March 19, 2004

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Game #31 - NIT First Round

UWM (20-10)

at

Boise State (22-9)

Saturday, March 20 * 8:35 p.m. CST

Idaho Center, Nampa, Idaho

Milwaukee Radio: WOKY (920 AM), Bill Johnson play-by-play

Milwaukee TV: Time Warner/Charter Cable Channel 584, Kevin O'Connor and Jason Clark

Internet: Live audio at uwmpanthers.com

Tickets: Contact the UWM Ticket Office at 414-229-5886

* Game #31

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee continues its first-ever trip to the National Invitation Tournament by traveling to Idaho for a contest with Boise State. The game will actually be played at the Idaho Center in Nampa, Idaho, and will tip off at 8:35 p.m. CST.

* Last Time Out

UWM used a 34-9 run from late in the first half through early in the second half to take command in an easy 91-63 win over Rice Wednesday night in an opening round NIT contest at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The Panthers started slo and found themselves down 20-13 early in the first half. But UWM scored the next 10 points, led by nine at halftime and by 18 early in the second half. The Panthers then led by as many as 33 points down the stretch. Dylan Page scored 22 points and Ed McCants 21 to lead UWM, which won a Division I post-season game for the first time in school history and beat Rice in the first meeting between the two schools.

* A Brief Look At The Regular Season That Was

The 2003-04 regular season will go down as one of the better ones in UWM's basketball history. Looking to recover from the loss of seven seniors that helped the Panthers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth, UWM opened the year 6-5. But a 10-game Horizon League winning streak sent the Panthers to the top of the league standings and, despite a three-game losing streak, UWM won the outright Horizon League title.

* League Tournament Recap

Thanks to its regular season title, UWM earned the top seed for the Horizon League Tournament for the first time in school history. The top seed meant a bye into the semifinals, where the Panthers claimed a hard-fought, 58-50, win over Detroit last Saturday in Indianapolis. The Panthers then came home for the title game thanks to their regular season title, only to fall to UIC, 65-62, in the championship contest.

* Counting On A Championship

This year's regular season Horizon League title is UWM's first in the Division I ranks for the men's basketball team. 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 at Hinkle Fieldhouse, 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 men's basketball 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 finished second in the Horizon League this season, adding to a stellar string of success by all of UWM's teams. In all, UWM teams have won 41 regular season or post-season league titles and earned 16 post-season berths since the 1998-99 school year.

* Never Been Here Before

This is UWM's first-ever appearance in the National Invitation Tournament and just the second-ever Division I post-season appearance for the Panthers. Last year, UWM earned its first-ever Division I NCAA Tournament berth by winning the Horizon League Tournament title. The closest UWM ever came to an NIT berth until now was the 1992-93 season, when the Panthers finished 23-4 but were excluded from the NIT field.

* Horizon League In The NIT

Horizon League teams have plenty of history in the NIT and plenty of success to go with it. The most notable run by a league team in recent history was by Detroit in 2001. The Titans went to the semifinals of the tournament that year, winning at Bradley, UCONN and Dayton before falling to Alabama and Memphis in New York. Butler has also had success in the tournament in recent years, advancing to the second round in 2001 and to the third round in 1999. The league's history in the tournament extends all the way back to 1939, when Loyola advanced to the championship game.

* Plenty Of Experience Vs. Post-Season Teams

The announcement of the 2004 NCAA Tournament field validated UWM's non-league schedule as the toughest it has ever played. Six of the Panthers' non-league opponents made the field of 65, with Valparaiso, North Carolina State, Wisconsin, Southern Illinois, Air Force and Manhattan all included. Throw in UWM's two losses against UIC in Horizon League play and seven of the Panthers' 10 losses came to NCAA Tournament teams. Overall, thanks to wins over UIC and Valparaiso, the Panthers own a 2-7 record against teams in the NCAA Tournament. UWM hadn't played any of the teams in the NIT field until Wednesday's win over Rice.

* Wacky About The WAC

UWM's win over Rice Wednesday was just the fourth game the Panthers have ever played against current members of the Western Athletic Conference. UWM is 1-1 against Tulsa, losing at Tulsa in 1976 before winning the return game in 1977. UWM also dropped a contest to Texas-El Paso in 1971.

* On The Road Again

UWM's NIT matchup with Boise State puts them in a true road game for the first time since a Feb. 18 loss at Butler, though the Panthers did play a neutral site contest against Detroit in the semifinals of the Horizon League Tournament. But the Panthers have plenty of experience - and plenty of success - under their belts on the road this year. UWM went 7-7 in overall road games, including 5-3 in league road games. In three years under Pearl, UWM is 20-21 in true road contests, including 15-9 in league play, and 6-3 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 three seasons, including five this year.

* Never An Easy Road

It may go without saying that Boise, Idaho, isn't an easy place to get to, but UWM has found that out firsthand while trying to make the trip for its NIT game. After finding out early Thursday morning it would be playing in Boise, UWM still didn't know as of 5 p.m. Thursday night how it would be getting to its game, thanks to all of the limited flights to Idaho's capital being booked. Finally, UWM located a commercial flight from Chicago, through Minneapolis, to Boise, hopefully getting the Panthers into town at 11:15 MST Friday evening. But the Panthers have already loaded up on the frequent flier miles in non-league play. UWM's schedule sent the Panthers near both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. In total, UWM traveled nearly 9,000 miles during non-league play, with trips to Houston (2360 miles round trip) and Raleigh (1820), plus San Francisco and Colorado Springs (3625). The trip to Boise runs about 1,700 miles. All of those miles don't include the Panthers' journey to Europe this past August.

* Why We're Here

The NIT committee decided late Wednesday night that the first round game between UWM and Boise State would be played in Boise, despite the fact the Broncos don't have their usual facility available due to a gymnastics meet and a Metallica concert. The NIT chose Boise after the Broncos drew over 9,000 fans for their game Wednesday night. It should be noted, though, that BSU is selling tickets for $12 and $5, far less than what most of UWM's tickets were sold for Wednesday ($25 and $20).

* A Historic Win

Wednesday's win over Rice was a historic one for the UWM men's basketball program, marking its first Division I post-season win and it's first post-season win of any kind since 1989. It was also the 20th win of the season for the Panthers, marking back-to-back 20-win campaigns for the first time since the early 1990s. Plus, it is 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.

* Back On Track

UWM's Wednesday night performance was its best in more than a month and had the Panthers looking much more like the team that won its first 10 games in the Horizon League regular season. The Panthers shot 56.9 percent from the field and scored 91 points. UWM hadn't shot that well from the field since making 59 percent of its shots at Detroit Jan. 24 and hadn't scored more than 90 points since Jan. 10 at Loyola. The Panthers hadn't shot above 50 percent since Feb. 5 at UIC. UWM has shot 50 percent or better 13 times this season and 29 times in the three seasons under Bruce Pearl.

* Bouncing Back

The hot shooting Wednesday night helped UWM recover from a cold spell during its two Horizon League Tournament games. The Panthers shot just 38.2 percent from the field in those two contests. In fact, the games against Detroit and UIC marked the first two times all season UWM shot below 40 percent in a game.

* From Long Range

UWM has continued to range outside more often of late, knocking in 36 three-point shots in its last four contests. The Panthers have shot better than 42 percent from three-point range in those four games and the 10 3's UWM made against UIC are the second-most in a single game this year.

* But Looking Inside

While some of their teammates were busy looking inside, Dylan Page and Joah Tucker were busy getting their work done inside. The pair combined for 24 shot attempts, but just four came from beyond the arc. In the previous three games, 22 of Page's 47 shots came from outside the arc.

* Providing Assistance

The Panthers led the Horizon League in assists this season and put their passing prowess on display Wednesday. UWM collected 26 assists on 33 field goals, its second-most assists this season. The Panthers had 28 assists in the win over Cleveland State Feb. 28. Adrian Tigert led the way with seven assists Wednesday and, as the starting center, leads the team with 108 assists.

* Stolen Moments

UWM collected 13 steals Wednesday night against Rice, the second-most by the Panthers this season. In all, the Panthers forced 23 turnovers by the Owls. UWM's pressure defense has become well-known for collecting steals and forcing turnovers. In the last three seasons under Bruce Pearl, UWM has collected at least 10 steals 28 times and the Panthers have forced their opponents into more than 30 turnovers three times.

* 20 And 20 Again

Dylan Page and Ed McCants have been at the top of the scoring charts all season long and were at it again Wednesday night. Page had 22 points and McCants added 21, marking the eighth 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.

* 100 For 3!

Ed McCants knocked in four more three-point shots Wednesday, giving him an even 100 for the season. He is the first Panther to ever hit 100 threes in a single season and he has done it while making a stellar 43 percent of his tries. McCants has knocked in 15 threes in his last three games.

* What A Run

Midway through the first half Wednesday, fans looked up at the scoreboard and saw Rice leading, 20-13. By hafltime, UWM had a 36-29 lead and two minutes into the second half it was 47-29. In all, it was a 34-9 run over a 12-minute span that turned the game into a rout. UWM then led by as many as 33 points late in the game, its largest lead in a game since running out to a 72-36 edge over Concordia-St. Paul Nov. 25.

* Doing It On Defense

UWM's defense has been nothing short of spectacular of late, posting another stellar effort Wednesday night by holding Rice to just 36.6 percent shooting from the field. The Panthers held Detroit to a season-low 35.3 percent shooting clip and just 50 points in the Horizon League semifinals before limiting UIC to just 41.5 percent shooting and 65 points in the title game. Throw in the regular season finale with Cleveland State and the Panthers are allowing opponents to just 37.6 percent shooting from the field and 59.4 ppg in the last four contests - both well below UWM's season defensive averages.

* Improvement Was Needed

UWM's defensive numbers in the last three outings show off the area of the Panthers' biggest improvement from their three-game losing streak. During the three-game skid, opponents shot 49.7 percent from the field, including 52.5 percent from three-point range. During that stretch, UWM was outscored 96-42 from beyond the three-point line.

* Key Numbers

By this time of the year, you can usually find a few statistical trends that will hold true. For the Panthers, the key numbers appear to be turnovers forced and shooting percentage. UWM is 13-1 when forcing its opponents into at least 16 turnovers. Meanwhile, the Panthers are 15-4 when shooting at least 45 percent from the field. Another key number this season has been the halftime score. UWM is 19-2 when it leads at halftime but just 1-8 when it trails after 20 minutes.

* Looking For Something More From The 20th

March 20 is an important day in UWM basketball history. One year ago on this day, the Panthers faced Notre Dame in its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, losing a 70-69 heartbreaker. This date is also the latest UWM has ever played a basketball game.

* Bracket Breakdown

A quick look at the NIT brackets shows UWM and Boise State know that Marquette stands waiting as a second round opponent for Saturday's winner. That contest will likely be played Tuesday at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee. The other teams still alive in this portion of the bracket include Florida State and Iowa State.

* Checking The Record Book

Dylan Page's 2003-04 season is going into the UWM record books for a number of reasons, joining teammates Nate Mielke and Adrian Tigert as players who had notable record-book performances either this season or for their careers. Entering Saturday's contest, Page's single-season totals from this year place him third all-time (post-1990 Division I records) in scoring and scoring average, second in field goals and blocks and fourth in rebounds. For his career, Page is third in scoring and rebounds and fourth in blocks. Mielke ranks tied for second in career blocks with 78 while Adrian Tigert's 60.6 percent shooting clip is second only to his own 61 percent clip from two years ago in the UWM record book. Tigert is a 60.8 percent shooter for his career - currently the best in UWM history. Plus, Kalombo Kadima has moved into the top five at UWM in games played. As a team, the 2003-04 squad ranks fourth in points, fifth in scoring average and second in blocks, with a chance to still move up in all three categories.

* Some New Honors

UWM's Dylan Page has received two more honors in the last week. Page was named an all-region selection by the United States Basketball Writers Association. He was also named a Mid-Major All-American by CollegeInsider.com, the second-straight year a UWM player has received such an honor. Plus, Ed McCants added another honor when he was named to the Horizon League All-Tournament team.

* And More Honors

Dylan Page capped off one of the best regular seasons in UWM history by winning Horizon League Player of the Year honors. The senior from Amherst, Wis., is the first Panther to ever win the award, voted on by the league's coaches, sports information directors and media. Among the reasons Page won - the best scoring average in the Horizon League, a top -10 ranking in six other statistical categories, 19 20-point-or-more outings and three double-doubles.

* Also Honored

Dylan Page wasn't the only Panther honored in the Horizon League's post-season awards. Junior Ed McCants was named the League's Newcomer of the Year and joined Page as a First-Team All-Horizon League selection. Sophomore Joah Tucker made the League's All-Newcomer Team.

* Page And Viall - An Honorable Pair

Along with Dylan Page being named the Horizon League's Men's Basketball Player of the Year, Maria Viall of UWM was named the Horizon League's Women's Basketball Player of the Year. It's the first time the same school has claimed both honors since the 1994-95 season, when Sherrill Ford and Penny Armstrong each won the awards for UIC. Brian Grant and Carol Madsen each won the awards in 1993-94 for Xavier.

* Keeping The Awards At Home

With Dylan Page winning player of the year honors and Ed McCants winning newcomer of the year honors, it's the first time since the 1993-94 season, and just the third time in league history, that the same school has captured both awards. Xavier's Brian Grant (player of the year) and Jeff Massey (newcomer of the year) combined for the feat in '93-'94, while Loyola's Alfredrick Hughes (POTY) and Carl Goldston (NOTY) did it in the 1983-84 campaign.

* Good And Bad Streaks

UWM has enjoyed a nine-game winning streak and suffered through a three-game losing streak this season. Both streaks rank as some of the longest in the three-year tenure of Bruce Pearl. In fact, the losing streak was just the second three-game streak in three years, with the Panthers posting a 22-6 record under Pearl in games following a loss. UWM's nine-game winning streak was the second-longest streak in the school's Division I history and the longest under 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. 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.

* Haven't Been Playing Much

After going two full months without a week off, UWM has enjoying some down time late in the season. In fact, the Panthers have played just four games since their Feb. 21 Bracket Buster contest and have had a full week off three times - before the Feb. 28 game with Cleveland State, before the league semifinal contest with Detroit March 6 and before the NIT contest with Rice March 17. There won't be much rest from here, though, as any run deep into the NIT would likely have to include three more games in the next six or seven days.

* Winning On The Horizon

The Panthers have moved their way to the top of the Horizon League over the past three seasons, posting a 37-11 record in regular season Horizon League contests. That's the best mark among all league schools and puts head coach Bruce Pearl at the top of the list of active coaches with at least three years in the league. In fact, Pearl's .771 winning percentage ranks as the best winning percentage all-time in the league among coaches with at least three years experience.

* Paging The All-District Honoree

UWM senior Dylan Page was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District 11 First Team two weeks ago. 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.

* Top 10 List

Dylan Page is in the Horizon League's top 10 in seven different categories. Page, who leads the league in scoring, ranks fifth in rebounding, seventh in field goal percentage, eighth in free throw percentage, fourth in three-point field goal percentage, seventh in three-point field goals made and fourth in blocks.

* Dylan Always Does It

After leading the way with 22 points Wednesday in the win over Rice, Dylan Page has now held or shared game-high scoring honors 22 times this season. He has been in double figures in scoring in all 30 games this season and in 63 of his last 65 contests while scoring 20 or more points 19 times this year. He has been named the Horizon League Player of the Week twice and has three double-doubles this season (five for his career).

* National Numbers ... League Leaders

Some UWM players are at the top of the Horizon League and national statistical charts. Dylan Page leads the Horizon League and ranks 17th nationally in scoring, while Ed McCants leads the league and stand 12th in three-point field goals made. As a team, UWM is tops in the league in scoring (27th nationally), field goal percentage (19th nationally) and assists (22nd nationally). Joining Page in the top 10 in the league in scoring are McCants (4th) and Joah Tucker (9th), while Page is fifth and Adrian Tigert seventh in the league in rebounding.

* Notable Notes From Earlier This Year

UWM drew a record crowd of 10,254 to the U.S. Cellular Arena for the Horizon League title game vs. UIC March 9. It surpassed the 10,115 that showed up a season ago when UWM beat Butler for the league crown and means the three largest UWM crowds at the U.S. Cellular Arena have come in the last two seasons ... Sophomore Chris Hill knocked down all 12 of his free throw attempts Feb. 14 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 ... 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 ... 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.

* Lights ... Camera ... Action

Saturday's NIT contest will be UWM's 14th television appearance of the season, including three national TV dates. UWM and UIC were featured last Tuesday on ESPN, plus the Panthers faced Manhattan on ESPN2 during Bracket Buster Saturday and were on Fox Sports Net's ACC Sunday Night Hoops in December against North Carolina State. UWM has also made five additional appearances on Fox Sports regional outlets and four other appearances on Milwaukee's WMLW, TV-41.

* 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

Tonight's winner plays at Marquette, likely on Tuesday night at the Bradley Center.