Good morning, it is Thursday of North Central Week

- The fan bus to Saturday’s Warhawk playoff game in Naperville is full. No more reservations are being taken. Go Hawks!!

- Aaron Rusch is NOT one of the four finalists for the 2010 Gagliardi Trophy that will presented during Stagg Bowl week in Salem, Virginia. Rowan defensive end Matt Hoffman, Louisiana College quarterback Ben McLaughlin, Franklin quarterback Kyle Ray and Trine quarterback Eric Watt are the four finalists. A wide receiver has not captured the award since St. Johns' "Mr. Everything," Blake Elliott in 2003.

- Saturday’s NCAA Division III quarterfinal game with North Central College will be the second time in three seasons the two teams have met in the playoffs. The Warhawks defeated NCC 59-28 in 2007 second round playoff action at Perkins Stadium. While the 2007 version of NCC had a prolific offense, this year’s version features a dynamic defense.

- North Central has dominated the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin much like UW-Whitewater has dominated the WIAC in recent years. NCC has won the last five CCIW titles. UWW has captured the WIAC championship the past six seasons.

- Remember back in 2005 when the Warhawks began its current run of playoff success and UWW fans were so upset at St. Johns and Linfield chat room posters telling us how good they were and Whitewater had no chance to beat them (which they did). Am I crazy or are Warhawk posters acting a little full of themselves this year? No. 1 rule is respect your opponent!

- The UW-Whitewater men’s basketball team defeated UW-La Crosse 73-60 at Kachel Gym Wednesday night in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Chris Davis was the game's leading scorer, 24 points, and rebounder, 10 boards. Antone Byrd scored 19 points and handed out a game high six assists. Byrd went 8-12 from the field and 2-2 from the line. And Alex Edmunds contributed 16 points, making all six of his field goal attempts.

- For the second time in this early season the University of Warhawk women's basketball team knocked off a nationally ranked team on the road. UW-W defeated UW-La Crosse , unbeaten and ranked seventeenth in the ESPN/USA Today Division III Poll, 83-62 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams. Chantell Burg and Courtney Kumerow led UW-W in scoring with 17 points apiece, with freshman Kaitlan Thill adding 12 and Mary Merg 11. Thill's line also included six rebounds, seven steals, five assists -- and no turnovers from her point guard position.

- Both teams will be in Menomonie Saturday for a men’s-women’s doubleheader at Johnson Field House. Both games can be heard live on KOOL 106.5.