Title defense begins with new coach, system
Nothing explains the joy and heartache experienced this season by the UW-Milwaukee men's basketball team more than its 4-3 record.
The Panthers beat inferior opponents (Upper Iowa and South Dakota State) and were thrashed by a clearly superior opponent in Memphis, now ranked No. 5 in the nation.
The four other games teetered on a few possessions that meant the difference between winning and losing.
The two at home were victories over Saint Louis (82-71) and Hawaii (58-52).
The two on the road were losses to Tennessee Tech (72-67) and, on Thursday, to Wisconsin (74-68). In those games, UWM put up a valiant effort, only to sputter inside the final minute.
So as the Panthers begin Horizon League play tonight at home against UW-Green Bay, how does first-year coach Rob Jeter view his team? After all, predictions within the Horizon League, and by just about every publication around, had UWM winning its fourth consecutive league championship.
"You always hope for the best. I like where we are," Jeter said. "We've been in some tough environments.
"Am I satisfied? No. Could we be better? Yes, but we're headed in the right direction."
From the start, Jeter has downplayed all pre-season predictions of Panthers glory, choosing to focus instead on what actually happens on the court. Besides, being perfect going into Horizon League play with a new coach and a new system would be difficult for any team to pull off.
As senior forward Adrian Tigert said, "Either way, at our level, it doesn't matter. Even if we were to go 30-0, we still wouldn't have got an at-large bid being a mid-major. Really, what's important is that we're clicking and we're playing well in late February and March."
It's still December, but it's never too early to take a close look at what has made this season such an intriguing one for UWM:
Running the swing offense: Even the most seasoned basketball players struggle to learn this intricate system, especially the constant movement and timing needed, either to get open shots or force opponents to prevent them by fouling.
Some players appeared lost at the beginning of the season, but the 51-point second half against Saint Louis pointed the team in the right direction.
"There are so many things to pick up, and I don't even think you can pick everything up in one season," Tigert said.
"Every practice and every game we're seeing more, and the more we break down film, we're starting to see the counters to it. Every game, the more experience you get, the better."
Joah Tucker: The 6-foot-5 forward was sizzling at the end of his junior season and was a near-unanimous choice for pre-season Horizon League player of the year. He was the lone bright spot in the loss to Memphis, but has been an enigma ever since.
His low point of the season came Thursday against Wisconsin, when he was whistled for three offensive fouls, two traveling calls and a technical foul, all within the first 15 minutes of play.
"It was a tough night," Tucker admitted afterward, "a tough game."
How much his struggles have resulted from being the focal point for opponents and the most recognizable player on the floor is unknown. Yet Jeter is quick to defend his star performer.
"People look at him as this player who should do this and this. This is really his first year in that role as the go-to guy. . . . It takes (some) guys time to get used to that type of attention. Everyone is scrutinizing Joah.
"He's a young man that's trying to learn the game and play the game a certain way. He's not any different than any other player on our team. We're all held accountable for things, not just one player."
The bench: Junior forward Kevin Massiah is often the first reserve in the game, spelling either Tucker or senior forward Jason McCoy, but sophomore guard Avery Smith has been the most pleasant surprise.
Although his play can be wild at times, good things seem to happen whenever he's on the court, whether it's grabbing a steal or penetrating the lane enough to knock a defense off balance.
Sophomore guard Allan Hanson is starting to increase his production when on the floor, too.
Nothing explains the joy and heartache experienced this season by the UW-Milwaukee men's basketball team more than its 4-3 record.
The Panthers beat inferior opponents (Upper Iowa and South Dakota State) and were thrashed by a clearly superior opponent in Memphis, now ranked No. 5 in the nation.
The four other games teetered on a few possessions that meant the difference between winning and losing.
The two at home were victories over Saint Louis (82-71) and Hawaii (58-52).
The two on the road were losses to Tennessee Tech (72-67) and, on Thursday, to Wisconsin (74-68). In those games, UWM put up a valiant effort, only to sputter inside the final minute.
So as the Panthers begin Horizon League play tonight at home against UW-Green Bay, how does first-year coach Rob Jeter view his team? After all, predictions within the Horizon League, and by just about every publication around, had UWM winning its fourth consecutive league championship.
"You always hope for the best. I like where we are," Jeter said. "We've been in some tough environments.
"Am I satisfied? No. Could we be better? Yes, but we're headed in the right direction."
From the start, Jeter has downplayed all pre-season predictions of Panthers glory, choosing to focus instead on what actually happens on the court. Besides, being perfect going into Horizon League play with a new coach and a new system would be difficult for any team to pull off.
As senior forward Adrian Tigert said, "Either way, at our level, it doesn't matter. Even if we were to go 30-0, we still wouldn't have got an at-large bid being a mid-major. Really, what's important is that we're clicking and we're playing well in late February and March."
It's still December, but it's never too early to take a close look at what has made this season such an intriguing one for UWM:
Running the swing offense: Even the most seasoned basketball players struggle to learn this intricate system, especially the constant movement and timing needed, either to get open shots or force opponents to prevent them by fouling.
Some players appeared lost at the beginning of the season, but the 51-point second half against Saint Louis pointed the team in the right direction.
"There are so many things to pick up, and I don't even think you can pick everything up in one season," Tigert said.
"Every practice and every game we're seeing more, and the more we break down film, we're starting to see the counters to it. Every game, the more experience you get, the better."
Joah Tucker: The 6-foot-5 forward was sizzling at the end of his junior season and was a near-unanimous choice for pre-season Horizon League player of the year. He was the lone bright spot in the loss to Memphis, but has been an enigma ever since.
His low point of the season came Thursday against Wisconsin, when he was whistled for three offensive fouls, two traveling calls and a technical foul, all within the first 15 minutes of play.
"It was a tough night," Tucker admitted afterward, "a tough game."
How much his struggles have resulted from being the focal point for opponents and the most recognizable player on the floor is unknown. Yet Jeter is quick to defend his star performer.
"People look at him as this player who should do this and this. This is really his first year in that role as the go-to guy. . . . It takes (some) guys time to get used to that type of attention. Everyone is scrutinizing Joah.
"He's a young man that's trying to learn the game and play the game a certain way. He's not any different than any other player on our team. We're all held accountable for things, not just one player."
The bench: Junior forward Kevin Massiah is often the first reserve in the game, spelling either Tucker or senior forward Jason McCoy, but sophomore guard Avery Smith has been the most pleasant surprise.
Although his play can be wild at times, good things seem to happen whenever he's on the court, whether it's grabbing a steal or penetrating the lane enough to knock a defense off balance.
Sophomore guard Allan Hanson is starting to increase his production when on the floor, too.
