Sports - The Daily Cardinal

COLUMNS

Column: Searching for reasons behind Andersen's departure

By Jack Baer and Scott Allen | Dec. 11, 2014

Say this for Bret Bielema: When he bolted from Wisconsin, it at least made a lick of sense. “Bert” was apparently unhappy with how much he was allowed to pay his assistants (which is fair, considering NC State pays its assistants more than Wisconsin) and had seen coaching staff after coaching staff lose key football minds to more aggressive schools. The sparkle and money of the SEC shone bright, so Bielema made a career move that was at the very least lateral and was understandable when you consider what the SEC was at the time: the only way to win a national championship.

BASKETBALL

Men's Basketball: Badgers sweep in-state series with win over Milwaukee

By Zach Rastall | Dec. 10, 2014

If there were any concerns remaining about Sam Dekker’s lingering ankle injury going into Wednesday night’s game in Milwaukee, they were to put to rest by the junior forward’s outstanding performance.

FOOTBALL

Football: Who could replace Gary Andersen?

By Molly Reppen and Zach Rastall | Dec. 10, 2014

Once again, the position of Wisconsin Badgers head football coach is open thanks to Gary Andersen’s shocking decision to leave Madison for Oregon State. Countless names are already being thrown around as possible candidates, but here are a few names that athletic director Barry Alvarez would do well to consider, along with a 1-to-5 rating of how interested fans would be in them and how likely they would take the job if offered. (Disclaimer: The following list of possible candidates is pure speculation. Their interest in the Wisconsin job and Wisconsin’s interest in them is unknown at this point in time.)

FOOTBALL

Gary Andersen leaving UW for Oregon State

By Jim Dayton and Jake Powers | Dec. 10, 2014

Wisconsin head football coach Gary Andersen is leaving the Badgers to take the same position at Oregon State.

FOOTBALL

Heisman finalist Gordon declares for NFL Draft

By Jim Dayton and Sam Marz | Dec. 10, 2014

Wisconsin redshirt junior running back Melvin Gordon announced Wednesday on “The Dan Patrick Show” that he will forego his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL Draft.

HOCKEY

Women's Hockey: Badgers sweep weekend series against North Dakota

By Bobby Ehrlich and Lorin Cox | Dec. 9, 2014

The No. 3 Badgers (13-2-1 WCHA, 17-2-1 overall) swept their weekend series against North Dakota (6-8-2-1, 7-9-2), winning the Friday and Sunday matchups by a combined score of 4-1.

HOCKEY

Men's Hockey: Freshman Keegan Ford departs from team

By Devin Lowe | Dec. 9, 2014

Freshman defenseman Keegan Ford has left the men’s hockey team, a team release announced Tuesday.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's Basketball: Badgers defeat in-state rival Marquette

By Matt Davis | Dec. 8, 2014

Wisconsin snapped its five game losing streak as they dominated Marquette, 89-64, Saturday in Madison. The Badgers led 37-34 at half. UW broke the game open in the second half, outscoring the Golden Eagles 52-30 and led by 28 at one point in the second half.

FOOTBALL

Ohio State exposes weakness of UW defense with read-option runs

By Jake Powers and Kaitlyn Schnell | Dec. 8, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS—Gary Andersen rarely passes up the opportunity to praise his team’s ability to fight through adversity. The head coach pays Wisconsin this compliment after nearly every game, citing its ability to bounce back after slow starts, glaring mistakes and blown plays.

BASKETBALL

Top athletes of the Fall 2014 semester

By The Daily Cardinal sports staff | Dec. 8, 2014

The historic Melvin Gordon

FOOTBALL

Buckeyes trounce Badgers in Big Ten title game

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 6, 2014

INDIANAPOLIS— Trailing 31-0 near the end of the first half, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Melvin Gordon fumbled deep inside Wisconsin territory, and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Joey Bosa recovered the ball and returned it for a touchdown.

BASKETBALL

Men's Basketball: Badgers win ugly against rival Marquette

By Jack Baer and Paul Blazevich | Dec. 6, 2014

Three days after falling to Duke in an offensive shootout, Wisconsin (8-1) went back to its roots and grinded out a 49-38 win at their in-state rival Marquette (4-4).

SPORTS

Volleyball: Badgers keep dancing to Sweet 16, beat Illinois State

By Abby Becker and Tommy Valtin-Erwin | Dec. 5, 2014

After a blowout win against Western Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the No. 4-seeded Wisconsin Badgers (30-2 overall) hosted the Illinois State Redbirds (27-6) Friday night. While the Badgers won in straight sets for the 22nd time this season, they were met with some sturdy competition in every set.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Women's Basketball: Turnovers plague Badgers in loss to Miami

By Matt Tragesser | Dec. 5, 2014

Usually when a team has a field goal percentage north of 50 percent, the team pulls away with a win or keeps the game relatively close.

HOCKEY

Men's Hockey: ESPN's Buccigross, former Badger Geoffrion in town for Penn State game

By Devin Lowe and Jon Spike | Dec. 5, 2014

It’s a big weekend for Wisconsin men’s hockey.

SPORTS

Volleyball: Badgers dominate home opener, to play Illinois State Friday

By Sam Karp and By Marina Oliver and Jaime Brackeen | Dec. 4, 2014

No. 4-seeded Wisconsin (29-2 overall) started off its NCAA tournament run Thursday by sweeping Western Michigan (22-14) at the UW Field House. The Badgers won the first and final sets easily, at 25-9 and 25-10, while Western Michigan made life difficult for the Badgers in the second pushing them to a highly contested 26-24 set win.

COLUMNS

Heisman Watch: Week 15

By Jim Dayton | Dec. 4, 2014

This is the 12th edition of the Heisman Watch, a weekly feature tracking the candidates for college football’s most prestigious award. For last week’s rankings, click here.

BASKETBALL

Men's Basketball: Duke bedevils Badgers in Top 5 clash

By Zach Rastall | Dec. 4, 2014

Behind the play of freshman guard Tyus Jones and an all-around strong offensive performance, the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils (8-0) defeated No. 2 Wisconsin (7-1) 80-70 Wednesday night at the Kohl Center.

FOOTBALL

Football: Wisconsin vies for fourth Big Ten title in five seasons

By Jake Powers | Dec. 4, 2014

Call it Madison East. For the third time in four years, No. 11 Wisconsin will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship in a battle with No. 6 Ohio State Saturday.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball: Postseason play begins against Western Michigan

By Colleen Degnan | Dec. 4, 2014

No. 2 Wisconsin (28-2 overall) is ready to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament starting Thursday against Western Michigan (22-13). The Badgers clinched the Big Ten title last weekend after defeating Purdue (22-10) in three sets.