The Wisconsin Sportscast

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NCAA Settlement a Step Towards Sanity in College Sports May 28, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates react to the NCAA agreeing to a historic settlement to end class-action lawsuits brought by student athletes. Thousands of former and current college players will receive a share of $2.8 billion in damages. The settlement also clears the way, for the first time, for schools to directly pay student athletes through shared revenue plans.

“It’s a first step in regaining control over what’s going on. Reform is needed. Right now, there are no guard rails on the transfer portal or NIL (name, image, likeness) money,” says Oates, a former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “Coaches and administrators will take as much slack as you give them. NIL is so out of control, it’s unbelievable. Something has to be done.”

Oates says the NCAA’s settlement might be a legal framework for schools to treat student athletes like employees.

“This might be a prelude to 60 or 70 schools breaking away and becoming their own bosses,” says Oates. “That way universities can start to bargain for some level of salary cap…and do away with NIL.”

In the meantime, Lucas says fans are becoming fed up with the dramatic roster changes every season. The Wisconsin men’s basketball team lost more than half dozen players to the transfer portal this year, including stars AJ Storr and Chucky Hepburn.

“When talking to some Badger boosters, they are really upset about Chucky Hepburn. That one put them over the edge,” says Lucas. “I don’t hold this personally against Hepburn. He’s just a product of this new system.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Nate Wegehaupt. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wisconsin High School Basketball Greats May 21, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas recently caught Badger alum Sam Dekker hit the game-winning shot for the London Lions in the British Basketball League.

“Isn’t it great to see him still playing the game and still having success at it?”asks Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “My question to you, Oatesy, where does Sam Dekker fit in the greatest high school players of all-time in the state of Wisconsin?”

Oates thinks Dekker leading Sheboygan Lutheran to a WIAA state title in 2012 qualifies him for the top ten.

“He’s one of the best athletes that has ever played basketball in Wisconsin. His whole game is predicated on movement,” says Oates, a former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “Bo Ryan rode him hard but he could never wipe the smile off of Sam Dekker’s face. He was born to play basketball and you could tell the way he plays.”

Lucas likes that Dekker remains a diehard Milwaukee Brewers fan.

“He loves his Brewers. You talk about a fanatic,” says Lucas. “He’ll get into it with any troll on the internet.”

When pressed by Lucas, Oates says Messmer High School’s John Johnson tops the list of Wisconsin basketball greats. Johnson led Messmer to a state title in 1966.

“John Johnson was just a phenomenal player. He played center, he played point guard, he played everything. He was a great passer, great rebounder, and a great defender,” says Oates. “He ended up averaging 28 points a game in his two seasons at Iowa. And then he had a lengthy NBA career.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Taylor Swift of Basketball and the Tom Brady Roast May 14, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas highly recommends the new ESPN docuseries on college basketball stars Kamila Cardoso, Kiki Rice, and Caitlin Clark.

“Caitlin Clark is so huge. You just get a better feel for the people around her, the pressure that mounted throughout the season, and how she dealt with it all,” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “After watching it, I have even more respect for (head coaches) Dawn Staley of South Carolina and certainly for Lisa Bluder, who retired from Iowa on Monday.”

Oates, a former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist, says women’s college basketball has been steadily growing for years.

“Clark handled the spotlight really well. She was the Taylor Swift of basketball and I think it helped the entire sport,” says Oates. “Women’s college basketball has taken a giant leap forward and I think the WNBA is going to experience that as well.”

Also on the podcast, the veteran sports journalists appreciated the digs leveled at Bill Belichick during The Roast of Tom Brady. But not much else.

“I spent three hours watching that and I can’t get it back,” says Lucas. “It was pretty brutal in terms of language and a lot of locker room humor. Some of it had me turning away because it was so crude.”

To that, Oates responds, “This is the new Mike Lucas.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Bucks Looked Old in the Playoffs May 07, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates recap the Milwaukee Bucks’ messy season. Oates says the Bucks’ defensive game got better once Doc Rivers became head coach in the middle of the season. But he didn’t think the combination of Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo was ever going to work.

“Giannis dominated the ball for years in Milwaukee’s offense. Damian dominated Portland’s offense. Could they have worked that out and gotten along? Probably. But both are at their best when they monopolize the ball,” says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “This was a poorly put together team right from the start. Why do you hire a rookie head coach for a veteran team? That was stupid.”

Lucas says Milwaukee’s roster is looking long in the tooth.

“I just went back and looked at their average age and the money that they are spending on three or four players. They have some issues moving forward,” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “It’s an old, old team. Khris Middleton is 32. Lillard is 33. Brook Lopez is 36! Goodness.”

Also the podcast, the veteran sports journalists review the latest portal prospects added by the Wisconsin men’s basketball team. And Lucas has thoughts on your Milwaukee Brewers.

“Christian Yelich got off to a blazing start. I think he’s missed 17 games now. Boy, they need his bat,” says Lucas. “And I have to admit this, too. I had a lot of trouble seeing Craig Counsell in a Cubs uniform. It just didn’t fit. Craig Counsell, a Cubbie? No.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Packers Draft and the Badgers’ Portal Picks Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates don’t have many complaints about how Green Bay handled this year’s NFL Draft. Oates says keep an eye on second-round pick, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.

“Cooper will be the star of this particular draft. If they are going to go to four down lineman they need speed at linebacker to run things down. The Packers really appear to have increased their speed at that position,” says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “I thought Green Bay’s first four picks were outstanding. They nailed areas of need with players they liked.”

Also on the podcast, the veteran sports journalists take a look at the basketball players Wisconsin is picking up from the transfer portal. The Badgers have a commitment from Northern Illinois forward Xavier Amos.

“What really caught my eye is that [University of Virginia] coach Tony Bennett was actively recruiting Amos,” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “He’s from Chicago. Howard Moore will be pleased with that. As a sophomore, he started 25 games. Averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wisconsin Basketball Has a Portal Problem Apr 23, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates assess how the transfer portal and name, image, likeness (NIL) money are impacting the Badgers men’s basketball team. Since the season ended, stars Connor Essegian, AJ Storr, and Chucky Hepburn have all sought greener pastures.

“You know what the most sobering thing is for Wisconsin? They aren’t in the top-tier in terms of NIL money…. Now all of a sudden, Wisconsin is a feeder program,”says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “The system is broken. It’s complete chaos. College basketball coaches are pulling their hair out waiting for the next shoe to drop.”

Also on the podcast, the veteran journalists sum up what the Green Bay Packers need heading into the NFL draft. Lucas hopes Green Bay can snag Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean.

“He’s an impact player. He can play corner or safety,” says Lucas. “I’m not sure DeJean will be available. But the Packers are in a pretty good strategic position. They have five picks that should be premium picks and picks of value.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Bambi’s Bombers Revisited Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates review the 2024 Masters Tournament in which Scottie Scheffler won another green jacket. Tiger Woods made the cut at the Augusta Nationals for a record-setting 24th consecutive time but finished with one of the worst scores of his long career.

“Watching Tiger play was kind of painful. He finished, like, 16 over. 16 over!” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “He looked in rough shape. He was pained. It was like he was struggling just to get up to the green. It reminded me of Willie Mays playing for the Mets or Johnny Unitas throwing passes for the Rams. It was just so out of character.”

Oates says this year’s Masters showed a new generation emerging in professional golf.

“There were a lot of guys, 30 and under, all over that leaderboard. Man, they really crush the ball,“ says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “How demoralizing would it be to play golf with Scottie Scheffler? He hits it 330, straight down the middle, off every tee.”

Also on the show, the veteran journalists are pleased with how the Milwaukee Brewers have played in the first few weeks of the season.

“They’ve been hitting the cover off the baseball,” says Lucas. “It’s like the Bambi’s Bombers revisited.”

Lucas and Oates are loving the recent rule changes enacted by Major League Baseball, especially the pitch clock.

“It’s outstanding…it’s restored some of the game. It restored the stolen base. Offensive baseball had become too one-dimensional,” says Oates. “The Brewers have taken advantage of that so far this year. They’re running. They’re aggressive on the bases. Nice job by [manager] Pat Murphy to recognize that and go with it.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

College Basketball in the Path of Totality Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates debrief the men’s and women’s NCAA championship games. Purdue and Iowa both lost to UConn and South Carolina respectively, but at least the Big Ten was represented in the finals of both tournaments.

“I think what happened — if you want to draw parallels between the two — is they both ran into a really good team,” says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “South Carolina is deep and they are good. And the UConn men’s team is a complete team. They waltzed through this tournament two years in a row and that just doesn’t happen.”

Lucas notes that you can’t blame Big Ten stars Zach Edey and Caitlin Clark. They both scored 30 points (or more) in the finals.

“The Boilermakers had eight assists on 24 makes. All eight assists belong to one player, Brandon Smith. Nobody else had an assist in the game!” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “I wish Clark would have had a little help in that title game. The South Carolina bench outscored Iowa by 37 points.”

Also on the podcast, the veteran journalists examine why the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t clicking this season. Finally, Lucas and Oates discuss the solar eclipse.

“I never heard that phrase before, the path of totality,” says Oates. “I’ve also heard it called the zone of totality.”

“The zone of totality?” responds Lucas. “There’s no way that’s played in Wisconsin basketball.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Pressure is on UConn and the Brewers’ Home Opener Apr 02, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates analyze the men’s NCAA Final Four. Oates thinks UConn is still the team to beat.

“To some extent, the pressure is off Purdue and Alabama for getting to the Final Four. And even if there were pressure on NC State, they’d be oblivious to it. They don’t look like a team that was on the NCAA tournament bubble,” says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “UConn has just dominated teams in this tournament for two consecutive years. There’s a lot of pressure to repeat.”

So far in the tournament, the Huskies’ average margin of victory has been nearly 28 points. The veteran sports journalist thinks Purdue — assuming they overcome No. 11 seed NC State — may be able to stop UConn’s impressive streak.

“What I’m not sure about UConn is their outside shooting. It’s been hit or miss,” says Oates. “So if Purdue’s umbrella of outside shooters are hitting three-pointers, Purdue will win the game.”

Lucas thinks the Boilermakers’ star center Zach Edey will continue to keep frustrating players.

“We’ve seen Edey play really high-level basketball throughout his career. But I’ve never seen him better,” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “And Edey is getting the benefit of the doubt on foul calls. He drew 16 fouls against Tennessee. 16!”

Also on the podcast, Lucas and Oates can’t wait for the Milwaukee Brewers’ home opener.

“It’s a fan’s delight, opening day, because everyone is thinking about the future,” says Lucas. “Optimism covers the entire game itself.”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

How Wisconsin Squandered Connor Essegian's Shooting Skills Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

In this week's episode of The Wisconsin Sportscast, Mike Lucas and Tom Oates react to the news that the Badgers are losing sophomore guard Connor Essegian to the transfer portal. Last season, Essegian made the Big Ten’s All-Freshman team and played in every game. It was a different story this year.

“When Essegian had chances, he didn’t make the most of it. But the coaching staff didn't do him any favors,” says Oates, the former Wisconsin State Journal sports columnist. “There were multiple points this season when they could have used his scoring ability — or even the threat of him scoring Essegian was capable of averaging 11 or 12 points in the Big Ten and they essentially wasted his year.”

Lucas says Essegian remained an upbeat, team player despite averaging 20 fewer minutes per game compared to his first year with the Badgers.

“When he did enter the game, he seemed to rush himself knowing that he might not be out there for very long. So he took shots he wouldn’t have taken otherwise,” says Lucas, a Cap Times sports freelance writer and former radio color analyst for the Badgers. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes to Indiana. He’s a Hoosier. They could use some players, too.”

Essegian didn’t see any playing time during Wisconsin’s loss to James Madison in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. After a pretty good run in the Big Ten tourney, the veteran journalists say the Badgers lost their composure in Brooklyn.

“That was one of the worst first halves maybe ever,” says Lucas. “They picked it up in the second half but where was the fight in the first half?”

The Wisconsin Sportscast with Lucas & Oates is a Cap Times podcast produced by Dylan Brogan. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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