www.jsonline.com/sports/coll/feb06/1390800.aspQ: Kyle of Oak Creek - Hey Bobbi. Great job this season thusfar! Should we worry about Bulter catching us for the conference lead? Or was last week just a bad week for us?
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Hello folks, we'll get started a little early here with an interesting question from Kyle. Looking at Butler's schedule down the stretch, at Wright State, at UWGB and at Detroit, I'd be surprised to see them run the table in all three. By contrats, looking at UWM's schedule, vs. Youngstown State, vs. UIC at home, I'd be surprised to see the Panthers NOT run the table (except for Bracket Buster, which could go either way). I think last week was a bad week and just the type needed for everyone to refocus and realize that teams, especially on the road, are major tough. And thanks for the kind words.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: jason of milwaukee - Does this team need to win the Horizon League tourney to get an NCAA bid?
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Shortest answer of the night: Yes. Oops need to add more: HL is down compared to MVC, even MAC. It's a one-bid league.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Al of Tosa - Why does UWM not have the visiting team come towards the student section in the 2nd half?
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Gosh, I don't know for sure, but just looking at the Cell, it might have something to do with the fact that the Arena has no suites or club seating for big-wig groups and sponsors. So sponsors are usually given those tables at that end of the Arena. Again, not sure, but it seems like a logical explanation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Paul of Shorewood - Do you know who makes the schedule for the Horizon league? How can we get scheduled four road games in a row against some of the toughest teams, plus the last two were over three days? Someone does not like us.
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Try to look at it like this: Now UWM has four of the last five at home. The Wright State/Butler combo makes sense travel-wise, but at least it's not like 2003-04, when UWM had UWGB, Cleveland State, Detroit and Youngstown State from 1-17-04 to 1-27-04. By the way, they won all four.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: joe of milwaukee - in your opinion, what is the most fun/exicting part of a milwaukee panther game?
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Two answers: 1. The game itself, seeing Boo Davis get on a roll from behind the arc, AT back some poor guy in underneath, Avery be good Avery, Joah be "inside" Joah. 2. Home games, the Popeyes Chicken catch!!!! What a great promo. Now if they would just learn to launch the chickens correctly all of the time.... Comedy Break No. 1 for those who are counting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Katie of East Side - One incredible line from the Butler game box score was that the Bulldogs only had 5 turnovers. In the past few games, the other opponents have had very few turnovers also. Do you think this is the result of a very weak press or the defense as a whole? Seems like UWM only pressures the inbounds now and then runs back after they get the ball in.
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Gotta love my Katie. You're correct, it did seem like part of the mid-season roll was due to the causing of turnovers. Is it less teams have become familiar with the press on their second go-round with UWM or that the press has softened is up for debate. But UWM has been in tighther games, especially last week, which makes pressing and trapping the first pass much more risky. Good question.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Joel of Milwaukee - Can you explain the rationale of Jeter's "press?" Manning up on the inbound only to drop back into a man-to-man, half-court defense after the ball is inbounded seems useless to me. Either press and trap or just pick up at half-court. What he's doing now just seems like a waste of time.
A: Bobbi Roquemore - To continue, it seems like they've regressed in that area. It was understandable to start the season with the inbound only press until everyone got up to speed. Now, teams are getting their second look at UWM and are determined not to get beat that way again, so adjustments have been made all over the place. It's too risky on the road in these tight games, although youre right, something's eventually got to give.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Ted of Shorewood - First off, You gotta love any girl with a man's name. My question is, there seems like a lotta friction between Joah Tucker & Rob Jeter. from what I can tell it stems from Tucker thinking he's a three man, when in actuality he is a 4/5 at the college level. Am I on point?
A: Bobbi Roquemore - First off, Bobbi is a woman's name, especially down south. Secondly, I think Joah has come to realize that he is best playing within the paint. Man, Butler was doubling and tripling him and he still broke loose for 26 points, then found AT wide open underneath on a few assists. Losing makes everything look off. I'll bet once the wins start rolling again, it won't look that way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Paul S. of Milwaukee - Bobbi: You and the Journal-Sentinel have done an exceptional job of late covering the Milwaukee Panthers. All Panther fans should be especially appreciative for the work that you have done. We can finally say that the program has a true beat reporter! Here's my question: Why doesn't/won't the paper publish the RPI rankings or at least the ratings of the three local teams of interest? It's clear with the official release of these numbers by the NCAA that these numbers have far more weight than any AP or ESPN poll rankings. I believe it would help the casual college basketball fan better understand how teams are selected and seeded for the NCAA Tournament. Again, thanks for your outstanding work and look forward to talking to you soon.
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Spicuzza, if this is you, sorry I didn't call you back that time. Way busy, living out the suitcase, digging deep for stories, etc. Publishing RPI rankings is more agate 9for those who don't know, the stats, box scores, etc are considered agate in newspaper speak), and we know how sticky that can be. But you're right: the RPI is becoming more important, if only for the three local teams. Let me run this by the people who make those types of decisions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Von Mc of Milwaukee - A college basketball fan cannot go more than five minutes watching a game on ESPN and not hear a reference to the RPI and how crucial it is for a team's post season tournament chances. The Panthers have had an RPI consistently in the top 30 and were sitting around 18 before losses to Wright State and Butler. As a college basketball fan that stat is very impressive. Why dont RPIs show up more in the JS? I would think it would be a great way to let the reader know just how solid of a team the Milwaukee Panthers are. Thanks for your thoughts on this matter.
A: Bobbi Roquemore - To continue, RPIs are important now, but back in Novemeber, to be honest, I could have cared less. Now, with at-large bids and seedings at stake, they are critical. This is my first year, so I'm not sure how my editors feel about RPI, Ken Pomeroy's numbers, Sagarin ratings, etc. Maybe with can do something about the official RPI used by the NCAA as far as getting it in the paper with the weekly rankings. Stay tuned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: t-bone tone of madison - i would like to know what u think about the evolution of uwm basketball from a fun fast-paced, high energy team to a more deliberate and methodical half court team. it seems that they had so much success in subsequent years employing that style of play that it would behoove rob jeter to expand his narrow mindedness concerning new techniques and accept the fact that this is the only way that uwm can be successful.
A: Bobbi Roquemore - T-bone bone, a man can only coach the way he knows how to coach, and he has to show that HE is in charge. Yeah, the past was fun, fun sells tickets and makes me and you smile, but these folks' careers depend on how many games they win. And that plodding Wisconsin team he came from sure as heck turned the Big Ten on its ear in recent years (what, three titles in four years?). My prdiction: UWM and Jeter and the players unleash the dragon again beginning this week. Doing that on the road is tough. At home, much more realistic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Ramon Escobar of Paris - So, what are the chances of UWM getting to the big dance. Some early losses and a couple sub-par performances against questionable opponents I imagine has reduced the chances. If we win the Horizon League, can we go straight to the dance?
A: Bobbi Roquemore - At this point, Ramon, winning the HL tourney in my opinion is the only way they get in, unless they absolutely THRASH Missouri State and leave a lasting impression. Again, all of UWM's losses came on the road, and boy, did that Wright State team improve since we last saw them! Momentum is the key; let's see how they do beginning Thursday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Tommy of Elm Grove - I am not asking about why recruiting is important or when to discuss recruiting. Who are the panthers actively recruiting?
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Hey Tommy, same names as before, haven't got wind of any commitments. Asst. coach Brian Bidlingmyer is criss-crossing the country probably as we speak trying to get some frontcourt players. Please refer to the previous chat regarding the same issue. It hasn't changed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Bobby Bobby Bobby Digi Digi Digi of Bobby Bobby Bobby Digi Digi Digi - Bobby Bobby Bobby Digi Digi Digi
A: Bobbi Roquemore - Huh?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Bob Doherty of Brookfield - Curious as to whether you recieved my two emails dated Feb 2, '06 regarding Joah Tucker and the current state of Panther basketball. As mentioned, I would be interested in your reply.
A: Bobbi Roquemore - At last glance, I had 162 unread e-mails. Know those four road games UWM was on? I was there too. Please be patient, and I'll eventually get through them and get you a repsonse (I think I remember reading one late night last week). Thanks again for taking the time to care. You are not forgotten.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Steve Kroener of Milwaukee, WI - We have more losses in the regular season this year than we did last year, but a good, solid season none the less. At this point in the season do you think Bud Haidet is happy with Jeter's overall performance as coach or would he have liked to see something more???
A: Bobbi Roquemore - And for the deepest question of the night, Steve Kroener of Tosa asks for some introspection. I wrote a story on Bud Haidet back in November, and one thing that stuck out when he was deciding on a new coach was keeping the program's momentum. In my humble opinion, Jeter has done that through this team. Interest is at an all-time high, both in terms of attendance and media coverage, the players have kept their noses clean and their grades up and through luck and good trainig, they've stayed healthy. The attitude of the program starts with the head coach, and Jeter has been a fair spokesperson in wins and losses (Imagine having the old Bobby Knight in this program!!) UWM is so well-respected nationally you wouldn't believe it. Every opposing reporter, even after the losses, thinks that game was just an anomaly and that UWM is in great shape. I think Bud knows that sentiment exists, too. Well, I've gotta run. Thanks to all for stopping by. The next month or so should be quite interesting.... C-ya!
