Sports

---

This year's Badgers far different from '06 team

Columnist's note: Yes it's almost March Madness, yes the column name has changed but somehow it's about hockey. Well here's the thing, the Dance has been analyzed and overanalyzed with most points of view being taken. This column could throw out something outlandish with the hope it would grab attention or move over already traveled ground and get lost in the noise. Instead, it's about hockey. Enjoy the column and the most wonderful two days of the sports year.

Offense finally in good hands with Tolzien

With the eyes of Wisconsin sports fans fixated on this weekend's NCAA basketball tournament and WCHA playoffs, senior quarterback Scott Tolzien and the Wisconsin football team quietly began their spring practices this week.

No room for underdogs: Final Five is for favorites

This year's WCHA Tournament has not exactly been upset-heavy.

Ditch your bracket and just watch to really enjoy the tourney

You would be hard pressed to find a better week for sports fans than this one.

Badgers earn No. 7 seed, will face Vermont

The Badgers are going dancing.

Final Five now awaits Wisconsin after Badgers sweep away Alaska-Anchorage

Senior forward Aaron Bendickson says he is not a spotlight type of guy, that he doesn't like a whole lot of attention. It would be hard to imagine, however, that he did not enjoy his final seven minutes at the Kohl Center.  The center scored his 10th and 11th goals of the season in a 12-second span to put the game out of reach in the third period and send the Badgers to the WCHA Final Five next weekend in St. Paul.

Badgers given a 4-seed, will take on Wofford

The NCAA announced Wisconsin earned a No. 4 seed and will face Wofford this Friday in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Gudmandson securing starter status

In the midst of Ryan Miller's string of dominating performances between the pipes for Team USA in the Olympics, Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves said that a hot goaltender ""can steal you a series, can steal you a cup, can steal you a national championship."" After sweeping Alaska-Anchorage and punching a ticket to the WCHA Final Five next weekend in St. Paul, it appears that UW junior goaltender Scott Gudmandson is heating up at the right time.

Wisconsin dispatches Illinois State, Western Illinois

The Wisconsin men's tennis team tallied two more wins this Sunday in their last pre-conference tune-ups against No. 70 Illinois State and Western Illinois, 6-1 and 6-0.

Badger seniors come up empty in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS—4:51.

WCHA Playoffs commence as Badgers face Seawolves

If the regular season stood as a barometer of success in college hockey, the Badgers would have to be satisfied. Their second place WCHA finish is the highest since Mike Eaves took over as head coach in 2002. They ranked in the top-five nationally in goals scored, scoring average, scoring margin, shots allowed and scoring defense. Ultimately, though, the success of this team will be measured on what happens over the next four weeks.

Too little, too late: Furious rally comes up short against Illini

The Badgers were eliminated in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament, dropping a 58-54 game to Illinois. Trevon Hughes hit four 3-pointers in the final two minutes but could not overcome a terrible offensive performance by the team as a whole.

English star Owen a sad soccer story

I hate when athletes with so much potential end up falling short because of injuries. Whether it is Boobie Miles, Mark Prior or Marcus Camby, I can't help but feel sympathy—even pity—toward these would-be greats. So when Manchester United's Michael Owen went down for the season after suffering a torn hamstring, I was devastated for the 30-year-old striker.

Men's tennis prepares for doubleheader

With the conference season only a week away, the No. 38 Wisconsin men's tennis team will have one last chance this Sunday to sharpen their skills as they host No. 70 Illinois State and Western Illinois.

Badgers kick off tournament against Illini

The Badgers open up postseason play in the Big Ten tournament today, beginning their quest for a Big Ten championship. As the No. 4 seed in the event, Wisconsin takes on No. 5 seed Illinois.

Badger fans can't have it both ways with Bo Ryan

Madness starts up with Big Ten Tournament

Ohio State

Spring activities begin with pro day

Hughes, Bohannon, Leuer earn Big Ten regular-season honors

The Big Ten announced its end-of-the-year awards late Monday, and the selections included Wisconsin senior guards Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon and junior forward Jon Leuer.

Problems in sports that need to be addressed

Too many times when I'm watching sports I think of a column idea, then realize there's no way I can stretch those concepts into a full column. So instead I thought it would be appropriate to throw all of them into one.