• Thursday Film Session

    I'm back - after a brief, but well rested family vacation. Ok, let's be honest here... if you are on vacation with your kids, it may be fun, but well rested? I needed a day to rest up once I got back.

    On to hoops....
    Milwaukee Panthers

    It wouldn't be right to start out with anything other than the sad news that UWM legend Larry Reed passed away after a long bout with cancer. A standout player in the '60s, Reed racked up over 1,500 points and 1,500 rebounds during his career. More important that that, Reed stayed close to the program throughout the years, which makes his loss a larger one for the Panther community. Jimmy Lemke has more...

    Jimmy Lemke uncovered a list of visitors the Panther staff will be hosting this weekend, including three Jucos. You can read Jimmy's info on the Inside Panther U message board (ppv).

    While on the subject of UWM, here is an off topic one for you... Here is an amazing interview with Washington Post Senior Editor Milton Coleman, a Milwaukee Native and UWM grad who grew up in the Milwaukee housing projects. Coleman was given a chance with a scholarship to UWM and made the most of it. A truly incredible story, worth spending the few minutes to watch....



    Marquette Golden Eagles

    Last night Marquette held their 2012 season ending awards banquet. Marquette's staff really does an excellent job with this event, as they honor the hard work and accomplishments of their players and coaches. I would say great job Buzz, but anyone close to the MU program knows that Barb Kellaher and her co-workers put this event together, so congrats to them as well. Also, while presenting an award, Barb completely stole the show. The awards were presented by coaches and former players who the awards were named after (some via video), and here they are...
    • Hank Raymonds Sportsmanship Award - Jamail Jones
    • Dwyane Wade Legacy of Leadership Award - Jae Crowder
    • Standard of Academic Excellence - Juan Anderson & Jake Thomas
    • Rebounding Effort - Jae Crowder
    • Create for Others - Junior Cadougan
    • Sixth Man of the Year - Todd Mayo
    • Most Improved Player - Vander Blue
    • Defensive Player of the Year - Jamil Wilson & Jae Crowder
    • Best Performance in a Supporting Role - Matt Perkins (IT Services)
    • Wesley Matthews "Just Today" Award - Chris Otule
    • Lazar Hayward "Everyday Tough" Award - Junior Cadougan
    • Rob Frozena "We Are Marquette" Award - Jamil Wilson
    • Joseph Fulce "WDYL? 1%" Award - Derrick Wilson
    • Jimmy Butler "Only Now Exists" Award - Davante Gardner
    • "Sacrifice For The String" Award - Darius Johnson-Odom
    • Most Valuable Performer - Jae Crowder & Darius Johnson-Odom

    Time Warner Sports 32 put together a season ending video
    , and MU's Maggie Casey has a nice photo gallery. I would embed the video from YouTube, but it has been blocked for music copyright violations.

    So, what is next for MU? Well, the incoming recruiting class is full, and Buzz is still recruiting. A small list of potential transfers has popped up, highlighted by Arizona State guard Trent Lockett and Mississippi State's Rodney Hood. Hood picked MSU over Marquette, so there is some teeth to that one as Hood had a great relationship with Buzz Williams. Lockett on the other hand, will graduate and be eligible immediately, so that is a very low risk high reward situation.

    Many, including myself, anticipate transfers out of Marquette, and there is good reason. Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports had released this year's transfer list. It started out with 173 names. That was before the coaching carousel started spinning. Now that the carousel is in full swing, the list is up over 300. Seriously - over 300 transfers. And, the carousel isn't done, and the semester isn't over. I would wager that the list grows to over 400 before all is said and done. Something needs to change, that is way too many. While I do defend many of them as you only have one chance to play college ball, but there are often people behind the scenes with other interests forcing these transfers and something needs to be done. So, will there be transfers from Marquette? Wisconsin? UWM? UWGB? Hard to believe that there will be over 400 with none from the Wisconsin schools.

    One final note on MU, assistant Tony Benford is still a serious candidate for the SMU job. SMU went after former Marquette Head Coach Rick Majerus who is at Saint Louis, but Majerus will stay put for now. SMU is desperately seeking a current head coach, but I believe that is a huge mistake. There are a lot of great assistants out there, including Benford, that would be better for SMU. They are looking for an immediate impact, but they need to build a solid program.
    Preps

    The NY2LA Swish & Dish Spring Warmup was a huge event last weekend. Winners include....
    • 9U Platinum Champions - All Ohio Red over IL R.S. Red
    • 10U Platinum Champions - WI Playground Warriors over King Hoops Elite
    • 11U Platinum Champions - ALl Ohio Red over IL Raptors
    • 12U Platinum Champions - Rytes Warriors over Ramey BBall
    • 13U Platinum Champions - Playground Elite(DeBakker) over IL T-Wolves
    • 14U Platinum Champions - Playground Elite(Smith) over CIA Bounce
    • 14U Gold Champions - DTA Spartans over WI Bulldogs
    • 15U Platinum Champions - Playground Elite over IL Wolves
    • 15U Gold Champions - Meanstreets over Peoria Irish
    • 16U Platinum Champions - St. Louis Eagles over Mac Irvin Fire
    • 16U Gold Champions - Team NLP over Playground Elite
    • 16U Silver Champions - IL Wolves over WI Blizzard
    • 16U Elite Champions - DW Wildcats over MP Elite
    • 17U Platinum Champions - Meanstreets over WI Swing
    • 17U Gold Champions - Team NLP TL over MN Magic
    • 17U Silver Champions - Playground Elite over Milwaukee Rebels
    • 17U Elite Division - Magic Extreme over Iowa PNR Price


    This weekend will feature a different event, some of the best players from Wisconsin will battle it out at Nicolet High School. The Maximum Exposure Invitational will feature some of the best juniors and seniors in the state, and should provide some outstanding games. Tom Enlund from the JS breaks it down.



    Milwaukee Bucks/NBA

    The Bucks lost to the Knocks at home last night 111, 107, and a big part of the reason was Brown Deer native Steve Novak, or as Knicks announcer Walt Frazier calls him, "Novacaine". Novak had 7 of his 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of free throws that locked up the victory for the Knicks. Despite having been in a slump the last two games, Novak is still leading the NBA in 3 pt percentage. The Bucks went 1-2 over the last three games, all games featuring former Marquette players. First they beat Wesley Matthews and the Portland Trailblazers 116-94. Matthews had 14 points in 36 minutes. Next they lost to Lazar Hayward and the Oklahoma City Thunder 109-89, Hayward had 2 points in 5 minutes, and last night it was Novak and the Knicks.

    Here is how the local guys in the NBA did the last two days.....

    Player Team Local tie-in Day MIN FG 3PT FT Oreb Dreb REB AST STL BLK TO PF +/- PTS W/L
    Caron Butler LA Clippers Racine Park HS Wed 25 4-8 1-2 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 +2 9 W
    Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls Marquette Tue 12 1-4 0-1 0-0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 +8 2 W
    Devin Harris Utah Jazz Wisconsin/Tosa East Wed 22 3-7 0-2 0-0 0 0 0 5 0 0 1 5 +2 6 W
    Lazar Hayward OKC Thunder Marquette Wed DNP
    Carl Landry New Orleans Wincent High School IR IR
    Jon Leuer Milwaukee Bucks Wisconsin Wed DNP
    Wesley Matthews Portland Marquette/JM Memorial Wed 35 1-9 1-3 4-4 0 3 3 4 2 0 0 3 +36 7 W
    Steve Novak New York Knicks Marquette/Brown Deer HS Wed 22 3-6 2-5 2-2 1 3 4 1 0 0 2 0 0 10 W
    Greg Stiemsma Boston Celtics Wisconsin/Randolph HS Wed 24 3-5 0-0 0-0 4 4 8 0 1 1 2 6 0 6 W
    Dwyane Wade Miami Heat Marquette Tue 39 9-21 0-2 2-4 2 0 2 5 3 1 2 3 +8 20 L


    That's it for now!