Panthers Picked Sixth In Preseason League Poll
Oct. 7, 2008
MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team has been picked to finish sixth in the Horizon League this season, according to a poll of the league's coaches, sports information directors and media members released today. Cleveland State, last season's regular season and tournament runner-up, was picked to win the league crown. Wright State was picked second with UIC third and Green Bay fourth. Two-time defending champion Butler was selected fifth. The Vikings collected 40 of a possible 49 first-place votes cast, with Wright State, Butler, UIC and Loyola splitting the other nine. Experience was definitely of value to league voters. Cleveland State returns four of five starters, including a pair of 2008 all-league performers in J'Nathan Bullock and Cedric Jackson. Wright State brings back three of five starters, including 2008 first-team all-league performer Vaughn Duggins. UIC also has three of its five starters returning, including all-leaguer Josh Mayo. And, Green Bay has all five starters back, including all-league performer Mike Schachtner. Butler did lose four of its five starters but returns all-league performer Matt Howard and has lost just five regular-season league games over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Milwaukee will be looking to blend its returnees and large group of newcomers in an effort to exceed its fourth-place finish of a year ago. Starters Deonte Roberts and Ricky Franklin return in the backcourt, which is bolstered by the return of Avery Smith. But, nine of the 18 players on UWM's roster at the start of the season will be in their first season with the Panthers. "Looking at those teams picked above us, there is not a lot of separation between those teams," UWM head coach Rob Jeter said. "There is not a lot of separation between a big group of us and it is going to be fun to battle, watch people get beat up and banged up on the road, and watch everyone try to hold their homecourt. It is going to be interesting to see what happens."
Valparaiso (seventh), Loyola (eighth), Detroit (ninth) and Youngstown State (10th) round out the poll. The official preseason all-league teams will be announced Thursday. UWM opens its exhibition schedule Nov. 5 against MSOE and its regular season Nov. 14 against Loyola Marymount. |
