - Denny's; no winner. NOTE originally said Denny's then changed his mind...a crucial error on his part. 

Jeff: Southwest Airlines

Greg: Anheuser Busch

Total Combined Yardage by Reggie Bush: actual - 64; winner JEFF

Jeff: 87

Greg: 106

Halftime Score: actual - INDY 10 / N.O. 6; winner JEFF

Jeff: Indy 17 / N.O. 10

Greg: Indy 20 / N.O. 13

Winning Team and Score: actual - N.O. 31 / Indy 17; no winner

Jeff: Indy 34 / N.O. 26

Greg: Indy 34 / N.O. 31

Game MVP: actual - Drew Brees; no winner

Jeff: Reggie Wayne (8 catches, 122 yards, 2TD) 

Greg: Peyton Manning (321 yards, 2 TD)

 FINAL COUNT: Greg 8; Jeff 7

We all saw it and we all questioned it:  Why the heck didn't Brett Favre run for a few yards then out of bounds to set up a potential game winning field goal in the NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints.

The direction Brett was heading was a sea of open green field and the time on the clock suggested he could have eeked out enough yards for Ryan Longwell to feel comfortable about the field goal attempt.

Well, after visiting this link, I have a better understanding of why Brett pulled a Seinfled and "chose not to run!". Question his motives, question his methods, but one can never put Brett Favre's toughness in question (regardless if these pictures are real or not).

According to Rick Cleveland from the Clarion Ledger, this is what Brett's ankle and hamstring looked like in the days following the game.

Click here to see gross pictures of bodily injury.

Part of what makes college basketball so special is the creativity of the student sec ion. From choreographed chants to chest painting fraternity boys, the sites in the stands often rivals the entertainment on the court.

And while anybody can buy a jersey, wear a hat, or paint their body, it takes a real fan to smear his entire body with chunky peanut butter and run around the building like a meth-addicted lunatic. That takes a level of inane dedication that even soccer hooligans and the cast of The Golden Girls would be proud of.

At the Georgia-Tennessee basketball game this past weekend, one Bulldog fan came up with a plan that, at first, seemed ridiculous, but eventually was celebrated as pre-meditated genius.

As the game ended with Georgia upsetting Bruce Pearl's Tennessee Volunteers (a highly ranked rivals) thousands of students tried to rush the floor, only to be met by overly aggressive security guards looking for a chance to knock out cocky college kids. The PA announcer even made special mention for students to remain in the stands. But guess who got to run around the court untouched? Yep, the guy with lunch spread dripping all over his entire body. Security wasn’t going to go near him.

I've been critical of the cliche nature of court storming this college basketball season. I can understand why South Carolina fans want to dance on the hardwood after giving top ranked Kentucky their first loss, but when Indiana fans celebrated at half court after a victory over Minnesota I was miffed. To play devils advocate...to myself...I've learned that the SEC has a conference rule that prohibits court storming at basketball games. In fact, the University gets fined for each occurrence.

Way to buck the trend peanut butter boy! Godspeed future leader of America...godspeed.

At times during the NFC championship game, I felt like I was watching a Packers playoff game.  You probably could have adjusted the contract and brightness on your TV juuuuust enough to make the black and gold of the Saints look like the green and gold of the Pack. I didn't go quite that far, but it was all a bit surreal for me. The moment of clarity came when a battered and beaten warrior threw a game changing interception in what has become an all-to-familiar big game trend.

Listen to the radio call, courtesy of KFAN AM 1130, the Vikings radio flagship: click here

At the conclusion of that game, I felt every bit of anguish that Vikings fans felt. I've been there before. We've been there before. But for many Packers fans, the Brett Favre swan song story needed to end on the field turf of the Superdome. For those fans, justice was served.

Justified or not, here's what Vikings fans had to say about one of the most painful losses in team history...reads a lot like the comments following the Packers NFC championship loss to the NY Giants two years ago....

...Favre lost it for all of us viking fans, he couldda A) ran it for 2-3 yards or B) threw it away and at least tried a 55 yard field goal with 1 second left. but NO he beat us vikings one last time...

...Would have made that kick.....Especially with NOTHING BUT OT to lose.....They would not have lost the game unless it was blocked and recovered quickly but those chances were remote....Why not try the kick???? Blows my mind....It is hard to pin this ALL on Favre with so many errors prior, but unfortunately this is all we might remember.....I hope Favre plays one more year and he knows it was close and he can still play at that high level...

...this was a heart breaker, but when #4 comes back next season, I feel sorry for the opposition - especially, the Packers...

...cursed and damned, this franchise is destroying peoples lives...

...12 men on the field? Terrible coaching in my opinion.  Love, Dennis Green...

...The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel sports headline says it all: "Oops, Same Old Favre". Vikings fans got the full Favre circle, his greatness, his charm as well as his super-human ego and last-minute season-ending interceptions...

...I only have to picture Lucy. Grinning with wicked anticipation -- as Charlie Brown really thanks he's going to kick it this time. Then, "Aa-r-rgh!" -- I end up flat on my back as fate pulls the ball away at the last second...

...I started getting mad at the Vike's line for not protecting Favre better. I think for his family's sake and the sake of him still being able to walk and enjoy life for the next 30-40 years he should retire now. 3 cheers for Favre for making this last year the most exciting season of Vikings football in the last 20 years...

...Packers fans need to find something better to do with their time and stop embarrassing themselves on these message boards. For all their stupidity, they should put Favre in the Viking's Ring of Honor, and I hope Favre retires as a Viking. You guys are pathetic...

...There is no question. Brett is the toughest person ever to play in the NFL. My hats off to him. I hope he finally retires before someone kills him...

...This is a man who was guilty of one thing...not being a diva, or egoist, or a waffler...no this man is guilty of loving something that his late father inspired in him from the time he was old enough to hold a football which is to love this game with all of his heart. That's not a diva, folks, when he has trouble deciding whether he wants to retire or not. No, that's a man who loved this game so much that the fear of not having it in his life was too much to give up; even if sometimes it felt like no one wanted you to keep playing...

...As improbable as it seems we can finally share one common bond with all Packers fans, and collectively say we shared the greatest that ever played the game...

...Despite Favre's interceptions, the game could have been easily won if AP learned how to hold onto the ball. As much as the announcing was totally biased, one thing was said that summed up AP: The first half he was a potent enough weapon to let him stay in game despite the fumbles. The second half he was not...

...The better team DOES NOT turn over the ball 5 times. And any team who does have that many turnovers doesn't deserve to win...

...Even in the face of defeat, the Viking fans and organization have more class than our ungrateful neighbors who discarded Brett from their ranks after 16 years of service. We lost, but there is plenty of blame to go around. Although the season has ended for us, we can all hold our heads up high and look forward to next season. Win or lose, I'd still rather be a Viking fan than a classless Packer backer...

...Farve DIDN't put 12 people in the huddle!!!!!!!! One more run, two more yards, Longwell kicks 49 yard fg! End of story! The only people bashing Farve are packer fans who are scared to death that he will come back to kick their butt again next year. Love you Brett...

...Blame it all on Brett Favre being on the cover of Sports Illustrated...