There is a big difference within the men's basketball team at Marquette University this season. Talented players have been given the freedom to finally play to their abilities, aided by the guiding hand of a humble coach who has put their success first and foremost.

In past seasons, these same players were stymied by the fact that any drive to the basket had to first go around Tom Crean's inflated sense of self-worth, his bloated ego and his massive head. All of these control characteristics stood in the way of bringing out the best in these athletes, to their present level of excellence. A prime example is the All-American year that Wesley Matthews is having.

If you are on the Marquette board of directors, it would be wise to take the time now to sign coach Buzz Williams to a long, long-term contract.

Stan Zurawski

Wauwatosa

Ryan needs to modernize UW's game

Bo Ryan's past success notwithstanding, it's time to bring his offensive schemes into the 21st century, not that "Hoosiers" offense consisting of passing the ball around for 30 seconds and then throwing up a shot.

Jim O'Brien

Racine

Some Packers titles are not as significant

In response to Dennis Newman's letter that was published last Sunday, although it's true that the Green Bay Packers have won 12 NFL championships, most of those so-called titles were won during a period when the NFL contained fewer than half the teams that are around today. In fact, from 1929-'44, when the Packers won six of their first 12 titles, the NFL consisted of no more than 12 teams. The first NFL championship game was not even played until 1933, after Green Bay had won three of its "titles."

The modern era of the NFL began when the league began holding a championship game with the upstart American Football League. In other words, Super Bowl titles are an accurate indicator of the success of any franchise.

As much as it pains me to admit, the Steelers are the most successful franchise in the history of professional Football. Packers fans can cling to the belief that all of their prehistoric titles are worth something, but until the Packers can match the Steelers, Cowboys and 49ers in Super Bowl appearances (and victories), they will always appear to be antiquated in the eyes of reasonable Football fans.

Dan Van Dyke

Elkhorn

Selig, like all fat cats, has no clue

Just what we all needed to hear as we continue to read about thousands of people losing their jobs: Bud Selig gets a $3 million raise.

MLB executives rank right up there with the financial world CEOs who absolutely don't have a clue about real people living in a real world. At the very least, Bud should donate every penny to charity.

Marlene Buechel

Verona

22% raise in this climate is unjustified

Should we all be thrilled and happy for Bud Selig, because of the 22% increase in salary he received? With our economy as bad as it is, I don't think multimillionaires should be accepting 22% raises while many retired and hardworking people are lucky to get a 2% or 3% raise on their $10,000, $20,000 or $30,000 income and even luckier to not be laid off or terminated from their jobs.

His $18 million salary would pay 600 people a $30,000 wage for a year. If all the millionaires would give up their raises, our country would be in fine shape and wouldn't need any bailouts.

Yvonne Petrusich

Greenfield

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