Dan’s Playbook of Thoughts

“Random sports thoughts that I’ve been thinking about lately..”

Hello!

As Jay-Z once said: "Allow me to reintroduce myself."

My name is Dan Kasper and I'm the sports guy on Sports Talk 105.1 and 790 AM. You're going to see me post more right here on Around the 715, because even though sports is my life and passion, I have other interests. Especially when it comes to Wisconsin and our area.

But, with all that being said, here comes another sports content piece. Because of course. But this is a bit different.

I have random sports thoughts that I just think about. I sit in my office, rest my chin on my fist and think about stuff that's going on in the sports world.

So instead of these random thoughts just sitting in my brain, I'm putting them down right here each week on Around the 715.

And I plan on having more stuff than just being a sports guy. Like bringing back "Legends of the 715" and "Mysteries of the 715", but with new twists. And adding "An Old Fashioned Fish Fry Tour", "Explore the 715", and "Sports Towns of the 715". OK, that's another sports one, but you get the idea.

Enough with the intro. Here's some random sports thoughts that are dancing around in my mind as of late:

• I don’t know what to make of this Badger men’s basketball team. I can see them getting to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8...or losing after Round 1. They got the talent to make a deep run, but when they play poorly, they can’t get out of their funk.
• Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh should hire someone who is familiar with Wisconsin basketball to be the new Badger women’s basketball coach. Either an assistant with another program that played in Wisconsin or a DIII coach like Brad Fischer from UW-Oshkosh.
• The first few days of NFL free agency is in the books and man, the NFC North is gonna be tough. Packers, Bears, Vikings, and Lions all made some big moves.
• The middle of March through April is the best time of year if you're a sports fan. NFL free agency begins, Opening Day in baseball, college basketball tournament, the NFL Draft, The Masters, and NBA and NHL are still going on.
• With the new video board coming to Carson Park, the Eau Claire Express baseball viewing experience is going to take a huge positive leap.
• I can’t remember the last time the Brewers had this much veteran starting pitching depth.
• Why can’t the Bucks beat the top teams in the Eastern Conference? Because they don’t have any consistent depth behind Giannis and Dame. Because of that, they won’t make it past the second round.
• Youth sports parents, some of you need to chill. If you’re that heavily invested in the success of a game (where they don’t even keep score), you’re in it for the wrong reasons. Let the kids play and have fun instead of preparing for their pro careers when they’re only 6, 7, 8 years old.
• I can’t wait to do my radio show from the NFL Draft next month. However, where the hell I’m going to park is giving me major anxiety. Add in the city of Green Bay doesn’t have a plan yet, just makes it worse.
• With high school basketball wrapping up their seasons and teams punching their tickets to state or making deep runs in the postseason is really making me miss my playing days and being a part of a team. One of the best things about sports is being a part of a team and being able to compete.