Wisconsin (5-6) will take on Minnesota (6-5) in their final game of the season in a battle for the Axe, as well as bowl eligibility. The Gophers are a team who seem much better than their record after losing by just one point to No. 4 Penn State last week. It’s a rivalry game of course, so the tensions will be high, but it also has many more implications for the Badgers moving forward. So how do we see this one ending up?

After everyone went all in on Wisconsin last week, not all the writers are so quick to choose the Badgers this time around. After an utterly disgustingly display against Nebraska, Wisconsin now has one final chance to reach six wins for the season and become bowl eligible. The stakes are high, but yet our confidence is low, with most of us deciding to go against Wisconsin this week and opt for the Gophers instead.

A loss, and the Badgers will end the season with a losing record and no bowl game, something that hasn’t happened in 23 years. Commitments and jobs will certainly be up in the air if Wisconsin fails to retain Paul Bunyan’s Axe. A win though, and the Badgers will keep the bowl-streak alive. Still, it feels like the season fell a little short of expectations regardless of the outcome in this one, but a win will fix a lot.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAW) -With the cut of a ribbon, the holiday festivities began in Wisconsin Rapids.

This year, they started the night with a bridge lighting ceremony to celebrate the new lights that were installed on bridges downtown.

Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher says, “It is beautiful, you see it in other cities around the state that have spent the money on making it happen.”

The lights took four months to install and will be a permanent fixture in the community, used for celebrations and events in the future.

Soon, other lights came into view as the holiday parade kicked off. From fire trucks to beloved characters, it’s a perfect holiday tradition.

Brennan Agen, who brought his children to the parade, said, “The excitement in everybody and the holiday spirit just brings cheer to everybody.”

This year, organizers wanted to bring a little extra to the event. From the bridge lighting ceremony, a food truck, and around 70 floats, there was plenty to enjoy. Even a special after party with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Some favorites from the kids were the trucks, and of course, the candy.

Copyright 2024 WSAW. All rights reserved.

Former Wisconsin basketball guard Chucky Hepburn put together his best performance of the 2024-25 season in the Louisville Cardinals’ blowout win over No. 14 Indiana on Wednesday.

As one of eight teams competing in the Battle 4 Atlantis non-conference tournament, Louisville decimated the No. 14-ranked Hoosiers 89-61 on Wednesday morning.

Hepburn was absolutely electric on both sides of the floor. In 29 minutes of action, the former Badger star registered 16 points, a season-high 10 assists and seven steals. Those numbers came on 7-of-10 shooting and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.

https://twitter.com/jaypo1961/status/1861848001687232796

Through five games with the Cardinals, Hepburn is responsible for averages of 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.8 steals in over 27 minutes per game. As of Nov. 27, his 3.8 swipes per contest are the second-best in the nation behind only UC San Diego’s Hayden Gray (3.86 SPG).

Hepburn, who flashed his defensive brilliance during his tenure in Madison, is morphing into one of college basketball’s most pesky perimeter defenders. He is also proving his worth on the offensive end — the guard is shooting over 51% from the floor for the Cardinals to start the season.

In 103 career appearances with Wisconsin from 2021-24, the point guard averaged 32.1 minutes per game, 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals on 42% shooting and 36% from three-point range.

In his absence, the Badgers have leaned on star wing John Tonje and sophomore guard John Blackwell. Wisconsin is off to a red-hot 8-0 start to the season and currently sits at No. 15 in the latest AP Poll.