UW-Madison drops UW-Milwaukee

[Warrior of Law]

Gone is the 4-1 series with UWM and UWGB. UW-Madison will never lower themselves to playing a road game at UWM or UWGB.  Of course, when MU does it, the horror!

Badgers men's basketball: Wisconsin will no longer play at UW-Milwaukee, UW-Green Bay http://host.madison.com/sports/college/basketball/men/article_8cf7dbcc-044f-5fe6-85b3-2e0bbd124536.html

[Nukem2]

Oh my, BB Fran will be horrified

[brewcity77]

This takes any negotiating power those schools had with us as well. I don't care what UWM and UWGB do, but they can't play the "UW-Madison plays at our gym" card. Could allow us to offer them as buy games going forward. That's the only way we should consider playing them.

[fjm]

Well according to MUFNY and his very close sources, we will definitely be the ones filling that void left by the Badgers with a 3-1 deal.

[wadesworld]

It's because they lost to UWM this year.

[Herman Cain]

This takes any negotiating power those schools had with us as well. I don't care what UWM and UWGB do, but they can't play the "UW-Madison plays at our gym" card. Could allow us to offer them as buy games going forward. That's the only way we should consider playing them.

This is excellent news for us. It definitely brings UWM and UWGB to a more reasonable position. I still believe there is upside for us to scheduling these two at home in the period when the kids are out of school. For them they will get to play in our fancy new arena when it is built.

[chapman]

Article makes it seem like Gard is driving the decision.  Can't blame him for taking the position.  Most years make me fine with a 4-1 if we could have gotten it, but if the scheduling improves to look more like this year than last, it won't be necessary to be making five year commitments with anyone.

[Spotcheck Billy]

Might the BIG? expanding the conference season to 20 be a factor in this?

[GGGG]

Article makes it seem like Gard is driving the decision. 

I might be wrong, but I don't think UW played at Milwaukee or Green Bay prior to Bo (or Bennett?) being the coach, and I always thought it was a nod to the other state schools where both Bo and Bennett had their roots.

While Gard has those same roots, I think the 4-1 idea just isn't feasible for them any longer.  Just like for Marquette.

[MarquetteDano]

I am sure papers all over the state will be saying how bad this is for basketball in the state of Wisconsin and how UW-Madison is "ducking" UWM.

[WarriorFan]

I still want an "all Wisconsin" early season tournament with the 4 D1 teams getting 2 games each and maybe incorporating the best 2 of the D3 teams.  It needs to alternate between Madison and Milwaukee.  I'd much rather see MU play UWSP / UWGB / Madison than Grambling State and Presbyterian.  This would be a sell-out every year.

[Brewtown Andy]

I still want an "all Wisconsin" early season tournament with the 4 D1 teams getting 2 games each and maybe incorporating the best 2 of the D3 teams.  It needs to alternate between Madison and Milwaukee.  I'd much rather see MU play UWSP / UWGB / Madison than Grambling State and Presbyterian.  This would be a sell-out every year.

Since Marquette didn't sell out the BC against UWM or UWGB, I fail to see how UWSP would be any better.

[Brewtown Andy]

Might the BIG? expanding the conference season to 20 be a factor in this?

That's not an official thing yet, is it?

Either way, it's definitely a reason why they wouldn't want to be locked in for two specific non-con games for the next five years.

[Galway Eagle]

I still want an "all Wisconsin" early season tournament with the 4 D1 teams getting 2 games each and maybe incorporating the best 2 of the D3 teams.  It needs to alternate between Madison and Milwaukee.  I'd much rather see MU play UWSP / UWGB / Madison than Grambling State and Presbyterian.  This would be a sell-out every year.

I'd agree if we're going to do exhibitions it should be against a UW-WW or UW-SP rather than msoe or St. John's MI but to say we should have those D3 schools in the regular season is wayyy out there.

[jsglow]

Some of you young guys might not know this.  As evidence of how truly far scheduling has come as a science, Marquette and Wisconsin used to play twice per year including the traditional home/home that remains on the schedule. 

In addition, UW traveled to Milwaukee EVERY year to participate in Marquette's Milwaukee Classic. I attended many of those holiday opening night doubleheaders where WI would open the night with their respective cupcake followed by the nightcap featuring Marquette and its victim.  Of course the goal was to have MU/WI face off for the championship the following night.  (I have this very vague recollection that one years somebody screwed up and didn't win that opening cupcake game.)

Bucky finally pulled out when Marquette refused to allow the Classic to rotate to Madison's court every other year.  thereafter, some rando 'quality' opponent filled the Badger slot but it was never the same.

[GGGG]

I still want an "all Wisconsin" early season tournament with the 4 D1 teams getting 2 games each and maybe incorporating the best 2 of the D3 teams.  It needs to alternate between Madison and Milwaukee.  I'd much rather see MU play UWSP / UWGB / Madison than Grambling State and Presbyterian.  This would be a sell-out every year.

That is just an awful idea.  We already play Madison every year.  Milwaukee and Green Bay are in the same conference.  And D3 schools are basically good enough to be exhibition fodder and that's about it.

[Benny B]

I might be wrong, but I don't think UW played at Milwaukee or Green Bay prior to Bo (or Bennett?) being the coach, and I always thought it was a nod to the other state schools where both Bo and Bennett had their roots.

While Gard has those same roots, I think the 4-1 idea just isn't feasible for them any longer.  Just like for Marquette.

It likely didn't start out this way, but this is most likely the reason it was happening just before it ended.