The Swing: Jan. 11, 2022
Wisconsin finished off a 3-0 week in Big Ten play. The guys talk about how whiny Iowa was after the game, Tyler Wahl's huge effort against Maryland, where the Badgers sit two months out from the NCAA Tournament and Lee Sports Wisconsin's Jim Polzin joins the show.
Badgers move up 10 spots in latest AP rankings, Johnny Davis earns honor
Wisconsin is moving up in the national rankings.
Fresh off a 3-0 week, the Badgers jumped 10 spots to No. 13 in the latest Associated Press poll. They are one of five Big Ten teams in the poll, headlined by Purdue at No. 7. Michigan State comes in at No. 10, while Ohio State is at No. 16. Illinois entered the poll at No. 25.
Wisconsin's ascension was well earned. Coach Greg Gard's club went on the road at upset the then-No. 3 Boilermakers, just the Badgers fifth win against Purdue at Mackey Arena since its opened in 1967. They followed that up with a blowout win over Iowa and then held on for another road win against Maryland on Sunday. It was the first time since January of 2019 that Wisconsin had won three Big Ten games, including two on the road, in a single week.
UW has a chance to further improve its impressive resume in the next 11 days, as a home game against the Buckeyes is set for Thursday and a visit from the Spartans comes Jan. 21.
Baylor remained the top rated team, with Gonzaga, UCLA, Auburn and USC rounding out the top five.
Davis honored
Johnny Davis was a big reason for Wisconsin's success last week and he was honored for his efforts.
The sophomore guard was named the Big Ten co-Player of the Week after averaging 27.3 points, 10 rebounds and three assists per game.
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It's the second time Davis has won the award this year and it's the third week a Wisconsin player has won it.
Davis shared the honor with Illinois center Kofi Cockburn
Packers: Za'Darius Smith set to return, several other key players could also be back for playoffs
When the Green Bay Packers take the field for the divisional round of the playoffs the team should have two more All-Pros on the field.
A day after left tackle David Bakhtiari returned to action for the first time in more than a year, news broke Monday that outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith had been cleared medically and will be designated to return from injured reserve. If things go as planned, Smith will be available for the playoffs.
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Smith confirmed the news with a post on Instagram.
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Smith hasn't played since Week 1 against New Orleans. He underwent back surgery just days later and has been on injured reserve since then. In his first two seasons with the Packers, Smith led the team with 26 total sacks.
"I want to kind of temper the expectations," coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Monday afternoon. "Here's a guy that hasn't practiced since before the New Orleans game. We'll get him back out there (Wednesday) and see how he looks, see what type of shape he's in. If he progresses and checks all the boxes, then he'll be back out on the field."
Green Bay is also expecting to get cornerback Jaire Alexander back on the field. He hasn't played since Week 4 due to a shoulder injury but has practiced on a regular basis for the last month. It's possible he would have suited up against Detroit on Sunday but tested positive for COVID-19 and practiced just once last week.
Integrating him back into a group that has seen really good play from cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Eric Stokes will be a challenge, especially since all three thrive playing outside and not in the slot. Alexander has the most experience there, seeing 174 snaps inside during his rookie season, but that total dropped to 33 in 2020.
"There are a lot of conversations that are taking place right now because we have a pretty good problem in that we've got some other pretty good players, especially at the corner position," LaFleur said. "And how do you get all these guys out on the grass at the same time and where are you placing them. Those are some of the things that we're kind of working through as a staff right now. How to get all these guys out on the field and then put them in a position to be successful."
Offensive line getting healthy
Green Bay saw the return of Bakhtiari (torn ACL) and center Josh Myers (knee) against the Lions, with each playing most of the first half. Bakhtiari got 27 reps before taking himself out of the game, while Myers ended up with 32.
"I thought David did an outstanding job. He looked great, he moved well. Certainly, there's no substitute for football shape and that takes time. But I thought he handled himself very well," LaFleur said. "I think you're looking at two just completely different circumstances in terms of the number of plays David has played throughout the course of his career versus the number Josh has. I would say David probably looked a little further along than than Josh, but we're confident that Josh will get there. I think he's another guy that just has to get back into football shape."
Both will almost surely being in the starting lineup when the playoffs open. The same could be true for right tackle Billy Turner. He missed the final four games of the regular season with a knee injury, but LaFleur expects him back on the practice field at some point this week.
Hackett getting attention
The Packers offense has been among the best in the NFL the last two seasons and many people within the organization credit offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett with being a big part of that. Now those outside the facility are taking notice, too, as Hackett will interview for two head coaching positions -- Denver and Jacksonville -- this week.
"I would anticipate more interest in Nathaniel if teams are doing their homework," LaFleur said. "I think he's definitely deserving of at least being in the conversation with everybody and getting an opportunity to present what he's all about to all these teams. I know if I was leading the search, he would be high on my list."
Playoff opponent?
Green Bay will have to wait until after Wild Card weekend to find out its first playoff opponent. There are four possibilities -- Los Angeles, Arizona, San Francisco or Philadelphia. The Packers didn't face the Eagles this year but went 3-0 against the other teams.
(23) Badgers 70, Maryland 69: Last word
No. 23 Wisconsin used a fast start and some clutch plays down the stretch to beat Maryland 70-69 on Sunday night.
Player of the Game: Tyler Wahl
Tyler Wahl’s offensive game is coming alive. After scoring 16 points in a win Thursday against Iowa, the junior went for a career-high 21 points Sunday night. He had 11 of those in the first half, but there were several key stretches in the second half that stood out as the Badgers tried to hold off the Terrapins.
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With Wisconsin trailing 36-35 after blowing a 21-point lead, Maryland was looking for more when Wahl came up with a block at the rim. After the Badgers took the lead on the following possession, they got a steal at midcourt and Wahl turned it into a dunk.
He made three straight shots midway through the second half, including a layup that gave the Badgers at 51-50 lead. Another layup with 6:04 tied the game at 55 and his final points came on two free throws that gave Wisconsin the lead.
On a night that star guard Johnny Davis did not have his best offensive game, Wahl went 8-for-12 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free throw line. He has now scored in double figures four times in the last five games.
The good: The start
Wisconsin played about as good as it could in opening up a 21-point first half lead. The Badgers made 11 of their first 16 shots, including four 3-pointers. On the other end they locked Maryland up to the tune of just eight points (4-for-18) in the first 12 minutes of the game.
The not so good: The collapse
The Badgers looked to be on the verge of blowing the Terrapins out in their own building but as good as Wisconsin was to start the game, Maryland made Coach Greg Gard’s club look that bad the rest of the half. UW hit just two shots in the final 8:20, which helped the Terrapins go one a 15-0 run to pull within seven points at the half.
Stat of the Game: 8-1
Wisconsin’s collapse forced it into another tight game but the Badgers managed to come out on top, improving to 8-1 in games decided by six points or less this season.
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In Case You Missed It
-- Wisconsin played without guard Jahcobi Neath due to a lower body injury. It was the eighth game he has missed because of an injury, COVID-19 or a non-COVID illness.
-- The Badgers led 70-69 with 3.1 seconds left and Brad Davison was at the free throw line. After he missed the first one, Wisconsin decided to have Davison miss the second so Maryland would not be able to set up an inbounds play to potentially tie or win the game. It worked as Eric Ayala’s half-court shot at the buzzer did not come close to going in.
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-- Johnny Davis had 19 points. It snapped his six-game streak of scoring 20 points or more.
-- Wisconsin earned its third win in seven days, including two on the road. It is the first time the Badgers have done that since late January of 2019.
What’s next?
Wisconsin (13-2, 4-1) will come home to face Ohio State (10-3, 4-1) on Thursday. The Buckeyes handed the Badgers their lone Big Ten loss in mid-December.
Lions 37, Packers 30: 2-minute drill
Detroit scored on two trick plays and overcame a late push by Green Bay to earn its third win of the season with a 37-30 victory over the Packers.
Game Balls
Offense: Allen Lazard
Green Bay’s “goon,” as coach Matt LaFleur has called him, earned that nickname because of his ability as a run blocker. But it’s what the Packers wide receiver has given them in the pass game in recent weeks, including Sunday, that has jumped out on the box score. The former undrafted free agent followed up a 6-catch, 72-yard, one touchdown effort last week with five more grabs for 75 yards and the first two-touchdown game of his career.
Lazard has now scored a touchdown in four of the last five games and has at least five catches in three of them. Davante Adams is clearly the No. 1 wide receiver on the roster but Lazard has become a solid option for Aaron Rodgers.
Defense: Dean Lowry
Lowry has put together his most productive season as a pro and that continued against the Lions. He finished with four tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. It gave him a career-high five sacks on the season. Lowry was also part of a front seven that limited the Lions to 99 yards rushing on 26 carries (3.8 yards per carry).
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In Case You Missed It
-- The Packers held running back Aaron Jones (back) and linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (elbow) out of the game as a precaution. Both would have played if it was a meaningful game in the standings.
-- David Bakhtiari made his return from the torn ACL he suffered at practice in late December 2020. The All-Pro left tackle played just 27 snaps and took himself out of the game in the second quarter. Coach Matt LaFleur said Bakhtiari came out because he was fatigued and it’s nothing they are truly worried about.
-- Rookie center Josh Myers also returned to the lineup after missing the last 11 with a knee injury. He got the start in place of Lucas Patrick, who slid over to right guard and replaced Royce Newman. Myers played the first half before Patrick finished things out.
-- The Packers came into the game promsing to play their starters for an extended period and they did. Rodgers, Adams, Lazard, Myers and tight end Marcedes Lewis played the first half. Defensively, the starting unit played into the second half with the likes of Rashan Gary and Preston Smith sticking most to third downs.
-- Green Bay escaped largely unscathed, though wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back) and nickel back Chandon Sullivan (knee) left the game early. LaFleur did not have an update on either one after the game.
-- Jordan Love replaced Rodgers in the second half. He led three scoring drives, including two that ended with touchdowns. His final two possessions, though, were ended by interceptions.
Inside the Numbers
1,553 – That is how many yards receiving Adams had this season. It breaks the team record set by Jordy Nelson in 2014. Adams now owns the record for most receptions (123) and yards in a season, while being tied with Sterling Sharpe for the most touchdowns (18).
37 – That is how many point the Packers defense gave up. It was the fifth time in the last seven games the team allowed at least 28 points.
2 -- That is how many trick play touchdowns the Packers allowed. The first came on a pass from a wide receiver to a wide receiver for 75-yards and the second was a double reverse with the ball ending back in quarterback Jared Goff's hands before he found tight end Brock Wright for a 36-yard score.
5-1 – That is Matt LaFleur’s record against the Lions in his career. Sunday marked the first loss.
13 – That is how many wins the Packers ended the season with. It’s the first time a team has won 13 games in three straight seasons.
What’s Next
Green Bay (13-4) will get next week off and await its foe in the divisional round the following weekend.
David Bakhtiari could make season debut Sunday against Detroit
Sunday is the end of the regular season but could mark the beginning of David Bakhtiari's season.
The Green Bay Packers tackle was a full participant at practice Friday for the first time since tearing an ACL in practice in December of 2020. Now, it appears, he could make his season debut against the Detroit Lions.
"I thought he looked really good," coach Matt LaFleur said of his All-Pro left tackle. "But we'll see how he comes in (Saturday) and see how he's feeling before we totally commit to that, whether or not he's playing."
Bakhtiari was officially listed as questionable on the injury report. The same goes for linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (elbow) and running back Aaron Jones (knee). Defensive lineman Kingsley Keke (non-COVID illness) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) are both listed as out.
Alexander returned to practice Friday after being activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list. It's unclear if Alexander, who hasn't played since Week 4, would have played if he practiced more this week but LaFleur said the lack of practice made the decision easy.
The Camp: Jan. 7, 2022
Leo Chenal is heading to the NFL. The guys talk about his decision and where he ranks among the best LBs at Wisconsin. They also dive into what the defensive depth chart could look like in 2022 with eight new starters.
(23) Wisconsin 87, Iowa 78: Last word
MADISON -- No. 23 Wisconsin snapped a four-game losing streak to Iowa with an 87-78 win featuring another big night from Johnny Davis.
Player of the Game: Johnny Davis
Three days after dropping 37 points and 14 rebounds on No. 3 Purdue, the Badgers superstar had 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists against the Hawkeyes. He did much of his damage in the first half, scoring 19 points in 19 minutes to help Wisconsin to a 13-point lead at the break. The sophomore put a capper on his big night by scoring four points and dishing out an assist as the Badgers pushed their lead from 13 to 22 with 7:41 left.
It was the sixth straight game that Davis topped 20 points, the longest streak by a Wisconsin player since Alando Tucker did it seven straight times in 2007. Over his last two games, Davis is averaging 31.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and four assists per game while shooting 54.8% from the field.
The good: Tyler Wahl and Steven Crowl
Iowa didn’t double Wahl or Steven Crowl in the post because coach Fran McCaffery said they were worried about Wisconsin’s 3-point shooters. Both guys made them pay, but especially Wahl. He finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, including three on the offensive end. Wahl was almost a guaranteed bucket when he got near the rim, shooting 6-for-7.
Wahl also had to deal with Iowa star Keegan Murray on the other end of the court, a tough task for anyone. Murray finished with a game-high 27 points but Wahl was a pest most of the night.
"He did a great job of making (Murray's) baskets difficult and really making it a challenge for him to see the ball go through the hoop," guard Brad Davison said. Offensively we know (Wahl) is one of the best low post scores out there. So whenever we can get him down there with the ball, we know it's an advantage for us.
"He had a great game. Keep them coming."
Crowl went 6-for-8 and scored 12 points.
The not so good: The bench scoring
Wisconsin’s starters scored 83 of the team’s 87 points as all five guys were in double figures. Carter Gilmore and Jacohbi Neath each had two points off the bench. The four points were the fewest in a game this season.
The Badgers did get other contributions from those guys, though, including an important four rebounds from Neath. He also delivered a perfect alley-oop to Davis for a monster slam.
What They Said:
"This this group has been terrific. I can't even get mad at them. They just give me everything they've got dang near every day. They haven't had a bad day. Maybe a snippet of a bad day, but they quickly corrected it, and like I said they just love to compete and love to wear that uniform."
-- Greg Gard on the fight his team shows on a nightly basis
Stat of the Game: 43
That’s how many rebounds Wisconsin came down with, 17 more than Iowa. It included 15 offensive rebounds that resulted in 18 second-chance points for the Badgers.
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In Case You Missed It
-- Wisconsin wore its alternate uniforms for the second time this season. They were designed by the players.
-- With Wisconsin’s Johnny Davis and Iowa’s Keegan Murray playing, UW said there were 18 NBA scouts in attendance. The normal number is 2-4 per game.
-- Wisconsin snapped its four-game losing streak to Iowa with the win.
-- The Badgers moved into a tie for third place in the Big Ten with the win. Only Michigan State and Illinois are still unbeaten.
What’s next?
Wisconsin (12-2, 3-1) will travel to face Maryland (8-6, 0-3) on Sunday night.
Bucks fall to Toronto, plan to waive veteran center DeMarcus Cousins
Milwaukee has lost two games in a row for the first time in nearly two months after falling 117-111 to Toronto Wednesday night.
The Bucks scored 77 points in the first half but went cold in the second and didn't have enough to overcome 33 points and six assists from Pascal Siakam. That effort helped the Raptors mov to 2-0 this season against the defending NBA champions.
Milwaukee was paced by Khris Middleton's 25 points, while Jordan Nwora had 17. Jrue Holiday had 15 points and 12 assists but also turned the ball over eight times.
Center DeMarcus Cousins gave the Bucks 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, but after the game The Athletic reported that the veteran would be waived in an effort to keep roster flexibility in advance of contracts across the league becoming guaranteed on Friday. Cousins averaged 8.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game since signing with the club last month.
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The Bucks played without Giannis Antetokounmpo (non-COVID illness), Grayson Allen (COVID), Pat Connaughton (COVID), George Hill (COVID) and Donte DiVincenzo (ankle).
Milwaukee will return to floor Friday night in Brooklyn.
Aaron Rodgers on Hub Arkush: 'I think he's an absolute bum'
On Tuesday, Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly called Aaron Rodgers the "biggest jerk in the league" and that he would not give the quarterback his vote for Most Valuable Player because of his drama filled offseason last summer. On Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers veteran fired back during his weekly press conference with local reporters.
"I think he's a bum. I think he’s an absolute bum," Rodgers said of Arkush. "He doesn’t know me. I don't know who he is. No one knew who he was probably until yesterday's comments. I listened to the comments but to say he had his mind made up in the summer time, in the offseason that I had zero chance of winning MVP, in my opinion should exclude future votes."
Rodgers was criticized earlier this season when it became public knowledge that he wasn't vaccinated against COVID-19 despite saying during training camp he was immunized. He took responsibility for misleading on his status but stood by his decision to not to get vaccinated.
"(Arkush's) problem isn't with me being a bad guy or the biggest jerk in the league," Rodgers said. "He doesn’t know me. He doesn’t know anything about me. I've never met him. I’ve never had lunch with him. I've never had an interview with him. His problem is I'm not vaccinated. So if he wants to go on a crusade and collude and come up with an extra letter to put on the award just for this season and make it the Most Valuable Vaccinated Player, then he should do that. But he's a bum and I'm not going to waste any time worrying about that stuff. He has no idea who I am, he's never talked to me in his life."
The three-time MVP has become the favorite to earn his fourth award by throwing 18 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last six games as the Packers clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC, homefield advantage in the playoffs and a first-round bye.
