By Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jun 16, 2007 at 5:34 AM

Welcome to Saturday Scorecard, where we wrestle with tough questions, such as: which is more unlikely: a three-inning save by Brewers lefty Brian Shouse or an appearance by Packers veteran Charles Woodson at an organized team activity?

Before we had to the hammock for further deliberation, we offer a few notes and best wishes for a happy Father's Day weekend:

Decision time: Marquette point guard Dominic James will declare his decision about the NBA Draft in the next few days and most people we've talked to around campus feel pretty confident that No. 1 will be back with the Golden Eagles for at least one more season.

Asked about the situation last week, Golden Eagles coach Tom Crean said it was both a learning experience and a sign of things to come:

"It's not going to be the last time we go through it," Crean said. "In fact, I was telling a friend of mine that if we don't have this problem a lot of years in the Big East, we're not going to be doing very well. If you don't have players that have the capabilities and the dreams to be able to go and play at that (NBA) level at a younger age, then you're probably going to get left behind in a league like this. This is an incredibly strong league."

Crean watched James compete against some tough competition at a pre-draft camp in Orlando. "No matter what Dominic decides, it's been real fun to watch him go through this," Crean said. "It's been a little disheartening at times, too, because you'd like people to see in him what we see in him."

What is that?

"I see a guy who can be really, really good," Crean said. "He's definitely capable of making better decisions with the ball. He can find his teammates. He can do a lot of those things that at times he needed to get better at here.

"The shooting will come. The decision-making is one thing he needed to get better at. I think he's really worked hard at that."

Crean said that James is on solid ground academically. "The key is that he's playing this summer," Crean said. "Our other guys are working hard. If Dominic comes back, he's jumping on a moving train. If he moves forward, more power to him. We'll be supportive of it."

On the move? Chris Capuano's groin injury cleared the way for the Brewers to promote top pitching prospect Yovani Gallardo from Class AAA Nashville. That move was applauded by many fans.
The next one may not be received as well.

With second baseman Rickie Weeks on the brink of returning from the disabled list, the Brewers will need to move a position player to clear a roster spot.

Given the glut of outfielders and Corey Hart's strong recent performance, Tony Gwynn, Jr., seems to be a logical candidate to head to the minors for regular playing time.

That will undoubtedly anger Gwynn's fans, many of whom will scream for the ouster of Kevin Mench and / or Gabe Gross.

Nothing to prove: When San Antonio won its fourth championship in nine seasons, many NBA experts were hesitant to refer to the Spurs as a "dynasty." What else can you call it? True, the Spurs haven't won back-to-back titles during nearly a decade of dominance. But, don't bet against a repeat next year. Gregg Popovich is one of the underrated coaches of our time.

Sneak previews: The pre-season football magazines are beginning to show up on newsstands and Wisconsin fans should be happy with the way national experts perceive the Badgers. Despite uncertainty at quarterback and a few other spots, most experts expect big things from the Big Red this season.

Sneak previews, Part II: The Bucks began workouts for potential draft picks on Friday. University of North Carolina forward Brandan Wright worked out at the team's training center.

Ohio State point guard Mike Conley will work out on Monday. Four players will work out Tuesday, including Florida forwards Corey Brewer and Al Horford, Purdue forward Carl Landry, Kansas forward Julian Wright and Hawaii guard Matt Lojeski.

On Wednesday, Toledo guard Justin Ingram, Nevada-Las Vegas guard Kevin Kruger and Lojeski will work out for Bucks coaches. Luksa Andric, a forward from Croatia, will work out on Thursday.

Rumors are swirling that the Bucks will trade the No. 6 pick in package that could bring other players / picks, but don't be surprised if they hang on and hope for the best.

Humble pie: After watching players struggle in tough conditions at the Masters this spring, I figured the Gods of golf would go a little easier during the US Open at Oakmont.

So much for that theory.

If you want to see snowmen in June, just turn on the Open this weekend.

Living the High Life: Actor Windell Middlebrooks, who has gained national notoriety playing the Miller High Life Delivery Guy, will visit Milwaukee next week and will sing the national anthem before the Brewers-Giants game on Tuesday.

In memoriam: This edition of Saturday Scorecard is dedicated to Larry Whiteside, a longtime baseball writer who died Friday after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 69. Whiteside, known as "Sides," worked at the Milwaukee Journal from 1963-'73 before moving to the Boston Globe, where he covered baseball for 30 years and helped advance the cause of African-American reporters.

"I am truly saddened by the news of his passing, as he was an extraordinary person," said Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, who offered Whiteside a job in public relations with the Brewers in 1970. "He was one of the finest journalists and finest friends that I have ever encountered. I will certainly miss him."

 

 

 

Drew Olson Special to OnMilwaukee.com

Host of “The Drew Olson Show,” which airs 1-3 p.m. weekdays on The Big 902. Sidekick on “The Mike Heller Show,” airing weekdays on The Big 920 and a statewide network including stations in Madison, Appleton and Wausau. Co-author of Bill Schroeder’s “If These Walls Could Talk: Milwaukee Brewers” on Triumph Books. Co-host of “Big 12 Sports Saturday,” which airs Saturdays during football season on WISN-12. Former senior editor at OnMilwaukee.com. Former reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.