Tennessee football receives commitment from a Big 12 lineman in the NCAA transfer portal.
Arizona offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. committed to Tennessee from the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday, according to Pete Nakos of On3.
Moe Jr. committed to the Vols over several schools, including Auburn and Miami.
The 6-foot-2, 339 pound transfer went to Arizona from Long Beach Poly High School in Long Beach, California.
He was ranked as the No. 153 player in the NCAA transfer portal and the No. 11 interior offensive lineman. As a high school prospect, Moe Jr. ranked as the No. 78 interior offensive lineman and No. 148 prospect in California, according to 247Sports.
He started in 11-of-12 games for Arizona in 2024 and also earned second-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2023.
Moe Jr. committed to the Wildcats on April 30, 2022. He is the first NCAA transfer portal addition for Tennessee following the 2024 regular season.
The Saints were linked to Tetairoa McMillan in this 2025 mock draft. He would bring a physical element they haven’t had since Michael Thomas was in his prime:
The New Orleans Saints are teetering on the brink of joining teams whose fans start to think more about mock drafts than upcoming games.
There is certainly still a future where the Saints sneak into the postseason, but a more realistic path may be one that has them drafting in the top 10. That’s the future that The Athletic’s Dane Brugler looked at in his latest mock draft.
With the No. 10 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft, New Orleans took Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. This is what Brugler had to say about the potential pick:
“Even with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed expected back in the fold next year, the Saints need more playmaking size at receiver. McMillan isn’t going to blow away teams with his 40-yard dash, but his catch-point skills will win over NFL coaches. Using his Gumby-ish adjustment skills, he does an outstanding job expanding his catch radius, high pointing and becoming a threat as a ball carrier.”
While it may seem rash to jump to adding another wide receiver, it might actually be the best thing for the team. The defense is aging, but still performing at a high level. As long as they can keep a couple of vets around, they should be fine to compete.
Keeping the same offense again next season would be malpractice. It is clear that Derek Carr needs even more help than Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are healthy. McMillan would provide a completely new element to this roster of a fast, sure-handed, go-up-and-get-it receiver they haven’t had since Michael Thomas was in his prime.
The result carries significant weight, but so does the Badgers’ form in the win. The team crossed the 100-point mark against a power conference opponent for the first time since 1993. It was an offensive display that would’ve seemed impossible for previous Wisconsin teams — even from those just a few years ago.
Everything about the win is a direct testament to the job done by Greg Gard leading the program forward amid changes to the sport’s landscape.
First, the Badgers attempted 27 3-pointers and 25 2-pointers, making 12 and 13, respectively. That new analytics-driven offensive approach has revolutionized the offense, a portion of the program that was in disarray as recently as two years ago. Gard’s hire of assistant Kirk Penney and willingness to evolve are at the heart of the change.
Next, Gard continues to score big by landing underrated players in the transfer portal. Last year, it was A.J. Storr and Max Klesmit. This year, John Tonje already looks like the steal of the offseason. His 41 points and program-record 21 free throws on 22 attempts powered Wisconsin’s win. Despite losing high-profile players Storr and Chucky Hepburn to the portal, Gard has given a blueprint of how traditionally-developmental programs can thrive in the current era.
Third, Wisconsin is still defined by its same identity, led by a culture of player development and buy-in. Max Klesmit and Kamari McGee embody that culture. McGee especially, who joined the Badgers after one year at UW-Green Bay without any playing time assurances. He’s taken substantial leaps each season and is now a key cog in the team’s rotation.
While it sounds cliche, that identity of development flies directly in the face of the modern age of the sport. But it has always defined Wisconsin basketball, and continues to do so.
Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard is shown during the second half of their game Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.Unranked Wisconsin upset Arizona 103-88. Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Gard has done more to improve the program than just those three focuses listed. But when discussing why Wisconsin scored 103 points in a signature win over No. 9 Arizona, those three are driving reasons — a new-age offensive approach, effective transfer portal recruiting and the same culture of development.
In other words, Gard recognized where the program had fallen behind after it missed the 2023 NCAA Tournament (offense). He rebuilt the offense that offseason, leading to a top-25 unit in 2023-24. Early signs in 2024-25 point to even further improvement. He’s done it all while maintaining Wisconsin’s age-old identity.
The football program should take notice of the basketball program’s success.
Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh took a big risk in shaking up the program by hiring up-and-coming coach Luke Fickell in 2022. That hire still makes sense, even with the benefit of hindsight. Fickell was among the hottest names in the profession, was succeeding at a Group of Five school and had extensive Big Ten ties. Gard’s success doesn’t make McIntosh’s hire of Fickell the wrong one.
It does, however, highlight the key differences between the programs.
Fickell’s subsequent hire of coordinator Phil Longo took Wisconsin away from its classic form and approach. The offense hasn’t taken a step forward since the hire. If anything, it’s regressed.
The same can arguably said for Mike Tressel’s defense.
The Badgers’ 42-10 loss at Iowa (329 rushing yards and 6.1 yards per carry allowed) in Week 10 was an unfortunate signal of what those changes have allowed — a further departure from the classic identity that built the program in the first place.
Wisconsin basketball made forward-thinking changes with its offensive plan. Those changes made the program an even more attractive destination for the exact type of players it needs — talented wing scorers. Tonje embodies that role. Importantly, these are players Wisconsin clearly has the ability to land; it has landed several in a row with Johnny Davis, Storr and now Tonje.
Most importantly, amid that plan to grow and evolve, the program’s identity didn’t change.
Wisconsin football attempted those same changes, designed to make the program an attractive destination for the nation’s top talent. The problem: Wisconsin doesn’t land that top talent. Longo’s offense likely will not reach its heights unless Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, Travis Hunter, Drake Maye or Arch Manning walk through the door. That just isn’t a very realistic outcome.
Then in attempting those changes, the program appears to have sacrificed its age-old identity. Fans of the current football coaching staff or not, it’s hard to argue against that reality. Barry Alvarez himself didn’t argue it when given the chance on radio last week.
So whatever follows this offseason, coaching changes or not, Wisconsin football should take notes from the basketball program. Evolving doesn’t just mean changing, it means finding ways to grow on the same foundation upon which the house is built.
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The Badgers are 4-0 after the statement victory. The team, which had tempered expectations entering the year, appears to again be one of the Big Ten’s best.
Those season expectations should rise as the team flashes top form during nonconference play. It will be tested once the Big Ten schedule begins, especially with the inclusion of the conference’s new members.
Before that point, it’s worth documenting the team’s ascension in rating metrics and national rankings. KenPom and ESPN BPI are taking note of the Badgers’ stellar start to the season:
ESPN BPI: No. 23 overall (up six spots) — 14.2 rating, 20.6 – 9.4 projected record, 15.4% chance to win Big Ten Conference
Wisconsin is sure to enter the AP Poll Top 25 when it is updated to start the week. It should hold ranking with a home game against UT-Rio Grande on Monday before a weekend trip to the Greenbrier Tip-Off, which includes Pittsburgh, Central Florida and LSU.
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Wisconsin wing John Tonje continued his torrid start to the 2024-25 season on Friday night, leading the Badgers to a signature win over No. 9 Arizona.
With program legend Bo Ryan honored at halftime and the Badgers’ 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams in the building, the transfer wing came within a basket of breaking Frank Kaminsky’s single-game program scoring record (43 points).
Instead, he had to settle for the following stat line: 41 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal on 8-of-14 shooting, 4-of-6 from three and 21-of-22 from the free throw line.
Those 21 free throws broke a program record, previously held by Nigel Hayes (17 made free throws on Jan. 26, 2016).
John Tonje just broke the record for most free throws in a game for the #Badgers. He's 18-for-19.
Tonje’s exceptional foul-line performance was part of Wisconsin shooting 87.2% (41-of-47) overall from the line, a decisive factor in the team’s signature victory. The Badgers entered the contest ranked No. 2 in the nation shooting 92.5% from the charity stripe. Tonje’s performance against the Wildcats embodies a critical combination of volume and efficiency, creating a margin that a top team in Arizona was unable to overcome.
Tonje’s performance continues to be among the biggest stories of Wisconsin’s season to date. He’s up to 94 total points over the four contests (23.5 points per game), seamlessly filling the scoring vacancy created by A.J. Storr’s offseason departure to Kansas.
The Badgers improve to 4-0 on the season with the statement victory. Most importantly, it appears that Greg Gard has found another big-time transfer addition.
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RECAP: John Tonje leads Wisconsin to signature win over No. 9 Arizona
This story was updated to change a photo.
Wisconsin basketball picked up a statement victory on Friday — a 103-88 triumph over the No. 9-ranked Arizona Wildcats.
Transfer wing John Tonje headlined the Badgers’ performance. He finished with 41 points on 8-of-14 shooting and 21-of-22 from the free-throw line. Those 41 points came within just two points of breaking Frank Kaminsky’s single-game program scoring record (43 points), while the 21 free throw makes did break the program’s previous record of 17 (Nigel Hayes, Jan. 26, 2016).
Wisconsin’s performance was again led by great three-point and free-throw shooting. Greg Gard’s team shot 48% from the floor, 44.4% from three (12-of-27) and 87.2% from the charity stripe (41-of-47). 103-point outings would have sounded impossible for previous iterations of the Badgers. Gard’s new-look, analytics-driven approach is leading to substantial results.
John Blackwell and Max Klesmit combined for 27 points in the victory, walk-on guard Jack Janicki played a big role with nine points off the bench, transfer forward Xavier Amos finished with eight points with two three-pointers made and Kamari McGee continued to excel in his role off the bench.
Every stat leads back to Tonje, who has given Wisconsin a dominant scoring presence that it desperately needed after A.J. Storr’s offseason departure. Tonje’s play and the Badgers’ big win should start to alter expectations moving forward.
Wisconsin improves to 4-0 on the young season with the statement victory. Arizona, meanwhile, drops to 2-1. The Badgers are sure to enter the AP Poll when it is updated next week.
Wisconsin returns to the court on Monday against UT-Rio Grande before a weekend road trip to the Greenbrier Classic.
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Wisconsin legend Bo Ryan immortalized in Kohl Center rafters
This story was updated to change a photo.
For the first time, a Wisconsin coach has been immortalized in the Kohl Center rafters.
That is program legend Bo Ryan, who was honored with a ceremony at halftime of the Badgers’ matchup against the No. 9-ranked Arizona Wildcats on Friday.
Ryan and the rest of Wisconsin’s 2014 and 2015 Final Four teams were honored as the 2024-25 team battled the Wildcats — a team that lost to Wisconsin during each of those Final Four runs. The occasion was the 10-year anniversary of the first run, as well as Ryan being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year.
Ryan’s name now hangs in the rafters alongside program legends Frank Kaminsky, Michael Finley and Ab Nicholas.
The banner only includes his name and his coaching tenure — both assistant and head coach. An expansion to include career honors, records and awards would stretch far past the allotted length.
Nov 15, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Former Wisconsin men’s basketball coach Bo Ryan (sport coat front) is shown with his family while being honored at halftime of their game Friday, November 15, 2024 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin.Unranked Wisconsin upset Arizona 103-88. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Ryan’s Hall of Fame career includes a 394-157 overall record (364-130 at Wisconsin), three Big Ten tournament titles, four Big Ten regular season titles, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances in 14 seasons, four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards and, as highlighted, those two Final Four runs in 2014 and 2015.
He was the driving force behind the most successful run in Wisconsin basketball history.
Wisconsin now returns for the second half looking to repeat Ryan’s success against the Wildcats. The Badgers built a 55-44 halftime lead in what was a high-flying opening period.
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A Phoenix company that relocates rattlesnakes issued the photo challenge after being summoned to a residence to capture the reptile.
–A version of this post was published by FTW Outdoors in 2021.
A Phoenix-based company that relocates rattlesnakes reported by concerned residents has quizzed Facebook followers by posting the accompanying image and asking:
“Western Diamondback Rattlesnake spotted in a backyard by Dave recently. See it?” (Answer at the bottom of this story.)
Can you spot the rattlesnake? Photo: Rattlesnake Solutions
While many will spot the rattlesnake after a brief inspection, the image reveals how adept rattlesnakes are at blending into their surroundings.
The image was posted to Facebook by Rattlesnake Solutions, which operates in Phoenix and Tucson. The company is licensed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and maintains that snakes are not harmed during capture or relocation.
Many in the comments section correctly described the location of the rattlesnake in the image. But some were merely intrigued by the prospect of discovering a rattlesnake in one’s yard.
Reads one comment: “Not your average backyard thankfully! Note to self – do not buy a house with a backyard with rocks to hide under in Arizona, in fact buy a condo on the 12th floor!”
For those who would like conformation that their guesses are correct, the snake is circled in the image posted below.
Western diamondback rattlesnake circled in red. Photo: Rattlesnake Solutions
The western diamondback rattlesnake had blended almost perfectly into its surroundings near a Tucson home.
–In May we featured an image from Arizona as part of a quiz challenging readers to spot a camouflaged rattlesnake. Below is a repost for those interested in testing their spotting skills.
An Arizona company that relocates rattlesnakes reported by concerned residents has been busy dealing with snakes flushed by rain from more remote hiding spots.
Rattlesnake Solutions shared the accompanying image showing one such reptile: a western diamondback rattlesnake hiding in a new and “less ideal” spot near a Tucson home.
Can you spot the rattlesnake in the accompanying image? (Answer at the bottom of this post.)
Rattlesnake in hiding. Photo courtesy of Rattlesnake Solutions
It’s a difficult quiz for many because only a small part of the snake is visible. Dozens of followers chimed in on the Rattlesnake Solutions Facebook post.
The Irish are gonna get some sun before they get some turkey in a couple of years.
Imagine being a college basketball fan and knowing part of your team’s schedule two years in advance. It’s not college football when you often know who your team is playing a decade or more in advance. Both sports are just different.
This will be the Irish’s fifth appearance in the tournament, in which they have an all-time record of 8-5. They last competed in 2021 when COVID-19 forced the tournament to be relocated from Hawaii to Las Vegas. They won this tournament in 2017 with [autotag]Matt Farrell[/autotag] receiving tournament MVP honors.
So if you love Notre Dame hoops and want to do something during Thanksgiving week two years from now, might we suggest making the trip to Hawaii to watch these games?
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