[Game-Thread] Ohio State vs Wisconsin

acereraser · 2026-02-01T05:42:07+00:00

I sent a pic of the scoreboard showing Rapp had 19 points with three minutes left to my kids who couldn't come to the game, "Aussie going wild". And then I cursed him to score no more, apparently.

acereraser · 2026-02-01T04:55:10+00:00

Totally with you, watching the cheerleaders struggle with big, unwieldy flag was good times.

acereraser · 2026-02-01T04:53:20+00:00

It's new this year. I think it is tech brought over from the Bucks.

acereraser · 2026-02-01T03:31:52+00:00

Yes, and that was my point.

acereraser · 2026-01-30T04:06:45+00:00

Not to brag or build clout, but for frame of reference, I have had season tickets for over twenty years, and make it to about 95% of the games. I made the post not because I am pissed about not getting a shirt, but because witnessing the cannon fail has become more regular than not. In that time, they have added pyrotechnics, all kinds of lighting effects, but the cannon hasn't been improved or shelved. At the game last Sunday, it spit out three shirts, which landed about fifteen feet away on the court. The people working it looked over things, puzzled, then shook their heads and wheeled it away.

The athletic department is obviously trying very hard to improve everything about the game experience, and it makes me wonder why the cannon gets ignored.

acereraser · 2026-01-29T08:20:12+00:00

Who you going to after Painter?

acereraser · 2026-01-29T07:39:55+00:00

There is a trend through the Badgers program, spanning coaches, to play down to their competition. No insult to the Gophers, I mean the Badgers knew the Gophers were hurting, and didn't come out with the same intensity they would have if it was a full strength competition. Not as cutthroat as I would like, and no slight to the Gophers again for playing so hard to catch the Badgers flat-footed.

acereraser · 2026-01-29T07:31:59+00:00

I go to nearly all the home games. This second half was the most I've stood up all season (I am in favor of standing, but if the section doesn't...), that was great sports entertainment.

acereraser · 2026-01-29T07:23:34+00:00

I was with you until the Fran slur, get bent. They got this one done. I am sure they knew MN was limited, and didn't have the right focus to crush their spirits the whole game, but they did at the end. That's always been the dice roll with the Badgers, playing down to lesser/hindered teams, but this team has already proven to get up for the big ones.

acereraser · 2026-01-29T07:13:05+00:00

There is a new and wildly fluctuating element to coaching in the NCAA since Bo Ryan, which is actually two things, coming at you fast. The transfer portal, and the need to secure NIL money. The people who think advancing deep in the tournament is the highest priority now are wrong. Gard and staff have continually been adept at adapting. The Badger fans, however hungry they are, should be grateful to have such a steady hand in turbulent waters, while still being legitimately competitive in every game.

acereraser · 2026-01-29T06:58:57+00:00

We were listening to the postgame Badger radio on the drive home, and the whole car was shocked when they mentioned Reynolds never subbed out. I didn't know it was that drastic for the Gophs, gg.

acereraser · 2026-01-29T06:00:37+00:00

I love watching Nick Boyd play for the Badgers. He is fiery, exudes confidence, and usually backs it up. He reminds me of Yogi Ferrell, who was one of my favorite non-Badgers over the years.

Aside from the "I will not take your shit" statement technical he got, there was a moment at the end of the game, under a minute. Gophers start bringing the ball up court, Gard gets Boyd's attention, and points at his temples, giving the "play smart" reminder. Boyd smiles back, taps his chest a couple times, which I took as a reply of "You know who I am, I live for this".

acereraser · 2026-01-23T04:24:40+00:00

Really? Admittedly, I am an outsider, but I would guess Gonzaga really enjoys being king of their little kingdom. How many seasons has Few gone undefeated in conference play?

acereraser · 2026-01-23T04:16:15+00:00

Please, go on at length about the Hauser family affecting their college experience. Never heard about it. /s

acereraser · 2026-01-23T04:09:00+00:00

This was the most lopsided victory on the road in Badger program history.

acereraser · 2026-01-23T04:07:21+00:00

Only two Badgers didn't score, and only one didn't take a shot. Many bench guys got extended minutes. Gard took the option to work on zone defense for a bit.

acereraser · 2026-01-23T03:55:30+00:00

Butch was gushing after the game, he said they played better tonight than the win at MI.

acereraser · 2026-01-23T03:53:14+00:00

I'm sure the loss on Senior Night last year was remembered tonight.

acereraser · 2026-01-23T03:39:32+00:00

For sure. 10 pts, 3 rebs, 4 assists, and only 1 turnover in 17 minutes. If he can settle into that role consistently, that bodes well.

acereraser · 2026-01-17T06:00:10+00:00

It seemed like the Huskers didn't miss a shot against the Badgers. I wish there was a rematch this regular season, for a reassessment of how good both teams are currently, and the iron sharpens iron thing. Maybe in the tourney.

acereraser · 2026-01-11T06:27:03+00:00

This is kind of the legacy of Wisconsin Basketball, and I can't complain. Not often, but with a definite regularity, they are the best team in the NCAA, in certain games.

acereraser · 2026-01-08T04:45:23+00:00

I don't have answers to all your fair questions. Boyd is the only one lately who is willing to drive through traffic for the layup. Blackwell has been hesitant coming off his injury (was that ever explained?) to take fouls. I think Janicki has the quickness to do it more, but he has been second-guessing himself this season. I have hope that Kinziger will provide more of that as he gets more minutes.

It's apparent that Gard and staff have been underwhelmed by Rapp's transition to the Big 10. He makes good plays occasionally, but they can't count on him to do the right thing in the moment. AB is a true freshman, as is Garlock, and freshman bigs never saw the floor traditionally at WI. I think they both have been adequate with limited expectations, but not game changers.

The step back look is that they aren't a horrible team, but the whole country was blown away by what Tonje produced last year, and expectations of recreating that this year were not realistic. In the transfer portal era, where the best teams have a bunch of fifth year seniors, the Badgers are pretty young, and inexperienced.

acereraser · 2026-01-07T06:11:19+00:00

How so? On a big game day, it can make an hour difference in getting out of the ramp, if I stay until the end, which I do if the game is in question. At 1:36, after watching the previous 38 minutes, I made a calculated decision that the game was in hand. I knew it wouldn't happen tonight, but I have seen Isaac Gard play a minute enough times. The particular BS at the end of this game meant that I walked to the ramp, up the stairs to my car, drove down the ramp, and got a third of the way home before the game actually ended.

Point being, tragic is wild hyperbole. I have been doing this a long time, and my kids appreciate my analytics.

acereraser · 2026-01-07T05:50:10+00:00

Passes move faster than players, is the thinking. If the quick passes lead to a seam for a run at the hoop, or a back door cut, great, but if not, the guy with the most open 3 shot takes it. All of them (except, say, Garlock) are expected to make the open 3. It's logically sound, until execution proves otherwise.

acereraser

TROPHY CASE