Badgers extend offer to Ball - Wisconsin [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Offer puts smile on Hoefeld's face - Wisconsin [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

General News. Graduating student-athletes honored at graduation reception

Source: UWBadgers.com

Academic Services honors the student-athletes graduating this spring. Graduation ceremonies are this weekend at the Kohl Center

UW-Whitewater staves off elimination in DIII baseball

Source: Journal Sentinel

Whitewater – UW-Whitewater staved off elimination for the third time in two days on Saturday.

The Warhawks, seeded fourth in the NCAA Division III baseball regional at Whitewater, used stellar defense late to eliminate sixth-seeded St. Scholastica, 6-5.

The Warhawks (33-16) advance to face top-seeded St. Thomas (37-8) in the championship round of the double-elimination tournament at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Tommies, who handed Whitewater a 5-3 loss in the second round on Thursday, need to win just once to win the regional title.

If Whitewater defeats St. Thomas, the teams will meet again at noon Sunday for a berth in the Division III World Series, set to begin Friday at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute.

Rightfielder Andrew Bauer went 1 for 3 with two RBI for Whitewater. His squeeze bunt in the top of the seventh gave the Warhawks a 6-2 lead.

Junior Michael Huckaby, who entered the day 2-1 with a 4.74 ERA, limited St. Scholastica to four runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings for Whitewater.

Lawyer: Va Tech kicker to plead to reduced charge

Source: Madison.com

The lawyer for Cody Journell says the Virginia Tech kicker has reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a reduced charge stemming from a December incident.

Scout.com Ranks Badgers’ Recruiting Class 28th In Nation

Source: Badger of Honor by danzinski

The … [visit site to read more]

Scout.com Ranks Badgers’ Recruiting Class 28th In Nation - Badger of Honor - Badger of Honor - A Wisconsin Badgers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Spring stock sale: Linebackers - Wisconsin [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

UW men's soccer: Nine home games on 2012 schedule

Source: Madison.com

The University of Wisconsin men's soccer team will host nine games this fall, including the Sept. 7 home opener against Florida International.

In Case You Missed It: Russell Wilson On Jon Gruden’s QB Camp

Source: Badger of Honor by danzinski

In Case You Missed It: Russell Wilson On Jon Gruden’s QB Camp - Badger of Honor - Badger of Honor - A Wisconsin Badgers Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.

Big Ten Friday mailblog

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Hoping everyone has a great weekend. Ben from Columbus, Ohio, writes: "Hi Adam!" WAIT!!!!!!! You can't say a word back to me or its an NCAA violation!! Are you kidding me? Sounds like Meyer was between a rock and a hard place. Spence said Hi TO HIM, what is he supposed to do, ignore him?! Is the NCAA really that ridiculous? Are there any potential penalties tOSU has to worry about?The Baylor AD put it best: "You can commit 20 NCAA violations by simply falling out of bed in the morning.

WolverineNation links: Top 10 again

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Michael Rothstein writes : In Mark Schlabach's most recent Way Too Early Preseason Top 25, Michigan found itself back in a place it used to reside in regularly, the preseason top 10. And that is a good thing. Chantel Jennings writes : Former Michigan and NFL linebacker Dhani Jones heaped praise on Brady Hoke, who was an assistant at Michigan when Jones played for the Wolverines.

Technology helps Illinois' early recruiting

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Five Big Ten head coaches have official Twitter accounts, but none other uses it as consistently as new Illinois boss Tim Beckman. If there aren't a few tweets sent out from Beckman's account (@coachbeckman) every morning between 6-8 a.m. -- with several exclamation points included -- someone should probably call for a wellness check. Twitter is just one of several tech tools Beckman and his staff use to connect with fans and recruits.

Big 12, SEC have deal for football champs to play

Source: Madison.com

The Big 12 and the Southeastern conferences have announced a deal that will pit their football regular-season champions against each other in a New Year's Day bowl game for five years beginnin…

SEC, Big 12 plant their own Rose

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

The Big Ten and Pac-12 have their Rose Bowl. And now, the SEC and Big 12 are trying to create something just like it. In a wildly interesting development, those two leagues announced today that their champions would meet annually in a Jan. 1 bowl game, unless one or both of those champions is in the new four-team playoff. The conferences didn't say where the bowl would be or if it will be folded into an existing bowl; expect current bowls like the Sugar and Cotton to fall all over themselves trying to land this whale of an event.

M. Basketball. Graduation weekend for three men's basketball players

Source: UWBadgers.com

Jordan Taylor, Rob Wilson and Ryan Evans will all participate in ceremonies

Five Big Ten teams in Schlabach's top 25

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Four Big Ten teams made colleague Mark Schlabach's post-spring top 25, led by the Michigan Wolverines. Schlabach ranks LSU No. 1, followed by USC. Michigan's opening opponent, Alabama, is ranked third. The Wolverines cracked his top 10 at No. 9. Michigan State is two rungs lower at No. 11. Adam and I have the Spartans ahead of Michigan in our power rankings, but I expect the Wolverines to be ranked higher in most polls to start the year coming off an 11-2 season and Sugar Bowl crown.

M. Soccer. Wisconsin men's soccer releases 2012 schedule

Source: UWBadgers.com

Badgers set to play nine home games at the McClimon Complex. Badgers set to play nine home games at the McClimon Complex

Big Ten lunchtime links

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

It's Friday. Cool, cool, cool. Ohio State has reported many secondary violations in the past year, including Urban Meyer telling Noah Spence "good luck" before a game. None of them are a big deal on their own, but all eyes are on the Buckeyes right now, Doug Lesmerises writes. Purdue coach Danny Hope is optimistic that Antavian Edison will be cleared of weapons charges and can play in 2012. He says Edison may have "been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Meyer, Smith admit to secondary violations

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Secondary NCAA violations happen with every FBS program on a semi-regular basis, but at Ohio State, after the past year, every error is magnified. The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer recently obtained a list of all Ohio State's NCAA violations since May 30, 2011, the day Jim Tressel resigned as football coach in the wake of the tattoo/memorabilia scandal. According to the Plain Dealer, Ohio State reported 46 violations in 21 sports during the span, including secondary NCAA violations committed by new football coach Urban Meyer and athletic director Gene Smith.

Badger Bits: Alvarez wanted series with Notre Dame

Source: Bucky's 5th Quarter by Nathan Palm

In recent years, Wisconsin has been criticized for its lack of worthy nonconference opponents. Games against schools like Austin Peay and South Dakota certainly do not help the school's cause, but that does not mean the athletic department is not making an effort to improve the caliber of UW's opponents.

Athletic director Barry Alvarez recently pitched the idea of starting a yearly showdown with the

Video: Illinois coach Tim Beckman

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Illinois coach Tim Beckman talks to Adam Rittenberg about his tour through the state, his first spring in Champaign and the team's early recruiting success.

Big Ten post-spring power rankings

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

The book is closed on spring football in the Big Ten, but what did the chapters reveal? Although no games are played during the spring, which fuels optimism for all 12 teams, the 15 practices provide clues for the upcoming season. The Big Ten saw few major injuries to key players, some good news (the NCAA declaring Michigan State's DeAnthony Arnett eligible for 2012) and some potentially troubling signs. It's time to revive the power rankings coming out of the spring.

Wisconsin Football: How Does Danny O'Brien Stack Up Against Russell Wilson?

Source: Bleacher Report NCAAF

The comparisons began as soon as the commitment rolled through the fax machine. 

Danny O'Brien, the former Maryland quarterback, would follow in the footsteps of ACC compatriot Russell Wilson and become a Badger. But he couldn't be nearly as good as the NC State transplant, could he?

Wilson's mix of moxie, efficiency and deadly accuracy made him a Dairy State legend in less than a year. His shoes will be hard to fill, but the increasingly competitive nature of college football demands someone at least try them on. Most fans are already looking to O'Brien to lace up as the starter.  

So it begs the question, how does Danny O'Brien really compare to Wilson when all variables are factored in?

Begin Slideshow

Wisconsin Football: How Does Danny O'Brien Stacks Up Against Russell Wilson

Source: Bleacher Report NCAAF

The comparisons began as soon as the commitment rolled through the fax machine. 

Danny O'Brien, the former Maryland quarterback, would follow in the footsteps of ACC compatriot Russell Wilson and become a Badger. But he couldn't be nearly as good as the NC State transplant, could he?

Wilson's mix of moxie, efficiency and deadly accuracy made him a Dairy State legend in less than a year. His shoes will be hard to fill, but the increasingly competitive nature of college football demands someone at least try them on. Most fans are already looking to O'Brien to lace up as the starter.  

So it begs the question, how does Danny O'Brien really compare to Wilson when all variables are factored in?

Begin Slideshow

UW men's hockey: Recruiting hat trick in Chicago

Source: BadgerBeat

Defenseman Peter Tischke is the third member of Chicago Mission 16-and-under club to commit to the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team.

Big Ten Network cuts academics coverage, citing low ratings

Source: Madison.com

The Big Ten cable network has been an unchallenged success promoting conference sports to a national audience and making money for its members. The academic programming its leaders had promise…

W. Track. Multi-event trio leads Badgers' charge into NCAA competition

Source: UWBadgers.com

Wisconsin's trio of Dorcas Akinniyi, Jessica Flax and Deanna Latham will certainly live up to the title of "multi-event athlete" as NCAA postseason competition gets underway.

M. Track. Badgers to open NCAA competition with 25 athletes

Source: UWBadgers.com

Good thing everything's bigger in Texas. The Lone Star State is going to need plenty of room for all the Badgers set to head south next week.

Big Ten chat recap: May 17

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Some Big Ten chats are better than others, and today's was one of the better ones we've had in a while. Kudos to you for participating and asking good questions. Midseason form. Good to see. For those who missed out on the fun, I've got you covered. Here's the full chat transcript. Some highlights: Mr. T. from Columbus: Don't you think the B1G gave up too easily in pushing for home games in the semifinals of the playoffs? The biggest thing people complain about in bowl games is that the Southern teams never have to travel.

Here's a peek at the Big Ten's top newcomers for next season (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAB

Michigan has two players on our list, but the most important newcomer is a point guard who fills the one real hole in Indiana's starting lineup.

Alabama fan indicted on after-BCS game sex charge

Source: Madison.com

An Alabama fan has been charged with sexual battery after authorities say he was captured on video performing a simulated sex act on an unconscious LSU fan after the BCS championship game.

Big Ten ADs split on neutral-site games

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- The first Saturday of the 2012 college football season is highlighted by a blockbuster game taking place at a cavernous NFL stadium. On the night of Sept. 1, Michigan and Alabama will take center stage in Arlington, Texas, at a shrine to all things big and bold, nicknamed "Jerryworld" after Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. It will mark the latest in a series of national showcase games during the regular season that take place at neutral sites.

College Football 411: Spring's best

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Cassidy Hubbarth and the college football bloggers bring you the best from the spring and what that means for the games in the fall.

Big Ten Thursday mailbag

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

There's a lot going on, even for May. Let's get to your emails and talk about it all. Andrew from Brooklyn writes: I know you've been over this ad nauseum, but can you explain one more time, how [Jim] Delany and the ADs justify allowing the bowls to host semifinals? I can't think of a single advantage in such a situation for Big Ten institutions or their fans. 1. It takes tourism dollars out of the region. 2. It enriches the bowl committees, perhaps the most corrupt element in all of college sports (not only the indictment of John Junker, but also the excessive compensation of directors, the kickbacks involved in room guarantees, etc).

Spring stock sale: Defensive line - Wisconsin [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

Around the Big Ten: Northwestern - Wisconsin [$$] (Rivals)

Source: Yahoo! NCAAF

B1G aims 'to not be the barrier' any more

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- Here's one possible reason the Big Ten decided not to push harder for playoff games at campus sites. "We're trying to not be the barrier," Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke told ESPN.com. "We have strong values and strong opinions. We've said that throughout. You go back to 2008, and we wanted the BCS to remain intact. And we've have a 60-plus-year relationship with the Rose Bowl. We've never hid that fact. "But it's pretty clear that some level of compromise is necessary.

Bill O'Brien energized by PSU caravan tour

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

May is a time when many coaches take a little breather, decompressing after spring practice and maybe enjoy some time off. Not so for new Penn State coach Bill O'Brien. When ESPN.com caught up to O'Brien on Wednesday for a phone interview, he was on a bus en route to Buffalo, N.Y., for the 18th and final stop on the Nittany Lions' coaches caravan. O'Brien went to every event, a three-week whirlwind that saw him visit seven different states, including stops in Cleveland, Washington, D.

Softball. Whitney Massey selected to NFCA All-Great Lakes Region first team

Source: UWBadgers.com

Junior second baseman led the Badgers with a .358 batting average and 22 doubles. Junior second baseman led the Badgers with a .358 batting average and 22 doubles

Big Ten lunch links

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

It's better to carry a tune than a grudge. Michigan AD Dave Brandon doesn't view a four-team model as a true playoff. The Wolverines could be sporting more alternate unis in the near future. Urban Meyer releases Ohio State's depth chart and doesn't hide his concerns about his personnel. Meyer shares his thoughts on the playoff possibilities. Meyer's intensity will fuel the Buckeyes in 2012. Iowa's Kinnick Stadium once again will be reseated in 2014.

Most indispensable players: Ohio State

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

We're getting near the end of our series looking at the most indispensable players on each Big Ten team. Once again, this is not necessarily a listing of the best players on each team, but ones whose absence would be toughest to absorb because of their particular value or a lack of depth behind them. We're selecting two players from each Big Ten squad, usually one on offense and one on defense, but not always. Ohio State is on the clock: Braxton Miller, QB, Sophomore It's not just that Miller is the team's best playmaker and a seemingly perfect fit in Urban Meyer's spread offense.

Big Ten chat: today at noon ET

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Just a quick reminder that we'll be chatting about all things Big Ten football today at noon ET. Let's discuss the news coming out of the Big Ten spring meetings in Chicago, how the Big Ten fits into college football's future playoff and anything else that's on your mind. See you at noon ET.

B1G quiet on expansion, watching terrain

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- Two years ago, Big Ten expansion dominated the discussion at league's spring meetings. This week, the subject barely came up when athletic directors and others got together. The Big Ten presidents and chancellors announced in August that the league "will not be actively engaged in conference expansion at this time, or at any time in the foreseeable future, barring a significant shift in the current intercollegiate athletic landscape.

B1G quiet on expansion, watching landcape

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

CHICAGO -- Two years ago, Big Ten expansion dominated the discussion at league's spring meetings. This week, the subject barely came up when athletic directors and others got together. The Big Ten presidents and chancellors announced in August that the league "will not be actively engaged in conference expansion at this time, or at any time in the foreseeable future, barring a significant shift in the current intercollegiate athletic landscape.

Badger Bits: UW basketball headed back to Las Vegas

Source: Bucky's 5th Quarter by Adam Tupitza

Details of Wisconsin basketball's 2012-13 non-conference schedule continue to trickle in, and the latest announcement is that the Badgers will play in the Las Vegas Invitational on the Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Possible opponents for Wisconsin in the four-team tournament include Creighton, Arizona State, and Arkansas. A potential matchup with Creighton is intriguing, as the Bluejays return most of their players from their Sweet 16 run this past March, including All-American forward

Spring breakout players in the Big Ten

Source: Big Ten Football Blog

Spring practice is a time when coaches install new schemes or just instill the fundamentals. The most exciting part of spring practice is potential new stars emerge, with newcomers or former reserves turning heads with their performances. Some of these guys will fade back into the shadows come fall. But others will be making major contributions on a field near you. Here's a list of some players who had breakout springs: Josh Ferguson, RB, Illinois: Redshirted last year after a hamstring injury, Ferguson blew up for 130 yards and caught six passes in the Illini spring game.

Badgers Tap Chicago Pipeline For Defenseman Peter Tischke

Source: Bucky's 5th Quarter by Chuck Schwartz

The Chicago to Madison college hockey recruiting pipeline continues to flow as consistently as ever. The latest Chi-Town native that has chosen to wear the cardinal and white Wisconsin sweater is Mission U16 defenseman Peter Tischke.

Tischke, who hails from Hinsdale which is just outside of Chicago is the third member of the Mission U16 team to commit to the Badgers in the past year. Brookfield's Jake Linhart, who is Tischke's defensive partner with the Mission committed in the fall, and Seamus Malone, a forward with the Mission from Naperville, IL gave his verbal pledge to the Badgers in March.

Linhart and Tischke are expected to join the Badgers in the fall of 2014, while Malone who is a young '96 isn't expected until