The silver lining

Over beers last night, our traveling squad brainstormed reasons why the Badgers losing to Ohio State immediately in the Big Ten Tournament isn't so bad.

-The kids can get back to Madison and focus on their studies. ;)

-In past years, we've won the tournament and it has not helped our NCAA seeding. This year we won't have to worry about getting screwed like that.

-We can rest up before our possible first round NCAA Tournament game.

-Ohio State should definitely make the NCAAs now, and the Big Ten has a good chance to get more teams in than the Big East or ACC.

-When we make the finals our late-arriving fans have to play inflated ticket prices for the semifinals and finals. This year Badger fans get to reap the benefit of ticket demand, especially with four semifinalists with fan bases that travel well.

-In theory the official Wisconsin restaurant, Buffalo Wild Wings, should be less crowded. In theory.

-Barry Alvarez doesn't have to eat Embassy Suites breakfasts all weekend.