Two Years from Now… (WI sports teams ranking)

[rickh150]

As of today, I would rank these WI based programs, in terms of current success (not historical, just presently) in the following order…

Bucks (top 5 team in NBA)

Brewers (92 game winner NL Central Champ)

Badger Basketball (Veteran returning group… talented freshmen and toolsy transfers… NCAAtourney team)

Badger Football (Pretty typical… over .500 record and weaker bowl game)

Packers (.500 hopeful in rebuilding phase)

However, in two years, I think this order is blown up a bit. I actually go this route..

Packers (Jordan Love’s third starting year…young nucleus. Super Bowl hopes)

Badger Football (the coach is real and the recruits, now juniors and seniors in high school are real…real players in the new Big Ten).

Brewers (The youngsters continue to blossom and new stars Continue to put us in playoff contention… Wild Card winner that advance far in playoffs).

Badger Basketball (top 5 Big Ten team)

Bucks (Giannis bolts and rebuild is on)

You?

[BrewerFan]

This is...incredibly difficult to guess, BUT, 

Bucks-Giannis hasn't bolted yet, but he's 31  and has already...pretty much said he's signing an extension. 2 more years is this year with Dame and then a 2nd with Dame. If Marjon is really the guy making the huge jump Giannis, Dame and Khris are saying, they'll still be among the favorites for a title, but they'll be walking a real tight line with Lopez, Middleton(PO) potential FAs. This was meant to be the year they were creating cap enough space for another Max deal. Don't think that works with the Dame trade, but, he probably opts out of the final year and signs for another ~3 years. I don't know, but Giannis will be young enough to keep them in it, but in decline.

Brewers-One of the most exciting young teams in the league. Similar to the 07-08 Brewers, anticipation building with Chourio hopefully becoming the star(like Prince, Braun) and they'll have other hitters. If they're a ~90 win team vs a true threat will come down to the left shoulder of Ashby, and the development of their pitching. 

A WC team seems the safest. Really good hitting and a really good BP, it hinges on the pitching.

Packers- One of the most talented teams, one of the most physical, the fastest, biggest, strongest...and either like the Bears under Lovie who were a 7 win team, 13 win team, 9 win team. The QB will be the difference. If Love is a top 10 QB, I'll say a consistent 10 win team with regular SB hopes. I think they're building the right way, I think they can evaluate talent(not DCs, but individual talent and then they emphasize RAS, so when they do miss, at least they miss with big and fast). 

Badgers FB- A more talented team than they've been for years, but probably a 9-10 win team year in and year out due to a tough schedule. Alabama, Washington, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon. Potential for a top 10 team if they win 3 of those games. They could lose all 5 and still be better than almost every 10 win team they've had. We'll know what it feels like to be really good Florida or Auburn type team, that is extremely talented, but in the middle of the conference. 

Badgers BB- Top 4 in the B1G. 

 

Ranking the biggest X-factors with regard to a Title contender it goes IMO;
1-Jordan Love(I'll assume they fix the OL and they'll have plenty of money to spend by then).
2-Brewers rotation. I think it'll be average, but it could be elite. With their bats, again, that's the difference from a 88 win team to a 100 win team. 
3-Marjon and health/depth to see how much pressure they can keep off Giannis/Dame

Badgers-That's so much harder to pinpoint. Obviously Mettauer, if he turns out to be a big time QB.

 

But if I'm ranking them on chances to win a title it'd go;
1-Bucks
2-Packers
3-Brewers
4-Badgers BB
5-Badgers FB

The last two(three actually) in large part due to built in disadvantages. 

If I was to include Marquette Basketball in there, I'd probably have them 3rd. 

 

But really, we've kinda been in a golden era of spots for Wisconsin the past ~6-8 years. No SBs, but contending. No WS, but an NLCS lost in 7, an NBA Title, an undefeated Badgers FB team that lost by 6 in the B1G Championship game, and going a BIT further back, Wisconsin BB losing to Duke.

[CheezWizHed]

I'm not going to rank them in 2 years, because there is simply too much variability... I'll rank them towards their trend (up or down) based on current position.  I'll say that the Badgers will always be at the end of the list (especially FB) for expectations of a championship.  The law of probability with so many legit reams make it improbable that either make it.  

Bucks: Trend - Slightly downward.  Giannis, Khris, and Dame are not getting youger, but I think they will remain together.  Beachamp and AJJ provide some upside coming, but age is our main enemy here.  But we also said this after trading for Holliday.  The buck's GM 

Brewers: Trending downward.  Our SP pitching dominant window just slammed shut as only 1 of the 3 main SPs will return next year (yes, I'm assuming CB is traded).  There is certainly some upside potential with our youth movement.  So I assume a big downward trend next year... perhaps in two they can get back to where they were this year.  Except we will be complaining about how we can score runs, but can't develop a TOR starter again (deja vu from 10+ years ago). 

Packers: Trending down.  I'm still waiting and watching before I make any definitive statements, but Love is not going in the right direction.  My biggest concern is that his one major red flag from college (accuracy) remains his major red flag today.  Doesn't seem like that improved in the least.  It wouldn't shock me if MLF, Barry, and Love are all gone for next year and a major rebuild is underway. 

Badger FB: Trending up.  It takes time to change a team's philosophy, personnel, offense, and defense.  There have already been transfer and recruitment gains. Results will follow. 

Badger BB: Honestly... I have no idea.  Seems like we have some decent recruiting going on, but we still seem to be stuck in neutral.  We were pretty bad last year (for our standards), so hopefully "up", but I don't see a NCAA championship anytime in the near future. 

[stoutdude04]

On 10/14/2023 at 11:53 PM, BrewerFan said:

This is...incredibly difficult to guess, BUT, 

Bucks-Giannis hasn't bolted yet, but he's 31  and has already...pretty much said he's signing an extension.

Giannis is only 28.  Or are speaking from future you? 

[CheezWizHed]

21 minutes ago, stoutdude04 said:

Giannis is only 28.  Or are speaking from future you? 

[AKCheesehead]

I'm not going to bother telling my time travel joke in this thread.  You guys didn't get it.

[nate82]

Just now, AKCheesehead said:

I'm not going to bother telling my time travel joke in this thread.  You guys didn't get it.

[MrTPlush]

Bucks

Brewers

Badgers BB

Badgers FB

Packers

 

Future

Bucks - Bright Future

Brewers - They have enough young pieces to be above .500 in 2 years

Badgers FB - I don't think they will fair as well as expansion happens

Badgers BB - I don't think they will fair as well as expansion happens

Packers - I think Love proves to not be the guy and someone in two years is probably leading this team outside of him...and not in a good way. Veteran fodder as we try to find the answer in the draft. This is kind of a bold prediction as I am not sold on Love either way yet. But odds are always good the QB will be terrible versus a good starter.

[patrickgpe]

why is Marquette always excluded as a Wisconsin team?

[MrTPlush]

17 minutes ago, patrickgpe said:

why is Marquette always excluded as a Wisconsin team?

Marquette Basketball has 45k followers on twitter, Badgers have 320k followers. Marquette is a niche team/school. People need no affiliation to the actual UW school (not alumni etc.) and cheer for them because it is Wisconsin's team. Marquette is closer to being UW-Green Bay than it is to UW-Madison as far as following/interest goes.

 

[BrewerFan]

On 10/19/2023 at 11:39 AM, stoutdude04 said:

Giannis is only 28.  Or are speaking from future you? 

In 2 years(I thought he was like 28 years and 353 days...or something...29 early in the year). 

Or maybe I just misspoke because I originally(for some reason) read this as three years down the road...and then had to adjust some of them. 

So I'm not sure why I put 31. It is kinda wild how young Giannis is though. He's still just 28. Almost 29...but 28. 

[CheezWizHed]

On 10/19/2023 at 3:09 PM, patrickgpe said:

why is Marquette always excluded as a Wisconsin team?

I do believe Marquette will still be in Wisconsin in 2 years (as will UW-Milwaukee and UW-Green Bay). 

[SomewhereInTime]

On 10/19/2023 at 1:38 PM, MrTPlush said:

Marquette Basketball has 45k followers on twitter, Badgers have 320k followers. Marquette is a niche team/school. People need no affiliation to the actual UW school (not alumni etc.) and cheer for them because it is Wisconsin's team. Marquette is closer to being UW-Green Bay than it is to UW-Madison as far as following/interest goes.

 

Marquette being closer to UW-Green Bay than UW-Madison is so far from the truth.  They literally come into this year ranked 11th in the initial Ken Pom rankings.  For what it's worth, the initial AP rankings have them ranked 5th!  Marquette packs the Fiserv Forum while UWGB will struggle draw 1,000 most nights.

[Jimbo]

46 minutes ago, SomewhereInTime said:

Marquette being closer to UW-Green Bay than UW-Madison is so far from the truth.  They literally come into this year ranked 11th in the initial Ken Pom rankings.  For what it's worth, the initial AP rankings have them ranked 5th!  Marquette packs the Fiserv Forum while UWGB will struggle draw 1,000 most nights.

As someone who has previously lived in SC Wis and Central Wis, I can honestly say there is no interest in Marquette athletics outside the Milwaukee media market.

 

[MrTPlush]

1 hour ago, SomewhereInTime said:

Marquette being closer to UW-Green Bay than UW-Madison is so far from the truth.  They literally come into this year ranked 11th in the initial Ken Pom rankings.  For what it's worth, the initial AP rankings have them ranked 5th!  Marquette packs the Fiserv Forum while UWGB will struggle draw 1,000 most nights.

Well, talent level is kind of meaningless when it comes to interest. Them being maybe elite may cause people in Wisconsin to turn them on if nothing else is on and Wheel of Fortune is already over.

No offense to Marquette, but they aren’t a ‘Wisconsin’ team. I have no horse in this race, I care about neither. This isn’t some Kansas/Kansas State or Virginia/V Tech type comparison. Marquette is a speck compared to Madison.

[BrewerFan]

5 minutes ago, MrTPlush said:

Well, talent level is kind of meaningless when it comes to interest. Them being maybe elite may cause people in Wisconsin to turn them on if nothing else is on and Wheel of Fortune is already over.

No offense to Marquette, but they aren’t a ‘Wisconsin’ team. I have no horse in this race, I care about neither. This isn’t some Kansas/Kansas State or Virginia/V Tech type comparison. Marquette is a speck compared to Madison.

Yeah, I don't share the disdain for Marquette that a lot of people seem to, but it's not about their...Ken Pom rankings, it's just a much smaller school. 

They're a good team. I'll root for them. My Cousin went there for Track...but I can't muster enough to follow Wisconsin that closely anymore, much less Marquette. But I know they're doing well recruiting and somehow they're considered one of the best jobs in the Country($ plus no Football I guess). 

 

But sure, people just aren't as invested in Marquette...

[SomewhereInTime]

15 minutes ago, MrTPlush said:

Well, talent level is kind of meaningless when it comes to interest. Them being maybe elite may cause people in Wisconsin to turn them on if nothing else is on and Wheel of Fortune is already over.

No offense to Marquette, but they aren’t a ‘Wisconsin’ team. I have no horse in this race, I care about neither. This isn’t some Kansas/Kansas State or Virginia/V Tech type comparison. Marquette is a speck compared to Madison.

Quick google search shows Marquette basketball top 10 in the nation in revenue https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/schools-that-make-the-most-money-off-college-basketball

Money must be coming from somewhere regardless of supposed interest levels in central Wisconsin.

[MrTPlush]

44 minutes ago, SomewhereInTime said:

Quick google search shows Marquette basketball top 10 in the nation in revenue https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/schools-that-make-the-most-money-off-college-basketball

Money must be coming from somewhere regardless of supposed interest levels in central Wisconsin.

Again, I don't care about either team...no one cares about Marquette basketball in Wisconsin. How much rich boosters give to the program, good for them. Maybe they can win a meaningful game in March sometime soon with all that money. 

[BrewerFan]

1 hour ago, MrTPlush said:

Again, I don't care about either team...no one cares about Marquette basketball in Wisconsin. How much rich boosters give to the program, good for them. Maybe they can win a meaningful game in March sometime soon with all that money. 

Right. I feel like we've established they're good, they've got money...and yet there still isn't nearly as much interest in them.

I don't know what we're arguing here. They hired Smart away from Texas, they have a good tradition. They're still not nearly as popular as UW.

They also have a HUGE edge in recruiting with their academic requirements for athletes...and yet, Wisconsin seems to do just fine vs them year after year. 

[True Blue Brew Crew]

Surely none of these people downplaying Marquette's relevance will be on the bandwagon if they make a deep run in the NCAA tournament

[patrickgpe]

First of all I never claimed that MU was as popular or had as large of a fan base as UW. That being said to say that "they aren't a Wisconsin team" or "They are closer to UWGB than UW" is just not correct.

The question was ranking Wisconsin teams in the next 2 years. Marquette is set up for a decent run under Shaka and are probably in better shape than most of the "true" Wisconsin teams. 

 

[CheezWizHed]

3 hours ago, True Blue Brew Crew said:

Surely none of these people downplaying Marquette's relevance will be on the bandwagon if they make a deep run in the NCAA tournament

True.  I'm not a big fan even attending the other college in downtown Milwaukee (no, not that one either... the other one 😉). But when it comes to tournament time, I cheer for B10 and WI teams.  The tournament always makes you fans of multiple teams.

[rickh150]

13 hours ago, CheezWizHed said:

True.  I'm not a big fan even attending the other college in downtown Milwaukee (no, not that one either... the other one 😉). But when it comes to tournament time, I cheer for B10 and WI teams.  The tournament always makes you fans of multiple teams.

Cheering on Big10 teams? Nah… maybe a few, but Ohio State? Izzy? Come now…The last thing WI needs is for a rival to look good or better than the Badgers on the recruiting trail.

[areacodes]

15 hours ago, patrickgpe said:

First of all I never claimed that MU was as popular or had as large of a fan base as UW. That being said to say that "they aren't a Wisconsin team" or "They are closer to UWGB than UW" is just not correct.

The question was ranking Wisconsin teams in the next 2 years. Marquette is set up for a decent run under Shaka and are probably in better shape than most of the "true" Wisconsin teams. 

 

Do most Marquette students even consider themselves a Wisconsin school?  It looks like 66-70% of students come from outside Wisconsin and kids from Illinois make up the largest percentage.

[BrewerFan]

18 hours ago, True Blue Brew Crew said:

Surely none of these people downplaying Marquette's relevance will be on the bandwagon if they make a deep run in the NCAA tournament

I think several people have said they'll root for them and be on the bandwagon come March.

 

We'll root for them. They're still not on top of mind when it comes to Wisconsin teams. Hell, the first person listed off "Wisconsin teams," in the next 2 years, they totally forgot Marquette and it took how many posts until someone pointed it out?