By Adam Roberts – 7/1/2021

A few years ago, I wrote an article on the rise of esports around the world over the last 10 years. Since that article, the world of esports has continued to permeate into the mainstream. It’s to the point now where colleges and universities are committing resources to build competitive esports programs for their students.

One such college is WTC in La Crosse, which last month launched the Western Cavaliers Esports Team. The university has a dedicated gaming facility called the Cavalier Arena which will serve as home base for the school’s teams once competition begins next fall. Today the school now also has their first head coach ready to guide the inaugural season of WTC esports.

Cody Murphy has been announced as the first head coach of the program, a two-time graduate of the college with degrees in both Criminal Justice and Computer Support Specialist. When not prepping for the fall, Murphy can be found working on computers in the Lunda Center as a PC support technician.

If you are interested in learning more about esports at Western, visit www.westerntc.edu/esports or email athletic director Ryan Monroe at [email protected].

By Adam Roberts – 6/30/2021

The two teams playing in the Eastern Conference Finals are probably the two teams remaining this postseason who are completely different teams if their number one guy is not on the floor.

Entering Game Five tomorrow, it’s possible both #1s will not be able to play.

The Bucks are holding their breath as star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo battles a left knee injury. Antetokounmpo exited Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals in the second half after hyperextending his left knee. He left for the locker room before coming back to the bench and leaving again. He missed the remainder of the Bucks’ 110-88 loss to the Hawks on a night where Trae Young was out with a bone bruise.

Even before the injury, Milwaukee appeared to be playing very uninspired basketball with a chance to go up three games to one; the Bucks scored just 38 points in the first half. So far this morning there has been no word on whether or not Giannis will be out tomorrow, out for the series, or out for the remainder of the postseason. Typically a hyperextension requires two to four weeks of recovery with limited activity that could further aggravate the injury, and the last thing Milwaukee would want to do is pull a Warriors-with-KD scenario and force their star back too soon.

The series is now tied at two games apiece. Our coverage begins at 7pm!

By Adam Roberts – 6/29/2021

The West Salem boy’s basketball program has a new leader, and it’s somebody with more than enough experience to qualify them for the role.

Athletic director Ryan Olson announced earlier today that Mark Wagner will be the new head coach for Panther boy’s basketball starting this upcoming season. Prior to his arrival in West Salem, Mark has accumulated 20 years of high school coaching experience and a number of years coaching at the collegiate level as well. Between high school and college Wagner has racked up 484 all-time victories.

Wagner last coached high schoolers in 2018, his final year for conference rival GET. He takes over for Steve Kastenschmidt who resigned after last season with a 47-41 overall record.

By Adam Roberts – 6/28/2021

While all the Badger news today likely is circulating around Graham Mertz and his new logo, there is some other Badger news today.

The basketball team is scheduled to head to Atlanta on December 1st for the annual ACC/Big Ten Challenge against Georgia Tech. Recall last season the 17-9, 11-6 Yellow Jackets won the ACC Tournament and were led by now-graduated conference Player Of The Year Moses Wright. This year, Tech will be led by Michael Devoe, a three-point shooter who made 40 percent of those shots in 20-21, and on defense by Jordan Usher.

Wisconsin took a depleted Louisville team to the cleaners in the challenge last season 85-45 against a Cardinals team ravaged by COVID at the time. Overall, the Badgers are 11-11 in the Challenge, but are 3-8 on the road.

Other notable Challenge games this season include Duke at Ohio State, Michigan State at home against Louisville, and Michigan at North Carolina.

By Adam Roberts – 6/28/2021

The night started out quite poorly for the Milwaukee Bucks last night in Atlanta, giving many people trepidation that playoff Bucks basketball from the last few seasons was about to rear its ugly head.

Cue Playoff Khris Middleton.

Unlike postseasons of late, this run for Milwaukee has seen a handful of clutch rebound performances for the team. Look to Game Seven of the Nets series or Game Two of this current ECF series against the Hawks. Last night’s rebound was in-game, with Middleton scoring a playoff career high-tying 38 in a 113-102 Milwaukee win. Middleton went 6-11 on contested shots in the fourth quarter while scoring 20 of his 38, and hit six of his 12 three point attempts on the night.

On the other side of the ball, Atlanta’s Trae Young suffered a freak ankle sprain after stepping on an official’s foot, slowing down what was once again the primary source of Atlanta’s offensive output. He played in the fourth quarter but appeared to be in at least a little pain. *UPDATE* Young is officially listed as questionable for Game Four with a bone bruise in his right foot.

The Bucks take a 2-1 series lead into Game Four; coverage begins at 7pm tomorrow evening on ESPN La Crosse 105.5 and here on espnlacrosse.com!