'Sconnie Six Pack 11/25
Aaron Rodgers is out-sleuthed by a Make-A-Wish kid, Wisconsin basketball plays a thriller over the reigning national champs, a conference title is on the line today, and more!
Feedback Friday!
Today we give thanks for two weeks of the ‘Sconnie Six Pack! Bringing you the top stories you have to know as a Wisconsin sports fan every single day. Today, let me know what you think of the newsletter. Drop a comment, a mention on Twitter, even just reply to the email you get the newsletter in to let me know what you like, what you do not like, or just genera ideas for what you would like to see the ‘Sconnie Six Pack do moving forward.
Without further ado -
Wisconsin loses heartbreaker to #3 Kansas in Battle 4 Atlantis semifinal
It took a second-chance three-pointer with 14 seconds left in regulation and a second-chance circus shot buzzer-beater in overtime, but the #3 Kansas Jayhawks (6-0) held off the Wisconsin Badgers (4-1) in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals by a score of 69-68. Wisconsin will play in the third-place game in the tournament against USC today at 12:00PM CST; you can watch it on ESPN2.
Both Kansas and Wisconsin played excellent defense in this game as both team was held to 38.7% shooting from the field. Kansas’ defensive performance helped the Jayhawks build a 15-point lead on Wisconsin, but the Badgers game all the way back thanks to Tyler Wahl. Wahl recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds including 14 points in the second half. He powered Wisconsin’s comeback including a 9-0 run by Wisconsin in the final minutes of regulation - with all nine points scored by Wahl. He even gave the Badgers a one point lead with 21 seconds left in overtime on a spinning drive to the basket, but it was just shy of enough.
Although Jalen Wilson was the go-to scoring threat for Wisconsin all day with 29 points and 14 rebounds, his performance will go overshadowed by the end of game theatrics. After Wahl’s layup to give Wisconsin the lead, Kansas shot a three-pointer out of a timeout with just three seconds remaining. The shot missed, but Bobby Pettiford Jr., grabbed the offensive rebound and made an incredible layup to give the Jayhawks a one point lead with 0.2 seconds remaining. Kansas forced overtime from a made three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation as well - also a second-chance scoring opportunity. Needless to say, it was Kansas’ ability to outrebound Wisconsin that cost the Badgers the game. Kansas outrebounded Wisconsin 50-35 including 14-6 in offensive rebounds.
Wisconsin plays today in the game for third-place at the Battle 4 Atlantis against the USC Trojans (4-2). USC is in the third place game by way of defeating BYU by a score of 82-76, and falling to #22 Tennessee in overtime 73-66. The Trojans are led by senior guard Boogie Ellis who so far this season is averaging 18.5 points per game on an impressive 48.3% three-point shooting. Ellis will be tested by the Wisconsin defense which leads the country in three-point defense, holding opponents to just 17.8% shooting beyond the arc. USC’s second leading scorer is also its leader in rebounding and assists. Senior guard Drew Peterson averages 14.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. As of this morning, USC is rated 61st at KenPom.
Wisconsin volleyball plays at Nebraska today with a chance to clinch a Big Ten title
The Wisconsin (23-3, 17-1 Big Ten) plays in Lincoln against the Nebraska Cornhuskers (24-3, 16-2) today in the first of a weekend which features two matches for the Badgers with huge impacts on the Big Ten title race. You can catch today’s match at 7:00PM CST on the Big Ten Network.
Wisconsin has a one-game lead in the Big Ten standings on Nebraska. A win today would allow Wisconsin to clinch an outright Big Ten conference championship. Wisconsin and Nebraska are each the cream of the crop in the Big Ten and they even met last season in final match of the season for the national championship. Although Nebraska has not defeated Wisconsin since 2017, these matches are always extremely competitive featuring some of the nation’s best players. Wisconsin defeated Nebraska in their previous meeting this season in straight sets (25-23, 25-23, 25-18) on October 26th.
Watch for a great matchup at the net as Wisconsin and Nebraska boast the two best individual blockers in the Big Ten. Kaitlyn Hord for Nebraska and Danielle Hart for Wisconsin are first and second respectively in blocks per set.
Milwaukee Bucks host the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time in nine days
The Milwaukee Bucks (12-5) will host the Cleveland Cavaliers (12-6) in Milwaukee for the second time in nine days as Milwaukee attempts to hold on to second place in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is just a half game back of Milwaukee in the conference standings and would overtake the Bucks with a win. You can watch today’s game at 7:00PM CST on Bally Sports Wisconsin.
With a bout of sickness running through the locker room, Milwaukee may be a bit shorthanded tonight. Jrue Holiday and Pat Connaughton both appeared on Milwaukee’s injury report today with a non-COVID illness. In Milwaukee’s recent 113-98 victory over Cleveland, the Bucks were without Holiday and Connaughton with injury as well.
This is a matchup between two of the NBA’s best defenses as both the Bucks and Cavaliers are top-10 in opponent field goal percentage and top-five in opponent scoring. It is also a matchup of strong against strong on the glass. While Milwaukee grabs the most rebounds per game, Cleveland allows its opponents to grab the least rebounds per game in the NBA.
Non-COVID illness running through Packers’ locker room
The Green Bay Packers’ injury report yesterday featured a number of players listed with illness. More players were added with the illness yesterday that had not previously been listed on Wednesday’s injury report.
As tight end Robert Tonyan was added to the injury report with the illness, others have returned to practice. After being held out of practice on Wednesday, safety Tariq Carpenter and safety Rudy Ford returned to practice as full participants. Other players are listed with an illness, but still practicing including wide receiver Randall Cobb and kicker Mason Crosby. Tackle Rasheed Walker was listed as out with an illness on Wednesday and remained held out of practice Thursday.
Aaron Rodgers confirms that his thumb is broken - first reported by Make-A-Wish kid
As Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been playing through a thumb injury, speculation about the severity of the injury only increased over time. Eventually, an unlikely source led to the public confirmation that Rodgers’ thumb is broken.
During a Make-A-Wish visit to Lambeau Field, Rodgers told Big B (@bigpackers4x on Twitter) that his thumb was broken. The Twitter user later tweeted that Rodgers had revealed it to him. It was not until two days ago, however, that Rodgers confirmed Big B’s story.
Always believe in yourself, and you too can be an NFL investigative reporter.
Topping-off the six pack & Axe Week Extra: 4 things everyone hates and the Isthmus Gang
It’s the day after Thanksgiving in Wisconsin and I need to travel to Madison today to watch the Badgers destroy the Gophers in the annual battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe tomorrow. In the case that I am busy and perhaps hungover (this newsletter is named after beer after all), please enjoy this collection of memes about the Wisconsin-Minnesota football rivalry.
This is true.
Barry got ‘em.
What more could you ask from your state representative than to have great takes on college football’s most played rivalry?
Minnesota’s mascot is a yellow rodent.