Sometime soon, the Big Ten could get a facelift -- and transform college football in the process.

By: Brian Mosgaller

Sometime in the relatively near future, the Big Ten Conference will undergo a makeover so dramatic it would make Heidi Montag proud.

But the big question is, how will the procedure affect Spencer and LC and Audrina?

Welcome to college football’s version of The Hills (and apologies for the analogy).

Despite recent noncommittal (and non-denial) statements regarding conference expansion from league commish Jim Delaney, it is practically a foregone conclusion that the Big Ten will be adding teams within anywhere from two to five years. What is not decided, however, is what form this restructuring will take, who the players will end up being, and what kind of ripple effect will be initiated by it.

However it ends up manifesting, though, the Big Ten’s giant steps toward a superconference are going to shake the grounds of college football and give new direction to college sports in general, meaning that it this is a tremendously important and weighty development that deserves further examination.

So let’s breakdown what we know, and attempt to extrapolate what we don’t.

The Motivation

Shocker alert: this transformational rearrangement is being driven by money. Gasp!

But seriously, it is no secret that the Big Ten has found a cash-generating godsend in its Big Ten Network. Once thought to be a misguided and transparent attempt to make schools money, the BTN is now available in up to 75 million homes in the U.S.

The important numbers here are that last year the conference’s deal with ABC/ESPN provided about $9 million to each member school, and the BTN added approximately $7 million to $8 million to that booty. With bowl games and March Madness (among other things) topping off the pot, the estimated figure each Big Ten university ends up with is a staggering $22 million.

And the crazy part is that amount could double (at least) with expansion – expansion that could help the network cast its reach both East and West, as well as create a championship game worth between $15 million and $20 million.

For comparison, the SEC – winner of six BCS championships, as many as the other Big Five conferences (the Big Ten, Big 12, Big East, ACC and Pac-10) combined – pays out around $11 million to its member schools. The other conferences vary in their disbursements but are generally in a similar range (the Big East is the lowest, handing out an estimated $4.5 million).

In short then, the Big Ten Network has proved to be a cash cow for the league, and, naturally, they want to fatten the cow.

The Candidates

So what’s the best way to plump up that dead-president-spewing bovine? By growing the market for the network, of course.

Yet it is not quite that simple – there are prerequisites and mitigating considerations which factor into the expansion equation.

To wit, it is no mystery that the Big Ten, a proud and storied academic conference, wants to add schools that would not diminish the league’s scholastic prestige.

As a qualifying criterion then, it is commonly rumored that whatever schools are to be vetted for potential membership should be part of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization of 61 respected research institutions, as are all the 11 current members.

Moreover, the conference isn’t going to add just to add – it has to make sense (both financially and academically, as was mentioned) but also competitively. Sure, adding Buffalo would tap the New York market and add an AAU member, but it wouldn’t make sense on the field, where this discussion starts and ends.

With all that said, everyone knows the number one target: the elusive Golden Domers. That’s right, good ol’ Notre Dame. For years, the Big Ten has courted the Irish and for good reason. Although Notre Dame is not an AAU card carrier and doesn’t geographically enlarge the conference’s domain, it brings with it arguably the largest and most devoted fan base in the country. While the league wouldn’t be directly cracking the East Coast television market, it would in reality be gaining viewers and Notre Dame graduates from sea to shining sea.

Unfortunately, it is also common knowledge that Notre Dame is quite fine where they are, thank you. Sure, it comes off as a little arrogant considering the school’s recent on-field struggles, but the fact is, Notre Dame still holds an exclusive deal with NBC, and their pocketbook is presumably doing alright.

So, if the leprechauns want to play hard to get, the league must seek elsewhere – namely, the Big East and Big 12. And here is where any number of names can get floated. But the ones that make sense for all parties seem to be, in order of fit, Missouri, Rutgers, Nebraska and Pitt, with Virginia and Texas still in the conversation.

Now mathematically, the Big Ten is going to want an even number after two decades of confounding numerologists who take the conference title literally. Therefore, the expansion must occur by one, three or even five. Basically then, depending on what Mr. Delaney and his university president cohorts decide to do, the enlargement can either add just Missouri (or Rutgers); Missouri, Rutgers and Nebraska; or Mizzou, Rutgers, Nebraska, Pitt and either Notre Dame (if they finally acquiesce), Texas or Virginia.

Missouri seems to be the most logical pick. Even if it isn’t located on the Atlantic coast, it does offer St. Louis, and it is a natural rival of Illinois, an acceptable scholarly fit and willing participant in expansion. Granted, joining the conference of the Midwest may hurt the Tigers recruiting in Texas, but it won’t totally destroy that pipeline, and the pros simply outweigh that con.

Rutgers, too, makes a bunch of sense. Obviously, the Scarlet Knights would attract an audience in the near vicinity of the Big Apple, plus they are a respected school and (newly) competitive football program.

Nebraska is a bit more of a stretch. At first glance, it seems to be a geographic outlier, a bad market, and an imperfect academic match. However, Nebraska’s brand is still a strong one nationally that resonates from Pac-10 country to the ACC. There’s still cachet with the Black Shirts. Plus, NU is likely itching to get out of the Big 12 (like Missouri), a conference increasingly dominated by, and devoted to promoting, the southern powers in Texas and Oklahoma. So, sign the Huskers up.

Pitt isn’t ideal, but they are more than suitable. The Big Ten may already be in Pennsylvania (thanks to the Nittany Lions), but adding the football crazy Pittsburgh market wouldn’t be detrimental for the conference, and the Panthers football tradition jives nicely with the Big Ten.

As for Texas and Virginia, the reality is it will probably never happen. Texas is the Big 12, and they want to remain the big power of America’s Southwest. It’s understandable. Yet, if five or so years from now, the Big Ten has already plucked Nebraska and Missouri from the Big 12, and the Pac-10 has pilfered Colorado in its own expansion, the Big 12 may be in shambles. All of sudden, Texas jumping on the cash boat that is the Big Ten seems a bit more enticing.

And Virginia, who has not been frequently mentioned in this discussion, makes for a nice back-up plan.

The Ripple Effect

If, in the end, Delaney and Co. opt for the minimalist one team expansion (come on Jimmy, think big!), the ramifications on the national football scene will be marginal. Say, for example, the Big Ten tacks on Missouri, creating two six-team divisions, the Big 12 can likely persuade TCU to fill the void, and all would be well. Even if Colorado were to migrate west, the Big 12 could add a Utah or BYU or New Mexico to maintain the status quo.

But if the Big Ten goes for a bigger splash – adding three teams, making two seven-team groupings – the game of musical chairs gets a little more interesting. If those teams are Missouri, Nebraska and Rutgers, and the Pac-10 goes ahead and appends Colorado and Utah, the Big 12 is put in a more precarious situation and the stakes are raised for other conferences (read: the ACC or SEC) to follow suit and grow their own leagues.

The most intriguing possibility, though, is if the Big Ten settles on the cannonball, picking up Missouri, Nebraska, Rutgers, Pitt and Notre Dame. In this scenario, shit will get crazy. For one, the Big Ten would no longer necessarily be producing two divisions, the winners of which would meet in a December championship game, but could instead arrange the schools in four four-team pods and actually have a four-school, in-conference playoff.

Meanwhile, both the Big 12 and the Big East would be scrambling and the ACC and the SEC would definitely be pressured to grow. In order to do so, the ACC could raid the Big East for the likes of West Virginia, Louisville, Connecticut and Cincinnati, leaving the formerly formidable Big East to take from the Conference USA, not exactly renowned for its gridiron greatness.

At the same time, the SEC would set its gaze west to the Big 12 (already on life-support) and come away with Texas, Texas A & M, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. With three conferences at the “super” level of 16 members, the Pac-10 would logically want to keep pace, and would tack on UNLV, Boise State, Fresno State and New Mexico to reach 16 as well. Finally, the scraps of the Big 12 could then join forces with what’s appealing from the Mountain West and WAC, making one large, mid-level conference.

I told you shit would get crazy.

The Takeaway

Alas, the bottom line is that all of those things may or may not happen at some point, but it almost certainly won’t be for awhile. Gradualism (and trial-and-error) seems to be the strategy of choice. For now, the Big Ten will add either one or three, leaving the greater football world relatively undisturbed, and the Pac-10 will find two willing additions and launch the West Coast version of BTN.

Notre Dame will keep doing its independent thing (despite existing rivalries with Big Ten schools Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue, and alluring ones with Wisconsin, Illinois and Ohio State), and the Big Six will stay the Big Six.

But although grand, large-scale change isn’t on the visible horizon, it is not unthinkable within as short a time span as a decade. The world is changing at a faster and faster pace, and college football inevitably will, too.

Which is why debating the merits of Big Ten expansion is an exercise in futility. Expansion will happen, and the waves will eventually ripple throughout the college world. All we can do now is wait and see if the dramatic cosmetic overhaul will yield a beauty queen or a cautionary tale of the procedure’s downside…like Heidi Montag.

Any Izzo-led team need be considered for title contention, but especially when he returns the majority of his Final Four roster.

By: Brian Mosgaller

With Ben Brust signing up to don the cardinal-and-white for Bo Ryan on Friday, ending his quasi-controversial recruiting situation, Wisconsin men’s basketball finally completed its four-player recruiting class for the upcoming season.

Therefore, let’s commence the premature prediction making.

To a homer, and true believer in the genius of Señor Ryan, the addition of Brust seems like the final piece necessary for the Badgers to make another legitimate run at a league title – something the team has done three times under Ryan’s reign (2002, 2003, 2008).

But without question, the competition will be stiff, and a repeat of last year’s top-heavy finish (when there was a three-way tie for first between Purdue, Michigan State and Ohio State, one team one game back – Wisconsin – and one more – Illinois – with more than 10 wins) is quite reasonable, if not more than likely.

So, without further ado, here is where I envision the Big Ten chips falling next year, considering Brust’s addition and the fact that all the major Big Ten underclassmen who had flirted with the NBA draft (Purdue’s E’Twaun Moore and JaJuan Johnson, Illinois’ Demetri McCamey and Mike Davis, and Penn State’s Talor Battle) are coming back to school.

1.) Michigan State Spartans

The popular pick in this spot is and will continue to be Purdue, and I understand that. To be fair, they’re both really good teams and the conference race will almost definitely involve both teams until the final game or two. Yet, the reason I give the Spartans the edge is quite simple. Tom Izzo.

When the cupboard is relatively bare and the deck is stacked against this natural born Yooper, he still manages to will his team to top three Big Ten finishes and top six NCAA seeds. But when Izzo returns a Final Four team that will lose only Raymar Morgan, watch out.

Coming off a Big Ten Player of the Year campaign in 2008-09, Kalin Lucas coasted at times last year prior to rupturing his Achilles in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Next year, Lucas should return with a renewed sense of purpose and mission, reestablishing himself as one of the league’s premier guards.

Moreover, Lucas’s absence (not only due to the Achilles’ injury, but also to a sprained ankle) allowed Milwaukee native Korie Lucious to really grow and start to discover his identity as a point guard. On top of that, Durrell Summers figured out his scoring potential as the season neared its end, averaging 19 points a game in the tourney, and Draymond Green, the 20010 Sixth Man of the Year, anchors the post as one of the more talented post presences in the conference.

It goes without saying that MSU teams will rebound, play hard-nosed “D,” and offer maximum effort. Combining all of that with top-tier talent and enviable experience and the Spartans should raise a lucky 13th banner to the Breslin Center rafters.

2.) Purdue Boilermakers

This is definitely a case where that “2” should instead read “1b.” Recall that before team-leader Robbie Hummel went down with a tragic knee injury, this team was ranked No. 3 in the country and boasted a 24-3 overall mark. Impressively, the Boilermakers managed to finish the year 29-6, including an unexpected visit to the Sweet 16.

So, we know they were good.

But they take this spot not because of what they showed last year, but because of today’s news that both E’Twaun Moore – the team’s leading scorer (16.4 per game) and assist leader (2.7 an outing) – and JaJuan Johnson – who finished with marks of 15.5 points per game, a team-best 7.1 rebounds and a league-best 2.0 blocks – would return for their senior year after entering their names into the NBA Draft process.

Everybody wins. Moore and Johnson are both too raw to make an impact at the next level, and with them, Purdue is as formidable as any team in the land because, of course, they will join a healthy (or as healthy as he gets) Hummel, and returning point guard Lewis Jackson.

And the value of those returning contributors outweighs the loss of everyone’s most recent favorite-to-hate Boilermaker Chris Kramer (worse than Brian Cardinal, in my opinion) and mainstay guard Keaton Grant.

Barring another devastating injury, there’s no reason Matt Painter’s squad shouldn’t be in a position similar to the one they were in before Hummel went down.

3.) Wisconsin Badgers

Now I know this pick could incite claims of partiality, but I couldn’t care less. Heading into last season, when the question of post-production had no clear answer, pundits, experts, writers and bloggers all picked the Badgers to finish in the bottom half of the conference.

As usual, Bo Ryan proved everyone wrong, developing Jon Leuer into a legitimate post threat, and then surviving Leuer’s injury by transforming the team’s offensive attack without compromising the team’s defensive foundation. Hopefully, the lesson was learned: don’t bet against Bo.

So I won’t. Sure, the Badgers will need to replace two starting, senior guards, which is never an easy task. But UW is lucky enough to have a player as talented and experienced as Jordan Taylor to take the reins. Beyond that, the guard depth appeared slim, but then the squad added Brust to Port Washington, Wis., recruit Josh Gasser, giving Ryan two more perimeter players to work with. Throw in Rob Wilson, and the guard shortage for Wisconsin is less worrisome than the post situation from the year before.

Most important, though, will be the chance for Jon Leuer to really take over this squad. As a 6-foot-10 forward with a sweet jumper, Leuer is a match-up problem almost every time he steps onto the floor. Personally, I think this is the year Leuer really puts his name on the national map by dominating the Big Ten. As a result, the Badgers will challenge again.

4.) Ohio State Buckeyes

Anytime you lose a player who notched 20.4 points per game, 9.2 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting over 50 percent, you’re going to suffer a bit. Evan Turner did everything for Thad Matta’s unit last year, and his importance was clearly demonstrated in watching the Buckeyes while he was injured and when he came back.

Oddly, however, Matta’s Buckeyes aren’t shit out of luck. Far from it. Rather, OSU will return the other four starters and add two McDonald’s All-Americans, including hometown favorite Jared Sullinger.

And honestly, this isn’t something new. Matta has already dealt with Greg Oden, Daequan Cook and Mike Conley, Kousta Koufos, and B.J. Mullens leaving early and he has hardly missed a beat. Expect that trend to continue this year.

5.) Illinois Fighting Illini

Outside of Purdue, there wasn’t a happier Big Ten town today than Champagne. The cause? The announced returns of standout point guard Demetri McCamey and versatile (if frail) forward Mike Davis.

Like last season when the Illini finished out of the top-of-the-league party, they probably don’t have enough to seriously contend for top honors. Nevertheless, they are probably a lock for nine Big Ten wins and an NCAA bid. More or less, though, this team will go as far as McCamey takes them. The big point guard reminiscent of Deron Williams led the league in assists last year (7.1) while contributing 15.1 points. Yet at times, McCamey could be petulant, and he butted heads with coach Bruce Weber.

If McCamey can get on the same page as his coach and help some young talent to develop, Illinois shouldn’t be on the outside of the bubble for a second straight year.

6.) Minnesota Golden Gophers

Many like Northwestern here, but come on, it’s Northwestern. Although it will be difficult to fill the shoes of graduating departees Lawrence Westbrook, Devron Bostick and Damian Johnson, the Gophers still bring back second-leading scorer Blake Hoffarber, Devoe Joseph, and two 6-foot-10 plus posts, Ralph Sampson III and Colton Iverson.

And, like with Izzo, when rosters compare closely and the rest is unknown, go with the better coach. So I will, taking Tubby Smith and the Gophers to hover on the tenuous bubble surface.

7.) Northwestern Wildcats

Could this finally be the year the lovable losers from Evanston get invited to the Dance? It just may be. The Wildcats flirted with such a fate last year before fading as the conference season wore on.

This year, the Wildcats will benefit from the return of Kevin Coble, injured all of last year, who had led the team in scoring and rebounding his first three years. Coble will now join John Shurna, who finished the year third in the league in scoring (18.2 per) and seventh in glass-cleaning (6.4).

In short, this is the best chance these destitute fans have had in a long time to realistically watch a tournament team. We can only wait and see if Coble and Co. can handle that pressure.

8.) Penn State Nittany Lions

Nittany Lion fans must be thanking their lucky stars today as they receive the news that Talor Battle, who was second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.5 ppg), will return. Battle was already a one-man team and will be so even more next year (if that makes sense) with the transfers of Chris Babb, the Lions’ third-leading scorer, and contributor Bill Edwards.

Frankly, after Northwestern, none of these teams have much of a shot. But having Battle will at least allow this team to compete on a frequent basis. Unfortunately, that’s more than can be said for…

9.) Indiana Hoosiers

It’s an intriguing query: If Tom Crean could go back in time, would he take this job twice? Probably not, but he did, so here we are. Slowly but surely, Crean’s recruiting acumen is paying dividends, but the proud Hoosiers just aren’t there yet.

Crean’s crew, led by 16.4 point per game scorer, Maurice Creek, does bring some scoring punch to the table, averaging a respectable 66.2 points per contest last season. It’s the other side of the ball that is their true problem, as IU surrendered over 71 a game.

The upside here is that the team is still incredibly young and could surprise people if they can somehow find a way to get stops.

10.) Michigan Wolverines

Last year, the maize-and-blue were one of those teams on the schedule you hated because you should beat them, but you knew you were in for a dogfight. And for the Wolverines, the dogs they entered in the fight were dynamic offensive producers Manny Harris (18.1 ppg) and DeShawn Sims (16.8 ppg). If Harris and Sims were on, watch out. If they weren’t, opponents were in good shape.

Now, both are gone and the team’s leading returning scorer is Zack Novak, who chipped in just over seven a game.

John Beilein is a good coach and seems like a better man. Alas, that isn’t enough to win games, and the Wolverines will struggle to score this year.

11.) Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa, Iowa, Iowa. Well, at least you’ve still got football, right?

There’s not much to say here – the Hawkeyes hardwood prospects are bleak and the program is looking at another cycle of rebuilding after firing Todd Lickliter (setting in motion the Ben Brust transfer).

Lickliter’s replacement Fran McCaffrey, from Siena, did remarkable things with the Saints in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). In Iowa City, however, he inherits a mess and it will take him awhile to get things right.

Stupid Steve Alford…

Although UW head coach Mike Eaves will be faced with replacing 11 key departures, all is not bleak for Badger hockey.

By: Brian Mosgaller

And the exodus from Wisconsin men’s hockey continues. With the announcement this week that Badgers’ defensemen Brendan Smith and Cody Goloubef were moving on to NHL careers, the current tally of departures from the program stands at seven seniors, two underclassmen and two assistant coaches.

While Smith’s decision to sign with the Detroit Red Wings – the team that selected the Mimico, Ontario, native with the 27th pick of the 2007 draft – and Goloubef’s to ink a deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets – who took the Oakville, Ontario, product in the second round of the 2008 event – weren’t shocking, they did put the finishing touches on what will end up being a transformational offseason for the Badgers.

In addition to Smith and Goloubef, UW will bid adieu to seniors and team leaders Aaron Bendickson, Andy Bohmbach, Michael Davies, Blake Geoffrion, Ben Grotting, John Mitchell and Ben Street, as well as assistant coaches Kevin Patrick and Mark Osiecki.

Patrick was tabbed as the new head coach of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, an expansion franchise in the United States Hockey League (USHL), and Osiecki was given the same role for the Ohio State Buckeyes, who, on the men’s side, compete in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

As for the seniors, Geoffrion, the first Hobey Baker award winner from the school and draft pick of the Nashville Predators, has already made an impact elsewhere, scoring two power-play goals for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals in their playoff series versus the Chicago Wolves. Similarly, Davies, the Badgers’ second-leading scorer last year and NHL free agent, has signed a deal with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of Brideport, Conn., according to the school’s website.

And though we wish all the departed the best and continued success, the absence of the seven seniors (all forwards!) will undoubtedly have a chilling effect on the nation’s second most prolific offensive unit. When combined with the early exits of two of key defensemen – Smith (15 goals, 37 assists this season, both tops among defensemen) and Goloubef (+13 on the year) – the team will inevitably sport a drastically different look next season.

In many ways, the substantial roster turnover resembles a similar gutting experienced by the UW women this season. That 2009 national-championship winning squad lost six seniors – forwards Erika Lawler, Angie Keseley and Kayla Hagen, defensemen Alycia Matthews and Rachel Bible, and all-world goaltender Jessie Vetter – as well as junior Meghan Duggan and sophomore Hilary Knight, who both took the season off to represent Team USA in the Vancouver Olympics. Head coach Mark Johnson also took a year hiatus to coach that silver-medal winning unit, and assistant Dan Koch left to take over the U-16 women’s team at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.

As a result, the team struggled mightily, finishing the year 18-15-3 and losing to Ohio State in the first round of the WCHA playoffs, after posting a 34-2-5 mark en route to the ’09 title.

It is distinctly possible that the movements regarding the men’s program produce similar difficulties, but there are some key differences. For one, the men’s team simply has a deeper cupboard of talent. It appears more and more that junior defensemen Ryan McDonagh will return for his senior go-round, as will forward Derek Stepan. Sure, the team’s strength will shift from a high-octane offense to a solid defensive corps, but the Badgers still boast a deeper pool of talent than the women’s program enjoyed.

The second divergence of note between the 2009 women and the 2010 men is Scott Gudmandson. Whereas the Badger women lost their heart and soul and brick wall when it waved goodbye to Vetter, the men at least can rest assured they will have continuity in the goal, which should definitely help.

And lastly, is Mike Eaves. No one blamed Mark Johnson for taking the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to coach and Olympic team, but imagine the effect of removing Coach K from the Duke bench for a season and putting Wojo at the helm. There would clearly be some seams in that transition. With all due respect to interim coach Tracy DeKeyser, having Johnson back will greatly bolster that team’s chances. The men, on the other hand, won’t have to deal with such turbulence at the top level.

Nevertheless, the 11 program departures will not go unfelt. Osiecki helped recruit at least 10 players to Madison that have been selected in the NHL draft.

But the stable of potential assistant coach replacements is promising. Some early names floated include Craig Norwich, Eaves’ one-time college teammate and, until recently, the boys’ hockey coach at St. Paul (Minn.) Academy, and former all-America UW center Gary Shuchuk. Considering Eaves and his past assistants have a well-lubricated recruiting pipeline already established, bringing in well-respected hockey minds and names like Norwich and Shuchuk should ensure continued recruiting success for the Badgers, the cornerstone for on-ice success.

Moreover, the team features the talent to better bear the brunt of its imminent losses. Even if losing seven graduating forwards hurts, it also opens the door for will-be senior forwards Patrick Johnson, Podge Turnbull and Sean Dolan to expand their games. Additionally, if Wisconsin can get greater contributions from junior Jordy Murray and sophomore Craig Smith, along with bits of production from the incoming class, they still should boast an elite offensive unit, albeit one that pales in comparison with its predecessor.

The point is, this type of program plastic surgery from one year to the next can have wide-ranging negative effects. Or, the team can plug in new parts and keep on rolling. This year’s women’s hockey Badgers tended toward the former, but with greater talent reserves, a returning goaltender and Mike Eaves still at the helm, next year’s Badger crew could be making the trip to St. Paul, Minn., next March for a shot at redemption in the 2011 Frozen Four.

Ben Brust, recently released from his commitment to Iowa, could soon be on his way to Madison.

By: Brian Mosgaller

With the departures of senior backcourt mates Trevon Hughes and Jason Bohannon, it was clear Wisconsin would need some perimeter reinforcements going forward.

This shortage was exacerbated back in September when freshmen Diamond Taylor and Jeremy Glover, both guards, were booted from the team for allegedly stealing iPods, a cell phone and $400 from a downtown dorm. (Taylor immediately transferred to Southern Illinois, while Glover recently announced he would be heading to Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., to continue his basketball career).

These two events combined to leave the Badgers with a stable of guards that boasted Jordan Taylor, Rob Wilson, and, well, that’s about it.

However, the guard situation took a turn toward the promising on Friday when three-star recruit Ben Brust reentered the recruiting picture. Brust, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound combo guard from Mundelein, Ill., had initially inked a national letter of intent to play for Iowa and head coach Todd Lickliter. But when Lickliter was fired in March, Brust applied for and was granted a release from his letter, and Wisconsin, as well as Northwestern, Minnesota, the University of Southern California and Boston College, among others, were back on the trail, hot in pursuit of Brust.

Unfortunately for Brust, who expressed clear interest in staying in the Big Ten, an ill-conceived conference rule prohibited him, or any player that has signed a letter of intent with one conference school, from accepting a scholarship from a different Big Ten university. In response to this, and considering that Brust had yet to set foot on the Hawkeye campus, Wisconsin, Northwestern and Minnesota jointly asked for a waiver.

They were promptly denied.

But if you fail, try, try again, right? Which is what Wisconsin and Northwestern did – and this time, a waiver was granted, meaning Brust could sign with Wisconsin, or another school, as early as next week. Presently, the 24-plus point per game senior is in Los Angeles, competing in the High School Academic All-American Game.

Adding to the excitement of today’s decision for Badger fans it that although other schools are still in the picture, it appears UW may be the favorite. It has been reported that Duje Dukan, a 6-foot-8, 180-pound forward from Deerfield, Ill., who has already signed up to don the cardinal-and-white, is a close friend of Brust and has been lobbying on Wisconsin’s behalf.

It should be noted that the possibility of adding another player to the 2010 class was opened when 7-foot sophomore Ian Markolf announced he would not be returning to the team, choosing instead to concentrate on his studies.

If indeed Brust does become the recipient of that scholarship, he will add a fourth three-star recruit to the incoming list of recruits. Also arriving in the fall will be Dukan, 6-foot-11 center Evan Anderson (Eau Claire, Wis.) and 6-foot-4 guard Josh Gasser (Port Washington, Wis.).

He will also be adding the prospect of another shooter and prolific scorer to the Badgers’ rotation. Last season, Brust topped 40 points on four different occasions, and he has been compared by some to the man he may soon be charged with replacing: Jason Bohannon.

Sounds like a pretty good fit to me.

So despite the possibility that Brust still ends up elsewhere, this is still good news for Badger fans, providing a good reason to be happy over the upcoming weekend. Well, that and, of course, the annual Mifflin Block Party. Drink responsibly.

Chris Maragos, a former UW walk-on, was signed as an undrafted free agent Saturday by the San Francisco 49ers.

By: Brian Mosgaller

While only two Wisconsin Badgers were taken in the 2010 NFL Draft, up to four are serious candidates for professional football rosters. Which means that, weary as we may be in the wake of the interminable NFL draft process, it is time to assess the varying fits for the graduating greats of Camp Randall.

Garrett Graham, TE, Houston Texans (Round 4, Pick 118)

To be honest, this pick is a bit perplexing – for obvious reasons. As I’ve said before, Graham is an Owen Daniels clone. Both former Wisconsin tight ends are listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds. Both lack ideal athleticism, but counteract it with solid blocking technique, sound route running and sure hands. And now, thanks to this pick, both are Houston Texans.

Now, I guess having two reliable, versatile tight ends isn’t something which should be discouraged. The Texan franchise has yielded a high return on their selection of Daniels, so why not double the pleasure?

And I’m sure Matt Schaub won’t complain. But in what was hailed as an extraordinarily deep draft, weren’t there other areas of greater concern to the young Texas outfit? Especially considering that the Houston roster already features Joel Dreesen, an unexceptional, but serviceable fifth-year tight end, as well as, James Casey, a precocious talent whom the Texans spent a fifth-round pick on last year.

At this point, I’ll give the team the benefit of the doubt. I’d hope they have a plan in place to rid themselves of one of their other TE’s, in order to insure themselves against another Daniels injury with a Daniels look-alike.

As always, we must wait and see.

O’Brien Schofield, DE/OLB, Arizona Cardinals (Round 4, Pick 130)

Contrary to Graham’s head-scratching suitor, the cacti and tumbleweeds are a great backdrop for Schofield.

First and foremost, the NFL’s 2009 runner-up run a 3-4 defensive scheme, which is practically a prerequisite for Schofield’s skill-set. Once he recovers from a devastating ACL tear which he suffered in the week prior to the Senior Bowl, Schofield should compete for an outside linebacker/rush end spot.

In addition, Schofield’s playmaking ability could get him on the field sooner than later, considering the team experienced a mass defensive exodus in the offseason. With the retirement of Bertrand Berry and the free agency departures of Karlos Dansby (to Miami) and Antrel Rolle (to the Giants), the Cardinals will need all the defensive dynamism they can find – an area that Schofield could contribute.

Chris Maragos, S, San Francisco 49ers (Undrafted)

Maragos has never been one for the preferred route. After starting his collegiate career at Western Michigan and then working his way from walk-on to senior captain at Wisconsin, Maragos will once again have to prove himself at the next level.

But despite his undrafted status, the future is bright for the Racine, Wis., native. According to the Racine Journal Times, Maragos heard from a handful of teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and the Niners, within an hour of the draft’s conclusion.

Even though he winds up on a team that spent a second-round pick on a safety (Taylor Mays, USC), Maragos work ethic will surely appeal to hard-nosed head coach Mike Singletary. Also, the opportunity to learn from hard-hitting veteran Michael Lewis can only help Maragos’ development.

While he may not crack the starting depth chart, Maragos could quite reasonably follow the trail blazed by Jim Leonhard, another undersized former-Badger safety who gritted his way to a secure NFL roster spot.

Jaevery McFadden, LB, Free agent (Undrafted)

Unlike his Badger peers, McFadden still has some work to do. According to WKOW-TV in Madison, McFadden has workout dates scheduled with the Minnesota Vikings (April 30-May 2) and the Washington Redskins (May 7-9).

Frankly, both of those teams have relatively solid linebacking corps, so McFadden is competing for special teams duty – but we knew that. The bottom line is, recent Badger linebacker products like DeAndre Levy (Detroit Lions) and Jonathan Casillas (New Orleans Saints) have proved productive on Sundays, and I sincerely hope McFadden catches on somewhere, earning a chance to demonstrate his nose for the ball, which Badger fans know so well.

Garrett Graham, along with classmate O'Brien Schofield, was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

By: Brian Mosgaller

Five years ago, both Garrett Graham and O’Brien Schofield arrived on the UW-Madison campus with little fanfare. Graham, who played tight end, defensive end, punter and kicker at Memorial High in Brick, N.J., was ranked as one of the top 35 tight ends in the country by Rivals.com, and Schofield, out of North Chicago Community High, was listed among the country’s top 25 defensive ends.

Although it was feasible either or both could develop into something special, it would be a stretch to say it was expected.

In that first season, 2005, both Graham and Schofield were saddled with the redshirt distinction, charged with learning the system and developing physically.

The following year, neither saw the field nearly enough to resonate in the minds of fans, even dedicated Badger backers. Graham played in just three games, registering zero catches on the year and failing to letter. Similarly, Schofield found his way off the sideline on five occasions, but recorded donuts in every statistical category.

By 2007, their sophomore year of eligibility, Graham began showing flashes of potential. Cut in the mold of Owen Daniels’ (ironic considering that is who Graham will now be backing up), Graham nabbed 30 passes and four touchdowns for the cardinal-and-white, including career-highs in receptions and yards against Tennessee in the Outback Bowl.

Schofield, however, struggled to crack the rotation, playing in all 13 games, but finishing the year with just eight tackles and one forced fumble. Yet, as a sign of things to come, “OB,” as UW fans passionately refer to him, was given the starting nod in the bowl game versus UT.

From that point on, Graham and Schofield, by then seasoned upperclassmen, welcomed leadership roles both in the locker room and on the field. Playing in a tight end rotation with current-New York Giant Travis Beckum, Graham led the 2008 Badgers in catches, yards and touchdowns. Schofield, finally a full-time fixture on the Badger D-line, notched five sacks and eight-and-a-half tackles for loss, foreshadowing his disruptive capabilities.

Last year, Graham and Schofield capped their careers as they would’ve designed, with Graham racking up career-bests in catches, yards and touchdowns as a primary-target for first-year starting QB Scott Tolzien. While Graham was helping the passing game flourish in ways unimaginable prior to the season, Schofield carried a relatively unstable “D,” ending his senior season among the national leaders in sacks (12) and tackles for loss (24.5).

When their time in the Wisconsin capitol began, Graham and Schofield appeared to be quite different. Graham was a formidable, white tight end from the East Coast. Schofield was an undersized, black D-lineman from the Chicagoland-area, with notable cousins like Bobby Engram (the standout Penn State and NFL receiver) and Vonnie Holliday (the veteran NFL defensive end and one-time Green Bay Packer draft pick).

Yet, on Saturday, in the final session of the Mel Kiper Invitational, their journeys brought them to the same destination: the National Football League.

In fact, their journeys even brought the two incongruent individuals to the same geographic destination: the greater American southwest.

Just as he had reached the field first, Graham was the first off the board, taken with the 118th overall selection by the Houston Texans. Apropos, Schofield wasn’t far behind, nabbed with the 130th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals.

It was a fitting result for two of the first Bret Bielema-era Badgers to reach the NFL. Even if, prima facie, Graham and Schofield seem like an odd couple, their paths have dovetailed since their inaugural seasons at UW. Both took time to develop, blossoming in their final two seasons to become legitimate professional prospects. Both are now a testament to the strength and conditioning program and coaching assets available at Wisconsin.

And both now get our congrats and best wishes as they embark on a new journey, albeit one with a cozier paycheck.