{image1} Here are five state sports stories to watch for in 2005, headed by Packers' quarterback Brett Favre announcing he will retire.
1. Favre to announce retirement -- No this doesn't mean you will be watching Favre play his last games in the playoffs this month. Instead, look for Favre to announce before the 2005 season starts that it will be his last. Brett, himself, couldn't care less about any farewell tour of the league during his last season, but you can bet the Packers and the NFL would love the hype from one.
2. Brewers show vast improvement -- Mark Attanasio already has opened up his wallet more than the Selig ownership group could, and if GM Doug Melvin makes good decisions, the Brewers should show vast improvement. Could they post their first winning season since 1992? Perhaps.
3. Admirals bought -- It might come down to the 11th hour, but somebody will step in and buy the American Hockey League franchise. Reports are that the asking price is down around $2 million. That's the cost of one mediocre player in baseball and other pro sports. So, look for Craig Leipold or somebody to pick up the team and start rebuilding a franchise that has remained competitive on the ice despite off-the-ice distractions.
4. Bradley Center improvements -- This has been debated for months, if not years, but it's time to act. The BC needs improvements to ensure the long range viability of the Bucks and Admirals. Whether operations are combined with the U.S. Cellular Arena, or another solution is found, look for some decisions and actions in 2005. Watch for this announcement to also spark some movement again on the possible sale of the Bucks.
5. More big-time golf -- Look for the PGA or LPGA to announce yet another big-time tournament for the Kohler area courses.
Now it's your turn. Argue about these five stories or add some of your own using the "talkback" feature at the bottom of the article.
Hoops premier in January
Basketball, college and pro, reign in January, as the weather drives many of us inside. The Bucks hope to turn things around during this month. Top games at the BC include the NBA champion Detroit Pistons on Jan. 21 and the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 26.
Marquette plays Charlotte at the BC on Jan. 22 and faces traditional rivals DePaul on Jan. 20 and Louisville on Jan. 26 on the road. UW plays highly ranked Illinois at the Kohl Center on Jan. 25 and also hosts Ohio State and Michigan State this month.
UWM has an intra-state showdown with UW-Green Bay at the U.S. Cellular Arena on Jan. 15. Another highlight for the Panthers is a trip to Purdue on Jan. 26.
The Name Game
The Brewers got rid of two Dan Kolbs in December, sending their All-Star closer to the Braves in a trade and losing 24-year-old minor leaguer Dan Kolb to Washington in the Rule 5 draft. The younger Kolb, who was not related to the former closer, pitched at the AA level. "It was a systematic purge of all Dan Kolbs in the organization," joked assistant GM Gordon Ash ... Wave captain Michael King became only the fourth player in North American pro soccer history to play in 700 games ... The Admirals' Darren Haydar was named American Hockey League Player of the Week for the week ending Jan. 2. In three games, Haydar scored three goals and had eight assists.
Beyond Milwaukee Sports
Madison's Eric Morel (34-1, 18 KOs) will defend his superfly-weight titles in a 12-round bout against Colombian Renaldo Lopez (23-3-2, 16 KOs) on Jan. 29 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico ... The Wave will have two fewer opponents for the rest of the season as MISL franchises in San Diego and Monterrey, Mexico, have suspended operations. A dispersal draft of players from the two leagues was scheduled for this week...Jon Krull scored 19 points to lead undefeated Stevens Point to a 82-42 win over Wisconsin Lutheran in the championship game of the Sentry Classic. The Pointers, 10-0, are rated No. 1 among NCAA Division III teams.
Hot Tix
The Packers host the Vikings in the first round of the NFL playoffs at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Look for the Pack to get by this first round, but then run into Michael Vick and Atlanta. Read coverage of all Packers' playoff action in On the Pack on OMC.
The Bucks play at Toronto Friday night and then return to the BC to host Utah at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
In college basketball, UWM hosts Loyola of Chicago at 7 p.m. Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Arena in the featured game in town for the weekend. Before that game, the Panthers travel to take on Butler, a traditional Horizon League rival.
Marquette is on the road at Tulane over the weekend. UW also plays on the road, at Indiana on Saturday, before returning to the Kohl Center to host Ohio State next Tuesday.
The Admirals play back-to-back hockey games at the BC. They host Interstate-94 rivals, the Chicago Wolves, at 7 p.m. Friday and the Houston Aeros at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The Wave hosts the St. Louis Steamers at 7 p.m. Friday at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
