Wisconsin State Journal from Madison, Wisconsin • 13

qsgSHHWiai 1 1 ISCONSIN STVTE JOIRXAL FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011 no BIG BEAL A trade involving Paul, Gasol and Jr Odom is nixed by the NBA. page B2 1 JJ MADlSOH.COMSPORTS: BREAKING NEWS. BLOGS, VIDEO AND MORE BREWERS I UW FOOTBALL DOAK WALKER AWARD i i 7 Montee Ball is beaten by Trent Richardson of Alabama for the top. running back honor. By TOMMULHERN tmulhernmadison.com 608 252-6169 Montee Ball had to wait for his chance to be a running back.

When the University of Wisconsin junior started playing youth football, he was an offensive lineman due to weight restrictions. He then played linebacker before finally getting a chance to be a running back around eighth grade. Now, hes one of the best running backs in college football. Ball was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nations outstanding running back. The award went to Alabamas Trent Richardson on Thursday night at the college football awards show in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Oregons LaMichael James was the other finalist. Ball and UW senior guard Kevin Zeitler were named to the Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America second team, which also was revealed at the awards show. I remember when he told me, Dad, I want to be the best, Montee Ball Sr. said in a phone interview earlier Thursday about when his son was growing up. I told him, You will be; it just wont be today.

Please see CLASS, Page 84 KING State Journal archives Alex Gonzalez, 34, who made just 12 errors in 633 chances last season, has a career fielding percentage of .972. Defense receives upgrade Slick-fielding shortstop Alex Gonzalez agrees to a one-year deal. By DENNIS PUNZEL dpunzelmadison.com 608-252-6486 The Milwaukee Brewers put an emphasis on defense when they filled their vacancy at shortstop on Thursday by agreeing to a deal with free agent Alex Gonzalez. Gonzalez, a 12-year veteran who played for the Atlanta Braves last season, agreed to a one-year contract with a vesting option for 2013, according to FoxSports.com. The Brewers arent commenting until the deal becomes official when Gonzalez passes a physical exam, which is expected to happen early next week.

Gonzalez, who earned $2.75 million in 2011, is expected to come somewhat cheaper than the shortstop he replaces. Yuniesky 1 Please see GONZALEZ, Page B5 BASEBALL Heavenly day in L.A. The Angels land slugger Albert Pujols in a 10-year deal and pitcher C.J. Wilson. State Journal wire services The Los Angeles Angels made perhaps the biggest one-day free agent splash in baseball history and transformed themselves into legit -mate World Series contenders Thursday, spending about $331 million to acquire the games most feared slugger and one of its top pitchers.

Within a span of two frenzied early-morning hours at the winter meetings, the Angels reached agreements in principle with first baseman Albert Pujols on a 10-year, $254 million deal and ieft-hander C.J. Wilson on a five-year, $77.5 million deal. Bridesmaids in recent free agent pursuits the Angels failed in bids to sign Mark Teix-eira, Carl Crawford and Adrian Beltre the past two winters the Angels nabbed the two Please see PUJOLS, Page 85 Green Bay's James Starks has run for EVAN SIEGLE Green Bay Press Gazette 565 yards and one touchdown this season. Hes averaging 4.4 yards per carry. leads the nation with 32 rushing yards per game ranks fourth nationally.

PACKERS VS. RAIDERS When, where: 3 15 p.m. Sunday, Lambeau Field. TV: Ch. 3.

1 Line: Packers by 11. Inside: Packers sell 185.000 shares of stock in 48 hours. B3 today? I dont know. Im not sure, Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. Youd love to be able to manage reps in a situation where everybodys healthy and youre keeping guys carries down or snaps down, but I dont know that you want to do that in an injury setting.

I dont know that its good that youre ever Please see DEBATE, Page B3 BADGERS VS. NO. 1 MINN -DULUTH When, where: 7 tonight and 8 Saturday night, Kohl Center. TV: Big Ten Network tonight, TVW Saturday night. the past nine games and benefit -ted statistically and emotionally.

When Simonelli started working alongside Schultz on Oct. 29 against Nebraska-Omaha, he had two assists and was minus-2. Since then he has two goals and five assists and is plus -9. Its good to contribute and good to play with (No.) 6, Please see MATCH, Page B5 UW junior running back Montee Ball touchdowns and his average of 135.3 debate long awaited. Starks had surpassed Ryan Grant as the No.

1 back in 2011 until an awkward knee injury derailed things in Week 11. He now has been forced out of three consecutive games with knee and ankle injuries. Starks has not practiced this week and wont play against the Raiders on Sunday if he doesnt practice today. But should he be allowed to play even if he can practice center and fellow reigning Hobey finalist who is the top scorer for Minnesota-Duluth. They figure to share a lot of ice time tonight and Saturday night at the Kohl Center when the Badgers host the defending NCAA champions in Western Collegiate Hockey Association senes.

Its a marquee matchup, UW coach Mike Eaves said. It's a good highlight for this weekend. Thats where Simonelli comes in. The sophomore defenseman has been paired with Schultz for 3 I I I Healthy public without dealing with a significant injury. That may not sound like much, but it was a considerable stretch for someone who missed his senior season at Buffalo because of shoulder surgery, all of the preseason and the first 11 games of his rookie season because of a hamstring injury and two other regular-season games because of the hamstring.

A run of good health had been James Starks is nursing an ankle injuiy, and could become fully healed with extended rest. By KAREEM COPELAND Green Bay Press-Gazette GREEN BAY Green Bay Packers running back James Starks played 14 consecutive NFL games between 2010 and 2011 UW MEM'S HOCKEY Simonelli The defenseman has excelled since his pairing with junior All-American Justin Schultz. By ANDY BAGGOT abaggotmadison.com 608 252 6175 Two of the most dynamic offensive forces in college mens hockey are about to match agendas and no one will have a better vantage point than Frankie Simonelli. meets perfect match Sophomore Frankie Simonelli has the best plus-minus (plus-7) on the Badgers. A- jk Over here you have Justin Schultz, the junior All -America defenseman and Hobey Baker Award finalist from last season who leads the University of Wisconsin in scoring.

Over there you have Jack Connolly, the senior All-America.