Madison (WI) Columnist Tom Oates Tears Buzz A New One

[Tugg Speedman]

Tom Oates: Painful year for annual Tommy awards

http://host.madison.com/sports/columnists/tom_oates/tom-oates-painful-year-for-annual-tommy-awards/article_0957fdb6-df1a-5d78-b8dc-2e02814b4a2b.html

The Wisconsin sports scene over the past year can be summed up in a single word:

Injuries.

From collarbones to thumbs to eye sockets to — what else? — hamstrings, no body part was safe. In the past 12 months, the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks had seasons ruined or seriously compromised because key players were sidelined. The injury epidemic caused state fans to turn their lonely eyes to the college ranks and, for the most part, they liked what they saw.

That is reflected in the ninth annual Tommy Awards, a Wisconsin-only version of the ESPYs as selected by yours truly that chronicles the exploits of the state's athletes and teams over the past year.

And the Tommys go to:

[snipped]

Turkey of the year: Marquette coach Buzz Williams pulled a Bret Bielema, bolting unexpectedly for a job that wasn't as good as the one he had. Virginia Tech? Really, Buzz? That disappointing 17-15 season at Marquette might seem pretty good by this time next year. If you don't believe it, just call Bielema down in Arkansas.

[bradley center bat]

Many would say Arkansas is a better job than Wisconsin in football. SEC, SEC, SEC.

[77ncaachamps]

Many would say Arkansas is a better job than Wisconsin in football. SEC, SEC, SEC.

And VT is a better job than MU in basketball. At least, conference-wise. ACC, ACC, ACC.

[EnderWiggen]

And VT is a better job than MU in basketball. At least, conference-wise. ACC, ACC, ACC.

Would you rather take a job at a good program in a good conference or a dumpster fire in a great conference?  If we are going for football comparisons, it would be like leaving Texas Tech for Purdue. 

[buckchuckler]

What time frame is this guy using for Turkey of the year?  How is it not Braun?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Many would say Arkansas is a better job than Wisconsin in football. SEC, SEC, SEC.

It is a better job than Wisconsin. Plain and simple.

This article was kind of light. Don't know that I would describe it as "tearing a new one"

[MU Buff]

I don't know if this is worthy of a new thread and I'm not sure if it's been mentioned here, but Virginia Tech plays at West Virginia next year. If nothing else, it will be entertaining to see how the student section treats Bazz.

[GooooMarquette]

Hard to disagree with anything Oates said.

[Skitch]

Isn't this the same guy that refers to Marquette as a community college on Twitter?

[GooooMarquette]

Isn't this the same guy that refers to Marquette as a community college on Twitter?

Dunno.  But if true, it'd be interesting to hear his description of VT.

[Skatastrophy]

I've never heard of this guy.

Some of you sure have a hard on for Buzz hate. Kinda funny.

[NotBuzzWilliams]

I've never heard of this guy.

Some of you sure have a hard on for Buzz hate. Kinda funny.

Yeah I don't get it.

[Dawson Rental]

I don't know if this is worthy of a new thread and I'm not sure if it's been mentioned here, but Virginia Tech plays at West Virginia next year. If nothing else, it will be entertaining to see how the student section treats Bazz.

I wasn't aware of that.  It should be a special homecoming of sorts for Buzz.

[We R Final Four]

Isn't this the same guy that refers to Marquette as a community college on Twitter?

Tom Oates hates everything MU and loves to report on transfers or coaching changes as being black eyes for MU saying things like "couldn't happen to a more deserving group of people."
He's a real deek.

[Dawson Rental]

Would you rather take a job at a good program in a good conference or a dumpster fire in a great conference?  If we are going for football comparisons, it would be like leaving Texas Tech for Purdue. 

Buzz had one year with a solid team of Crean recruits before he had to build almost from scratch after losing the previous year's recruiting class.  He still managed to build a Big East regular season co-champion within four years.  The ACC is tougher now then the Big East was then, but untli Buzz fails to crack the top half of the ACC within say five years, I'm not counting him out.  We'll see.

[Wojo'sMojo]

It is a better job than Wisconsin. Plain and simple.

This article was kind of light. Don't know that I would describe it as "tearing a new one"

It is not a better job than Wisconsin. Arkansas has little if any chance of going to BCS bowl games. They have been to one since 2000. Wisconsin has been to 4 since 2000. Arkansas got lucky the year they went, as several SEC schools had down years in 2011. They are a bottom rung SEC school and are probably the 10th best program in that league. The USA Today ranks the Badgers program as the 23rd best job in the country...Arkansas was 40th. It will be much easier to play for a NC at Wisconsin than Arkansas. Arkansas throws more money around, but the results are clearly in favor of the Badgers.

[Dawson Rental]

Tom Oates hates everything MU and loves to report on transfers or coaching changes as being black eyes for MU saying things like "couldn't happen to a more deserving group of people."
He's a real deek.

So, enemies of our enemies aren't always our friends, eh?

[ecompt]

It is not a better job than Wisconsin. Arkansas has little if any chance of going to BCS bowl games. They have been to one since 2000. Wisconsin has been to 4 since 2000. Arkansas got lucky the year they went, as several SEC schools had down years in 2011. They are a bottom rung SEC school and are probably the 10th best program in that league. The USA Today ranks the Badgers program as the 23rd best job in the country...Arkansas was 40th. It will be much easier to play for a NC at Wisconsin than Arkansas. Arkansas throws more money around, but the results are clearly in favor of the Badgers.

Wisconsin football loses every big game it plays. Marquette has as much of winning a NC in football as Bucky does.

[Wojo'sMojo]

Wisconsin football loses every big game it plays. Marquette has as much of winning a NC in football as Bucky does.

That's not true at all. Plus next year they don't play Ohio St, Michigan St, or Michigan. If there was ever a chance for them to run the table and get to the NC, next year would be it.

[wadesworld]

That's not true at all. Plus next year they don't play Ohio St, Michigan St, or Michigan. If there was ever a chance for them to run the table and get to the NC, next year would be it.

LSU will smoke them, as will whoever they play in the B1G Championship, as the rest of their schedule is a complete and absolute joke.

[Wojo'sMojo]

LSU will smoke them, as will whoever they play in the B1G Championship, as the rest of their schedule is a complete and absolute joke.

LSU loses their starting QB and a host of others. They are ranked 9th in the preseason rankings and the Badgers 18th. Wisconsin has a chance to beat them.

[Chicos' Buzz Scandal Countdown]

Many would say Arkansas is a better job than Wisconsin in football. SEC, SEC, SEC.

Nobody says that. Nobody.

[martyconlonontherun]

Arkansas still gets better recruits and has a better budget. He just went to a tougher conference is the only downside. Vt on the other hand has a worse budget and worse recruiting. I think Bret did a lateral move depending if you prefer winning or playing in the big leagues. Buzz on the other hand was clearly a step down.

[wadesworld]

LSU loses their starting QB and a host of others. They are ranked 9th in the preseason rankings and the Badgers 18th. Wisconsin has a chance to beat them.

When was the last time the Badgers beat anybody relatively good from another conference? Was Ron Dayne on the roster? Could he read the roster?

[bradley center bat]

And VT is a better job than MU in basketball. At least, conference-wise. ACC, ACC, ACC.

Arkansas has a history of winning. They were just in the Sugar Bowl and the following year a pre season top 10 team before Bielema took over. I'm not talking MU. Just the Hogs in this case.