The Badgers men's hoops have reached the top spot in the AP poll this week. First time ever in school history. Now they just have to be at this spot 7 weeks from now, which is ultimately more important, but it's nice to celebrate this.
You should see downtown during a game! I drove down to pick up something just before the Penn State game this weekend. It was red and white everywhere!
Well, we won't be #1 now after our loss at Michigan State. A victory over Ohio State this weekend will more than make up for tonight's loss, whatever the ranking might be at the end of the week.
Staying in the top 4 would be of most importance for NCAA tournament seeding purposes. Staying #1 is not that important.
That said, I don't see Wisconsin being one of the top 5 teams in the USA.
I think Florida, North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Ohio State, and probably around 5-10 teams are better than the Badgers.
The Badgers play in a weak Big Ten.
I really like the style of Badgers play, though. And I hope they prove me wrong come NCAA tournament time.
Man, I just don't want a repeat of the football season. It was hearbreak to have #1 & #2 (I still think that Michigan should have been #2) go into the bowl season and get shellacked. Please, by the Great Oracle, let the Big 10 roundballers fare better. And above all - don't let it be TOSU v. Florida in the Championship game. The humiliation of a loss far outweighs the glory of a win.
Treego - I disagree that the Badgers are not a top 10 or 15 team as you say in your post. To say that ignores all they have done, there is too great of a body of work to make that claim. They have far more quality wins than OSU does.
True, the Big Ten is very top heavy, however, I think that 4 teams right now are deserving of the tourney: WI, OSU, Indiana and MSU. All 4 of them will represent the conference well, IMO.
We heard the same about the Badgers football season: they played in a bad conference. Then they win their bowl game over a very good Arkansas team and the comments are that they were lucky and ARK is still a better team. The lack of respect for the Badgers is astonishing given how time after time, they simply just win.
I don't judge teams by what the conference is like. Judge them by what they do. If they beat up on a weak conference, isn't that what a good team does and is expected to do? If they played down to the level of their competition, then one can question the team. The Badgers haven't done that.
You listed OSU as an elite team. Who have they beaten on the road that's any good? MSU, that's it.
Florida? Only has beaten KY on the road.
NC? Beat FL. Very solid. Lost to Texas Tech and DePaul on the road.
Using your theory of road wins, I have successfully eliminated 3 of your "better" teams in the country from being in the sweet 16 and therefore not "special".
Virginia Tech? Please. Yes, they swept NC and beat Duke, but they also got pounded TWICE by NC State who is 14-12. They are way too mecurial for any legit discussion of a great team.
10 comments:
They're getting their due ... what a great day for the program!
You should see downtown during a game! I drove down to pick up something just before the Penn State game this weekend. It was red and white everywhere!
Well, we won't be #1 now after our loss at Michigan State. A victory over Ohio State this weekend will more than make up for tonight's loss, whatever the ranking might be at the end of the week.
Staying in the top 4 would be of most importance for NCAA tournament seeding purposes. Staying #1 is not that important.
That said, I don't see Wisconsin being one of the top 5 teams in the USA.
I think Florida, North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Ohio State, and probably around 5-10 teams are better than the Badgers.
The Badgers play in a weak Big Ten.
I really like the style of Badgers play, though. And I hope they prove me wrong come NCAA tournament time.
Man, I just don't want a repeat of the football season. It was hearbreak to have #1 & #2 (I still think that Michigan should have been #2) go into the bowl season and get shellacked.
Please, by the Great Oracle, let the Big 10 roundballers fare better. And above all - don't let it be TOSU v. Florida in the Championship game. The humiliation of a loss far outweighs the glory of a win.
Well, it was a nice run.
Treego -
I disagree that the Badgers are not a top 10 or 15 team as you say in your post. To say that ignores all they have done, there is too great of a body of work to make that claim. They have far more quality wins than OSU does.
True, the Big Ten is very top heavy, however, I think that 4 teams right now are deserving of the tourney: WI, OSU, Indiana and MSU. All 4 of them will represent the conference well, IMO.
We heard the same about the Badgers football season: they played in a bad conference. Then they win their bowl game over a very good Arkansas team and the comments are that they were lucky and ARK is still a better team. The lack of respect for the Badgers is astonishing given how time after time, they simply just win.
I don't judge teams by what the conference is like. Judge them by what they do. If they beat up on a weak conference, isn't that what a good team does and is expected to do? If they played down to the level of their competition, then one can question the team. The Badgers haven't done that.
OK Cheesehead Craig ... I still think the Badgers won't make the sweet sixteen of the NCAA tournament.
Who have the Badgers beaten on the road that is any good?
Marquette? Well, I don't see that as a true road game.
Georgia? They're an NIT team, at best.
Illinois? Perhaps.
That's it. The Badgers are a good team. I emphasize the word "good." They're not special.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
You listed OSU as an elite team. Who have they beaten on the road that's any good? MSU, that's it.
Florida?
Only has beaten KY on the road.
NC?
Beat FL. Very solid.
Lost to Texas Tech and DePaul on the road.
Using your theory of road wins, I have successfully eliminated 3 of your "better" teams in the country from being in the sweet 16 and therefore not "special".
Virginia Tech? Please.
Yes, they swept NC and beat Duke, but they also got pounded TWICE by NC State who is 14-12. They are way too mecurial for any legit discussion of a great team.
OK, that is good insight on the other highly rated teams' lack of impressive road success.
Perhaps, I am underestimating the Badgers. You've pushed me in that direction a little now with your analysis.
God's best to you, Cheesehead Craig.
Go Badgers! :)
Another successful convert to the great sports teams from the land of cheese!
You are welcome anytime Treego.
Post a Comment