. His size made him easier to spot for fans who leaned on chain-link fenc

MILWAUKEE -- As a native of the state, Greg Gard has no problem understanding the significance of the Wisconsin-Marquette rivalry, which continues Saturday morning when the teams meet at the Bradley Center for the 123rd installment of a series that dates to 1917.Gard has had a front-row seat for the last 13 meetings between the two teams, serving as top assistant to Bo Ryan, but this will be his first as head coach, having taken over for Ryan just days after Marquette stunned the Badgers 57-55 a year ago in Madison.You appreciate the tradition you appreciate the games that have taken place in the past ... just the players that have played in that game, the coaches that have coached in it, Gard said. Obviously you have two programs in the state who have had success. You appreciate those things.The Badgers (8-2) come to Milwaukee ranked No. 17 in the nation and on a roll, having won four in a row and seven of their last eight, with only a loss to then-No. 4 North Carolina during that stretch.Nigel Hayes scored a season-high 28 points against Oklahoma last weekend and is shooting 58.3 percent from the field during those four games.Wisconsins defense has been strong too, holding eight of the last eight opponents to season-low scoring totals and is fourth in the nation with a plus-14.5 rebounding margin.But that defense will be tested by Marquettes talented sophomore backcourt of Traci Carter and Hannif Cheatham while senior 7-footer Luke Fischer is an imposing force in the middle and Sam Hauser has been dangerous from long distance.During its five-game winning streak, Fischer is 31-for-36 from the field and Hauser is hitting 3-pointers at a 56 percent clip (14-of-25) for Marquette (7-2).Its really exciting to play them, said Hauser, a native of Stevens Point, Wis., earlier this week. Its a big game for all of us. We really have to lock in these next two days and prepare and buy into the details of what theyre going to do and how were going to defend it. ... Were 2-0 so far this week and looking to make it 3-0.Carter, averaging 4.3 points and 3.6 assists per game, sat out Marquettes 84-81 victory over Fresno State earlier this week with a sore left knee and is considered day-to-day, according to head coach Steve Wojciechowski.He had a couple knee surgeries in high school, Wojciechowski said. Its not a surgery thing (this time), hes just got to feel better.Wojciechowski will be facing the Badgers for third time in his head coaching career.What Ive seen is one of the best teams in the United States, Wojciechowski said. The very first thing you recognize with them is they have a tremendous amount of winning experience. They have guys who are in supremely key roles that are accustomed to winning. (Bronson) Koenig and Hayes have been a part of I dont know how many wins there, (Zak) Showalters the same.Wisconsin has won three of the last five meetings between the two teams in Milwaukee and 11 of the last 20 games overall.Kirk Cousins Vikings Jersey For Sale . -- The Portland Timbers and Real Salt Lake played to a 0-0 tie Saturday night that left the top of the Western Conference standings unchanged. Stefon Diggs Vikings Jersey . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. http://www.fansvikingsteamstore.com/ . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. Kirk Cousins Vikings Jersey China . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. Adam Thielen Jersey Sales .S District Court against Major League Baseball, the Office of the Commissioner and his own union, the MLBPA.PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Tim Tebow has an answer ready for the?New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns?and any other NFL team with a void at quarterback: Hes a baseball player now.After taking part in his first day of the?New York Mets instructional league, Tebow said he is committed to his new sport and has no interest in fielding calls from NFL teams that have a need at quarterback because of an injury.I have to play baseball now -- thats what I would tell them, Tebow said. Im part of the Mets family now.Tebow signed a minor league contract with the Mets for a $100,000 bonus 11 days ago after an open tryout in Los Angeles in late August. He last wore a football uniform during the 2015 NFL preseason with the?Philadelphia Eagles; his previous stops include the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Patriots.Tebow joined 57 other minor leaguers and 24 coaches Monday at the Instructional League, which runs for three weeks at the Mets spring training complex at Tradition Field. More than 400 fans and about 70 media members watched him take part in a variety of drills and routine baseball activities for about two hours.Before donning a Mets uniform, Tebow last played organized baseball as a high school outfielder in suburban Jacksonville in 2005. He gave up baseball at the University of Florida and went on to win a Heisman Trophy and lead the Gators to two national titles.During a 30-minute news conference Monday, Tebow said he is unconcerned with the negative fallout from critics who have called his foray into baseball a publicity stunt and have written off his chances for success.The good thing is, I dont have to say anything, Tebow said. I get to go in the locker room, get a workout, take a shower, hang out with my teammates and show up tomorrow and go train again.A lot of people might say, You have a chip on your shoulder. Well, I guess I have a little chip. But its not really the naysayers. I want to prove the Mets organization and the coaches here right, and try to be the best baseball player and person that I can. Im doing it to pursue whats in my heart and live out a dream and live life to the fullest.Tebows first day was relatively uneventful. At 10 a.m. ET, he took the field for 15 minutes of stretching. Then he participated in baserunning drills and shagged balls in the outfield before taking soft tosses from coaches and stepping in the batting cage.Although Tebow didnt hit any home runs in batting practice, he made solid contact throughout his four sessions in the cage and drove two balls off the right-field fence. The crowd cheered him after every round.Mets manager Terry Collins checked in with his counnterparts in Florida, including rehab coordinator Jon Debus, after Mondays workout to see how Tebow performed.ddddddddddddThey said it was pretty interesting, Collins said. ... Jon said, Ive seen a lot of guys work hard. He said, This guys a monster. He said he was sweating pretty profusely at the end of the day, but he said he was in good shape.He said everything he did, he got a round of applause. So Im sure it was fun.Timmy Truong, a 2015 University of Florida graduate, was among many Gators fans who showed up for the workout. The fans mobbed Tebow for autographs, and he signed for about five minutes on a back field before heading to the main complex in a golf cart to meet the media.If you went to UF, you know Tim Tebow, Truong said. You have to come out and show him some respect for what he brought to the school. Im pretty sure 90 percent of the people here are for Tim Tebow -- not for the Mets.At age 29, Tebow is significantly older than the other players in Port St. Lucie. Pitcher Cameron Griffin is the second-oldest player at 25, and pitchers Keaton Aldridge and Ronald Sanchez are the only other Instructional Leaguers older than 23.Standing 6-foot-3, 255 pounds -- with roughly 7 percent body fat -- Tebow is also significantly bigger and more muscular than the other campers. His size made him easier to spot for fans who leaned on chain-link fences as he shagged fly balls or ran sprints in the distance.In addition to widespread skepticism about his playing ability, Tebow has received some criticism for his plan to leave the Instructional League each week to continue his TV work with ESPNs SEC Nation. He said he will typically leave Port St. Lucie on Friday morning and return on Saturday after his analyst duties are complete.When I give my word to somebody, Im going to keep it no matter what, Tebow said. This is something I had to do because I gave my word to my SEC family. Im a big believer in that. Its how I was raised. Thats what I want my integrity to stand for. When I give my word on something, I want it to mean something.Tebow said he plans to develop one-on-one relationships with his younger teammates in camp and address any issues that might arise. At the moment, his specialized schedule doesnt appear to be a problem.In the course of talking with guys, a couple of them have already brought it up, Tebow said. Theyre like, So youre flying to Auburn this weekend? Some of them are already trying to get college football advice.ESPNs Adam Rubin contributed to this report. ' ' '