The thinking for most high-end hoops players is to spend one year on-campus before heading to the pros. For some this is a good plan…for other it's a terrible idea. When you start playing for money you are no longer the best player on most nights. Your playing time can fluctuate wildly. Your body is not developed enough in many cases to withstand the banging, the travel,and the schedule that comes with wearing an NBA uniform. And it takes a mental toughness that many of theses guys don't have to fight through the problems that will invaribly crop up. That's why its so refeshing to see a guy like Malcolm Brogdon do well. The Bucks selected Brogdon in the second round out of Virginia. Let's face it, most second round picks don't make it in the NBA. Especially a 24 year old who played all four years in college. But Brogdon has showed he's not like most. He was the ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. And he did it after getting his degree and a masters degree and a place on the ACC honor roll. He used college basketball to get a world-class education that has prepared him for a future after the hardwood. Journal-Sentinel reporter Lori Nickel had an outstanding article on Brogdon in the Sunday paper. A trip to the sums of Ghana and Malawi in 2002 was a transformative time for the budding hoops star. He had the stuff to go to Harvard but also wanted to play top-flight basketball so decided on the University Of Virginia and the first class coaching of Tony Bennett. His seriousness in both the classroom and basketball court earned him the nickname “The President”. In fact, Bucks VP Craig Robinson (the brother of Michelle Obama) said he wants to be Brogdon's campaign manager when he runs for President some day. But that's for another day. Right now Malcom Brogdon is kinda busy living his NBA dream and leading the Bucks bench unit with his heady play and on-court maturity…and that's something you don't usually see in the one & done guys.
Check out Lori Nickel's story in the Sunday Journal-Sentinel!
The Packers almost pissed it away but have put themselves into a virtual tie with Detroit for the NFC Central. Though a game back in the standings, they own the tie-breaker and will face the Lions in 2 weeks. Detroit faces Dallas this week while the Packers host the stumbling Vikings. Aaron Rodgers has recovered his mojo and Green Bay has suddenly found a running game. With the development of Ty Montgomery and the aquisition of Christine Michael, I'm not sure why you need to spend big money on some other back or use a number 1 pick on one. The Packers have become the proverbially “team that no-one wants to play” .
Wisconsin Badger Luke Kunin was named a captain of Team USA for the World Championships which get underway a week from today in Canada. The Badgers are off until January 6th.
SPASH grad and UW standout Ryan Ramcyzk is not only playing at a high level which has set him up to be a 1st round draft choice in the NFL if he chooses, but he's doing it on a bad hip. He is now scheduled for surgery after the Cotton Bowl. He also has said he won't make a decision on his future auntil after that. He probably won't be able to take part if pre-draft workouts that would help his draft status. Does that bode well for him returning to Madison next season?
I woke up this morning to my phone full of messages about the death of another high school classmate. Beth Bliss passed away over the weekend. She had been battling health problems for awhile but it didn't seem to dim her spirit which always seemes upbeat. We hadn't seen each other for a long time but re-connected a number of years ago and she was part of our Class of 75 outing up north in the spring until her health didn't allow it. The first year I remember her perservering on a pair of hurting feet as our friend Eggo led us on a long hike through the woods. She was outgoing, friendly and will definitely be missed by her friends and family.
