Bucks Break

Eying the return of Michael Redd from injury, I have witnessed both rookie sensation Brandon Jennings and the Milwaukee Bucks as a whole hit a mini-skid (coinciding with higher quality opponents). Jennings is hitting 29% of his shots since Redd reappeared and the Bucks are 0-4 in that span.

Could it be that the team is having trouble integrating Redd back into the flow in the aftermath of BJ's ascension as the team's top dog? Or maybe Andrew Bogut is actually a very valuable piece of the puzzle after all.

Fortunately, if the season ended today, Milwaukee would still be good enough to earn a 6-seed in this year's NBA Playoffs thanks to the ghastly Eastern Conference. Until they clinch an actual spot, I suppose I will keep flipping by the games on TV only to be disappointed by the sight of Luke Ridnour playing instead of Jennings. I have had little luck in catching Jennings play this year.

Despite a good start to the season that has increased their chances of advancing to the playoffs, the Bucks are still far from a favorite, odds-wise. When browsing a sports book online betting site, I see that Milwaukee (+15,000) is still behind 20 or so teams when it comes to odds of winning an NBA title this year.

National Signing Day

Welcome Evan Anderson, Josh Gasser and last-minute commitment Duje Dukan to the Wisconsin family officially as all three signed their national Letters of Intent today. Dukan verballed to Bo Ryan on Tuesday to give the Class of 2010 one ballhandler, one shooter and one big man. The class is not wowing the media, but a classic and balanced group of Badgers.

While in past seasons Wisconsin has been ahead of the curve in recruiting, the team only has one 2011 verbal commitment at this time, with many more scholarship spots to fill. In addition to this year's high school juniors, the staff will be hitting the pavement hard in the 2012 class as well, going after guys like Peoria's Bobo Drummond.

And, oh yeah, Wisconsin spanked UW-Superior in their final exhibition tune-up on Wednesday, 80-47, behind the near triple-double of Trevon Hughes. [box score] I don't put much stock in these exhibition games. Since I didn't follow the game I cannot comment on it, but the regular season is now just a few days away.

I was not able to catch the game since I am in New York all week, but I was able to watch ex-Badger Marcus Landry for the first time as an NBA player. It was also my first trip to the basketball mecca that is Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks found another way to give a game away. Landry saw action in the final minute or so, and thankfully avoided entry into Club Trillion. He played just enough to commit one foul, corral one rebound and hoist one jumper. It was a good time -- $10 tickets and plenty of room to maneuver courtside after halftime.

On a final NBA note, Milwaukee rookie Brandon Jennings continues to remove all doubt that he will be a star in this league, scoring 32 points in a win over Denver. Most of the internet is abuzz over this early candidate for Rookie of the Year [video], though not all agree. Jennings he may end up being a shoot-first point guard, but so what? He is actually bringing *gasp* excitement back into the Bucks equation. I would buy a ticket to a "Jennings game" any day over a "Michael Redd game."