Post by RUFresh on Nov 7, 2006 13:56:28 GMT -5
Many college basketball fans are familiar with Wisconin-Milwaukee, as in recent years they have become regulars in the NCAA tournament. Former coach Bruce Pearl went on to take over at Tennessee two years back. The Panthers still managed to get to the postseason last season, but they'll have a tough time doing so this year, with the departure of five starters, two key reserves and a total of 6 seniors lost to graduation.
It should be interesting to see what Panthers team comes out to play in Friday night's opener against our Highlanders. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, received 40 votes in CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Top 25 poll, but they lost a recent exhibition match-up to Division II UW-Parkside.
Players to watch
Paige Paulsen
Junior | Forward
6-7 - 220
He averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in his last year @ Northern Illinois before transferring to UWM. He started 7 contests and scores 19 points against DePaul. Very versatile. Good 3-point shooter. South Dakota's Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year in HS.
Ricky Franklin
Sophomore | Guard
6-1 - 200
Local kid who Blue Ribbon lists as Milwaukee's best high school player in 2005. The book on him is that he's quick and strong.
Marcus Skinner
Junior | Forward
6-6 - 215
Averaged 13.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg @ Mott (Mich.) CC. Lots of upside.
Sam Mauldin
Junior | Forward
6-9 - 245
A familiar name to Highlanders fans ... well sort of. Mauldin was with former Big South school Birmingham Southern, but didn't see any action as he sat out the season (knee). When BSC dropped to D3, Mauldin moved over to UWM. He averaged 12 ppg, 7 rpg at Shelton State (Ala.) CC
Prediction
While Wisconsin-Milwaukee lost a lot of players, the Highlanders did too. Radford will need some time to gel and find some chemistry, especially in their backcourt. The Highs will miss WHF's scoring and Andre Bynum's defense and ballhandling, but overall, Radford will play an exciting, unselfish brand of basketball. RU has been horrible on the road in recent years, but since it is the first game of the year, and both teams lost a lot from last season ... I'll give the edge to the Highlanders.
Radford 67
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 64
It should be interesting to see what Panthers team comes out to play in Friday night's opener against our Highlanders. Wisconsin-Milwaukee, received 40 votes in CollegeInsider.com's Mid-Major Top 25 poll, but they lost a recent exhibition match-up to Division II UW-Parkside.
Players to watch
Paige Paulsen
Junior | Forward
6-7 - 220
He averaged 7.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in his last year @ Northern Illinois before transferring to UWM. He started 7 contests and scores 19 points against DePaul. Very versatile. Good 3-point shooter. South Dakota's Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year in HS.
Ricky Franklin
Sophomore | Guard
6-1 - 200
Local kid who Blue Ribbon lists as Milwaukee's best high school player in 2005. The book on him is that he's quick and strong.
Marcus Skinner
Junior | Forward
6-6 - 215
Averaged 13.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg @ Mott (Mich.) CC. Lots of upside.
Sam Mauldin
Junior | Forward
6-9 - 245
A familiar name to Highlanders fans ... well sort of. Mauldin was with former Big South school Birmingham Southern, but didn't see any action as he sat out the season (knee). When BSC dropped to D3, Mauldin moved over to UWM. He averaged 12 ppg, 7 rpg at Shelton State (Ala.) CC
Prediction
While Wisconsin-Milwaukee lost a lot of players, the Highlanders did too. Radford will need some time to gel and find some chemistry, especially in their backcourt. The Highs will miss WHF's scoring and Andre Bynum's defense and ballhandling, but overall, Radford will play an exciting, unselfish brand of basketball. RU has been horrible on the road in recent years, but since it is the first game of the year, and both teams lost a lot from last season ... I'll give the edge to the Highlanders.
Radford 67
Wisconsin-Milwaukee 64