Cool Hand Lucroy

Depth is overrated in the NCAA (and can even be a disadvantage...see Memphis, who plays better when fewer guys get minutes), but I do like that the Badgers have a lot of guys that can play tough for a few possessions. Bowman had a couple of nice defensive possessions last night, and Jacoby Neath was at least occasionally giving Purdue something to think about. Those guys shouldn't be getting a lot of minutes in the NCAA tourney, but they'll be useful over a long, grinding, probably COVID-impacted conference season. Others are right on. It's the Davis and Davison show as far as scoring the basketball goes. I've really been impressed with Chuckie Hepburn and Tyler Wahl, though, as well as Chris Vogt. If those guys develop a bit more on the offensive end (especially Chuckie), that will really help in games where teams just dare someone other than Davis to beat them. I do think that's the trick to beating Wisconsin. Make them make open 3s.

What. A. Game. So tough. Davison made a big three when it mattered. Got some breaks on Purdue misses. I didn't think Davis was a lottery just because that position is loaded, but man oh man. He sure looks like the real thing. I am more and more thinking he will go. But it'll be a fun few months!

When is that game? Caught a little of the Gophers match. Always nice to beat Minnesota in anything.

Especially bigs that stretch a little. Crowl did not belong today. But, yeah. They went 5-1 with 2 Q1 wins and 3 Q2 ones (and some might get better) in 6 games against good competition, which is way better than expected.

Yes, every game seems to be making that more likely. If so too bad because next year could be a big one if Crowl and Carlson can get stronger. Enjoying this years team after last years was the most unwatchable I can remember. I don't know. Is Davis a lottery pick? There is so much size and athleticism at his position... NIL makes it a tougher decision for late-first or second round guys. Davis can make real money if he likes the college experience.

Yeah, not a good showing today, but Marquette has had a good start. Villanova is very good, but I think Marquette can handle just about any other squad in conference.

I think it is correct to say that some teams have become media conglomerates that can spend their way to consistent post-season appearances. Others have to scrape their way to a competitive 40-man roster. I worry I am watching the ONLY time in Brewers history they will put together 3+ consecutive post-season appearances. Not to mention, MLBPA has let the minor-league players - future members of that union - deal with some awful conditions. That, to me, is a huge failure. How to fix it? Part of me feels one answer is expansion: Two more teams - one in Las Vegas (AL), the other in New Orleans (NL). Each league with four four-team divisions - AL East (Toronto, Boston, New York, Baltimore), AL West (Angels, Mariners, A's, Vegas), AL North (Minnesota, White Sox, Guardians, Tigers), AL South (Astros, Rangers, Rays, Royals), NL East (Mets, Phillies, Reds, Nationals), NL West (Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Diamondbacks), NL South (Marlins, Braves, New Orleans, Cardinals), NL North (Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Rockies). 16-team format - 3-game first round (all three games at top seed's home stadium), 5-game LDS (2-2-1), 7-game LCS (2-2-2-1), World Series (2-2-2-1). Larger major-league rosters - 30-man until September (then it expands to 40), a five-man "taxi squad" (paid MLB minimum, must have at least three years MLB service time), and a 50-man roster overall. Teams can sign players from other teams' taxi squad to the 30-man roster for at least twice the MLB minimum. Go with a salary cap, but that alone won't help small-market teams keep players. In some ways, I think we need to make it reasonably feasable/possible for smaller market teams to get that "value" deal. Service time: Each team gets four years of player control (to discourage service time manipulation, a "full year" is considered if a player is called up three times prior to August 1), then for the next four years, a form of restricted free agency (to wit, they can match offers from other teams) that involves massive compensation in the form of draft picks and additional international bonus money ($1,000,000 per RFA signed away), after that, unrestricted free agency (but with "sandwich pick" compensation) and a smaller international bonus comp ($500,000). Draft pick compensation: If the Dodgers were to sign a restricted free agent from the Brewers, the Brewers would get a compensation "pick" before the Dodgers' pick in the first round. If the Dodgers signed multiple RFAs, then they would use tiebreakers (starting with market size) to determine who goes first. The teams also would also get "sandwich" picks between the CB-A and 2nd rounds and between the CB-B and 3rd rounds. For unrestricted free agents, it would be the sandwich picks only, and only after the picks for teams who lose RFAs. In addition, teams cannot try to "unbalance" a deal to deter a team from matching (no massive amount up front or back-loaded). DH: There will be a universal DH, but only for the starting pitcher. If the pitcher is lifted, the DH must be pinch-hit for. Teams will be allowed to "double switch" the DH into the field in that case. Draft: It goes back up to 40 rounds. The competitive balance round picks would go to the teams in the 12 smallest markets (CB-A) and those with the 12 lowest attendance totals (CB-B). Some trading of draft picks will be allowed, but no team will be without a pick in the first three rounds (barring punishment for misconduct). Minor-league teams: Each minor-league team will have 30 roster spots. The R+/Short-Season A leagues will return, and there will be the following minimum salaries: Rookie leagues (including DSL), $30,000; R+, $36,000; Short-Season A, $39,000; Full-Season A, $42,000; A+, $45,000; AA, $48,000; AAA, $60,000. Rule 5 draft is modified so that a player selected in the major-league portion must be on the 50-man roster all year, and spend at least 50% of the time in the majors and cannot be demoted below AAA. The minor-league portion will require that a player selected be kept at the AAA level or AA level (depending on the portion of the draft) or be returned to the team. So, if the Brewers have 2 DSL teams, 2 rookie teams, a R+ team, a Short-season A team, a full-season A, an A+ team, a AA team, and a AAA team, that would come out to a minimum of $11,700,000 for the rosters. That's about 2/3 what they'd pay LoCain this coming season. Honestly, if they did that now, I think they'd get a lot of talent, even those who "slid" down the road. Contracts: Allow contracts to be fully guaranteed at 100% for players under team control an at 50% afterwards. Deferred compensation would be allowed, but no more than 25 percent of a player's salary could be deferred, 50 percent would count against the salary cap, and deferred money is fully guaranteed. For example, Brewers sign Corbin Burnes to an eight-year, $160 million contract, and they defer $40 million over the 20 years after the contract, they have a $1 million charge on the salary cap, and the deferred cash is 100% guaranteed. A player who is released gets the guaranteed money, but only half would be applied to the salary cap. So, say the Brewers sign an unrestricted free agent to a 4-year, $40 million deal, but release him after year 2 - the player gets the guaranteed money of $5 million a year, but the Brewers would only have a $2.5 million charge on the salary cap. That's what I'd do. I don't know if it could prevent teams from "tanking," but it does fix a lot of the issues I see in baseball. Lots to dig into here, but this is thoughtful and I like it. Larger rosters should be something the PA loves. Would they go for it even if it meant a small hit to league minimum? I don't know. But that's an idea. You might have to make a rule that limits roster churn to prevent teams from yo-yoing too much, which has to be hard on players. I am interested in that idea.

I certainly agree that MLBPA has done a bad job of representing it's "middle and lower" tier members and has done a reprehensible job of advocating for minor leaguers (who I know they don't technically represent). I'll differ with your assessment of most ownership groups, but this is a massively complex issue before you even start to consider competitive balance. Certainly lots of room for nuanced and simultaneously overlapping and opposing takes.

The problem is that most businesses have safeguards, regulatory frameworks, and public earnings reports. MLB operates as a monopoly, has no public shareholders, and can keep its books entirely secret. At least, when John Deere's in the middle of a labor negotiation, its billions in annual profits are public information. That doesn't happen in baseball. MLB and the owners cannot honestly argue financial necessity without actually showing it and in a transparent way. Again, we know every dime of every contract every player has ever signed. The reason people are able to say "But these guys make millions!" is that no one has any idea about how much revenue teams are bringing in.

I'm not sure I buy MLBPA as a strong union. That was maybe the case a while back, but the last labor deal was terrible for them. Their players are being vastly underpaid for their early years of production to the point that guys like Albies are signing bargain deals for security. I suppose we can argue about whether that's the "smart" call (I think it probably is given the economic climate), but the Dodgers, Cubs, and Yankees are not baseball teams. They are massive media conglomerates that don't even have to report to shareholders. For me, it seems like the commissioner's office and big-market owners care very little about actual baseball. Their teams are assets they expect to exponentially increase in value. Maybe it's like that in all sports, but it's bad for fans. Service time manipulation is not good. Reduced share of revenue is not good. The analytics revolution has (despite a lot of cool things) instantiated a system where the whole, explicit goal is to pay as little as possible for the most production. The goal is to exploit your employees. Now, they aren't being sent into coal mines, and they're still getting lots of money, but it's way less than what teams are turning in profit. And, we know every player's salary. We have no idea what these teams' books look like. No one will show us. It's hard for me to see how MLB cares about its players or the game.

Wahl has been really impressive. I thought he played well last year as an energy guy. It was valuable having him on the floor. Totally agree he's added elements to his game this year, though, and with the point of your post. 100.

True road wins are always nice. 4-0 over this stretch is a great start. Next 3 are Marquette at home, Indiana at home, and OSU road. 2-1 would be just fine. I think the Big Ten is going to be wild this year. Purdue looks like the big favorite right now, but after that Wisconsin has looked as good as just about anyone. They're not as talented as those top 5 teams, but they might be able to be as good. Still getting vintage Badgers vibes from this crew.

Saint Mary's always among the slowest teams in MCBB. Wahl had a great night, which is great to see. This has been a GREAT start to the year. One Q1 win, one that will be close, and one that will probably end up Q2, but who knows if A&M can win a few in a good SEC. I'll say this: the last three days looked like vintage, Bo Ryan Badgers. One legit scoring threat, strong guards who rebound and can iso in the post, and grind it out team defense. We'll see how they play in league, but am encouraging start with a lot of power conference competition coming over the next month.

It's weird, but Saint Mary's might be the preferred matchup from a schedule standpoint. The WCC might get more bids than the Pac12. Really been impressed with these last two games. Played great two and a half halves, then took Houston's best punch and held on.

Davis was awesome today. Wow. All over the court. Big play after big play. He showed talent last year, but he looks like a different player.

Yeah, they looked great outside of the first 10 minutes or so. Houston next, which is a good barometer. That's a legit team. Davis makes a lot of difference.

Well, a draw in Jamaica isn't awful, but it feels like a major let down anyway. Should be in fine position with 6 games to go, but really could use a couple of wins next window just so the pressure doesn't start creeping up. Really want to avoid that 4th spot and the IC playoff.

If you're not athletic, you have to make 3s. The Badgers did not tonight. When Brad Davison is your go-to scorer, you're in trouble. Davis injury is keeping me from being too worried. I did watch a Sweet Sixteen team lose to Western Illinois in November not that long ago. But hopefully Maui gets them a decent win or two.

It was the first qualifier I watched I think and agree it was a lot of fun. Doesn't look like they will blow it this time around, they talked a lot about how young they are, maybe the MNT is finally getting over the hump this time and moving toward that next tier. They are ranked 13th and Mexico 9th in the world, have to think the CONCACAF winner has an outside shot at a top 8 seed. Super talented team. Young, fast, lots of playmakers. Aronson is ridiculously fun to watch, and there's some ability on the back line too. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they lose in Kingston tomorrow because...CONCACAF. And I'm not big on Berhalter, either as tactician or motivator. I suppose I think this team has more potential than any I've seen, and that includes the 2002 WC quarterfinal team. I just am pretty guarded given how much fitness and draws matter. The good news is not qualifying feels like a longshot.

Ugly offensive half there. Davis is good, but this half is not a good first impression for Wisconsin. Providence isn't all that impressive either, but they have a lot more athleticism, especially down low. So very early. We'll see if this group can gel.

If Marquette had made free throws, they'd have won comfortably. Thought Curbello tried to do WAY too much for Illinois, bit no Cockburn, so maybe that's natural. Whatever the case, that's a massive win for the Big East. Glad to see it.

Yeah, nice to win handily even when you absolutely should. After GB Friday, the schedule provides genuine competition quick. All major conference competition through the next 6 or 7, pending Maui (in Vegas). Georgia Tech dropped a game to Miami OH (who's picked to be a decent MAC team), but going there will be a nice true road test early.

Ohio State doesn't look that good lately. The Big Ten is a cluster as I see it. Would not be all that surprised if the title game was competitive. Still not confident the Badgers run the table, but they've gotta be the favorites in the West right now.

I've found myself torn watching this series, usually rooting for the team that's behind. Feels like the Series hasn't really gotten going yet. ATL-LA was such a tense duel, and these first two games have felt well-decided by the middle innings. I think I'm going ATL just out of weird NL pride and a masochistic desire to be able to more legitimately claim the road to the title runs through Milwaukee, haha.

I think this is going to be a classic letdown game for Purdue and Wisconsin pulls this one out. Wisconsin is currently a 3 point favorite. Don't be fooled by one result against Iowa. Purdue lost to Minnesota at home and only beat Illinois by 4 points at home, which is as ugly a win as possible. The only thing the Purdue/Iowa game proved was that the Big 10 West is terrible and pretty much completely up for grabs (unless you are Illinois...they suck). I agree with all of this...and then Illinois comes out of nowhere to beat Penn State. Reminded me a bit of them beating the Badgers in 2019. The West is totally up for grabs right now, though Iowa could end that pretty quick with a win Saturday.