After shooting the lights out Tuesday in a 27-point victory over the Knicks, the biggest question was whether or not the Bucks' performance was a sign of better things to come, or just a one-night fluke.
Going into Atlanta the next night and taking care of business has to be looked at as a big turning point. The Bucks turned a five-point deficit into a runaway, 108-91 victory.
Only once this season has a Bucks opponent scored more than 100 points and the team is second in the Eastern Conference (third in the league) allowing just 91.33 points per game.
That the defense – the trademark of Scott Skiles' system – is there is a good sign. For the Bucks to achieve the lofty predictions of preseason experts, they'll need to get the most out of the scoring talents on the floor and that looks like its finally happening.
Two games in November don't make a season, but considering the Bucks' inability to score through the first few weeks of the season, handling two pretty good teams – one of which is expected to be among the best in the Eastern Conference – should be viewed as a true indicator of this team's ability.
California dreamin': Could the Rose Bowl be in sight for the Wisconsin Badgers? Possibly.
If you're a Wisconsin fan, you might want to pick up a Penn State hat this weekend.
The Nittany Lions travel to Columbus, Ohio Saturday to face Ohio State, which, along with Michigan State, is tied with Wisconsin for first place in the Big Ten Conference.
Later this month, Michigan State travels to Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions in the season finale. Another OSU victory could potentially give the Badgers the outright conference championship for the first time since 1999.
Of course, Bucky needs to take care of its own business, starting Saturday against Indiana (4-5, 0-5 Big Ten) at Camp Randall Stadium. Next week, the Badgers head to Ann Arbor to meet Michigan (6-3, 2-3) before wrapping up the season at home against a tough Northwestern (6-3, 2-3) squad.
The Badgers would still head to Pasadena if they finished tied with Ohio State by virtue of their 31-18 victory over the then-No 1 Buckeyes on Oct. 16. If Wisconsin and Michigan State finish tied, the Spartans would head west thanks to their 34-24 victory in the Big Ten opener.
A three-way tie, though, between Wisconsin, Ohio State and Michigan State would give the Rose Bowl to Bucky, should they remain the league's highest-ranked team in the BCS poll.
Long story short, Bucky needs to keep winning and hope that somebody (Joe Paterno, we're looking in your direction) gives Wisconsin a little help along the way.
Full schedule: Steve Cottingham will be a busy man tonight.
The Marquette Athletic Director will have to shake hands at three events: the men's basketball season opener against Prairie View A&M at the Bradley Center, a women's soccer NCAA Tournament match against Central Michigan at Valley Fields and the women's volleyball match against Louisville at the Al McGuire Center.
The volleyball team (20-7, 10-2 Big East) comes into tonight's match on a school-record 13-match winning streak. Defeating the Cardinals Friday and then Cincinnati on Sunday could clinch the Golden Eagles' first Big East volleyball championship.
Bad timing: On the same day the Dallas Cowboys fired head coach Wade Phillips, the team's Web site went down because its domain name registration expired. Some visitors to the site, instead of learning about new interim head coach Jason Garrett were instead greeted with a page offering non-registered users a chance to place a backorder on the domain name.
And the Emmy goes to: Conragts to the Bucks and FS Wisconsin, winners of a regional Emmy Award for "Outstanding Achievement for Sports Programming ñ Live Unedited Sports Event/Game/Series."
Play-by-play announcer Jim Paschke, analyst Jon McGlocklin, sideline reporter Telly Hughes along with executive producer Jeff Byle, coordinating producers Joseph Maar and Michael Vettor, producers Chris Withers and Brent Valenti and director Michael Oddino were recognized for their efforts.
The Emmy is the third for the Bucks and FS Wisconsin, which took home two awards in 2008.
Larry King Lounge: Timber Rattlers fans should check out the team's Web site. The Brewers' Class A affiliate unveiled a new look for the 2011 season Friday and it's pretty cool ... The Brewers have announced that Ed Sedar will return as a member of Ron Roenicke's coaching staff, though his assignment has yet to be determined ... Both GM Doug Melvin and free agent infielder Craig Counsell have both suggested over the past few days that a deal to remain in Milwaukee is possible. Having Counsell on the bench is a good thing for the Brewers, who could benefit from veteran leadership ... In addition to the Marquette-Central Michigan match Friday, UWM and Wisconsin will meet in an NCAA Tournament match at Valley Fields. The winners of those matches will meet Sunday ... UWM will host the Horizon League women's volleyball tournament next weekend at the Klotsche Center ... Jenn Sterger reportedly spoke with the NFL this week about allegations regarding Brett Favre and inappropriate text messages. Let's hope she turned her phone off before the meeting ... You know, "Friday Scorecard" doesn't really have the same ring as "Saturday Scorecard." If you've got a suggestion, drop me a line.
