State of Basketball

After two brutal losses yesterday, and the nearing of midseason for UW and Creighton, I think it is a good time to take stock in where they are as teams, and what their postseason prospects look like.

UW
Record: 12-7 (3-4) 8th in Big Ten
RPI: 23
BBall State Ranking: 45
Best Wins: @ Virginia Tech, @ Michigan
Worst Losses: @Iowa, Minnesota
Outlook: The Badgers are in about as a good shape as is possible considering they have lost 4 straight for the first time in 11 years, and are in 8th place in their conference. RPI wise, they are in good shape because their losses have mostly been losses to tough teams (UConn, Texas, Marquette, Purdue, Illinois). Of course, we haven't beaten anyone all that good either. And we've done nothing in the last two weeks to lead me to believe we are going to magically turn this slide around either.
What they need to do:
1) Finish 7-4 in the Big Ten.
2)Win three out of the five between: Purdue, Illinois, Ohio St at home, @Michigan St., @ Minnesota.
3) Get to the semifinals of Big Ten Tourney.
That would get them to about 20-12, which should get them an at-large.
What will happen:
Badgers go 8-3 the rest of the way, and get in.

Creighton
Record: 15-6 (5-4) 4th in the Missouri Valley Conference
RPI: 59
BBall State Ranking: 66
Best Wins: New Mexico, Dayton, DePaul, @ St. Joe's, @ Bradley, @ Evansville
Worst Losses: @Arkasas Little-Rock, UNI, Drake, @Wichita St.
Outlook: The Jays have been maddeningly disappointing this season. Probably the most talented team in the Valley, but super inconsistent. Also, they get dominated on the boards, and if they don't hit their shots, they are fucked. The Valley has been a bloodbath for everyone this year, and they still have a shot at winning the conference, but more likely than not, it will be a one bid league.
What they need to do:
1) Win out in the Valley (9 straight), to finish 14-4
2) Also win the Bracket Buster game
3) Get to Arch Madness title game to finish 27-7 overall.
4) Pray
If they manage to rattle off 12 straight, they have a shot at an at-large bid.
What will happen:
CU finishes 21-10 (11-7), but wins Arch Madness for the Auto bid.

CASINO NIGHT RECAP:
They gave us $5,000 each in fake money. Only blackjack and poker. At one point I was up to $64,000 playing blackjack, but got bored and lost it all in 2 hands. It would be pretty tits to ever have enough money to play as recklessly as I did with the fake money. I'm far to conservative to ever to this, so I will never get rich, or lose $64,000 in 30 seconds in real life.

The First "Dom"ino?

So word is that the Pack has finally hired someone to be defensive coordinator, and that someone is Dom Capers. I'm satisfied with that selection. Statistics say he was the best choice all along, and he is definitely a proven commodity as a defensive coordinator. It is unknown whether he will run a 3-4, 4-3, hybrid 3-4/4-3 or a 2-2-7 (the only defense the Packers have the personnel to run). But I think what makes me the most excited is that with the hiring of a coach that could run a 3-4, could come the signing of a freak of an athlete named Julius Peppers, who wants to play in a 3-4. Capers gives the Packers the scheme, to go along with the piles of money lying around that they have to sign him. History does not suggest Ted Thompson will actually pull the trigger on this. But at this point, Green Bay has to be the favorite, don't they? All of this assumes Carolina doesn't give Peppers the middle finger and franchise him. However, Carolina supposedly has to choose between Peppers and all-world left tackle Jordan Gross (one will be a free agent). So if they franchise Peppers, I say we sign Gross.

The moral of this whole story is that Dom Capers is the first piece to the puzzle that is going to lead to a Super Bowl title next year.

Minneapolis Weatherman (Wow).

Your average, everyday, Viking fan. Enjoy battling Detroit for last place.