Rutledge and Hamilton Wisconsin On Demand

Jim Rutledge and Matt Hamilton hop on early for Cross-talk with the guys from Kyle, Brust and Nortman broadcasting live from the newly-opened Potawatomi Sportsbook. For maybe the first and only time ever, Jim and Kyle agree on something -- the Bucks need to get younger on more athletic after being bounced in the first-round of the playoffs for the second-year in a row!

Jim Rutledge and Matt Hamilton roll into a soggy Phish Friday, as they wallow after another highly-anticipated Bucks season comes to a disappointing end. After falling to the Pacers in Game 6 last night, Jim and Matt give their takes on the best avenues for the Bucks to get better, younger, and possibly healthier this offseason -- if that's even possible. They also ask which player outside of the Top-3 that the Bucks should prioritize keeping the MOST: Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, or Pat Connaughton? Just like the aging Bucks, Jim caught a finger injury -- on just the tip -- while running in his regularly-scheduled pick-up basketball game this morning. They ask the fans how old is too old to regularly play pick-up?

Jim Rutledge and Matt Hamilton continue into Hour 2 of their Phish Friday as they continue reeling in the sadness following the Bucks' losing in the first-round of the playoffs for the second year in a row. Jim gets on Primetime for his spelling error in today's Poll question: which members of the Bucks' Core 4 do they need to keep the most: Bobby Portis, Brook Lopez, or Pat Connaughton. Jim points out it should actually be Core 3 (Giannis, Khris and Dame), but Prime makes a real case that Thanasis deserves to be in that top group strictly for the vibes. Ben Brust stands the guys up for Betting with Brust, so they get into more disappointing Bucks poll questions during Poll Dancing. Matt has to leave the show early to go bow fishing for carp, so he breaks down the intricacies of the unique bottom-feeding phish. Jim and Primetime wrap up with the best ways to prevent "catching the cod."

Jason Wilde joins Rutledge and Hamilton, and he helps promote the news ESPN Madison and 620 WTMJ becoming the radio homes of Wisconsin Volleyball! Jason talks about his experience covering UW volleyball back in the day, and he and Jim discuss the value of role models for young female athletes like their daughters. They get Jason's hope-o-meter for the Bucks' chances to still pull out tonight's Game 6 with Dame IN but Giannis still OUT. They get into some Packers talk, including Eric Stokes having his 5th-year option declined, the expectations/development of the defense with new pieces like Edgerrin Cooper, the likelihood for the continued growth of promising young players on both sides of the ball. Jim concludes with a CONFIDENT prediction that Caleb Williams will be better than Jordan Love!

Jim Rutledge and Matt Hamilton run for a FULL HAMBONE special for just one hour, as we're kicked off the air for pregame coverage of Bucks-Pacers Game 6 beginning at 5pm. Jim asks fans if they believe the Bucks can still win this series even if Giannis doesn't return from injury. Matt also speaks to the value of being a young up-and-coming squad (like the Pacers) versus a more experienced, but creaky, team (like the Bucks). They also discuss the importance of both Khris Middleton and Damian Lillard, and the react to the breaking news that Dame is officially IN! Jason Wilde joins Rutledge and Hamilton, and he helps promote the news ESPN Madison and 620 WTMJ becoming the radio homes of Wisconsin Volleyball! Jason talks about his experience covering UW volleyball back in the day, and he and Jim discuss the value of role models for young female athletes like their daughters. They get Jason's hope-o-meter for the Bucks' chances to still pull out tonight's Game 6 with Dame IN but Giannis still OUT. They get into some Packers talk, including Eric Stokes having his 5th-year option declined, the expectations/development of the defense with new pieces like Edgerrin Cooper, the likelihood for the continued growth of promising young players on both sides of the ball. Jim concludes with a CONFIDENT prediction that Caleb Williams will be better than Jordan Love! The show finishes with the High Life Dive Bar of the Week: Madison VFW Post No.8483!

Mark Tauscher joins the show for the first time following the 2024 NFL Draft. Jim and Matt ask Mark to chime in on today's poll question: Is Gutey a top-5 general manager since being promoted by the Packer in 2018? Mark pulls for his guy Gutey while GM makes a case for others. Jim also takes note of Tausch and Matt's expectations for the Packers next season, and Tausch give his way-too-early power rankings for the NFC North next season. Matt also asks Tausch what player he's most excited to watch from the Packers' draft class, and Jim asks what other teams caught Tausch's attention (good or bad) with their drafts.