Next game- Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Bradley Saturday 8:00 pm

[Da Coach]

Wisconsin-Milwaukee is at Bradley Saturday night. Note the different start time-- 8:00 pm, to accomodate the ESPN telecast on ESPN360.

Wisconsin-Milwaukee played at Cleveland State Wednesday night, and lost 74-64
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/boxscore?gid=200802200121

UWM is now 13-12 and 8-7 in the Horizon League.
Bradley is now 16-12 and 9-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Bradley's RPI is 87, UWM is at 120.
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_mvc_Men.html
http://realtimerpi.com/rpi_horiz_Men.html

Wisconsin-Milwaukee's basketball website--
http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/wiml-m-baskbl-body.html

Roster--
http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/wiml-m-baskbl-mtt.html

Schedule and results--
http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/sched/wiml-m-baskbl-sched.html

UWM stats--
http://uwmpanthers.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/stats/2007-2008/teamcume.html

Bradley stats--
http://www.mvc.org/mbb/stats/BU.HTM

Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers fan message board--
http://uwmfreak.proboards5.com/index.cgi?board=Games

 

[BUBraves06]

Wisconsin-Milwaukee lost to Clevland State tonight 74-64. This is a big game for us in that we've started to roll at the right time and we can't have a letdown after the big win over Drake.

 

[MacabreMob]

We have our hands full (every game).

UWM is gonna be tough to beat.

 

[BUBraves06]

This is not a very good team at all. I expect us to win big. 81-62 BU

I'm not going to underestimate them at all, we're going to have to play a good game against these guys. They played Butler tough last week, and I'm sure they will play better Saturday coming off tonight's loss. I really don't think we're in a position at all to look past anyone at this point in the season.

 

[TheHeemyMonster]

I dont think we should look past this team either. However I believe this is a game we can and should win.

The way we have been playing lately especially at home, I expect to win and win big. I would be dissappointed if we dont win fairly easiliy

 

[BradleyBrave]

This is a meaningless game. Yes, I want to win, but I don't think we pull out all the stops to win a game that means nothing to us and cannot benefit us in any way. Jim needs to extend his bench in this game to ensure we are healthy and rested for SIU on Tuesday. That's the game that matters. To me, that means getting TCS, Austin, Singh, and maybe even David Collins significant minutes. If it makes the game closer or even costs us a meaningless game, so be it. Tuesday is all that matters to BU.

This Saturday's meaningless game is all the more reason the MVC needs to get out of the BracketBusters. Over half the league is playing meaningless games that have no real impact on their postseason fates. I think if given the choice, every team in the league would have rather had control in scheduling another non-conference game rather than having this take place during the most critical part of the conference season.

 

[BUBraves2006]

Just to play devil's advocate, don't you think that a big reason all of the games are meaningless is because the Valley records as a whole are pathetic? It's not like we have 4-5 teams in the RPI top 50, where these games would have a big impact (positive or negative).

I think we should get out of the BB too, but I think everything is just magnified with how bad the Valley is this year.

Oh and by the way, let's not overlook UWM. Honestly. They will play a heck of a lot better and with more energy in front of 10,000 people as opposed to about 1,000 (from what I saw on TV) at Cleveland State.

As great as the Drake game was, we're also just a week removed from that horrific Indiana State performance. Let's not start this cocky, running-our-mouths attitude like we're 22-6 right now or something ...

 

[BU_EMT128]

So many of these bracket buster games are lose-lose for the team. They win, and it does nothing for their post-season resume, and if they loses it is a major loss. The only team with anything really to gain is Drake, after losing two of three, they need to pick up a tough road win.

 

[BUBraves06]

This is a meaningless game. Yes, I want to win, but I don't think we pull out all the stops to win a game that means nothing to us and cannot benefit us in any way. Jim needs to extend his bench in this game to ensure we are healthy and rested for SIU on Tuesday. That's the game that matters. To me, that means getting TCS, Austin, Singh, and maybe even David Collins significant minutes. If it makes the game closer or even costs us a meaningless game, so be it. Tuesday is all that matters to BU.

This Saturday's meaningless game is all the more reason the MVC needs to get out of the BracketBusters. Over half the league is playing meaningless games that have no real impact on their postseason fates. I think if given the choice, every team in the league would have rather had control in scheduling another non-conference game rather than having this take place during the most critical part of the conference season.

I disagree, to me this game isn't meaningless at all. We need to stay on a roll and this is the next game of our season. We played well the last two games and I would think that the team is gaining in confidence. I certainly don't want them to take a setback going into the game Tuesday against SIU. I guess it's meaningless as far as conference play goes, but another win on our resume is a good thing in my book.

 

[dogsrus]

This is a meaningless game. Yes, I want to win, but I don't think we pull out all the stops to win a game that means nothing to us and cannot benefit us in any way. Jim needs to extend his bench in this game to ensure we are healthy and rested for SIU on Tuesday. That's the game that matters. To me, that means getting TCS, Austin, Singh, and maybe even David Collins significant minutes. If it makes the game closer or even costs us a meaningless game, so be it. Tuesday is all that matters to BU.

This Saturday's meaningless game is all the more reason the MVC needs to get out of the BracketBusters. Over half the league is playing meaningless games that have no real impact on their postseason fates. I think if given the choice, every team in the league would have rather had control in scheduling another non-conference game rather than having this take place during the most critical part of the conference season.

I HATE the bb for exactly this reason. Meaningless game at a critical juncture. As a fan I want to win and see us play well but SIU is whats importaint.

I'd rest JC for sure.....

 

[Rusty 54]

This is a meaningless game. Yes, I want to win, but I don't think we pull out all the stops to win a game that means nothing to us and cannot benefit us in any way. Jim needs to extend his bench in this game to ensure we are healthy and rested for SIU on Tuesday. That's the game that matters. To me, that means getting TCS, Austin, Singh, and maybe even David Collins significant minutes. If it makes the game closer or even costs us a meaningless game, so be it. Tuesday is all that matters to BU.

I am with you about extending the bench. I hope TCS and DC get more minutes, and not just if we have the game wrapped up. We need to see if TCS and DC can step up and help us in the tournament, especially of Warren is out.

 

[dogsrus]

I, but another win on our resume is a good thing in my book.

How so....we are NOT close to an at large. Beating these guys at home does NOTHING for us other then keeping us on that "roll".

Rest and recovery is what these guys could use. Let em play some minutes to stay sharp buit then SIT EM.

 

[ER3]

I am hoping that UWM plays a couple 6'7" or taller guys most of the game...That way it would make sense for BU to play a lot of minutes with two bigs on the floor (Salley/Austin, Salley/Singh, Austin/Singh)...because this is the only way that SM, DR, JC, and TW will get any rest in this game. We only have one other playable guard in TCS, so we will have to see a lot of Austin and Singh in this game if we want to keep our starters' minutes at or below the 30 minute mark.

But I do want to win this game...if for no other reason than to give us a better shot at reaching 20 wins for the season. Three straight 20 win seasons would be an impressive streak for this program...and without this win, it becomes much, much harder to get to that number this year...

I realize the Valley Tourney is far more important in the big picture than some 20-win milestone...but I guess I just want it all.

 

[BUBraves06]

How so....we are NOT close to an at large. Beating these guys at home does NOTHING for us other then keeping us on that "roll".

Rest and recovery is what these guys could use. Let em play some minutes to stay sharp buit then SIT EM.

I'm thinking more along the lines of an NIT bid as opposed to the NCAA Tourney. I too am frustrated with the BB but that doesn't mean I don't want to win this game. I realize the other two games we have left are tons more important, but I'd rather win all three remaining games as opposed to two of three.

 

[J Money]

We do need to stay sharp and we also need to stay in rhythm offensively. This game should be played to win and continue the momentum into SIU. Tuesday to Saturday night at 8 is plenty of time to rest and whether Daniel and Jeremy play 20 minutes or 40, they will be completely ready for the Salukis.

As far as this game being meaningless goes.....we are building an NIT resume right now and don't think this program wouldn't benefit from having a few more espn games in March.

 

[tornado]

Here is a synopsis of all the BB games by Kyle Whelliston:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=whelliston_kyle&id=3255649

On UW-M at BU...
"??? UW MILWAUKEE (13-12, 8-7 Horizon) at BRADLEY (16-12, 9-7 MVC), ESPN360.com, 9 p.m. ET
What it means: It's a pair of Sweet 16 teams from 2005 (Milwaukee) and 2006 (Bradley) that have made recent statements against 2008's crop of hot mid-majors. Tuesday, UWM pushed Butler to overtime at home. Earlier this week, Bradley did what no other team has done this year -- defeat Drake in Des Moines.

Key player: Daniel Ruffin, Bradley. The Braves struggled during a month while their star senior guard recovered from a sports hernia, and they played their way off the at-large board. But since the nation's active leader in assists returned in late January, Bradley is 7-2. The 5-10 spark plug is all the way back. He's averaging 14.5 points in those nine games, which is also his season average.

Key stat: Since the mid-December dismissal of leading scorer and rebounder Torre Johnson (17.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg) in the wake of assault charges, the Panthers are 10-5. They were 3-7 with Johnson on the roster."

 

[dogsrus]

I'm thinking more along the lines of an NIT bid as opposed to the NCAA Tourney. I too am frustrated with the BB but that doesn't mean I don't want to win this game. I realize the other two games we have left are tons more important, but I'd rather win all three remaining games as opposed to two of three.

I want to win em all too but if sacrificing this meaningless game gives us a better shot to knock off SIU then rest the starters.....get some guys like cole-scott, Austin perhaps Collins some big minutes and let em develop.

 

[houstontxbrave]

I do not believe any game is meaningless, especially to JL. You step on the court and the ball goes up your there to win the game.

Now, we are limited lately in the number of players we are playing and those players are accumulating heavy minutes. JL will I believe try to limit the minutes of JC and Ruffin, especially in the first half, but if he gets nothing from TCS, he will not play him. JL does not strike me as the type of coach to give minutes because, you earn them.

Thats why Collins wont see any minutes unless it is garbage time, he has not earned the trust of JL. Personally Id like to see Will healthy and he maybe get some minutes.

 

[real fan]

This is an important game as we need to keep our momentum going; I would like to see Cole-Scott,Austin and Singh get more minutes just to keep our other players from playing more then 32 minutes because we play on tuesday and that does not give us much time for rest.

 

[J Money]

I still think that it won't make any difference how many minutes key players log tomorrow night because when the ball goes up on ESPN Tuesday night on senior night against SIU with everything on the line......fatigue goes out the window.