After Losing Job at Wisconsin, Yoder Gets Win Over Michigan

Wisconsin basketball Coach Steve Yoder will lose his job when the season ends next month.

But after the Badgers routed 17th-ranked Michigan, 96-78, at Madison, Wis., Wednesday night, Yoder showed he hadn’t lost his sense of humor.

“I’m just a basketball coach. That’s all I am. We win a couple more games and I might re-apply for this job,” said Yoder, who announced his resignation two days ago after learning his contract would not be extended.

Freshman Michael Finley had 30 points and 13 rebounds, both career highs, and sophomore Tracy Webster had 10 points and 13 assists as the Badgers (13-13, 4-9) scored their most points in a Big Ten game since 1975. Michigan is 17-7, 8-6.

Michigan Coach Steve Fisher heaped the praise on Yoder, claiming Wisconsin will be hard-pressed to find a better replacement.

“I don’t know who you are going to get,” Fisher said. “You won’t get a better gentleman or coach. I know it’s the nature of the business. But the bottom line is that you have a quality man here. The tragedy is that he’s going to be gone. He’s too good of a coach.”