Jim French Stepstool

This emphasizes to me that they should definitely try to add Joel Foxwell, as well as Owen. Some seem hesitant because they're both PGs, or believe if they have both that one would be a backup to the other. IMO point guard is a position/skillset where you can easily play two alongside each other as long as they aren't both pass-first guys who can't shoot or don't have a scoring mentality. Say, Mike Kelley & Travon Davis playing together. That would be problematic. The Foxwell boys can both put it in the hole. This certainly also opens up a spot for a wing who can score. For three years now they've added someone from the portal whose #s have risen noticeably after coming to UW. That needs to be sold. There are nice candidates out there, and with the NIT over & the NCAAs over after tonite that list is sure to grow. Strap in. The insane season is upon us.

I watched much of Crows' start on Friday & thought he commanded all of his off-speed stuff really, really well. Personally I'd give a slight edge to him over Gasser as to who I'd rather see but I think either would be deserving. It's a day game so you have a full 48 hours before they play Friday night so I think a BP day is doable but I'd rather not go that way.

Two very nice calls. Through his first two starts I'd say Harrison is poised beyond his years.

Very nice to save the best post for last.👍👍👍. But you forgot the "using Ashby every game" complaints, when he hasn't pitched back-to-back days yet this season.

I heard those comments, and I don't blame him for thinking that way at the time. Mitchells' saving grace is that there's PT available in the OF even when Chourio returns. And five steaks in one game doesn't hurt😄.

I originally thought "that's a run" too. But Caglianone got a real favorable carom off the wall & got it in quickly. And as you said maybe the jump wasn't the best, although that would be tough to take w/two outs.

Most of the civilized world expected the breaking ball there. Whoops!!! Guessing w/two strikes can sometimes leave you feeling.......empty.

I don't remember every post in the back & forth regarding Mitchell, but my take was that if he struggles there's nothing wrong with sending him down if his struggles lead to him not getting regular ABs in Milwaukee. Obviously you wouldn't do that now, or a week ago for that matter. You wanted to leave him in Milwaukee regardless. It was speculation based on IF he continued to have issues.

Actually there IS a third one lol. Not sure what his rep is but he does play & schools are aware of him. Down-under Kneuppels, apparently.🦘

There's so much competition up & down the organization at 2B & SS so you'd have to think the odds are against him, but Ethan Murray really impressed me with his defense tonite.

It really does. I don't recall for certain but I thought he did have health issues part of last year. He can hit. It looks like trying to find a position for him is a puzzle.

Brother of Joel, who is on my above list. Joel had a terrific freshman year at Portland, averaging over 15ppg with 6.5 apg. A little turnover prone but hey, he was a first-year guy. You'd now have to think there's a good chance he's also heading to Madison. Owen originally committed to LSU.

Postponed with no serious rain having fallen yet? When did the Royals hire Joe Madden?

It may or may not make signability more possible for the small market teams. The good news it, it won't mandate it. The Brewers can keep doing what they're doing, which as you said they're pretty good at. Then if a Yelich or Braun comes along & wants to stay here on a doable deal, great. I think they'll always be dollar-conscious.

Some under-the-radar types who shouldn't cost much & could fill bench roles: Alex Wilkins & Asa Thomas Furman (wing forwards) Bryce Herro Dayton 6'6", (Chicago kid) Travan Leonhardt Utah Valley 6'5" (sniper) Adam Harakow Wyoming 6'7" (Canadian; late bloomer) Cobi Campbell Troy 6'2" (sniper) K'Jei Parker UMass 6'2" (quite talented; probably underrating him) Eric Mahaffey Akron 6'6" Deng Garang LeMoyne 6'6" Ja'Corey Robinson Austin Peay 6'6" Leon Bond Northern Iowa 6'5" (I know he's receiving speculation from fans but my gut tells me he UW would only want him if he gets very little attention & comes real cheap.

As warned, here's some news/rumors/speculation regarding the Badger basketball program off season adventures: Regarding HS recruiting, the biggest recent news regards Zavier Zens of Wisconsin Lutheran. UW never seemed overly interested & Zens committed to Northern Iowa. Since then their coach left & he de-committed. There seems to be renewed interest from UW & Zens is saying all the right things. He looks like the only possible addition to the team for next season & if it happens would join LaTrevion Fenderson & Jackson Ball. Of the '27 targets it appears the most likely commits would be G Jalen Brown (Tosa West) & wing Deuce McDuffie (Nicolet). They're still called heavy UW leans, but it feels like McDuffie may be more of a fallback if other recruits fall through. Iowa State looks like severe competition for other targets, per usual. F Donovan Davis (Freedom) wing Baboucar Ann (Maple Grove , MN) & wing Jack Koenen (Slinger) are all reported to be leaning ISU, but UW is probably among the top 2 or 3 schools for each of them. And despite the Wisconsin connection Otzelberger can't get ALL the state kids, right? I've read that PF Kager Kneuppel (Wisconsin Lutheran) is leaning to UW but I don't totally buy that just yet as I think he'll get quite a bit of attention this summer. Jack's brother Joey Kohnen is a class of 28 Forward who some say might be better than his bro. Some consider him a UW lean but a long way to go there. Now for the portal. First off let me say that I must be out of my mind to speculate on this, what with the sheer volume and highest-bidder mentality ruling a lot of these kids. But here goes: They were connected to guys like Jamie Kaiser & Finley Bizjack (Butler) and Rowan Brumbaugh (Tulane) out of HS so there may be a possibility there. Good fits I hope are targets: Christian Hammond Santa Clara 6'4" Ryder Frost Notre Dame 6'7" Joel Foxwell Portland (Aussie PG) Rihards Vavers Washington St 6'7" Sonny Wilson Toledo PG Jimmie Williams Duquesne 6'5" Brett Decker Liberty 6'5" Shane Blakeney Drexel 6'5" Miles Byrd San Diego St 6'6" Trevian Carson North Dakota St Guard I didn't include post players because I don't believe they're going to be focusing on that. I also didn't include Jackson Shelstad as I think that would have to constitute winning a bidding war that they won't get into. The portal officially opens April 7th & closes April 21st, but it's hard to imagine there being any actual rules. Any comments, additions or contradictions, please feel free.

If they continue to ring the bell regarding the draft & player development, trades & other personnel decisions it might not take as much luck as we all thought.

Had Coach K still been on the sidelines, who knows what might've happened once he took the refs aside & mandated to them how he wants the game to be officiated. As to my bracket, I have Arizona as the lone wolf still standing. I had St Johns making it to the FF & they might've made it if Pitino gave Prey a little more run in the 2nd half vs Duke.

At the moment, I agree we're good. Down the road,@Joseph Zarr's mention of Patrick possibly in that role is a great one provided the rotation stays healthy enough to allow it. He really excelled as a middle man late last year. Still like Yoho; he seemed to right the ship late in '25. I think one of the keys to whether it becomes even a slight issue is how often we can get what we got today---a six inning start.

I guess my main concern is RHH who hit lefties exceptionally well. In the middle innings Anderson is pretty much the only RH option (you COULD use Woodford, I suppose). But you're right. None of the lefties are what you'd call situational guys.

I hated Ashby coming in today starting with a L vs L & walking him while missing badly on 3 of the balls. But yeah, overall they've been terrific. And so far, so good AFA spreading out the usage. I just wonder how four LHP in the pen will work long term.

Payroll difference. "They're lucky." "We must be better; the national media kisses our arses much, much more." Wind is blowing in.

"Why does he always call me 'meat'? I'M the one with the Porsche."

Seems to me he's going to be hesitant to PH if it's a tie game & the defense would be compromised, which I'm good with. Still ticked a bit about Monday, though, letting Hamilton & especially Mitchell swing.

Definitely took him out of the groove he was in, which is always a concern with a young pitcher. But like you said, locked right back in. I thought the Rays put up some pretty competitive ABs against him overall.