JosephPSchmoe
I'll say it if you won't
Not much new to talk about with this match-up since the two teams have already played each other four times this year. So it's a case of "here we go again" next weekend.
The problem as I see it for UW is that yes, they are playing better than UMD. The Badgers will probably win. But there is some percentage of time that UMD will win this pairing. If my counting on my fingers is correct, UW is an all-time best 11-2 in the NCAA tournament. Obviously, that's nearly invincible. One of those losses was to UMD (ironically, the other was to Dartmouth, but that detracts from my point, so I'll mention it no more. ) I think UMD is 15-4 in the tourney. Dartmouth is like 1-7. So even though Wisconsin is still the favorite, UMD has demonstrated an ability to win in this tournament to a greater extent than Dartmouth has.Hopefully the gals aren't down about the matchup and go out there and stomp some dawgettes.
My thoughts are yes, they got screwed, but with only 8 teams in the tourney, there's really no easy draw, unless you are not in UW's bracket. Certainly the dawgettes and rodents are bummed they have to play UW again.
I really love the resiliancy the gals showed last Saturday, down 2 goals in the 3rd on the road playing a very good team, and coming back to win it. If they play their game, they will be fine. The "if" is small indeed.
So yeah, the Badgers are the favorite. They just aren't a prohibitive favorite.The Bulldogs are 11-6-5 all-time in Madison ...
I agree with the thought that it'll be a tight game. UMD could easily have had the sweep back in November if not for the late game heroics in the second game.
I think it's a lock that Rigsby will start. She's started every game in the playoffs so far and I don't know why that would change barring an injury. Yeah, there's not a lot of "big game" experience, but the same could have been said for Vetter back in '06 and things turned out pretty well.
I am afraid this is one that has to be filed under unrealistic hopes.Is anyone aware if its going to be broadcast on FSN or Big Ten or anything like that?
I am afraid this is one that has to be filed under unrealistic hopes.
But wouldn't it be nice?
The games that were on the BTN were there because BTN owned the rights to broadcast; for the NCAA tournament, they don't own those rights. And because they won't make money off the product, no network wants to go out and buy the rights.Why would they broadcast those regular season games and not the NCAA quarters?
I'd rather get some regular season games televised than no games televised. First step is to get the NCAA championship game back on the air, then the semis, and go from there. It will be an uphill climb, but someday ...Anyway, I'll I'm really saying is that don't show the regular season if your not going to play the playoffs because people are going to expect it.
Is anyone aware if its going to be broadcast on FSN or Big Ten or anything like that?
Prediction: Wisconsin's goals, shots, and shooting percentage will all exceed those of the Wisconsin men's basketball team's 3-pt shooting against Penn State tonight (2-of-21, .091)
One never knows just how healthy Martin is; she's had a history of injuries. The other factors versus UM is that Harss has had better results in general. Martin has had 3 or 4 games where she's been brilliant, but she's also had some shaky starts against the Gophs.Not surprised that Martin will be starting, I guess I'm more surprised she didn't play against the Gophers last weekend.
I think the players would rather have the large crowd than the nearly-empty arena; gives the game more energy. If it impacts the calls of the refs, that could be a different matter.With the exception of their players that played against Canada in the Olympics, I'm guessing that this will be the biggest and most hostile crowd the Bulldogs have played in front of. May not matter once the puck is dropped, but could be a factor.
Elam was in Boston, so that's one you don't have to worry about. Perrault and Lick did the WCHA final, so they'd be my first guess. Mendel and Ludwig were the other two at the Final Face-Off.I'm dreading finding out who's officiating this game.