WisPolitics:

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) China Council and the Milwaukee Bucks today announced that the professional Chinese Basketball Association’s Beijing Ducks will play a free exhibition game at the University of Wisconsin Field House during the team’s 12-day trip to Wisconsin. The Ducks will take on Madison-area college stars and aspiring professionals – coached by University of Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan – at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11.
The exhibition game is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.
“The Beijing Ducks’ visit to Wisconsin marks the first time a professional Chinese basketball team has come to the United States, and we are excited and honored that they will be using the University of Wisconsin’s facilities during their trip,” UW assistant coach Greg Gard said. “This should be a fun game for both the players and the spectators. We hope many people will come out and take advantage of this great opportunity to see top-level basketball at no cost.”

Clifton Brown:

So despite the team’s problems, the fans were full of optimism on Friday, driving down Lombardi Avenue, or passing Holmgren Way, or watching practice on the Ray Nitschke Field, or in front of the Don Hutson Center. All seemed well in Green Bay because the Packers were back in town.

Hundreds of photos here.

Today’s Mad City Marathon enjoyed perfect weather, unlike last year’s deluge (Quicktime Video). Quite a few iPods this year.

There seems to be quite a bit of draft action online. The NFL summarizes the draft here. Packer draft information here.

Teams from Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Minneapolis and in between participated in this weekend’s spring soccer tournament at Reddan.

Murray Chass takes an interesting look at the ongoing feud between former baseball commissioner Fay Vincent and ex-Milwaukee Brewer Owner and current Commissioner Bud Selig.

Gary Shelton:

Both versions of the Tar Heels were on display Sunday afternoon when North Carolina held off an outmanned Wisconsin team 88-82. North Carolina was so dazzling offensively it resembled an NBA team; unfortunately, it was so detached on defense, it did the same. The Tar Heels were so nonchalant, they left Wisconsin – Wisconsin – looking like Phi Slamma Jamma.

Follow the conversation on Sunday’s Wisconsin Badger’s loss to UNC:

• Ivan Carter: There were moments during Sunday’s crisply played game when it appeared Williams and his players would be sharing only disappointment. Wisconsin (25-9) played a terrific game, shooting 49.2 percent from the field and making 11 of 24 three-point attempts and 11 of 13 free throws.
• Joe LaPoint: The primary victim of all this was Mike Wilkinson, a Wisconsin forward matched against May at each end of the floor.
  “He’s almost unstoppable and even knocked down some jump shots today,” Wilkinson said. “He just played amazingly all over the floor. He did a good job on the boards, everything. He’s just all over.”
  May said before the game that Rashad McCants had said of Wilkinson: “There’s no way he’ll be able to guard you. He’s too little.”

• Technorati

The first half was rather difficult to watch. Someone mentioned that the game reminded him of the Bennett era game vs. Southwest Missouri State. Commentary around the country:

• Ivan Carter:
  

  If James Naismith had been around to witness Wisconsin’s 65-56 region semifinal victory over North Carolina State on Friday night, he might have wished he had invented something other than basketball.

• Joe LaPointe
  

  Explaining his team’s strategy for coping with Hodge, Ryan said: “You show respect, and then you play. Make him go right a little bit. Make him go left a little bit. I really liked our help defense. We kept him from getting to the rim.”

• Herb Sendek Remarks
  

• Roger Van Der Horst
  

  This was supposed to have been a renaissance for college basketball in the Triangle, and for a week it was just that, a time when once again all three of its major men’s basketball teams — Duke, N.C. State and North Carolina — were playing deep into the NCAA Tournament. For Duke and State, those sweet few days ended with a thud Friday night, courtesy of two methodical, strong, defensive-minded Big Ten teams.

• Google News (lots of links)

Meanwhile, Ed Cone is pleased that one ACC team survived. Rather unusual for 3 Big Ten teams to make it this far, with only UNC left from the ACC.