Exhibition game provides first real glance at new-look Panthers

For the fifth time during the game, the gold team let the black team loft a pass over their heads for an easy layup in transition. It was early in the second half of the intrasquad scrimmage, and it was plain to see that the Panthers were not working hard to get back on transition defense. That's the problem with intrasquad scrimmages. You're playing against your own teammates, you may not work as hard to deny them their bucket.

In short, that leniency doesn't come against teams wearing other colors. Parkside gets no leeway. There is a game to play, an offense to hone, a defensive prowess to establish. No one is going 75%, this is real game action. They've got to earn their spot.

We know the Panthers have promised an exciting, speed-em-up offense this season. We saw that in action at the intrasquad scrimmage, with its blazing dunks and high octane speed. But tonight, we get to see it in action. We get to see 40 minutes of Milwaukee basketball with a full bench, not 6 guys per team. We'll see how the team responds to adversity.

That adversity, of course, is what came at them last week full bore when they lost starting shooting guard Paris Gulley for the first month of the season with a broken non-shooting hand. Gulley's loss is difficult because the Panthers were already somewhat thin at the guard position and his injury exacerbates that problem. Milwaukee is now operating with three scholarship players listed as guards on the roster with one walk-on. So between Jordan Aaron, Bobo Niang, Evan Richard and Mitch Roelke, the Panthers will have to divide 80 minutes per game during November.

The good news is that JJ Panoske and Austin Arians have the shooting ability to play the two on offense, but just how much Rob Jeter can use the "big" lineup remains to be seen. I fully expect to see Bobo and J.O. play in excess of 30 minutes per game during this month. Evan Richard's back problems have subsided, so luckily the Panthers won't have to worry about him playing extra minutes on the floor.

So here are my three things to watch for tonight:

1. How does Jeter play lineups with Gulley's injury? You should expect to see "big" lineups more often, as Arians, Panoske and Harris are all quick enough to play the shooting guard position against Parkside.

2. Where is Kelm at? At the intrasquad scrimmage, Kyle Kelm was only in his third day of organized basketball after getting back from his nagging foot injury. How will he look in his development now that he's been back for a couple weeks?

3. What kind of looks will they get? Luke Reigel's Parkside team always plays like a D-I team defensively. The Panthers will put up a lot of shots, but what kind of shots will they be taking? Some shooting was questionable during the scrimmage, we'll see how hard they work to get the best shot possible tonight.