Morning State Sports Briefs: Bielema says UW can compete nationally for recruits

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MADISON - University of Wisconsin football coach Bret Bielema said the Badgers can compete with anybody in recruiting – and they proved it by getting quarterback Russell Wilson.

Bielema said yesterday that others were trying to get him by promising a starring role and a chance for a Heisman Trophy. But Bielema told him quote, “This is what we are – and if you want to fit into this, I think you can be tremendously successful.” The coach said he had to fight a national reputation that Wisconsin is just a run-oriented team – and he says people around the country don’t know how balanced the Badger offense can be. Bielema confirmed that Wilson was not offered the starting spot – but with only one year of eligibility, he does not expect Wilson to sit on the bench, either. Wilson was a three-year star at North Carolina State who lost his scholarship after playing minor league baseball. He has the ACC’s third-highest number of touchdown passes ever – 76 in three years. Bielema said he and his coaches were upfront with the team’s three inexperienced quarterbacks. Bielema said Jon Budmayr, who currently holds the Number-one job, took it well – and he promised not to change his preparation. Wilson is expected to arrive at UW-Madison next week to take summer classes and starting learning the Badger system.

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The Milwaukee Bucks plan to improve their backcourt with the acquisition of guard Ben Udrih. He was traded from Sacramento in last week’s three-team deal that also brought Steven Jackson to Milwaukee and sent John Salmons to the Kings. The 28-year-old Udrih is expected to get major minutes in a back-up role at both guard spots – similar to what Luke Ridnour did in his final years with the Bucks. At a news conference yesterday, Udrih said that role is fine with him. He started 64 games with Sacramento last year, but Udrih says starting is not important to him as long as he gets significant playing time. Bucks’ coach Scott Skiles says he’s especially impressed with Udrih’s toughness and solid shooting in the paint. He has made 70-percent of his shots around the rim during the past two seasons. Skiles says he can see having three point guards in the game at once. Udrih has been in the NBA since 2004 along with guard Shaun Livingston, who came to the Bucks from Charlotte in last week’s trade. He played 73 games off the bench for the Bobcats after coming off an injury the previous season – and he said his confidence is higher than ever. Skiles says the 6-7 Livingston can play at point guard and both forward spots – and he’ll be asked to play a number of roles with the Bucks.

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SCORES

In the Midwest League…

Peoria 4, Wisconsin 1

Clinton 4, Beloit 3 in 12 innings

Kane County 4, Burlington 1

Cedar Rapids 3, Quad Cities 1

South Bend 7, West Michigan 1

Lake County 13, Fort Wayne 3

Lansing 9, Dayton 5

Bowling Green 8, Great Lakes 6

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In the Northwoods League…

La Crosse 3, Eau Claire 1

Wisconsin 7, Madison 2 in Game-One

Madison 3, Wisconsin 2 in Game-Two

Wisconsin Rapids 4, Waterloo 1

Green Bay 8, Battle Creek 7 in 12 innings

Duluth 3, Saint Cloud 2

Thunder Bay 12, Mankato 2

Alexandria 4, Willmar 3 in 10 innings

Tags: wisconsin sports, sports, proam