More photos » by Andy Manis - AP

Just two days after returning home to play the Badgers at the Kohl Center, Jeronne Maymon left the Marquette basketball team. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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Maymon's departure from Marquette, UW's interest in JUCO guard leaves door open for Memorial star to reconsider Badgers

Consider it another bizarre chapter in the recruitment of one Madison's best high school basketball players ever. On the same day rumors started to swirl about a fourth recruit being added to Bo Ryan's 2010 class, Vander Blue's best friend -- and one of his biggest reasons for choosing Marquette -- left the Golden Eagles' basketball program.

Just hours after Marquette announced the departure of freshman Jeronne Maymon, fans from Madison to Milwaukee were wondering just one question: Will Vander Blue still go to Marquette?

In a somewhat shocking event, Maymon -- the former Madison Memorial star who was named Wisconsin's Mr. Basketball last season -- decided to leave the Marquette men's basketball program Monday, just 10 games into his career.

"We want to thank Jeronne for his contributions to the program while he was here and wish him the best of luck in the future," head coach Buzz Williams said in a statement Monday.

Maymon and Blue -- the senior standout at Memorial who decommitted from Wisconsin over the summer before signing a letter of intent with Marquette last month -- are very close friends. Blue cited Maymon as a big reason why he chose the Golden Eagles.

That's why it is no surprise that many fans are wondering how this news will affect Blue, but the early indications from his family point to him honoring his commitment to Marquette.

"The Blue family has no comment on (Maymon's decision to quit the team)," Rita Blue, Vander's mother, told Wissports.net. "It has nothing to do with Vander or myself, and it has no direct affect on Vander at all. Vander is going to Marquette. End of story."

Still, when a guy already waffled on his college choice to begin with, it's hard to believe that this is really the end of the story.

So could Blue end up in Madison afterall?

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More photos » by Mike Roemer - AP

5 days ago: Wisconsin-Green Bay players and fans celebrate their overtime win over Wisconsin in an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Dec . 9, 2009, in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay won 88-84. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

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I just had a buddy of mine in Chicago text me, "Was that the real Wisconsin score I just saw??"

Yes. Yes it was. At least that's what they are telling us. Green Bay won its first game in 16 tries over the Badgers with an 88-84 win Wednesday night at the Resch Center.

This won't be your typical recap/reaction from us here at Bucky's 5th Quarter. Because of the snow storm and some other reasons beyond our control, we did not have anyone in Green Bay covering the game for us Wednesday and since it wasn't on TV, it would be unprofessional of me to really give an opinion on any specifics that transpired.

It's kind of  like that saying about the tree falling in the forest. If we weren't there and the game wasn't on television, did it really happen? Unfortunately, I think it did, but this might be the first time in two years that I feel like I need to read a newspaper in the morning.

In a moment I'll pass along some links from other reporters who were actually at the game, because we have a better chance of solving a Rubik's Cube tonight than figuring out what the hell happened in Green Bay.

You're telling me Trevon Hughes scored 27 points, while Jon Leuer added 26 points and 12 rebounds and the Badgers lost? You're telling me a team that hasn't allowed 70 or more points in any game this season despite playing Arizona, Gonzaga, Maryland and Duke allowed 88 to Green Bay? I know it went to overtime -- I'm sorry, I heard it went to overtime -- but still, 88 points?

My only guess is that the real Badgers got lost in the snow storm somewhere. Folks in Waupun, Wis., if you see any tall people wearing full red jumpsuits who look lost, please return them to the Kohl Center, 601 W. Dayton St., Madison, WI 53715. Thank you.

OK, let's see if we can make some sense of all this:

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No. 20/23 Wisconsin at Green Bay
	at
6-1 (0-0 Big Ten)		8-2 (2-0 Horizon)
December 9, 2009  7:00 PM CT Resch Center, Green Bay, Wis.
TV: MYNEW32 (Green Bay), GreenBayPhoenix.com ($4.99) Radio: Badgers Radio Network Coverage: Our Wisconsin-Green Bay Game Page
All-time Series: Wisconsin leads 15-0 Last Meeting: UW won 77-57 (Dec. 13, 2008)
Probable starters:
Trevon Hughes - Sr., 6-0	G	Rahmon Fletcher - Jr., 5-11
Jason Bohannon - Sr., 6-2	G	Troy Cotton - Sr., 6-1
Tim Jarmusz - Jr., 6-6	G/F	Brquis Perine - Jr., 6-3
Jon Leuer - Jr., 6-10	F	Matt Smith - Fr., 6-7
Keaton Nankivil - Jr., 6-8	F	Randy Berry - Sr., 6-9

I wouldn't exactly call this is a trap game, but it's one the Badgers need to be weary about. Much like Duke was the home game of the season for Wisconsin, the return of the Badgers to the Resch Center -- where they haven't played since 2002 -- is the home game for the Green Bay Phoenix.

The Resch Center is sold out tonight and seats 10,500 fans, but a great majority of the fans will be wearing red.

More importantly, the Badgers hold a distinctive edge in the front court where Green Bay is search for a replacement for Ryan Tillema who led the Horizon League with 17.1 points per game last season. Wisconsin's front court depth will be an issue for freshman Matt Smith and senior Randy Berry.

Green Bay's backcourt is very talented and led by Rahmon Fletcher, Troy Cotton and Bryquis Perine who are averaging a combined 44.9 points per game. Expect UW sophomore Jordan Taylor to get a lot of playing time tonight as Bo Ryan will need his stout defensive trio (Hughes, Taylor and Jarmusz) to shut down GB's top three.

It looks like snow won't really be an issue as it should pass out of the area by tonight. The Badgers beat the storm to Green Bay Tuesday afternoon. Schools and offices are closed in Green Bay today, but there won't be many no-shows at the Resch Center tonight. Now, if the game was only on TV...

Prediction: Wisconsin 70, Green Bay 59

More photos » by Chris O'Meara - AP

Miami quarterback Jacory Harris (12) has a ton of talent but has been prone to turnovers this season. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

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There's been a lot of debate the last couple days about matchup vs. location when it comes to bowl games. Which one is more important?

It's a good question, but I think the answer is obvious: the matchup is more important. Tuesday, December 29 two up-and-coming teams will square off in a bad stadium that is located in a bad city, but the winner will hardly care. It's likely the victor will be ranked in the top 15 next season and either Miami or Wisconsin will be thrilled about getting a win over a good program.

The atmosphere won't exactly be electric and the upper deck might even be closed, but the game should be a good one. Both teams have a ton of young, exciting players that are on the brink of stardom. You want two Heisman candidates for next season? Look no further than Miami's Jacory Harris or Wisconsin's John Clay.

Quite frankly I think bowl games have more of an impact on the following season than the current one and both of these programs could use a win like this to spark an important 2010 campaign.

Looking at the bowl slate, it appears the Champs Sports Bowl is one of the better matchups, but ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach disagrees, ranking the bowl No. 17 out of 34. Confused? I sure am. He's got the Hawaii Bowl ranked No. 16. Do you know who is playing in the Hawaii Bowl? Nevada and Southern Methodist. Ouch.

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Wisconsin at Hawaii
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8-3 (5-3 Big Ten)		6-6 (3-5 WAC)
December 5, 2009  10:30 PM CT Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Weather: 71F, Partly cloudy, Wind WNW 4 mph
TV: ESPN2 (Terry Gannon and David Norrie) Radio: Badgers Radio Network (Matt Lepay and Mike Lucas) Coverage: Our Wisconsin-Hawaii Game Page with our Hawaii game preview with predictions
All-time Series: Wisconsin leads 4-1 Last Meeting: Wisconsin won 41-24 (Nov. 25, 2005)

 Feel free to leave your predictions and comments below. It should be a fun night of football!

More photos » by John Froschauer - AP

3 months ago: Hawaii wide receiver Greg Salas dives over the line for a touchdown on a 7-yard pass play as Washington State's Myron Beck defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 in Seattle, 2009. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

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Wisconsin at Hawaii

Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. CT

Location: Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii

Weather Forecast: 73F, Partly Cloudy, Wind W at 3 mph

TV: ESPN2

Radio: WIBA-AM 1310, WIBA-FM 101.5 and the Badgers Radio Network

Coverage: Our Wisconsin-Hawaii Game Page

The Consensus

Adam Hoge (10-1, +171): Wisconsin 38, Hawaii 31

Jake Harris (9-2, +146): Wisconsin 42, Hawaii 35

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN.com: Wisconsin 38, Hawaii 27

The Reasoning

The Badgers have a lot to play for in this one, but Hawaii actually has more to play for. Barring a few unforseen circumstances, Wisconsin will likely be playing for an Ourback Bowl berth. Meanwhile at 5-6, the Warriors will be playing tosimply become bowl eligible. Hawaii has won four games in a row after an awful start to their season and it also happens to be Senior Day in Honolulu. This match-up has suddenly become one to feel a little nervous about.

Still, the Badgers are the better team and it's games like this one where their physicality really overmatches their mid-major opponent. UW's offensive line will overpower Hawaii's front seven and John Clay will be too much to handle. The Warriors will have a chance in this one and could win if the Badgers make a few critical mistakes -- which they have done on the road this season. This game will be closer than it should be, but Wisconsin will win and likely head to Tampa.

Who has the edge?

Offense: Wisconsin

Defense: Wisconsin

Special teams: Even

Coaching: Wisconsin

Intangibles: Hawaii

More photos » by Andy Manis - AP

Wisconsin's Jon Leuer celebrates in a pile of Badger fans after Wisconsin's 73-69 win over Duke Wednesday night. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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Win over Duke makes statement for UW, Big Ten

MADISON, Wis. -- If the Big Ten was going to win the ACC/Big Ten Challenge for the first time in its 11-year existence, you knew it was going to have to get an unexpected win.

Consider it done.

Behind Trevon Hughes' 26 points, the Badgers upset No. 5/6 Duke 73-69 Wednesday night at the Kohl Center, spilling a rowdy student section onto the court and starting a celebration that spread across the entire Big Ten conference.

The significance of the win was lost on no one, including Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

"It was a night Wisconsin fans should feel pretty darn proud," he said. "They should feel very proud of their basketball team.

Just minutes after UW's win, Ohio State topped Florida State 77-64, giving the conference its first ever victory in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The loss was also the first for Duke in the challenge, which was previously 10-0 in challenge games.

For Bo Ryan -- who has never hid his displeasure for how the ACC/Big Ten Challenge games are scheduled -- the win was somewhat of a personal statement.

"Sometimes you have to push a little bit to get a message across," Ryan said in reference to getting one of the ACC's premiere programs at the Kohl Center. "The message was received but we had to finish it on the court. I'm really happy for our team and fans to get a game like that here and finish it."

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