Lindy's Prediction

[fan]

Lindy's Likes Panthers In 2004-05
Magazine touts McCants, Tucker, Ford; picks UWM to win Horizon

MILWAUKEE - Lindy's College Basketball Magazine has picked the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee to win the Horizon League men's basketball title.

The magazine has also selected Ed McCants as the League's Pre-Season Player
of the Year, while Joah Tucker joins McCants on the publication's
All-Horizon League First Team. The editors also tout other portions of the
Panther program, including newcomer Derrick Ford and the Panthers' 2004-05
recruiting class.

In picking the Panthers to qualify for this season's NCAA Tournament, the
magazine says, "Bruce Pearl has UWM humming along nicely." The publication
also selects Ed McCants as one of 10 players ready for national stardom,
saying, "With the departure of Dylan Page, McCants could see his scoring
average exceed the 20 ppg clip while helping his team back into the NCAA
Tournament." They also tout McCants as the Horizon League's best NBA
prospect.

UWM was also picked for the top spot in the league because of a strong group
of newcomers, according to the magazine. This season's group of newcomers
was ranked among the "Best of the Rest" in the magazine by Van Coleman,
placing it among the top 60 recruiting classes in the country. Plus, Ford
was rated as the seventh-best outgoing junior college center in the country.

UWM returns four of five starters from last year's team that won the Horizon
League regular season championship and earned the school's first NIT bid
last season. The Panthers, after making the NCAA Tournament in 2003, have
recorded back-to-back 20-win season for the first time since the early
1990s.

Kevin O'Connor
Sports Information Director
Special Assistant to the Athletic Director
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

[admin]

It is good to hear Ford's name mentioned in the article as someone who could make an impact this year. If there was one area on the team I was worried about, it was our post play. However, this makes me much more confident in this position.

So far two magazines pick us. Things are looking good! ;D

It is the year of Ed McCants...can't wait to see what happens.

Later,
UWMfreak

[dylanrocks]

From what I have been told, all the incoming recruits should have a positive impact on this year's team. I'm curious, though, if the top 60 ranking included Passley. These publications are often assembled well in advance of their release. Still, I believe -- like you guys -- that things are really looking up.

[Hack]

UWM said:

So far two magazines pick us. Things are looking good! ;D

While that is nice, it don't mean sh*t come November through March.

[fan]

If Mccants was 2 inches taller I'd call him a LOCK for NBA.

[dunzz]

It is good to get this type of recognition because it puts UWM on the map. This means more players will hear about UWM and in the future we will be able to attract a bigger talent pool. This has its obvious advantages.

Plus it’s nice to get some recognition in the shadow of two power house basketball teams like Madison and Marquette. (even though Marquette has lost alot of talent)

Even with out the Magazines we still can call ourselves the best team in the league. It’s all in the numbers.

Everyone is right about McCants. Last year he made 104 three point shots. I hoping he makes 135 this year. (Knock on wood) The exciting thing about this year is that McCants does not share shooting time with Dylan Page who averaged about 20 points per game. Dylan Page I love you man, but I can see McCants surpassing Page's ppg average.

More importantly, there’s Joaha Tucker. Last year as a sophomore, Tucker averaged about 12 points per game. That does not seem impressive or great but remember he did that while McCants averaged 17 points per game and Page Averaged 20 points per game. This means more shooting opportunities for Tucker. Expect him to grow and grow over the next two seasons.

I would also like to give mention to the biggest short player in the horizon league. Toping out at 5 feet 10 inches is Chris Hill. The amazing thing about Hill is his contributions on defense. Tying Ed McCants for most steals last year. For the most part of the season he led the panthers in steals. The most exciting thing about Hill is that he has had 5 games with 5 rebounds. And do not think those were all easy teams. Two of them were Madison and Manhattan. I predict that Hill will have multiple double doubles this season. I admit when I first saw him play I was nervous. But all he can get is more experienced. By the way did I mention he was 5-10! Expect his numbers to go up this year because he will most likely get more time on the court. Last season he shared starting duties with Kadima.

Then there’s Adrian Tigert. A very unique player, who does not use his size to muscle to the basket but uses his size to set up plays. Tigert led the Panthers last year in assists with 110 total assists. Tigert is a really strong weapon because as the defense commits to stop him from going to the basket he can just kick it out to another panther for the open shot.

So that is the 4 returning starters but we need one more guy. I really have no clue to who will take that position. What do you guys think? Who do you think Pearl is going to put in and Why? If you were Bruce Pearl who would you put in and Why?

I really hope that Derek Ford gets to play. I saw this guy on campus and I saw him practicing (when I snuck in) with the team. We could use someone like him the absence of Nate Mielke and Dylan Page. One question though, on the panther web site he is not assigned a number. What’s the dilio?

Interesting Transfers: Jason McCoy who sat out last year (due NCAA transfer rules) will get his chance to show his stuff. Another big man who tops out at 6-9. Even though he has not demonstrated himself on the Milwaukee court and only played 7 mins at Rutgers, I believe he has some potential.

If it was my team I would put one of those two in.