Samurai Bucky

Yes... it is much much better.

I have been pleasantly surprised. I did not expect them to beat the Golden Hilltoppers and I didn't expect them to win as they did against MSU. I don't want to parrot what has already been said. I did want to bring up a few points, though... Free throws. This was an Achilles heel last year. So far this year, they are 16th in the NCAA at 78.26%. Last year, they were 282nd at 69.1%. Last night, they went 14-14. Sweet! Not settling for threes. There was a play where Wahl (I think) rebounded and kicked it out to Storr? outside the three point line. In years past, they would just jack up a three and would often times miss. Instead, Storr drove to the rim and it might have even turned into an and-1. The Badgers have some guys who can drive to the hoop with more consistency this year. Now onto the three pointers. Sure, it is great if they hit like they did the last couple of nights, but I'm not sure if they can sustain that. This year, they are 239th at 31.8% (I thought it would be better) vs. 176th at 34.2% last year. Wahl can't get into his "I'm going to back my guy down from the elbow or wing with 10 seconds to go on the shotclock" mode again. The team has shown that when predicated on motion and ball movement, they are very good. Wahl did that a few times last night and I cringed in my seat. That said, hopefully they can keep it up against Arizona. On, Wisconsin!

Looks like Craig Kimbrel will be the high end reliever: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/orioles-sign-craig-kimbrel.html

I wonder if the rabbit ears can still pick up Channel 18...

... and that there was a possible PI on the last play, too. https://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/sports/college/auburn/2023/11/25/isaiah-bond-game-winning-touchdown-auburn-alabama-iron-bowl-push-off-pass-interference/71707314007/

I'm six minutes away. Too much of a good thing, I guess. Their burgers are still good, but their buns have taken a bit of a nose dive. The old buns held the grease much better than the new ones. I think they changed around 3 years ago. It was a big of a big deal around here. We end up going to Oscar's at 27th and Rawson for burgers more often. It isa win-win on the 1/2 gallon of Turtle Sundae / Badger Claw, though. Both are very good. 👍

... so? 😉 ROAD TRIP!!!!!

Even so, his teams have been to the college playoffs more times that Wisconsin. Also, Tressel is coaching the defense and Longo is coaching the offense. I don't think he is going to micromanage. Yes, he does control the in-game decisions like whether or not to kick a field goal. What I can't stand is seeing the Badgers get out worked and out hustled. When we sat in the 13th row on the 45 earlier this year, I was ready to stand up and yell for them to get their heads out of their asses. Mrs. Samurai put an end to that. Fortunately, the offensive line coach dropped some f-bombs and lit a fire under some back sides. I still believe the team comes out every week unprepared. On defense, when it is third and five, you don't give a 10-yard cushion. Especially after the film shows they can complete a six yard out or hook EVERY TIME. It is a pitch and catch. When you play six defensive backs, of course you aren't going to stop the run as well as if you were playing a 3-4. So how do you stop the run? You don't. When your offensive line only has flashes of being able to open holes, what do you do? Continue to run between the tackles. Even when Allen and Mellusi were healthy, the holes weren't there. I turned the game off before halftime. I never do that. It is only sports and I have better things to do...

My son worked with the Cubs Director of Hitting, Justin Stone. The pitching lab is similar in nature to what Justin has already set up with hitting. Not sure where that will end up, but I think the entire organization will be better. Perhaps Mark A. can hire Justin away from the Cubs?

Here is the real reason he left 😉

One more episode of Loki. I'm enjoying this one... certainly better than Secret Invasion.

Valdalizing the sign is utter, bush league, horse****. Be better, Milwaukee.

The Brewers had the fifth best record in baseball. Yes, they are in one of the weakest divisions, but the schedule is much more balanced than in the past. So the "we are in the weakest division" narrative doesn't carry as much weight. They played well enough during the second half of the season including, yes, a sweep of the World Champion Texas Rangers at Texas. Yes... this is a transition. Yes, deciding on a good skipper is huge. Even though "Attanasio is the cheapest SOB to ever own a baseball club," the Brewers have been in the playoffs more in the past decade than in the history of the franchise. I'm looking for the club to bring in some quality veterans to make the roster better. Do they need to break the bank like the Rangers did? Maybe, maybe not. Having a great minor league system is encouraging, but can they stay relevant while these young players grow? Make a few deals like they did for Contreras, and my mind will be set at ease.

This encompasses my thoughts as well. If I were in his shoes, why would I not take the huge payday? We have seen threads on this board calling for the Brewers to blow things up and rebuild. If that is going to happen, why stick around? The one thing that he has not accomplished as a manager is winning the World Series. If there is a rebuild, then the Cubs are a better option. It is also obvious that his decision making recently has been poor in the playoffs. We collectively face palm, but then are frustrated when he leaves. Now that it has been (almost) 24 hours, I'm ready to move on. This still doesn't change the fact that the Brewers are so ridiculously young that you need more of a father figure in the dugout instead of an MLB manager.

Hey Barry -- a word of advice. Don't start by telling us you are a Cubs fan. Just represent your client. Cubs fan: "BARRY! YOU ARE KING ****!!!!!"

My daughter and son work at the Chick-fil-a in Glendale. They saw him last week. I will see what happens when he drives through the next time.

I don't think Counsell really wanted to come back. The move with Jesse Winker is the proof in the pudding.

Too bad Mike Maddux is 62 years old.

Not quite the same thing, but it does touch on "uncatchable balls." I was watching the Sunday Night Football game, and Josh Allen threw a go route on the sideline and the receiver (maybe Davis) clearly cut off the route and squared to the sidelines. The ball was thrown 20 yards past where the receiver was and a flag was thrown for intentional grounding. Cris Collinsworth and the Terry McAuley (the expert referee on standby), got into a discussion where McAuley was trying to defend the rule while Cris Collinsworth explained the route was a "choice route." Allen threw the ball before Davis cut off the route. It was obvious what had happened, but the referees "had to throw the flag." I understand that there is judgment involved. However, there are certain things that are way too obvious and should not be called. I suppose that is the human element of the game.

I was in the band in the late 80's and early 90's. It was very cool leaning out over the glass between plays and yell crap to players. The hockey players appreciated the grief we gave the other team.

Brings back memories of the Dane County Coliseum?

Lahm is available. Although he is a sophomore, he has a pretty good leg from what I understand. He can drill it on kickoffs when he wants to.

How many non-pitchers on the Brewers roster will have more than 2 years experience in the MLB? From https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/milwaukee-brewers/yearly/payroll/ Adamas - 5.105 Years Yelich - 10.069 Tellez - 5.004 Miller - 2.076 Taylor - 3.093 Contreras - 2.112 Toro - 3.011 That is it. The pattern lately was to go with a very young team, and bring in some offensive players that will "hopefully" have a good year. "Hope" was a common theme throughout the article. Yes -- if the Brewers were to theoretically go out and sign a Matt Chapman, Rhys Hoskins, or a high-level free agent, there will still be some "hoping." The Brewers do not have the luxury of making those types of mistakes. Even so, they need some more veterans who can contribute -- not necessarily hit for a .900 OPS, but be fundamental offensively like Mark Canha. The Brewers seem to have a fairly good formula for talent on the bump. However, the offensive side of the ball has been abysmal. Hoping that this many young players will be more successful next year is very, very hopeful. I hope it works better than it has for the Packers.

It is between Hockey or Women's Volleyball. Volleyball wins.