The Milwaukee Bucks are looking at this off-season as a big one in their quest to take the next step to NBA respectability. John Salmons is a free agent and although he liked his time with the Bucks this past season there is no garuantee that he will re-sign with the team. So Gm John  Hammond didn't wait for help to come from Thursday night's draft. He went out and aquired a 20 point scorer in exchange for two high priced reserves. the Bucks sent Charlie Bell and Dan Gaudzaric to Golden State for Corey Maggette. Now, Maggette has a high salary as well but by unloading Bell & Gaudzaric (neither of whom were in the regular rotation) the salaries are pretty much of  wash. Maggette should fit in nicely and if Salmons stays so much the better...if he goes the newcomer gives coach Scott Skiles a proven scorer to silde right in.

It's amazing how a team can look so good in one game of a doubleheader and so bad in the nightcap. That was the case of the Woodchucks on Tuesday night at Bukolt Park in Stevens Point. They played a solid game 1 getting timely hitting from Rob Lind and Brandon King and a solid mound effort from Don Lisi in a 7-3 win...but could only muster 2 hits and allowed 4 unearned runs in the second game loss. The Chucks find themselves right in the thick of the race for the first half title in the Southern Division as they welcome Battle Creek to town tonight. Also former Olympian, Badger and current San Jose Shark Joe Pavelski will be at Athletic Park tonight greeting fans and signing autographs.

The United States can advance at the World Cup today. They play Algeria. England faces off with Slovenia.

The Wausau Legion Post 10 Bulldogs are back in action tonight travelling to Merrill for a 7pm game. The Bulldogs are 8-4 to start the season...3-1 in the conference and face a tough Merrill squad ...most of whom are coming off their recent trip to the high school state tournament.

Songs of the Day   (from My I-pod)

The Fuse-Jackson Browne (1976) from "The Pretender"....I wore out a copy of this in college..."whatever it is you might think you have, you have nothing to lose"..."through every dead and living thing time runs like a fuse"....here's a live version featuring the great David Lindley on lap steel.

The Future's so Bright I Gotta Wear Shades-Timbuk Three (1986) Madison's Pat & Barb McDonald wrote this bouncy ditty that was widely misinterpeted by listeners who heard a positive outlook while McDonald wrote the tune ironically with a grim outlook. Be careful what you wish for!