Feb. 20, 2004

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The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee heads back into non-league play by hosting Manhattan as a part of ESPN's Bracket Buster Saturday. The game tips off at 1 p.m. CST at the U.S. Cellular Arena and will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

* Last Time Out

Butler used a quick 9-0 run midway through the second half to regain control of the contest en route to a 75-58 win over UWM Wednesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Panthers fell behind 8-0 early and trailed by nine at halftime before scoring 18 of the first 27 points of the second half to tie the game at 39. But, Butler scored the next nine points and then never let UWM get closer than five points the rest of the way. Dylan Page led the Panthers with 18 points.

* Winning Despite Losing

About 60 minutes after falling at Butler Wednesday night, the Panthers found out UIC had beaten UW-Green Bay, giving UWM at least a share of its first-ever Horizon League regular season title. UWM has just one league game remaining and can finish no worse than 12-4 in league play. Three teams are tied for second place behind UWM, with UIC, UW-Green Bay and Wright State all 10-4.

* A Long Time Between Titles

This season's regular season Horizon League title is UWM's first in the Division I ranks and the first of any kind since going a perfect 8-0 in the Wisconsin State Teachers College Conference during the 1940-41 season. UWM had been close to breaking through in each of the last two seasons. In 2001-02, the Panthers were in first place after 13 games before losing two of three on the road. Then last year, UWM dropped a buzzer-beating heartbreaker on the final day of the regular season to Butler, giving the Bulldogs the crown.

* Who Has And Hasn't Won

With UWM winning the Horizon League title, it has eliminated its name from the list of current league schools who have not won a regular season league title in either the Horizon League or the MCC. Youngstown State, which joined the league just two years ago, joins Cleveland State and Wright State as the only league schools to not win a regular season crown. Butler had won the last four regular season titles - a streak that is being broken this season.

* Just Like Our Other Sports

The UWM men are the fourth Panther squad to win a Horizon League regular season title this season. The UWM volleyball team, men's soccer team and women's soccer team won titles this fall. The UWM women's basketball team also stands within a game of first place entering a showdown with UW-Green Bay Monday night at the Klotsche Center.

* Horizon League Bracketology

UWM has secured the number one seed for the upcoming Horizon League Tournament and is now watching to see how the rest of the bracket will sort itself out. The only other spot that has been secured is the ninth seed, which will be Cleveland State. UIC, UW-Green Bay and Wright State are all currently tied for second place at 10-4, while Detroit holds a one-game lead on Butler for fifth place. Youngstown State is a game up on Loyola for seventh place. UWM will not have to play until the league tournament semifinals, where they would face either the fourth, fifth, eighth or ninth seed. Butler will host the second round and semifinal action if it wins a first-round game March 2. The championship game will also be played at Butler, or move to the highest remaining seed if the Bulldogs are eliminated.

* Busting The Bracket

Saturday's game with Manhattan marks UWM's second-straight appearance in ESPN's Bracket Buster Saturday. Last year, UWM traveled to Carbondale, Ill., for a contest with Southern Illinois. The Panthers overcame a 16-point second-half deficit to claim a 64-62 lead with 2:19 remaining. But SIU tied the game with 1:48 remaining and, after a handful of empty possessions by both teams, Stetson Hairston gave the Salukies a 66-64 decision with a tip-in at the buzzer.

* Horizon Happiness

The Horizon League enters this year's ESPN Bracket Buster competition with a 2-1 record in the event. In addition to UWM's heartbreaking loss to Southern Illinois last year, UIC beat Bowling Green and Detroit claimed an impressive win over UC-Santa Barbara. Eight of the Horizon League's nine teams are in this year's event.

* Musing About Manhattan

UWM and Manhattan have met just once in school history - an 81-77 Panther win at the U.S. Cellular Arena, which at that time was known as the MECCA. The game drew 5,300 fans, still the sixth-best Arena crowd in UWM history. The two teams will meet again next season at Manhattan to complete the Bracket Buster agreement. The game has been tentatively scheduled for Dec. 20.

* The Bright Lights Of TV

Saturday's contest with Manhattan is UWM's 10th television appearance this season and marks the second time the Panthers have appeared on national TV this year. UWM dropped a 77-71 decision at NC State on Fox Sports Net as part of the network's "ACC Game of the Week" package. UWM has also made four additional appearances on Fox Sports regional outlets and four appearances on Milwaukee's WMLW, TV-41. Next Saturday's home game with Cleveland State will likely be added to the TV-41 package, plus UWM's semifinal appearance in the Horizon League Tournament will be televised on Fox Sports North and other regional outlets.

* Stopping Any Slides

UWM has now lost two-straight games for the first time this season. In fact, it's the first time UWM has lost two-straight since the end of the 2001-02 season, when UWM lost to Cleveland State and Detroit in back-to-back outings. In two-plus seasons under Bruce Pearl, UWM is 21-5 in games following a loss and has lost three-straight games only once - games #2,3 and 4 of Pearl's tenure.

* Hoping To Get Hot Again

UWM enters Saturday's contest against Manhattan with wins in 11 of its last 14 games despite the two-game losing streak. The Panthers had their nine-game winning streak snapped Feb. 5 at UIC. The streak was the second-longest streak in the school's Division I history and the longest under Bruce Pearl. Last year, UWM posted a pair of eight-game streaks. The longest winning streak in the school's Division I history is still a 10-game spell in 1992-93. UWM has posted winning streaks of five games or more three other times under Pearl in his two-plus season as the Panthers' coach. UWM has had league winning streaks of nine, eight and five games under Pearl while, prior to his arrival at UWM, the Panthers never won more than three-straight league games.

* Liking It At Home

UWM has established a tremendous homecourt advantage in recent years, posting a 51-10 mark over the past four-plus seasons. That record includes a current stretch of wins in 24 of its last 25 home games and wins in 17-straight regular season home league games. UWM is 23-2 in regular season league home games under Bruce Pearl.

* Seeking 20 Again

Three more wins would give UWM its first back-to-back 20-win seasons since the early 1990's. It would also be just the sixth 20-win season in school history. Last year, UWM tied the all-time school record with 24 wins, equaling a mark set when the Panthers went to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 1989. UWM also won 23 games in the 1992-93 campaign, 20 games in the 1991-92 season and 20 games in the 1981-82 season.

* Winning On The Horizon

The Panthers have found plenty of success in league play over the past two-plus seasons, already adding 12 wins this year to the 13 wins last year and the 11 wins in the league the year before. Bruce Pearl has a 36-11 record in regular-season Horizon League contests in his two-plus years at UWM.

* Impressive Numbers

UWM head coach Bruce Pearl has moved to the top of the charts among Horizon League coaches. His 36-11 record in league games computes to a .766 winning percentage, easily the best among active coaches and a number that would put him near the top of all-time league coaches with at least three years in the league at season's end. Entering this season, Pete Gillen, who coached in the league at Xavier from 1985-1994, holds the top honor with a .769 winning percentage. Plus, with Thursday's win, Pearl has moved into the top-10 all-time in league wins, a list headed by Detroit's Perry Watson, who has 100 league wins in 10-plus years.

* Bring It On Downtown!

Saturday's contest wraps up UWM's nine-game regular season package at the U.S. Cellular Arena in downtown Milwaukee. This year's schedule is part of a four-year agreement with the Wisconsin Center District. Plans call for UWM to play its entire schedule at the renovated downtown complex during the following three seasons. UWM has had success at the Arena of late, going 9-1 in its last 10 games. The Panthers played most of their home games at the Arena starting with the 1992-93 season through the 1997-98 season. UWM's first-ever appearance as the home team at the Arena came vs. Texas-El Paso on Dec. 13, 1971. UWM has played 115 games as the home team at the Arena, compiling a 62-53 record. UWM could still play a 10th game at the Arena this season - the league title game March 9.

* Paging The All-District Honoree

UWM senior Dylan Page was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 11 First Team this past Wednesday. Page, who leads the Horizon League in scoring and is fifth in rebounding, is now eligible for All-America consideration. Page is joined on the first team by an impressive group - Devin Harris of Wisconsin, Kris Humphries of Minnesota, Paul Davis of Michigan State and Travis Diener of Marquette. Cedrick Banks of UIC, Jitim Young of Northwestern, Mike Williams of Western Michigan, Mike Wilkinson of Wisconsin and Deron Williams of Illinois were named to the second team.

* Top 10 List

Dylan Page is in the Horizon League's top 10 in six different categories entering Saturday's game. Page, who leads the league in scoring, also ranks fifth in rebounding, seventh in field goal percentage, fifth in free throw percentage, ninth in three-point field goal percentage and fourth in blocked shots. He is looking to become the first-ever UWM player to win League Player of the Year honors.

* Dylan Always Does It

After leading the way with 18 points Wednesday, Dylan Page has now held or shared game-high scoring honors 18 times this season. He has been in double figures in scoring in all 25 games this season and in 58 of his last 60 contests while scoring 20 or more points 15 times this season. He has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week twice and has three double-doubles this season (five for his career).

* Passing 1,000

Dylan Page continues to climb up the scoring charts at UWM, with his career total now standing at 1,256 points. His 23 points Jan. 8 against Butler sent him past the 1,000 mark for his career. Page is now one of just seven Panthers to have passed the 1,000-point barrier since UWM moved back to the Division I ranks in 1990 and he currently stands third in that same time period in scoring. Making Page's accomplishment particularly remarkable is that injury and illness limited him to just 176 points in his first two seasons as a Panther.

* Still Banged Up

Dylan Page sprained his left ankle at the end of UWM's game at UIC Feb. 5. He played with his left leg heavily wrapped some 40 hours later, scoring 10 points as the Panthers beat Wright State to hang on to first place in the Horizon League. Page, who still has not participated in a full-contact practice since the injury, has averaged 17.8 ppg in his four outings since. The Panthers have been slowed in that time, going 2-2 in their last four games.

* Just An Off-Night

There's no way around the fact that UWM had an off-night Wednesday in its 75-58 loss to Butler. In fact, a check of the numbers from Wednesday night shows the Panthers didn't come close to matching many of their season averages. UWM averages 78 ppg but scored just 58 Wednesday - its second-lowest output of the season. UWM shot just 40 percent from the field - well below its 48.7 percent average clip and ranking as the 11th best shooting team in the country. UWM leads the Horizon League in assists but had just 10 Wednesday. And, the Panthers forced just nine turnovers - well below their season average of 15.1 ppg.

* A Successful Road

Wednesday's game at Butler was UWM's final road contest of the regular season, and the Panthers would only play a true road game in the league tournament if it faced Butler. UWM had another strong showing on the road this year, going 7-7 overall. The Panthers went 5-3 in league road games, tying a school record. In two-plus years under Pearl, UWM is 20-21 in true road contests, including 15-9 in league play, and 5-3 in neutral floor contests. In the seven years prior to Pearl's arrival, the Panthers were just 13-71 on the road and never won more than three games in a season. Also, prior to Pearl's arrival in Milwaukee, UWM was just 7-38 in regular season Horizon League road contest. And, UWM's road wins in the league have been impressive. After recording just two double-digit league road wins in seven seasons, the Panthers have posted 11 double-digit road league wins in the last two-plus seasons, including five this year.

* Keeping An Eye On Others

As the Panthers have started to roll through their season, so have some of their non-league opponents. In fact, the five teams UWM lost to in non-league play have combined for a 84-30 record. Plus, in the latest AP poll, Wisconsin is ranked 12th, North Carolina State 13th, Southern Illinois 20th and Air Force 28th. It is likely that at least four of UWM's five non-league losses will have come to NCAA Tournament teams.

* Ranking Rumbles

UWM continues to appear in the various mid-major rankings. The Panthers check in at fifth in the CBSSportsline.com poll, 10th in the ESPN.com poll and 12th in the CollegeInsider.com list. For the third week in a row, UWM is also garnering votes in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches' Poll, holding down the 41st spot with three votes.

* Starting The League Strong

UWM's 10-0 start in the Horizon League was the best in school history. UWM's best start previously was a 3-0 beginning to last season. The Panthers will be looking to tie the school record of 13 league wins next week against Cleveland State.

* Charity Case For The Record Books

Sophomore Chris Hill knocked down all 12 of his free throw attempts last Saturday at Youngstown State, becoming one of six Panthers to make all of his free throw attempts - while attempting at least 10 - since UWM returned to the Division I ranks in 1990. Derek Durham made all 13 of his free throw tries against Stetson during the 1995-96 season, while Hill equaled Shannon Smith's 12-for-12 effort in 1995 on Saturday.

* Playing Well On The Lead

The loss last Saturday at Youngstown State marked just the second time UWM fell this season after leading at halftime. The only other time UWM lost was at Santa Clara, seeing a 38-33 halftime edge turn into a heartbreaking 66-64 loss. UWM is 16-2 this season when leading at the half.

* Double Figure Figures

UWM can often count on at least two of its "Big 3" to reach double figures, with the remainder of the roster taking its turn in joining the group of players tossing in more than 10 points in a game. Dylan Page has scored in double figures in all 25 UWM games, while Ed McCants has been in double digits in 23 of 25 contests and Joah Tucker has reached double digits in 19 of 25 games. After that, four other players have combined for 17 double-digit outings, with Chris Hill and Adrian Tigert collecting six apiece, Kalombo Kadima tallying four and Nate Mielke one.

* Newcomer Of The Year?

Junior Ed McCants continues to make an immediate impact on the Panther rotation this season, tossing in 12 more points Saturday. The Paris JC transfer stands second on the team in scoring at 17.2 ppg, has scored 20 or more points 10 times and has been in double figures in all but two games this season. He is the leading candidate for Horizon League Newcomer of the Year.

* Getting It Done On 'D'

Youngstown State seems to be the only team able to consistently put a dent in what has been a strong defensive effort by the Panthers in league play. YSU shot 47.4 percent Saturday after shooting 61.2 percent in the first matchup between the two teams Jan. 15. Throw out those two games and UWM is allowing its league opponents to shoot just 42 percent in 13 contests. That includes five outings where the opponent has shot under 40 percent, including both games against Wright State and contests with Green Bay, Butler and Cleveland State. For the season, opponents shoot 44 percent from the field against UWM, including just under 43 percent in league play.

* National Numbers

UWM is in the latest NCAA statistical rankings (Feb. 18), with the Panthers standing 11th nationally in field goal percentage and 24th in scoring. Individually, Dylan Page ranks 20th in scoring while Ed McCants is 16th in three-point field goals per game and 27th in three-point field goal percentage.

* League Leaders

Some UWM players are at the top of the Horizon League statistical charts. Dylan Page stands first in the league in scoring and fifth in rebounding. In fact, UWM has three players in the top 10 in the league in scoring, with Ed McCants fourth and Joah Tucker ninth. Tucker is fifth, Page sixth and McCants 10th in field goal percentage while McCants is third in free throw percentage and first in three-pointers made. As a team, UWM is first in scoring, field goal percentage and assists.

* Notable Notes From Earlier This Year

UWM tied a Division I school-record Feb. 7 by turning the ball over just five times in its win over Wright State. The Panthers have turned the ball over just five times on three other occasions since returning to the Division I ranks in 1990 - the most recent coming Feb. 24, 1994, against UW-Green Bay. Prior to Feb. 7, the fewest turnovers in a game for UWM under Bruce Pearl was seven at Wisconsin in the season opener last year ... Sophomores Joah Tucker and Adrian Tigert have both checked in with double-doubles this season. Tigert has two of them, including a 13-point, 14-rebound effort against UIC, while Tucker went for 17 points and 12 rebounds against Wright State ... Along with two-time honoree Dylan Page, Joah Tucker and Kalombo Kadima have each been honored as the Horizon League Player of the Week this season. Tucker was honored after opening his UWM career with a 22-point outing against Montana. Kadima was honored after scoring a career-high 22 points to help the Panthers beat UW-Green Bay ... Dylan Page leads the team with 30 blocks but Nate Mielke is right behind with 26. Mielke has 76 career blocks - the third-most by a Panther since 1992. Page has 69 career blocks, fourth on UWM's all-time Division I list ... UWM has shot 50 percent or better 12 times this season and 28 times in the two-plus seasons under Bruce Pearl. Two of the best outings this year were a 60.4 percent effort at Loyola Jan. 10 and a 59.2 percent mark Jan. 24 at Detroit ... The crowd of 8,703 Jan. 31 at the U.S. Cellular Arena was the largest regular season crowd for a UWM home game at the arena and the second-largest UWM home crowd in school history. Only the 10,115 that saw the Panthers beat Butler in the league title game last year was larger. UWM is now averaging nearly 3,900 fans per game - up over 600 per game from last year's regular season ... When Dylan Page scored 26 points and Ed McCants added 21 Feb. 12 in the win over Loyola, it marked the seventh time this season the two each scored at least 20 points in the same game. Meanwhile, Page, McCants and Joah Tucker all eclipsed the 20-point mark in the Dec. 30 win over Idaho State, marking the first time since last February's win at Loyola that three Panthers scored 20 points or more in the same game

* Signing On The Dotted Line

Indianapolis prep standout Anthony Passley and junior college transfer Derrick Ford have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at UWM. Passley, of North Central High School, is a possible Mr. Basketball in Indiana. Ford was a Top 20 player in the state of Ohio as a high school senior and is a Top 70 JUCO prospect from Olney Central Community College in Illinois. UWM also has a pair of Division I transfers on its roster that will sitting out this season. Jason McCoy is a 6-foot-9 small forward from Rutgers while Derrick Wimmer is a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Chicago State.

* Up Next

UWM has a full week off before facing Cleveland State in the regular season finale next Saturday. The contest, which will be played at the on-campus Klotsche Center, begins at 7 p.m.