Unbalanced reporting in MKE News

[JD]

TCU didn't "embarrass" UW...and having the ball late in the fourth quarter while down by less than a score is "not having a chance?"

I don't care if you won't cheer for the Badgers, but your bias is taking all of the logic out of your argument.  UW football is by far the highest profile collegiate athletic event that occurs in Wisconsin.  And second isn't really all that close.

If Madison football is this powerhouse people claim it to be, they shouldn't have lost to TCU. And the Oregon game was due to horrible clock management and stupidity. 

You're really not going out on a limb by saying Madison is the highest profile collegiate event in Wisconsin, not sure i see your point.  I would hope it is, as football is Americas most popular sport.  I don't think my arguments are invalid because I'm not a fan, the Badgers show countless times they can never finish when it comes to bowl games.  I think Brent is a complete douche as well, complaining how Meyer steals his recruits, etc.  He was handed keys to a program he didn't deserve in my opinion.

Also, you could argue UW-Whitewater has had more success then Madison...

[JD]

Brent*

[GGGG]

If Madison football is this powerhouse people claim it to be, they shouldn't have lost to TCU. And the Oregon game was due to horrible clock management and stupidity. 

You're really not going out on a limb by saying Madison is the highest profile collegiate event in Wisconsin, not sure i see your point.  I would hope it is, as football is Americas most popular sport.  I don't think my arguments are invalid because I'm not a fan, the Badgers show countless times they can never finish when it comes to bowl games.  I think Brent is a complete douche as well, complaining how Meyer steals his recruits, etc.  He was handed keys to a program he didn't deserve in my opinion.

Also, you could argue UW-Whitewater has had more success then Madison...

1. Their history of "never finishing" bowl games is really recent.  They have lost 4 out of 5, but prior to that they won 10 of 12.

2. I completely agree with you regarding Bielema. 

[wadesworld]

TCU didn't "embarrass" UW...and having the ball late in the fourth quarter while down by less than a score is "not having a chance?"

I don't care if you won't cheer for the Badgers, but your bias is taking all of the logic out of your argument.  UW football is by far the highest profile collegiate athletic event that occurs in Wisconsin.  And second isn't really all that close.

They didn't get "embarrassed" on the scoreboard, but the loss was certainly embarrassing and Brett Bielema and his staff surely embarrassed themselves. They continually call outside runs when the only thing TCU had on UW was speed. The outside runs continually got stuffed at the line. When he FINALLY runs it up the middle late in the fourth quarter down by 8 points they got nothing less than a first down every single time. And then what does he do when he needs just 2 yards to tie the game? Right after his running backs average about 13 yards per carry on the last drive? With an O Line that's smallest guy is about 75 pounds bigger and 6" taller than the biggest TCU lineman? He THROWS?! WHAT?!

And then on defense all TCU did was run quick slants and how does UW's defense respond? By continuing to play their corners 12 yards off of the line of scrimmage? Hmm. Andy Dalton should be sending that staff Christmas cards every year for increasing his draft stock exponentially. TCU had nowhere near the talent or size that UW had. UW should've won that game by 14+, and would have if they ran the ball up the middle before the last drive.

As far as the Oregon game is concerned, they had a chance sure, but the amount of time it took for Oregon to respond to a UW score was comical. Unless UW scored to take the lead inside 25 seconds left in the game, Oregon was going to score if they had to to win the game. And as was stated, every single piece of the puzzle fell into place for UW to make a run to the National Chsmpionship game. They finally had a playmaking QB, every team that needed to lose would lose, they played in an incredibly weak/overrated Big Ten. And they choked on a fatty. Is losing in the Rose Bowl embarrassing? No. But there's no reason they weren't playing for something bigger.

[Benny B]

And one more thing...

It really disturbs me that people on this board are using this as an opportunity to be gleeful with regards to UW athletics.  A guy was beaten on the streets.  A felonious act. 

Very sad commentary about what fandom can do to people.

One man's glee is another man's poetic justice.

[🏀]

One man's glee is another man's poetic justice.

Well said.

[forgetful]

And one more thing...

It really disturbs me that people on this board are using this as an opportunity to be gleeful with regards to UW athletics.  A guy was beaten on the streets.  A felonious act. 

Very sad commentary about what fandom can do to people.

You really do like to ride your high horse sometimes don't you.  For one, I haven't seen anyone being gleeful about anything, just trying to provide commentary about a serious situation and make sure that all sides of the story get out instead of burying half of it.

Maybe you should remember that in addition to a guy getting beaten on the streets, another man was put in the hospital by a bunch of football players all because of a girl.  Multiple witnesses say the Ball was there and was involved in the first fight.  

I was wrong that Bielema commented on the situation, which is a good thing.  They need to stay out of this as much as possible.

[GGGG]

You really do like to ride your high horse sometimes don't you.  For one, I haven't seen anyone being gleeful about anything, just trying to provide commentary about a serious situation and make sure that all sides of the story get out instead of burying half of it.

Maybe you should remember that in addition to a guy getting beaten on the streets, another man was put in the hospital by a bunch of football players all because of a girl.  Multiple witnesses say the Ball was there and was involved in the first fight. 

No one is disputing any of this.  And, despite some suggestions otherwise, no one is hiding anything or lying....especially the Madison Police Department.

The collective Scoop gets all indignant when the UW message boards comment without knowing anything about fights in bars, sexual assault allegations and transfers....but that doesn't stop us from doing the same when the shoe is on the other foot.

And if you get tired of me getting on my high horse, you can always place me on ignore.

[tower912]

Sultan, there has been a little, but not much, speculating beyond what has actually been reported in media outlets.    And there has been even fewer blanket accusations of calling all the football players thugs, calling their coach a cheater or a hypocrite, or insinuating the entire program is dirty.    These are hallmarks of the typical buckyworld reactions to events at MU.   Remember what happened when some of our guys got cited for not drinking in a bar?   C'mon.    Sorry, but this board has actually been a model of restraint and taking the high road in comparison to the vitriol that comes from the other direction.

[Litehouse]

No one is disputing any of this.  And, despite some suggestions otherwise, no one is hiding anything or lying....especially the Madison Police Department.

The TMZ reports continue to say Ball was one of the players who beat up the other victim, while Ball and the Journal Sentinel continue to say he wasn't involved.

http://www.tmz.com/person/montee-ball/

[GGGG]

The TMZ reports continue to say Ball was one of the players who beat up the other victim, while Ball and the Journal Sentinel continue to say he wasn't involved.

http://www.tmz.com/person/montee-ball/

Well, that simply means that either Ball or the victim are lying....and that's about it.

[Niv Berkowitz]

God I'm a sucker...

On way into work, I turned on 1250 this a.m. at 7 and wow...wouldn't you know it. They led off by talking about the Badgers. It lasted 10 minutes and they didn't take calls on it. They seemed to dismiss the report because it was TMZ, as if that somehow discredits the report. And then they did what any media station today does...they went looking for a way to "balance" the story.

This is done regarding politics all the time. If you report one thing about the GOP being full of it, then news organizations today now feel obligated to spew something about the Dems being full of it (or vice versa) just in the sake of "balance".

So...1250 then goes on to compare UW with the apt 720 stuff and the stairwell events that happened at MU and how the school was tight lipped on things. THAT's what kills me.

In the grand scheme of things, all this Ball incident does is show that both MU AND UW have had issues. Hell, just about every school does in some way. It really does nobody good saying who is better/worse than who. The part of me (and most everyone on this board) is that we are human and can't stand seeing UW get treated w/kid-gloves locally, while MU gets slammed.

1250 went on and on about how MU has thugs on its team and this was all based on the Big Eunich's Zapruder-film, rumor and innuendo. While here, we have a news source legitimately call out the local police force and everyone still gives good ol' UW the benefit of the doubt.

[Rubie Q]

God I'm a sucker...

On way into work, I turned on 1250 this a.m. at 7 and wow...wouldn't you know it. They led off by talking about the Badgers. It lasted 10 minutes and they didn't take calls on it. They seemed to dismiss the report because it was TMZ, as if that somehow discredits the report. And then they did what any media station today does...they went looking for a way to "balance" the story.

This is done regarding politics all the time. If you report one thing about the GOP being full of it, then news organizations today now feel obligated to spew something about the Dems being full of it (or vice versa) just in the sake of "balance".

So...1250 then goes on to compare UW with the apt 720 stuff and the stairwell events that happened at MU and how the school was tight lipped on things. THAT's what kills me.

In the grand scheme of things, all this Ball incident does is show that both MU AND UW have had issues. Hell, just about every school does in some way. It really does nobody good saying who is better/worse than who. The part of me (and most everyone on this board) is that we are human and can't stand seeing UW get treated w/kid-gloves locally, while MU gets slammed.

1250 went on and on about how MU has thugs on its team and this was all based on the Big Eunich's Zapruder-film, rumor and innuendo. While here, we have a news source legitimately call out the local police force and everyone still gives good ol' UW the benefit of the doubt.

Hmm. I heard the same segment, and aside from the unnecessary reference to the Apt 720 situation -- by the way, Wickett: if you're so bothered by the fact that that story "disappeared into thin air," you can do something about it; you've got a microphone and four hours of air time every day -- and I didn't get the "we need to balance this story" vibe from it at all. Wickett said that he thought the "unprovoked assault" story sounded fishy when he heard it last week, and that nothing that's happened in the last few days has changed his mind about that.

[MerrittsMustache]

Hmm. I heard the same segment, and aside from the unnecessary reference to the Apt 720 situation -- by the way, Wickett: if you're so bothered by the fact that that story "disappeared into thin air," you can do something about it; you've got a microphone and four hours of air time every day -- and I didn't get the "we need to balance this story" vibe from it at all. Wickett said that he thought the "unprovoked assault" story sounded fishy when he heard it last week, and that nothing that's happened in the last few days has changed his mind about that.

Cut him some slack. I believe English is a second language for Niv.

[Niv Berkowitz]

תודה על תמיכתכם.

[MU B2002]

תודה על תמיכתכם.

Something is wrong with my browser.  It converted Niv's post to Wingdings.

[Benny B]

Well, that simply means that either Ball or the victim are lying....and that's about it.

Evidently, there's a girl in the middle of this who - if the claim is true - could likely shed a pretty bright light on the issue.  If they haven't already, it's probably in everyone's best interests that Mad PD gets to her before TMZ does.

[The Process]

תודה על תמיכתכם.

You're welcome.  You write/speak English better than I speak Spanish.

[M@RQUETTEW@RRIORS]

Its pretty obvious what happened.  Ball and his buddies(or Ball's buddies on his behalf.  Take your pick)  Beat up the wrong kid.  IE a gang member.  Hardly shocking if you have witnessed enough of the football players behaviors when out in Madison before.  Maybe it will be a good thing.  Maybe the BMOC complex will slowly disapate for these guys.  Or maybe it will get worse and more football players will get the living **** beat out of them.

[KenoshaWarrior]

Believe it or not TMZ is a pretty reputable news organization They have broke some of the biggest stories in the past 10 years. 

[Benny B]

Believe it or not TMZ is a pretty reputable news organization They have broke some of the biggest stories in the past 10 years. 

I don't care how dirty the pig gets in the mud... as long as the bacon hits my table clean and crispy.

[dgies9156]

Why does anyone care what's in the Milwaukee media?

We get more and better information on Scoop than we ever will from the JS! I don't care if it is Enlund, Nickel or anyone we like. We're more in tuned with the program here than the JS ever will be. Let's face it, the laziest profession around anymore is daily journalism in one newspaper cities.

As to the Badger tilt, why does anyone in here think it matters? Do you think for one moment a recruit choosing between MU and UW will make a final decision based on press coverage in the JS? Or on WTMJ TV or any of the crapola outlets masquerading as TV news? A potential recruit is more likely to identify with the coach, the style of play, the coverage on ESPN, NBCSports etc., the academics (OK, that may be a stretch), the quality of the co-eds or what Mamma has to say. Coverage in the local media is right down there with brand of shoelace in the sneakers.

So do what more and more subscribers to the JS are doing every year. Cancel it and pretend it does not exist. Your gain will be their loss -- and they're so arrogant they will never know the difference.

[augoman]

[So do what more and more subscribers to the JS are doing every year. Cancel it and pretend it does not exist. Your gain will be their loss -- and they're so arrogant they will never know the difference.


[/quote]

Actually, they know exactly why I cancelled my subscription (after about 30 years)..., but you're right about their arrogance.  They not only don't care, they argued with me on the phone about my reasons for cancelling.  They have become a compilation of reprinted wire service stories and opinions.  Reporting/Journalism is dead in the Milwaukee press.

[wyzgy]

If Madison football is this powerhouse people claim it to be, they shouldn't have lost to TCU. And the Oregon game was due to horrible clock management and stupidity. 

You're really not going out on a limb by saying Madison is the highest profile collegiate event in Wisconsin, not sure i see your point.  I would hope it is, as football is Americas most popular sport.  I don't think my arguments are invalid because I'm not a fan, the Badgers show countless times they can never finish when it comes to bowl games.  I think Brent is a complete douche as well, complaining how Meyer steals his recruits, etc.  He was handed keys to a program he didn't deserve in my opinion.

Also, you could argue UW-Whitewater has had more success then Madison...

if you aren't a fan, either you don't pay attention, or your standards are set so high your bi-ass is getting in the way. one can tell by your views that you have some inner hate goin on with bucky football. yes the story is not being reported like mu basketball, but life ain't fair. the truth will dribble out eventually and only those involved will have to answer to it.  but waiting for the urinalists to throw a beat-down on wisco-ball, well, don't get all constipated over it.  everyone knows most urinalists have their collective heads so far up madisons arse, they bump their heads on the uvula looking out. i am a warrior through and through, but enjoy madison pigskin as the last time i checked, our football team is still struggling.  when you have 100+ pumped up meatheads on a squad, some dumb things are going to happen.  for the most part, badgers football has been pretty damn competitive and  in the thick of the bcs ratings.  oh yeah, compare whitewater to the big 10?  not taking anthing away from ww, they have been outstanding, but we're talking big boys pants here dude 

[Spotcheck Billy]

Michael Hunt has a column up today on the Ball situation
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/badgers/attack-on-ball-an-issue-ac6de0h-165379896.html

Anytime a student gets attacked on campus, that's a problem. It sets off all kind of alarm bells for parents everywhere.

But when the leading returning vote-getter in the 2011 Heisman Trophy balloting is jumped by five guys, that sets off a different kind of warning altogether.

It's major news. Besides that, it makes you wonder what's going on with the football program.

Montee Ball hasn't been cleared for practice because he has a concussion after being roughed up last week. Ball will be back, and he will play like the tailback who rushed for 39 touchdowns last season and will, in all likelihood, carry the Badgers to another Big Ten Championship Game.

But for now, that is not the concern.

For now, I buy what UW coach Bret Bielema said about Ball's innocence in the matter. Ball has always struck me as a straight-up, do-the-right-thing kind of young man.

But one question is why he was walking the streets with friends last Wednesday at 2:15 a.m. No one is ever guilty by the kind of hours they keep, but it's like your grandma always told you:

Almost nothing that happens after midnight is good. It's best to not place yourself in trouble's path in the first place, no matter how innocent the intent. Madison, while still a fairly benign setting, isn't the idyllic place it used to be, especially after midnight.

And there are questions about Ball's teammates that still must be resolved.

As it has been reported, several UW players were involved in a fight the week before Ball was attacked. Not only are those players at risk of criminal charges, their behavior may have caused one of the country's best players to become a target for retaliation.

That's not exactly what the defending Big Ten champion needs here at the start of camp. It brings into question such critical intangibles as locker-room chemistry and the overall attitude of the team. Are these the kind of guys you want representing Wisconsin?

Based on all my time around the program, Barry Alvarez didn't recruit problem kids. Neither has Bielema. There have been isolated bad acts and notable incidents, including the Brent Moss arrest and assorted bar fights and low crimes and misdemeanors over the years.

But that happens everywhere, and usually at a higher percentage rate within the general student body. That is no excuse whenever it happens at Wisconsin, but it has always seemed that the Badgers have had fewer off-the-field problems than your typical Enormous U. football program.

It's true that Bielema ran a looser ship than he should have with his players when he became head coach at the age of 36, but the resulting problems usually came on the field. An immature coach was reflected in the play of an immature team that committed silly penalties.

Bielema has grown up - maybe not to everyone's satisfaction when it comes to UW's play in big games - and has learned to keep a tighter rein on the players. Not that they were out of control, even when Bielema was giving them more latitude than a parent might with their teenager. Except Bielema has a hundred or so to watch over, basically an impossible job.

Eventually, the Badgers cut way down on penalties as they retained their status as a top-shelf program. And, generally speaking, the players have been the type of kids you'd be proud to call your own - respectful, courteous and smart. They've always been among the Big Ten leader in manners while kicking serious behind on the field.

Bielema has not been perfect in his own behavior as a coach, but he's being completely honest when he says:

"In my seven years as a head coach, we have not had many situations pop up. I don't expect to go through my entire coaching career without some of these things popping up. I know that I recruit kids of high quality and high character. If there's a situation where a couple of guys are involved in it, I told every one of them, 'Hey, if you did something to ring the bell, you're going to have to pay the price.'"

Let's see if Bielema is true to his word once the police are finished with this matter, because it's got to stop here. Even if it was an isolated event, he's got more than another potentially great season riding on player decorum.

Wisconsin's good name is never to be messed with.