Panther Basketball Preview 2#1# the UWM Post

2 November 8,2010 Panther Basketball Preview 2#1# The UWM Post Despite that level of camara Obviously home games Klotsche Center. The week derie, UWM was ranked fifth by against Butler and Green Bay concludes with a game at the Men's preview a panel of coaches, media and are the annual "big games" in Cell against cross-town rival sports information. That gener conference, but this year there's Marquette, the first time the ated a variety of reactions by even more to look forward to for Panthers have ever hosted the By Tim Prahl starting point guard this year. the players on the team, with Panther fans. Eagles. Sports Editor Ryan Allen, another transfer most saying it doesn't mean During a seven-day span in Whether or not this is the [email protected] junior, is arguably the most ath much and, if anything, they use late November, UWM has one of year Milwaukee takes down MU letic person on this year's squad. it as motivation. the more noticeable home stands or "big brother" UW, this is al Coming into this season How much time on the court he Coach Jeter said you always in recent memory. Northern ready shaping up to be a pretty there is a significant amount of sees this year is still up in the have to take preseason polls Iowa, the other Cinderella from exciting year for Panther fans. talk about the UW-Milwaukee air, but when he's out there be with a grain of salt. last year's March Madness, kicks men's basketball team. And why prepared for some fireworks. "They picked us fifth...what things off by coming to the Cell shouldn't there be? There is a Add to that true freshman does that really mean?" Jeter Nov. 20. Three days later the lot to talk about with this team, Kyle Kelm, redshirt senior said. "You still have to play all Panthers play their first regular- starting with the foundation Mitchell Carter and the return of the games and you have to go season game on campus since laid from last year's squad. Tone Boyle from injury, and this out there and compete. We have Feb. 28, 2004 while welcoming The 2009-10 version of the team shouldn't show too much a group of guys that are either Western Michigan Panthers finished with 20 wins of a drop off. ready to prove them wrong or to the for the first time since the 2005- Much of that is thanks to the see if we can even do something 06 season when that team made team's chemistry. It's not entirely really special. it to the second round of the common for a group to work as a "There is definitely a buzz NCAA Tournament. relatively cohesive unit early in around this team and we have a Last year's team also took the season. Thanks to a summer pretty exciting team. We've got part in the NIT Season Tipoff vacation together, however, this a lot of new faces but we do Tournament in addition to their team is likely closer than many have this core of guys that challenging non-conference of the past. have been with us for a schedule that included teams This past summer the team long time." like BowlingGreen, Miami (Ohio), took a trip to Italy to play against Part of the buzz is Wisconsin and Marquette. a different style of competition. due to Milwaukee's A lot can be said for their The trip lasted 10 days and the schedule. strong finish as well, as the Panthers finished 4-0, with three team won seven of their fi of their games being blowouts. nal eight games before being The last time UWM made a jour knocked out of the Horizon ney across the Atlantic was back League Tournament by eventual in 2003. This team has been told national runner-up Butler. all about that year and the suc Transitioning that late run cess that team had following into success this season cer their Euro trip. tainly won't be a "gimme" for "The teams before us, when head coach Rob Jeter, as many they played overseas, they had talented players from last year a great season - they made it graduated. Ricky Franklin'scalm- to the Sweet 16," senior forward ing presence, Jason Averkamp's Anthony Hill said. "I just feel like non-stop motor and Deonte the Italy trip can prepare us to Roberts' speed are all gone from have a great season. Hopefully last year. And who could forget we can do that." the "Dancing Polar Bear," James Thus far the guys say they've Eayrs? "Big Lumber," arguably seen nothing but good things the biggest loss (both figura come from their little vacation. tively and literally), rounds out "The Italy trip helped a lot last year's senior class. [with team chemistry]," senior In order to replace that tal Jerard Ajami said. "Our person ent, Jeter's staff brought in a alities on the team - we gel with slew of new faces this offseason. everybody on and off the court. Kaylon Williams comes to UWM Off the court, with our study from Kirkwood Community hall times and in the training College. With two years of eli room, we just gel almost like gibility remaining, the Iowa na brothers. Playing on the court Men's basketball head coach Rob Jeter. tive figures to be a lock for the with these guys is fun." Post photo by Tim Prahl Horizon League preview: Men's Basketball By Tim Prahl his final two collegiate years for 18-0 league record is unlikely. Sports Editor the NBA. Butler's cupboard isn't Detroit [email protected] exactly bare, though, despite the departure of one of the best No team is gaining as much Every year, the Horizon players the Horizon League has attention (aside from Butler) in League releases rankings pre ever seen. the Horizon League than Detroit. dicting how each team will fin Horizon League Player of the The Titans only finished .500 in ish the upcoming season based Year from the 2008-09 season, the league last year but went 20- on the changes each program Matt Howard, is one of three re 14 overall and have high hopes has dealt with in the offseason. turning starters for head coach for the coming season. The following is a breakdown Brad Stevens. Set to replace Head coach Ray McCallum of what exactly those changes Hayward is 6-foot-6-inch fresh successfully recruited his son, were and what each team can man Khyle Marshall from Davie, Ray McCallum, Jr. (I wonder if he expect this season in the order Fla., a small forward in the top- broke any NCAA rules for call of their projected finish. 20 of his recruiting class. ing or texting...). The younger Butler's schedule isn't as chal was one of the highest-ranked Butler lenging as last year, but they do players in his high school class, The Bulldogs have been the have a rematch of the National regardless of position. The 6- crown jewel of the league for a Title game when they travel to foot-1-inch point guard re bly challenging schedule, so The Vikings' head coach has few years now, and last year was Duke in early December. The ceived offers from powerhouses another 20-win season is very the luxury of returning all five no different. Everyone held their Bulldogs will also have a tar UCLA, Arizona and Florida be much within their reach. of his starters from last year. breath as Gordon Hayward's fi get on their back in every game fore committing to the father- Led by guard Norris Cole, CSU nal heave flew through the air they play this year, not only son combo. Cleveland State is a very dangerous team with in hopes of ending their fai in games against conference Detroit also boasts two qual Most college programs, many options for scoring. rytale season with an NCAA teams. Once again, Butler will ity juniors in guard Chase Simon regardless of the sport, go Championship. The shot missed very likely showcase great tal and center/forward Eli Holman. through some change in the off Valparaiso and Hayward has since forgone ent, but a repeat of last year's The Titans don't face a terri season. Not Gary Waters' team. Homer Drew is a coaching uwmpost.com Panther Basketball Preview November 8,2010 3 ready shown signs that she is going to be one of the better guards in the conference. "[Rodriguez] is an off guard Women's preview who can shoot, put it on the floor and pass," said Botham. "She just has great vision and By Jeremy Lubus both her freshman and soph player but will be out at least has a great all-around feel for Asst. Sports Editor omore season because of her four weeks." the game." [email protected] toughness. Once Klomstad returns the Lindfors is already "I am not going to lie, it team will have already played one of the tallest The Milwaukee women's totally sucked," said Schell six games, but she is expected girls on the roster basketball team was on top of her injury. "It was only six to be contributing by the time at 6 feet 4 inches of the world in 2006 captur weeks and it flew by pretty the Panthers open their con and has caught ing the Horizon League title fast.

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