Tough loss for the Badgers

Keaton Nankivil did everything he could, making 6/7 3 pointers in a game reminiscent of the game at Iowa last year. Ultimately a back and forth game that saw Trevon Hughes and the Badgers fail to execute one final time. Far from a killer loss, and quite frankly an expected one at that. Mackey Arena is a tough place to play, and without Jon Leuer made it even more difficult. You can't help but wonder if Hughes was fouled on his last 3-point attempt. Players in college, or high school, just don't miss threes by ten feet without something going horribly wrong.

Wisconsin down 2 at the half

A typical Big Ten first half in West Lafayette as only 8 turnovers and fouls called respectively in the first half. Wisconsin, despite shooting only 37%, has only really settled for jumpers as opposed to driving at the heart of the defense. Has there been a more frustrating player than Trevon Hughes in a Wisconsin uniform? He goes from NBA-caliber point guard to the end of the bench in a split second. Nice to see Nankivil show some nice toughness with 4 offensive rebounds as well nice touch in making 3/4 3 pointers. Should be an exciting second half.

Ted might actually spend a high pick on an offensive lineman

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/82703482.html

I am not going to sit here and lie, I have never seen Idaho G Mike Iupati play, and if things stay as they are, no one will see him in a Packers uniform anytime soon. LG was horrible for the Packers this season, Daryn College was atrocious, finishing worst on the team in pressures allowed (40.5) and sacks (7.5), not to mention his hold in the riveting but ultimately heart-breaking loss to the Cardinals in the playoffs. The offensive line needs to be addressed, and I am glad that Ted Thompson seems to be making the effort to improve the talent level of the group. Perhaps Thompson could use a high(er) draft pick on an offensive line for a talent infusion, as no impact lineman are set to become free agents. Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher will probably be brought back for another go-around, Scott Wells solidified the center position for the Pack, and Josh Sitton has been the lone Thompson draft pick along the line to really solidify himself as a bona-fide starter in the NFL. Also nice to see the Packers looking to improve the running backs and the linebackers. I believe that the Packers are one dynamic receiver out of the back field away from being an unstoppable offense from a skill position standpoint.

Adrian Peterson's Fumblitis

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/82754497.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU

Adrian Peterson is the most talented and intimidating running back in the NFL. Sorry Chris Johnson, but Adrian Peterson has your speed in the body of a monster. Adrian Peterson can outrun defensive backs, and truck linebackers. He did that at Oklahoma, where he almost single-handedly beat Boise State coming off of a broken collarbone, and has done that in his short time in the league (I badly wanted the Packers to take him the year he came out, but after winning the last 4 games, they ended up with Justin Harrell). But Peterson has problems with some basic fundamentals that keep him from being the best in the NFL. He is ineffective coming out of the backfield as a receiver, a weak pass-blocker, and has become infamous for putting the ball on the ground. These are signs of a player with mega-talent and an unimpressive work-ethic badly in need of a makeover. Sure he is a chiseled specimen and undoubtedly a workout warrior, but you need look no further than the Packers' running backs to see what several nuances and hard work can do to a backs' game. The Packers' running backs at first glance are nothing special: Ryan Grant has average speed and isn't intimidating physically; Brandon Jackson is a bit undersized, Ahman Green was great . . . in 2003 and DeShawn Wynn should never stray too far from a stretcher. A rather uninspiring group as a whole, but under the tutoring of Edgar Bennett did not fumble a ball this season off of carries. I have been clamoring for the Packers to acquire via the draft, free agency(Come on Ted) or a trade for a runner with dynamic speed to add to this already nearly unstoppable offense for a while now, not to mention improve the deplorable return game; Dexter McCluster was my choice until he lit the Senior Bowl practice field ablaze the last several days systematically rising several rounds, but the chronically underrated Packers backfield is just fine as it is for now.

Bucks lose, I mean win close game

What a game! I'm not sure that either the 76ers or the Bucks actually wanted to win the game, but we finally got a much needed W. Between the Bucks missing 6 free throws in the final period, including Ridnour missing 1 of 2 with 3 seconds left after Elton Brand's missed gimme a possession earlier. Jennings made a nice floater after a great rocker step to give the Bucks their last lead. However, why did they completely crumble when they got up 10 with 4 minutes to go. Philadelphia is not a good team, and the Bucks were playing at home. This should not have been this close. I'm not sure how Andrew Bogut did not manage to get owned by Samuel Dalembert like he generally does, but thank goodness it didn't. A gut win for the Bucks, but at this point, and win is important. And, I know that it is mid-week and it is as cold as ever in Wisconsin, but there was no one in the upper deck tonight. Also, FSNWisconsin, Bill and Jon are class acts and do a tremendous job on the tele, but please do not remind us Bucks fans about Glenn Robinson's missed shot at the end of game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals anymore, and don't say that Brand's miss today even compares to that, or even comes close; and Allen Iverson riding the bench doesn't evoke memories of that series. That series was nothing but pain and sorrow for Bucks nation, something that I personally still have not recovered from.

Bucks lose (another) nail-biter

Well, your Milwaukee Bucks managed to lose another close game. Bogut was huge, with a career high 32 points, a Moute had a great steal to give the Bucks the final possession, and Delfino had an incredible shot-clock ending, 30 ft. 3-pointer to pull the Bucks within one near the end the game, before ultimately just missing a runner from the top of the key as time expired Tough loss against a tough team last night. Need to get that road win against a good team that seems to be slipping by this team as of late, close against Houston, Phoenix, and now Dallas. 3-10 on the season in games decided by 3 points or less, most games and worst record in the Association.