Wisconsin down, Marquette up in latest AP poll
Wisconsin slipped in the latest Associated Press Top 25.
The Badgers, coming off a week in which they split their two games, dropped three spots to No. 14 in the poll released Wednesday. It marked the second time in the last three weeks Wisconsin fell in the poll after reaching as high as No. 8.
UW was joined by four other Big Ten teams, including Purdue at No. 3, Illinois at No. 13, Ohio State at No. 16 and Michigan State at No. 17. The Badgers will travel to face the Spartans on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Marquette jumped six spots to No. 18, its highest ranking of the season. The Golden Eagles will visit No. 24 UConn on Tuesday.
Auburn continues at No. 1, while Gonzaga is No. 2, Arizona at No. 4 and Kentucky at No. 5.
Packers make hire of new ST coach official
Green Bay has settled on its new special teams coordinator.
The team announced Tuesday that it had hired Rich Bisaccia as the replacement for Maurice Drayton.
https://twitter.com/packers/status/1491145818044497921
Bisaccia has been in the NFL since 2002 and spent the last four seasons as the Las Vegas Raiders special teams coordinator. He took on the added role of interim head coach midway through the year when Jon Gruden was fired. The Raiders won the final four games of the regular season to punch their ticket to the playoffs before falling to eventual AFC Champion Cincinnati in the first round.
Bisaccia's units have not been the highest-rated in the NFL but they've always been solid, which would be more than enough for the Packers. Though Green Bay has finished toward the bottom of the annual rankings for much of the last decade, this year the unit bottomed out and played a large role in the NFC Divisional Round loss to San Francisco.
Las Vegas and Jacksonville interviewed Bisaccia for its head coaching vacancies before hiring Josh McDaniels and Doug Pedersen, respectively.
(11) Wisconsin 51, Penn State 49: Last word
MADISON -- Penn State missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds to allow No. 11 Wisconsin to escape with a 51-49 win Saturday night at the Kohl Center.
Player of the Game: Steven Crowl
Wisconsin struggled mightily to shoot it again on Saturday but the Badgers center came through, especially in the second half. He scored 11 of his 13 points after the break, including going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Two of those came in a 13-0 run that saw UW go from down 40-36 with 7:42 left to up 49-40 with 3:44 to go. He also had four assists, two of which happened in that run.
The Badgers improved to 10-0 when Crowl scores at least 10 points.
https://twitter.com/CBBonFOX/status/1490123315188572161
The good: The defense
The Badgers have not been a great defensive team this year but they picked a good time to put forth one of their better efforts of the season. Penn State started out a miserable 5-for-30 from the field and scored just 13 points in the first half. Some of that can be attributed to poor shooting but Wisconsin did not make it easy. The Nittany Lions were able to catch fire at points in the second half but when the Badgers needed a stop – up 51-49 in the final seconds – they forced a tough 3-point look that did not fall.
https://twitter.com/ZachHeilprin/status/1490127941421907976
The not so good: The offense
Wisconsin scored a season-low 18 points in the first half and saw its two leading scorers – Johnny Davis and Brad Davison – go scoreless. The two would not end up getting on the board until the 13:10 mark of the second half when Davison hit a pair of free throws. He finished with nine points, including going 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. Davis scored just four points on 2-for-13 shooting, his worst offensive effort of the year.
Things went better for the team as a whole after the break as the Badgers managed to score 33 points and shoot 52% from the field.
Stat of the Game: 35
That is the scoring Wisconsin got from guys in the starting lineup not named Davis or Davison. Crowl had 13, Tyler Wahl added 12 and Chucky Hepburn had 10. Wahl had what proved to be the winning bucket in the final minute.
https://twitter.com/WisconsinOnBTN/status/1490161818194616321
In a season in which Davis and Davison have averaged closed to 36 points per game, for others to step up was much needed and something coach Greg Gard noted afterward to his team.
"As I told (Davis) and Brad in front of everyone in the locker room, I said, 'you guys have carried us a lot of nights. Tonight, it was everybody else's turn to try to carry you and help the team,'" Gard said.
Best Tweets
https://twitter.com/DanaONeilWriter/status/1490113721036902402
https://twitter.com/totally_t_bomb/status/1490108992433135617
https://twitter.com/coach_GQ/status/1490133651165696002
In Case You Missed It
-- Penn State’s flight to Wisconsin on Friday got canceled. The team did not actually arrive in Madison until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, had a quick meal at the hotel and then bussed to the Kohl Center with the game starting a 5 p.m.
-- Wisconsin improved to 11-1 in games decided by six points or fewer. It means just seven of their wins this year have come by more than that.
-- The Badgers victory pushed them to 9-3 in Big Ten play, good enough to be in a tie with Purdue for second place and one game back of Illinois for first place. Michigan State is a ½ game back of Wisconsin and the Boilermakers at 8-3.
What’s next?
Wisconsin (18-4, 9-3,) will hit the road to face the Spartans (17-5, 8-3) on Tuesday night in East Lansing.
The Camp: Feb. 4, 2022
Wisconsin introduced new offensive coordinator Bobby Engram on Friday. The guys talk about what they learned and what they still have questions about. They also discuss the latest addition to the 2022 recruiting class and whether the Badgers may look in the portal for another QB after missing out on Caleb Williams.
What new Wisconsin OC Bobby Engram said when he met the media for the first time
MADISON -- Wisconsin introduced new offensive coordinator Bobby Engram Friday morning at a press conference in the basement of the McClain Center. The former Baltimore assistant coach had his contract approved by the UW Board of Regents last week and has spent the time since then getting up to speed on the challenges he'll face in his new position.
Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst was not in attendance, so there remains some uncertainty about Engram's role will be in helping the offense improve after two underperforming years on that side of the ball.
Here is a collection of what Engram said when he met the media for the first time:
Q: Can you share what exactly your responsibilities will be as offensive coordinator? Will you be calling the plays? And what position group will you be coaching?
Engram: "I think as a coordinator, I'm going to be involved in all aspects of the game plan. We're still working and talking through in terms of -- that's a question for Paul -- in terms of positions and where we'll be. I think there's still some things that solidify on the staff.
"As far as play calling, I've been around many places, so there's different ways to do it. Again, I will be involved in all aspects of the game plan, and we will have some really good plays called. It'll be a collaborative effort and we'll be working together. The main thing is to have a great plan, where we can move the ball and score points and help us win football games.”
Q: What strengths do you think you can bring as a recruiter? And do you know which area of the country that you'll be recruiting in?
Engram: "I do not know the area yet, but my strengths as a recruiter would be just my track record and what I've done. Recruiting is just a process. I think just having a process and a procedure, the main thing is getting to know the young men, really understand who they are and making sure they are fit. Because all great players might not be a fit. It will be an honest approach, it would be an open approach and letting people know what Wisconsin is about. Again, it's about trying to find the right fit, the right young men to bring into this program, offensively, that are going to help us. Or in my area, if there's a defensive player, passing them over to the defensive staff and doing all the legwork there. But I think communication, follow up, just being persistent, and just really articulating who we are, and what we're about so that guys really understand what Wisconsin football has to offer."
Q: In what ways do you think you can expand the offense particularly in the passing game?
Engram: "I think the change will come from really what our players can do. My approach, and I think our philosophy as coaches, is going to be, what can our players do well? I think that's where it starts. Obviously, there's a strong tradition here, had a lot of great offenses and running the football. I think, just coming from the NFL, my experiences, just bring some a fresh perspective, bring some new ideas.
"But again, it's going be a collaborative effort that I think really should be player driven. Because we got some young guys, I know they're talented guys, I have not had a chance to really watch a lot of film yet in terms of studying it. I've watched games. But really, I'm looking forward to that whenever this first week settles down, so I can really get into the film and study personnel and see who guys are and what they do well, and accentuate their strengths, but I think it's player driven, the changes."
Q: How valuable will spring practice be to finding out what guys can do and will it take you even more time after that to really get an idea of what the strengths of guys are?
Engram: “I think after the spring, hopefully I will have a good idea of what they can do being with them day in and day out for 15 practices and meetings. Then the natural progression for that is how we grow the offense. Again, the players, what they can do and then the natural progression of how players improve, just always keeping a pulse on how guys are getting better. That's why we practice, right? That's the goal. So, we have to be able to monitor that and take advantage of that."
Q: You coached under both Jim and John Harbaugh. How much of an impact have both of those guys made on you during your coaching career?
Engram: "Jim and John had a great impact. Jim gave me my first opportunity to coach when he was with the 49ers and I've spent the last eight years with John and Baltimore. Both of them had a very strong impact on me as a coach. I've been fortunate to be around two really good head coaches and two guys that are intense, they pride themselves on preparation and winning. I've been able to take a lot from both of those guys and carry that over into my coaching."
Q: What kind of challenges do you envision just expanding on what you've done in your coaching career so far here?
Engram: "Again, it's about the players and what we need to do to get them better. The challenges will be as a staff, for us putting together the very best game plan every week. I'm really looking forward to this spring. When you're around guys, day in and day out, in the meeting room, in the classroom, watching them work out and on the field, you get a great sense of who they are and what they can do. Everything we're doing is pointing towards winning football games. That will be the initial challenge and then the challenges of game planning week in and week out versus our opponent, but that excites me. That's what we love as coaches, the strategy and the planning and figuring out a way to win games."
Q: You get to coach your son, Dean, for the first time. What’s that going to be like? And can you give us a scouting report of him as a wide receiver
"Yes, a pretty unique experience. First, I'm real proud of Dean just to how hard he's worked in this program, and how he's been able to overcome some adversity that he's had in his life. But I'm excited about coaching them. I think it'll be unique in the fact that we'll be around each other day in and day out on the field. I never coached him in terms of him being on an organized team. I've always taken my boys out, and their friends, done football drills, footwork, catching drills, so that's always been fun. But I'm looking forward to that.
"For as a scouting report, we'll have to see what he has. Quick, got some good speed, toughness, great ball skills, can really track the ball. But that wasn't a foregone conclusion. That was a decision that I know seems obvious, but it really wasn't. It had to come from Paul. It had to be from Dean, it had to be natural and organic and it had to be something that fit the program. It checks all those boxes, so I think it's the right thing to do for the team.”
Q: There were some reports connecting Wisconsin to former Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams, who was in the transfer portal. I know you have a relationship with him. Can you shed some light on that? Did you think you had a pretty good chance? How close did that come to becoming a done deal?
Engram: "The relationship was intact long before any of the transport portal. The timing of it, I think people really linked us together more than what it might have been. But in terms of the relationship, I’ve got great respect for Caleb, love his family, his father, Carl, his mother, Dana, so the relationship was because of us being down and us going to battle and playing a lot of football games together. But I think Wisconsin as a program, you look at it with a with a portal now, I think you look at any great player that becomes available that's interested in you, you have to look at it. But I'm happy for Caleb, where he is and I think that's a great move for him. I'm really excited about the guys that we have, and I'm ready to get to work."
Q: You spent two seasons working alongside Paul at Pitt several years back. What did you learn about him from working with him that you think this will be a good marriage?
Engram: "I think number one with Paul is his approach and how he deals with the players. I think he really enjoys being around the players and coaching them. Offensively, he's done some really good things, great things over the course of his coaching career. I think philosophically it's a good fit the way they run the ball. What I've been exposed to as a player and as a coach, I really believe in running the football and being able to assert yourself there. I'm excited. We have a great personal relationship. I just look forward to the next chapter here and building that with him and the entire staff at Wisconsin."
Q: Do you have to change the way you approach players and coach them coming from the NFL back to college?
Engram: "Yes, because where they are in their lives. These are young men and those were (NFL) guys who kind of went through that path, and they were men. They had families and a career. I think there's a different approach, ye it's similar just in how you deal with people. I love the players, I love getting to know them, personally. I love the teaching, the coaching aspect and building that relationship, so it'll be the same in that respect. But I think the difference is where they are in their journey as men."
Q: Do you need to address the pursuit of Caleb Williams with your returning quarterbacks, especially a two-year starter like Graham Mertz? Do you expect any issues there?
Engram: “No, I've already talked to Graham, talked to Chase (Wolf), those guys are good, we're all good. They understand the nature of college football now and certain things we cannot control. But they're excited, I'm excited, and we're ready to go to work."
Q: You're the first African American to hold the position of offensive coordinator at Wisconsin, especially given all the conversation about African American opportunities and coaching, what does it mean to you to be the first here at Wisconsin?
Engram: "It means everything. It’s humbling. I'm grateful, again, for the opportunity, but it means a lot. I'm thankful to be in this position. There’s been a lot of coaches that have gone before me that have worked really hard and done well to give me this opportunity. I give credit to Paul, to Wisconsin. I think the motto here is Forward, right? Forever Forward. I think this is a great example of not just talk about something being a slogan, but real people grasping that and given an opportunity to do something different. I'm excited and I'm grateful to be in this spot."
Q: How did the process of coming back to college football happen? Is it something you were looking to do?
Engram: "I don't think you ever close off any door. It was not a move that I was looking to make. I was a really enjoyed the NFL, I was in a great organization, I was growing, I was given the opportunity to move from the wide receivers to the tight ends and that helped my growth exponentially. But again, this was an opportunity and I think the timing of it and the fit -- just what I know about the program and the tradition, my relationship with Paul, the opportunity for me to take that next step in my career. Everything just kind of aligned and I think this is the right time and I think it's a great fit for both sides."
Q: What do you think Wisconsin is capable of doing as a program?
Engram: "You guys have seen this team for a lot longer up close than I have. I think winning a championship is possible and that's the goal and why we're all in it. We got some work to do. But there's a lot of good pieces in place here. Just being around for the first week, I love what I'm seeing. The camaraderie, the way the guys are working, the intensity of the program. How can you not be excited about being at part of that?"
(18) Illinois 80, (11) Wisconsin 67: Last word
In a battle for first place in the Big Ten it was No. 18 Illinois coming out on top with an 80-67 win over No. 11 Wisconsin on Wednesday night.
Player of the Game: Kofi Cockburn
As he was in his first two years against the Badgers, the Illinois big man was unstoppable. He finished with 37 points, one off his career high, and added 12 rebounds. The 7-footer pushed Wisconsin around down low and ended up going 16-for-19 from the floor.
Cockburn is a load for any team but he’s been especially difficult for anyone on the Badgers to stop. In four games against Wisconsin, the junior averaged 23.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and shot 72.2% from the field.
The good: Tyler Wahl
Wisconsin got 14 points and six rebounds from the junior. He was especially effective in the first half in driving to the basket and posting up. He scored 12 of his 14 before the half but took just three shots after the break. Wahl has now been in double figures in six of his last seven games, and he’s averaging a career-high 11 points per game.
The not so good: Johnny Davis’ shooting
The Badgers are having a very successful season in large part due to Davis, but he’s really struggled shooting the ball for much of the last month. He’s been over 50% from the field just twice in the last seven games and is sitting at 37.6% overall in that stretch. It included a 5-for-19 effort against the Illini.
Davis did finish with a team-high 22 points and 15 rebounds, and he managed to get to the free throw line 14 times. It’s what he needs to continue to do when his shot isn’t falling.
Stat of the Game: 3-for-24 (12.5%)
That is what Wisconsin shot from beyond the arc. It was the Badgers worst effort from deep since going 2-for-26 in a loss to New Mexico in Dec. 2019. In the last two years Wisconsin has hit just seven of its 48 3-pointers at Illinois.
In Case You Missed It
-- Brad Davison had just seven points, tied for his second-fewest this season. He also didn’t hit a 3-pointer, the first time that’s happened in a game since Wisconsin’s last trip to Illinois on Feb. 27 last season.
-- Lorne Bowman gave the Badgers seven points off the bench. It was his highest-scoring effort since posting nine points in the season opener against St. Francis (Brooklyn).
-- Despite Cockburn’s 37 points, Illinois outscored the Badgers just 42-40 in the paint.
-- Wisconsin dropped to 8-3 in Big Ten play and into a tie for third place with Purdue. Illinois now has first place to itself at 9-2, while Michigan State is second at 8-2.
What’s next?
Wisconsin (17-4, 8-3) will come home to face Penn State (9-9, 4-6) on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Packers reportedly won't be bringing back ST coach Maurice Drayton
The Green Bay Packers will have a new special teams coordinator next season.
According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the team has let Maurice Drayton know he will not return for a second season leading the unit.
https://twitter.com/TomSilverstein/status/1488584153226436609
Drayton was an assistant under former coordinator Shawn Mennenga and was promoted by coach Matt LaFleur after last season. His only year on the job was a near disaster, with major breakdowns by different aspects of the entire unit. It culminated with one of the worst special teams performances in postseason history in a loss to San Francisco as the Packers got a field goal blocked, allowed a long kickoff return and had a punt blocked that was returned for a touchdown.
Drayton's replacement will be LaFleur's third different coordinator since taking over in 2019.
Staff changes
While the Drayton news is not official yet, the team did announce several other promotions Tuesday.
Wide receivers coach Jason Vrable will add the title of passing-game coordinator. He takes that from former quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy, who is now the offensive coordinator in Chicago.
The team also promoted Luke Butkus to offensive line coach. He had been the assistant offensive line coach the last three seasons under Adam Stenavich, who was promoted to offensive coordinator earlier this week. Butkus will be assisted by Ryan Mahaffey. He will be entering his second season with the club.
Though they don't yet have a quarterbacks coach to replace Getsy, the team did elevate Connor Lewis to assistant quarterbacks coach. He's been with the club for the last six seasons in a variety of roles.
Wisconsin adds 3-star wide receiver in 2022 class
Wisconsin signed most of its 2022 recruiting class in December but the Badgers will be adding one more to the mix.
Wide receiver Chris Brooks Jr. (Ferguson, Mo.) announced his commitment to Wisconsin on Tuesday.
https://twitter.com/chris_brooksjr2/status/1488527862281953282
A three-star recruit, the 6-foot-3 Brooks originally committed to Yale before taking a visit to Madison last weekend. Rated as the 27th-best player in Missouri and the No. 141-ranked wide receiver in the country, Brooks had offers from a number of other Ivy League schools, as well as Miami (OH), Buffalo and Ball State.
Brooks' change of mind gives the Badgers three wide receivers in their 2022 class. They also added to the position by grabbing UCLA transfer Keontez Lewis and moving junior cornerback Dean Engram to offense.
https://youtu.be/fyf9tATYG3E
The Camp: Jan. 31, 2022
Wisconsin has an offensive coordinator! The guys talk about the hire of Bobby Engram and what his potential role could be, they discuss the latest (as of Monday morning) on Caleb Williams, breakdown the first commit for the 2023 recruiting class and debate the Big Ten potentially eliminating divisions and going back to eight conference games.
The Swing: Jan. 31, 2022
The Badgers are 17-3. The guys talk about the latest wins over Nebraska and Minnesota, debate whether Johnny Davis is the player of the year in the country, some concerns about the bench, Brad Davison's place in UW history and more.
