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Post by milfan on Jan 30, 2007 14:10:06 GMT -6
Panthers Draw Drake In BracketBusters
Bulldogs will be third MVC foe for UWM this season
Jan. 30, 2007
MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team will play Drake University in the fifth-annual O'Reilly ESPNU BracketBusters event.
The game, at the Knapp Center in Des Moines, will tip off at 7:05 p.m. CST on Feb. 17.
The Bulldogs are 12-10 overall and 3-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference entering a home game Wednesday with Missouri State. Drake does own non-league wins over both Iowa State and Iowa while also beating Northern Iowa this past weekend.
The Panthers (8-16), meanwhile, upped their Horizon League record to 5-6 with an overtime win over Cleveland State Monday. After starting the season 2-11, UWM has gone 6-5 over its last 11 games.
The two head coaches each share ties, with Drake's Dr. Tom Davis and UWM's Rob Jeter each graduates of UW-Platteville.
UWM is 1-3 all-time in BracketBusters contests, including an 0-2 mark against Missouri Valley Conference foes. In 2003, the Panthers lost at the buzzer at Southern Illinois, while last season Missouri State knocked off an injury-depleted UWM squad, 72-63. Milwaukee also has a home loss to Manhattan (2004) and a win at Hawai'i (2005) on its BracketBusters resume.
As part of the BracketBusters agreement, Drake will return the game at the U.S. Cellular Arena next season. The Bulldogs will add to an already attractive home schedule that is highlighted by Wisconsin and Northern Iowa.
UWM has three games to play prior to the BracketBusters matchup. The Panthers' next game is Feb. 3 at nationally-ranked Butler.
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Post by BBFran on Jan 30, 2007 14:15:11 GMT -6
Good deal, in the sense it gives us a home game against an MVC team next year, which is great.
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Post by dylanrocks on Jan 30, 2007 14:40:45 GMT -6
That is an outstanding draw. Pending the outcome of a return date at Northern Iowa, the Bulldogs — coached by Bruce Pearl and Bo Ryan mentor Dr. Tom Davis — are the undisputed champions of the state of Iowa, having already beaten UNI, Iowa and Iowa State in head-to-head competition. In addition, Drake is ranked No. 108 in the most recent RPI. Outstanding.
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Post by milfan on Jan 30, 2007 14:50:19 GMT -6
TUESDAY, Jan. 30, 2007, 1:17 p.m.
By Bobbi Roquemore
UWM to visit Drake for BracketBusters game
UW-Milwaukee will travel to Drake as part of the ESPN BracketBusters matchup on Feb. 17. The time has not been determined.
As previously announced, the game will not be part of the television package.
Drake (12-10, 3-8 Missouri Valley) is coached by Tom Davis, formerly of Iowa and Boston College and a mentor to both Wisconsin's Bo Ryan and former UWM coach Bruce Pearl.
The 102 teams in this season's BracketBusters have combined for 70 appearances in the last five NCAA Tournaments, including 2006 Final Four participant George Mason, 2002 Elite Eight member Kent State and six other Sweet Sixteen squads from the last five NCAA Tournaments. The Horizon League boasts two of the Sweet 16 teams in Butler in 2003 and UWM in 2005.
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Kingsbury
Junior
Sadly, no longer in the "Fear 42" Fan Club!!!
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Post by Kingsbury on Jan 30, 2007 15:16:23 GMT -6
Outside of the top 6 or so games, who really cares about the BB. Drake had to lobby for this game, otherwise it makes no sense? UWGB is playing Northern Illinois (RPI #297), Loyola is playing Eastern Illinois (RPI #324), Cleavland State is playing Cal State Fullerton (RPI #135). What gives? I know a team's willingness to travel plays into the formula, but it seems like they let some home teams cherry pick instead of matching up RPI's.
This brings up an interesting topic, if you are Drake and are 3-8 in conference and have a reasonable RPI but really have no shot at making the big dance unless you win the Valley, why wouldn't you "volunteer" to play a lower RPI if you think it may help you next year for a quality road game?
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Post by nighthawk on Jan 30, 2007 15:18:00 GMT -6
Perhaps we have a higher profile nationally than UWGB, Loyola or Cleveland State. ESPN is not stupid, and the potential for a great return game next season is very real as well.
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Post by dylanrocks on Jan 30, 2007 15:28:35 GMT -6
This pairing is really a favorable commentary on what ESPN thinks of our program vs. GB, Loyola and certainly Cleveland State. Next year's game will bolster a home schedule that already features the Badgers, Northern Iowa and potentially one other MVC team, according to the coaches. I understand that the "request" list submitted by Milwaukee included Tennessee-Martin, SEMO, Fairfield and Northeastern. Some of these locations were reportedly chosen for recruiting purposes. There's a lot that goes into arranging these BracketBuster games, indeed.
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Post by nola03 on Jan 30, 2007 15:39:31 GMT -6
I haven't really kept up with the Bracket Buster event since they've expanded it but can someone explain to me what the requirements are for being selected? In essence, are these teams selected in two year cycles (i.e. UWM being selected last season merits their selection this season)? It just seems to be a wide ranging group of teams.
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Post by Hack on Jan 30, 2007 16:09:19 GMT -6
I haven't really kept up with the Bracket Buster event since they've expanded it but can someone explain to me what the requirements are for being selected? In essence, are these teams selected in two year cycles (i.e. UWM being selected last season merits their selection this season)? It just seems to be a wide ranging group of teams. All they really did was expand the pool of eligible teams to receive an ESPN TV game ... I think there's 15 TV games total. Those who aren't selected are then matched up and play a regular non-conference game, and get a return game the following season. Basically the reason why they expanded was to protect themselves of a team not living up to preseason hype. For example, if there was a small pool this year, Butler likely wouldn't be tabbed to be in a BracketBusters game (since they were a preseaon No. 6 team in conference) while UWGB and Loyola would be ... not necessarily what ESPN would want. There's really only 15 marquee BracketBusters games ... and UWM isn't in one of them. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2007 16:11:29 GMT -6
I agree. This is a great situation for UWM.
Meanwhile, where is LeCrone during this? Shouldn't be fighting for the conference for better quality opponents? Loyola has an outside shot for an NIT birth since they beat Northern Iowa. Instead they pulled Eastern Illinois! If they had received Drake, and won, it would have helped their resume.
Another MVC school at the Cell in 07-08!
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Post by Pantherholic on Jan 30, 2007 17:20:18 GMT -6
well egg is on my face, and i'm ok w/ that. great match-up and hopefully a continuing trend of games w/ the MVC.  |
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Post by mfscho on Jan 30, 2007 18:58:19 GMT -6
Definite props to Drake for beating those other 3 Iowa teams, thats very impressive. I expect a good game between the two schools and am eagerly awaiting the matchup.
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Post by nola03 on Jan 31, 2007 18:38:13 GMT -6
Thanks, Hack. One more question: does this group of teams remain the same for the next few years? Is this something that the Panthers can rely upon happening year in and year out?
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Post by formerseasonticketholder on Feb 17, 2007 10:03:39 GMT -6
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Post by dubulldog on Feb 17, 2007 13:39:30 GMT -6
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