B5Q Blogopean Union: enjoy all of your kids’ candy

Good morning! This is going to be a daily(ish) post that discusses the goings on of the rest of the Big Ten Conference, and the country as needed. Much like the European Union, the Big Ten is a loosely confederated group of entities that sometimes have the same goals (like free movement of people between countries or not winning national titles in football or basketball) and sometimes accept new members that they later regret (Estonia or Rutgers).

We hope that you will use this post to comment on things happening around the conference and also as a sort of daily open thread to discuss breaking news or argue about Spotted Cow.

• The worst city in Wisconsin is Manitowoc? I mean, they’re wrong about Pennsylvania. Everyone knows this worst city there is Pittsburgh.

• So, the Wisconsin women’s soccer team CLEANED UP on the end of season awards. Check this shit out.

The top-seeded Badgers open up the conference tournament on Sunday against Purdue.

• SAM NOOOOOO! You are literally traveling the world! DRINK SOMETHING EXCITING!!!!

• Well, Cole Caufield scored another goal on Thursday night to up his nation leading total to eight and...that was the only thing that went right for the Badgers against Penn State.

Heading into the second period down 2-1 with some momentum since Caufield’s goal came with under 10 seconds left in the first, the Badgers could not capitalize and got dismantled by PSU’s power play to end up losing 6-1.

The Nittany Lions scored four power play goals on a previously dominant Badger penalty kill and were able to stop a Wisconsin season-high 38 of 39 shots.

“They’re a mature team. A lot of upperclassmen in their lineup. They played like an experienced team that was ready for this game. We were not quite as good as I thought we’d be considering its the opener of the Big Ten season,” head coach Tony Granato said.

The two teams will be back on the ice Friday night at 5 p.m. CT on BTN.

• The Men In Blazers are the best soccer analysts.

Also, Lavelle was called up to the national team camp and will play in a pair of upcoming friendlies next month.

• The first wrestling match of the season is upon us and the No. 4 Badgers are in San Diego and soon will be on a FREAKING AIRCRAFT CARRIER! The first duel is at 11 a.m. CT Friday against Fresno State. All the other info you need is in the post below.

• Hopefully everyone had a fun and candy-filled Halloween. The Badgers volleyball team has been scaring the rest of the B1G this year (nailed it) and took some time off to scare themselves.

• It doesn’t get much better than Minnesota vs. Wisconsin in hockey.

• Oh snap, it’s game day! I don’t get BTN+ and I certainly won’t be paying for it to watch the game against UW-La Crosse but hopefully no one gets hurt!

• Speaking of exhibition games, the women’s hoops team took care of business in theirs against UW-Whitewater. Imani Lewis led the way with 15 points and seven boards.

• A definitive ranking of the best candy for all of your post-Halloween bargain shopping needs.
• Here is BSD’s recap of the whupping the Lions put on the Badgers Thursday night.
• Rondale Moore hasn’t been ruled out of Purdue’s game vs. Nebraska yet. If he plays...that’s why the Huskers will lose.
• The Bear suck. Northwestern sucks. So yeah, maybe the Wildcats ARE Chicago’s B1G team!
• Who?
• The No. 2 seed Rutgers Scarlet Knights also received a bunch of award love from the B1G in women’s soccer.
• Everything you ever wanted to know about Maryland’s men’s basketball team.
• We’ll wait until we get Ryan’s official take on this, but Illinois’ potential pumpkin mascot probably sucks.
• It’s going to be a Maroon Out in Minneapolis next weekend.
• MSU LB Joe Bachie was declared ineligible on Thursday for testing positive for a banned substance. The Spartans just lost to the bye week.