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Wisconsin Badgers news, 6/18: How will UW respond after Final Four run?

Plus, thoughts on the best football position groups, Blake Geoffrion Hockey Classic rosters set and more.

Jamie Squire

Football

For the past two decades, the constants of Wisconsin football have been at three positions -- running back, offensive line and tight end -- and the three were rated highly by ESPN.com's David Ching. The running back group was tied for fourth, the Big Uglies were ranked third and the tight end unit was ranked fourth. Plus, Melvin Gordon and co. ranked as the fourth-best current backfield (Insider).

More talk about the Badgers' game against LSU: Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde has 40 observations about the upcoming season, and the matchup in Houston is No. 18 on the list. Forde notes Wisconsin's front seven inexperience against LSU's running game with heralded freshman Leonard Fournette.

Fox Sports Wisconsin's Jesse Temple has cornerback Soujourn Shelton as the sixth-most important player for the Badgers, while much-improved safety Michael Caputo is No .5.

Basketball

The standard of success for the 2014-15 squad is set at an all-time high coming off a Final Four run. How will the Badgers handle the added spotlight? Former head coach Dick Bennett gives a little insight as to how his team managed it after a 2000 Final Four appearance.

Hockey

Get your popcorn ready: The rosters are ready and good to go for the Blake Geoffrion Classic on June 27. The Red Team is captained by San Jose Sharks skater Adam Burish, while the White Team is captained by Minnesota Wild skater Ryan Suter. Tickets are still on sale for the event, with proceeds going to the UW Health Burn Center.

Recruiting

Arizona-based cornerback Byron Murphy was offered by Wisconsin on Tuesday. He currently holds offers from Arizona State, Ohio State, Texas A&M and UCLA.

Quick Hitters

That's nice and shiny: The women's volleyball team received its national championship finalist rings.

Men's runner Michael Lihrman and women's hockey's Alex Rigsby were named UW Athletes of the Year.

Green Ba Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was  No.4 on the list of richest athletes compiled by Sports Illustrated.