Wisconsin Badgers

Midweek Stock Report: Ex-Packer Finley calls out Matthews

Published Dec. 9, 2016 12:38 p.m. ET

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Dave Heller

Every Wednesday, FOX Sports Wisconsin takes a look at which athletes' stock is trending up and whose is trending down.

In other words, who is making a meteoric rise, and who is quickly plummeting.

With that in mind, let's "take stock" of the current sports scene in Wisconsin, shall we?

Craig Counsell, Brewers manager

It's nice not having to look over your shoulder all season with a contract ready to expire. Counsell will continue to live his dream -- managing the hometown Brewers -- for at least three more years. Can he accomplish the next dream, getting Milwaukee to the playoffs? It's nice to know he'll have the time to find out.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, Bucks cornerstones

The two franchise players led the way offensively for Milwaukee in the Bucks' two games last week. Antetokounmpo averaged 36.0 minutes, 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 3.0 blocks while shooting 55.2 percent from the field. Parker led Milwaukee with a 24.5-point scoring average and also added 6.5 rebounds per game. Parker made 10 of 12 free throws and is making 87.2 percent of his attempts on the season, just making him an even more dangerous offensive threat.

Michael Beasley, Bucks forward

Beasley came to Milwaukee with the reputation of someone who will shoot the ball and is able to put up some points. Last week, Beasley scored nine points in 12 minutes against New Orleans and a season-high 19 points in 19 1/2 minutes in a win over Memphis. The veteran forward made 9 of 14 shots (64.3 percent) and 8 of 9 free throws (88.9 percent). On the season, Beasley is shooting 54.5 percent from the field.

Corey Clement, Badgers running back

After a slow start to the season in which he ran for more than 100 yards just once in Wisconsin's first five games -- and missed one due to injury -- Clement has rebounded by topping the century mark in four of the last five games, rushing for at least 25 times in each of those 100-yard performances. Against Illinois last Saturday, Clement rushed for 123 yards on 4.92 yards per carry, both his third-highest totals of the season. With the Badgers playing a ball-control offense, they'll need Clement to keep grinding out the yards down the stretch and into the postseason.

JaJuan Johnson, Marquette guard

The senior helped the Golden Eagles get off to a 2-0 start by averaging a team-high 17.5 points per game while making 14 of 23 shots (60.9 percent). Johnson also is averaging 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. In Marquette's season-opening win over Vanderbilt, Johnson had 21 points and six steals.

Clay Matthews, Packers linebacker

The six-time Pro Bowl selection has played in just five games this season and has missed Green Bay's last three contests thanks to a nagging hamstring injury. The Packers have allowed an average of 37 points in those last three games. Is that all Matthews fault? Of course not. But one former Packer thinks, well, maybe Matthews isn't doing all he can to help the team.

Miles Plumlee, Bucks center

After starting the first eight games of the season, Plumlee was sent to the bench in Milwaukee's last game -- John Henson inheriting his role -- and played just nine minutes. The struggling center missed all three shots he took (all coming against New Orleans) and has made only 9 of 21 shots (42.9 percent) this season.

Dave Heller is the author of the upcoming book Ken Williams: A Slugger in Ruth's Shadow as well as Facing Ted Williams Players From the Golden Age of Baseball Recall the Greatest Hitter Who Ever Lived and As Good As It Got: The 1944 St. Louis Browns

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