The Rebels Invade

Day 1 ended strong with the Oregon Ducks playing better than they have in a while, The Ducks put up 68 points against the 5 seed Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Cowboys could only put 55 points up in this  PAC-12 battle. Arsalan Kazemi had a HUGE game with 17 rebounds and 11 points for his Ducks. Marcus Smart played well also with 9 rebounds and 14 points for the Cowboys. The Cowboys would have standed a chance if they had not turned the ball over as much.

The Mizzouri Tigers had their turn to battle it out against the Colorado State Rams when they lost 84-72. Phil Pressey a senior guard for the Tigers had his last game turn out to be a good one with 20 points and 7 assists in the loss. Dorian Green played just well enough to put his team on top with 26 points for the Rams.

North Carolina A&T barely made the tournament and the team they had to play was, the Louisville Cardinals. The Cardinals had just won the Big East and they won this match up too, with a final score of 48-79. Russ Smith played extraordinary with 23 points and an unheard of 8 steals. He was the only real power player except for Blackshear of the Cardinals who had a great game with 12 points and 5 rebounds.

The Duke Blue Devils got the first whack at it today against the Albany Great Danes. Duke would prevail almost losing to a 15 seed like last year, but they didn't this time. The Blue Devils' Seth Curry played great with 6 rebounds and 26 points, Mason Plumlee did good as well with 23 points and 8 rebounds. The number that stood out to me though was Quin Cooks 11 assists all of those for the Blue Devils. Jacob Iati played very well in his teams' loss, he had 15 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds.

The Wisconsin Badgers just lossed and ruined many brackets after their loss to the Ole Miss Rebels. The final score was a disappointing 57-46, and the Rebel leader, Marshal Henderson paved the way with 19 points and Reginald Buckner helped quite a bit with 12 rebounds and 9 points. If Ben Brust had a hotter hand for Wisconsin a win would have been possible, but his hand was cold and that lead to a loss.

More news on the Tournament will be out as soon as possible!

By David B.

Ohio State gets Routed

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been having plenty of trouble not relying too much on DeShaun Thomas and that showed today. As Thomas was 1 of only 2 players in double figures for the Buckeyes and he had 18 points. He also was only 8 of 17 from the field. For the Wisconsin Badgers they were sharing the ball perfectly with 4 players with 10 or more points and they had one player with 9.

The Badgers were lead by junior guard, Ben Brust. But Brust does not play like any ordinary guard staying up top and assisting, but he was getting rebounds instead 11 of them and he was throwing down shots to, making 6 field goals for 15 points. Brust did have help though, a lot of it from Jared Berggren who had 4 blocks, 15 points, and 8 rebounds which is about all he can do as a center. Also, Sam Dekker came up big playing 28 minutes and had 13 points with a pair of steals.

On Ohio States side of the court they were dug deeper into hole with every one of Thomas's 9 missed shots. That whole they would not get out of and especially Aaron Craft couldn't he only had 4 points and definitely didn't play like former defensive player of the year with only 1 steal and no blocks. Although Sam Thompson played his heart out in his 28 minutes it wouldn't be enough even though he only missed 2 shots and had 10 points.

Before this game the Badgers were ranked number 20 and the Buckeyes were ranked 13. I want you to predict their rankings. I will say that I believe that the Badgers will move to the top 15 and the Buckeyes will fall to between 20 and 25. What is your opinion? Post in the comments!

By David B.

Upset Again

  Last week, Michigan was number one and lost to number 3 Indiana in Indiana.  Today, I was expecting Michigan to play as hard as they were capable of, and steam roll unranked Wisconsin.  However, Wisconsin did upset Indiana earlier in the year.  Both Michigan and Indiana came to play Wisconsin, but lost to them at home.  Michigan lost this game in dramatic fashion; overtime.  This is what college basketball is all about.  This game was close with Wisconsin sticking in there.  The halftime score was 29-28 with Michigan on top.  This is proving that teams that are underrated can beat great teams.  Wisconsin has good defense, and now they will start getting more national spotlight.  If Wisconsin keeps doing this, they will surely be in the NCAA Tournament come March time.  Wisconsin came back, outscoring the Wolverines 32-31 in the second half.  At the end of regulation, the score was 60.  In overtime, however, it was all Wisconsin, outscoring the Wolverines 5-2.  Tim Hardaway Jr. had five fouls, which in college hoops means that player fouls out.  With 13 seconds left, Hardaway Jr. picked up his fifth foul, but the referees didn't send him to the bench.  After a missed free-throw, Hardaway Jr. ran down the court, and I think everyone watching was in disbelief that the referees didn't notice.  Trey Burke launched up a three that went in and out, and time expired.  This game could have gone either way.  Trey Burke had a total of 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.  Tim Hardaway Jr. helped Burke out with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.  Jared Berggren played great for Wisconsin.  He had 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block.  Ryan Evans scored 11 points to go along with 2 blocks, 3 assists, and 9 rebounds.  Ben Brust had 14 points, 2 steals, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds.  Wisconsin is a team coming out of the shadows and could become a ranked team.

By Ameen I.

#2 loss

The Hoosiers were moved up to #2 in the NCAA Basketball team rankings. Now what will they be after a big time loss to an unranked Wisconsin? And What will happen to Wisconsin will they move to the top 25? ESPN.com

Rose Bowl Battle (play by play)

Stanford won the coin toss against the Wisconsin Badgers and the first couple minutes were slow. Then Stanford tried a flea flick pass that took them 34 yards to the 16 yard line. This pass was to Jamal-Rashad Patterson from Kevin Hogan. The next play was a reverse hand-off drawing the defense with a fake then giving it Kelsey Young for a 16 yard touchdown. Stanford makes a stop against Wisconsin and then Kevin Hogan threw another heave to Zach Eartz while taking a painful hit. Then Stephan Taylor takes a hand-off up the middle for a 3 yard touchdown.

The Badgers lead a long drive lead by key blocks made by Full Back Derrick Watt brother of JJ Watt. Then Montee Ball scored but it was called back for holding on the offense. Two plays later Jacob Pederson took the ball to the 3 yard line making it fourth down. The Badgers went with a running back direct snap to James White and was stopped short. Then, Stanford was forced to a three and out.

Montee Ball sat out for a whole 5 play 2:00 drive. Then was put in for the final play to get an 11 yard touchdown run set up by a big block by Derrick Watt.

Stanford marched 47 yards down the field in 7 plays, set up by back to back runs by Anthony Wilkerson and several passes to Ty Montgomery. This led to a 47 yard field goal made by Jordan Williamson to make this game 17- 7 with Stanford on top of Wisconsin.

Two straight punts were forced one for Wisconsin and one for Stanford with only 3:02 left in the first half.As the clock is winding down Montee Ball starts leading the Badgers down the field with three timeouts. Then a huge 38 yard run by Quarterback Curt Phillips who is eventually pushed out at the 21 yard line with 1:06. With 54 seconds left and 1 timeout Curt Phillips throws to Sam Arteson putting then at the 7 yard line. After 2 more runs only going for a total of 3 yards Wisconsin calls their final timeout with 24 seconds. The next play is a touchdown to Jordan Frederick from Curt Phillips leaving 19 seconds on the clock.Making the score a 3 point game 17-14 Stanford still on top. This caps off a 10 play 85 yard drive taking 2:04.

Head Coach of Stanford ,David Shaw, will take this 3 point lead to the locker room and try to talk some sense into his fallen apart defense.

The first half is under way with a touchback and Wisconsin will get the ball at the 20 yard line. David Shaw must have talked some sense into the Stanford defense as they force a three and out.Stanford will have the ball at their own 21 yard line.

Kevin Hogan tries and fails at a quarterback sneak right before the Stanford offensive line gets caught on a false start. Then after an incomplete pass this will force yet another three and out. This drive was 3 plays for -5 yards! Wisconsin will get the ball at their own 49 yard line after the punt.

On second and 9 the jet sweep is unsuccessful yet again, this and a screen for no gain will add up to another three and out. This is the tenth time that the Badgers have tried the jet sweep. Stanford is all over this play. It may have worked against Nebraska, but not against this top 3 run defense.

In the shotgun formation Stanford's Hogan will escape a sack and keep this play alive with a 1 yard gain to Stephan Taylor. Now there is yet another three and out making it four straight. After the punt Curt Phillips runs to the 43 yard line getting the first first down of the second half. On play action Curt Phillips has a wide open Chase Hammond who is appeared to be injured after the hit knocking the ball out. It will be called an incomplete pass(6:43 left in the 3rd). He will be taken out of the game.

This and an incomplete pass will force a punt giving Stanford the ball on their own 9 yard line. And Hogan runs the ball on a play action for a first down. the next play is a three yard run taking them to the 29. After a 10 yard holding penalty it makes it 3rd and 17 for Stanford. Hogan makes a poor choice and tries to run for the first and only gets 3, forcing yet another punt.

Now Wisconsin  will take the ball at their own 29 yard line. Now on 2nd and 6 Montee Ball takes the ball an extra three yards to the 36 yard line. Phillips fires a bullet to the wide receiver Abbrederis for 11 yards. Now 2nd and 2 James white is tackled for a loss of 4. Curt Phillips will try and scramble for the first and is a yard short forcing a punt with 5 seconds left in the 3rd. Stanford takes the ball at their own 15 yard line. The final play of the quarter will be a 3 yard gain for Stephan Taylor on the run.

Stanford will start the quarter on their own 18 yard line with 2nd and 7. The first play will be a scramble for Kevin Hogan who will gain 14 yards to the 32 yard line. Wilkerson is tackled for a huge loss of 6. Taylor will receive a screen and he gains 12 yards but is still short. Stanford will punt yet again. Giving Wisconsin the ball on their own 14 yard line.

Montee ball runs for a one yard gain taking it to the 15 yard line. Gordon takes the ball 8 yards making it 3rd and 1. David Parry tackles Montee Ball short of the first down marker. On the punt their was a penalty on Wisconsin for hitting the return man on a fair catch. Stanford will have the ball on the 44 yard line after the penalty.

2 runs for Taylor will equal a first down in Wisconsin territory. Zach Eartz catches a 9 yard pass making it 2nd and 1. After an illegal block in the back on Stanford they will have the ball on the 40. Then Hogan takes it himself for 10 yards and the first. Now Taylor crossed the 20 yard line making it 3rd down and 1. On a toss play to Anthony Wilkerson he crosses the first down marker taking it to the 11. One play later Taylor crosses the five yard line on the run. Hogan rolls to his right and over throws Zach Eartz forcing a field goal that makes the score 20-14 Stanford on top(4:23 left in the fourth).

Stanford will kick-off to the Badgers. Gordon will take a touchback on this return which will put the ball on their own 25 yard line. On first down Gordon will run the jet sweep good for a first down. Montee ball takes it 3 yards on the run. Gordon on the sweep will take it for 6 yards. Montee Ball will have the first down for Wisconsin. Phillips rolls to his left and passes for 4 yards. Then Phillips is picked for the first time this half.

Stanford is trying to run the clock out when Taylor makes it 3rd and 1 when Wisconsin takes their second time out. Taylor runs for the first down and Stanford has won the Rose Bowl 20-14.

 By David B.

Rose Bowl: preview

There is no better place to play football in January than Pasadena. It can get into the seventies and eighties. Luckily for Stanford and Wisconsin is that they get to play in it at 5:00.
Wisconsin has not had a good past in the rose bowl losing two straight years. The Badgers(Wisconsin) are 0-3 when playing against top 25 teams against the run and Stanford is in the top three, so that factor alone can give Stanford an extreme edge.
This game means a lot to Stanford because a win here will put Stanford among the elite in college football. I'm looking forward to this game especially to see how much effect that Ed Reynolds playing Defensive Back can bring to the Rose Bowl today. He has the fifth most interceptions with 6.
Running Back Montee Ball also should make his presence known against this top 3 run defense. He ranks number 6 in rushing yards with 1730 averaging 5.7 a career.
I believe that the final will be 10- 21 Stanford on top. Predict the score in the comments.

By David B.