Hey all- happy Friday! Let's get the weekend going a bit early with some Badger Bits!
According to Tom Mulhern of Madison.com, Wisconsin quarterback Curt Phillips is still anticipating a return in the fall of 2011 after suffering a second ACL injury. With senior quarterback Scott Tolzien departing after using up his NCAA eligibility, Phillips' health could be a big factor in the Wisconsin Badgers' success in 2011.
Phillips will miss spring practices because of his rehabbing knee, but is on track to participate in fall camp. However, Phillips' missed time could prove beneficial for one of the other returning quarterbacks: freshman Jon Budmayr. Budmayr received some valuable playing time during the Badgers' several blow-out wins in 2010, and will probably get the majority of snaps in spring camp.
Even with Phillips' injury history and Budmayr's youth, it seems like Tolzien is confident that either one could help the Badgers win in 2011.
"On game day, you've got Curt and Jon and I'm going to them for advice every time we hit the sidelines," Tolzien said. "It's invaluable, the stuff they can bring to the table. They know the offense just as well as I do. It's like having two other coaches on the sidelines."
Be sure to vote in the poll about Wisconsin's quarterback situation in 2011!
Football
Former Wisconsin left tackle Gabe Carimi spoke to the Associated Press recently and suggested that current right tackle Ricky Wagner has what it takes to bring another Outland Trophy home to Wisconsin.
Tom Mulhern of Madison.com writes that head coach Bret Bielema has interviewed DeMontie Cross, the Buffalo Bills' former linebackers coach. Bielema is in the market for a new coach, now that former defensive coordinator Dave Doeren has left for NIU. We could also hear from Bielema about his choice for defensive coordinator relatively soon.
ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg answers some Big Ten questions in his latest mailblog, including some questions about a school near and dear to our hearts.
Dave Heller of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel takes a look at some of the love coming the Badgers' way from the national media in their way-too-early-predictions for 2011.
Hockey
Andy Baggot of Madison.com writes that Wisconsin goaltender Scott Gudmandson has been carving out his own legacy as one of the top goalies in school history.
Chuck Schwartz of Sixty Minutes. No Alibis. No Regrets. takes a look at this weekend's series with the No. 5 UM-Duluth Bulldogs. Like Chuck, I can't find anything about the game being broadcast live, so I guess if you really want to see the series you need to drive to Duluth. The games are at 7:07 PM both tonight and Saturday night.
Blogger now the all-time leading scorer in UW women's history.
Basketball
According to UWBadgers.com, the men's basketball team is looking ahead to a re-match with Illinois.
Rob Schultz of Madison.com writes that it's still business as usual for the Badgers, even after a tough loss to Michigan State.