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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Apr 25, 2023 18:13:42 GMT -6
UWM Panthers add athleticism and toughness with signings of three new players Todd Rosiak
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Bart Lundy has added more talent to UWM's incoming recruiting class, but he has two more spots left to fill. It was a banner day Tuesday for the UW-Milwaukee men's basketball program.
The Panthers signed three players -- guards Erik Pratt and Pierce Spencer and wing Learic Davis -- who coach Bart Lundy believes will help build off their 22-12 finish this past season and form the foundation of a potential Horizon League champion and NCAA Tournament team in 2023-24.
UWM also returns a budding star in junior BJ Freeman as well as key contributors in Markeith Browning II, Kentrell Pullian and Elijah Jamison.
"As a group, I really like where we are and what we have moving forward," Lundy said. "We are extremely dynamic offensively. There are still some rebounding concerns and we need some size, so we're still chasing guys down. But what we have in what I think are really important spots is a lot of depth and a lot of dynamic players.
"We're going to be extremely hard to guard."
Here is a closer look at each of the new players joining the Panthers, as well as news of a couple more departures.
G Erik Pratt, 6-5, 185 pounds To see Pratt wind up at UWM isn't a total surprise considering the Lake Worth, Florida, native originally signed to play for Lundy when Lundy was coaching at Queens University.
But Pratt ended up going to junior college and then to Texas A&M, where he played in nine games last season for coach Buzz Williams and averaged 1.4 points. Pratt's playing time was curtailed by a deep and talented group of guards ahead of him on the depth chart.
"He steps on campus and he already has trust with me even though I haven't been with him over the course of his journey," Lundy said. "He had tons of offers coming out of junior college and a bunch when he went in the portal. He needed to be comfortable with BJ, so they spent a lot of time together and it's been a good fit."
Pratt is a left-hander who knocked down as many as 10 three-pointers in a game during his time in junior college, and that type of shooting ability is something UWM can use moving forward.
"I just think he's got a high-level skill set," Lundy said. "Yeah, he can really shoot it, but he can also put it on the floor and create his own shot and create for others. When I recruited him at Queens I thought he would end up being a point guard and I still think he can play some point.
"He's got really good basketball IQ, understands the game and is an underrated defender. He's played for some good defensive coaches. His game is really smooth."
Pratt will be a senior with two years of eligibility remaining.
G Pierce Spencer, 6-3, 175 pounds Anyone who watched the Panthers last season saw their need for a prototypical "floor general" type of point guard who can run the show and lead.
Lundy believes Spencer -- the son of a high-school coach-- checks those boxes as he comes onboard after two seasons at Nicholls State.
The Porter, Texas, native averaged 7.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 21 games this year despite playing with a torn labrum in his right (shooting) shoulder that he had surgically repaired after the season.
"I had two different coaches in his league say if they could have one player from their league, it would be Pierce just because of his toughness and grit," Lundy said. "He was on the all-defensive team in that league. He played all year with the torn labrum, so his offensive numbers were down a little bit.
"But he's won a lot of games, and his defensive ability and his toughness -- I thought that's what we needed. Their coaches were saying he was playing with the torn labrum and we can't keep him from diving on the floor all the time in practice."
Lundy said Spencer will be limited a bit during summer workouts as his shoulder continues to heal but should be full-go in time for fall practice.
Spencer will have two years of eligibility remaining.
G/F Learic Davis, 6-7, 185 pounds Davis, the former Bradley Tech star, announced in March he would be transferring to UWM after spending his freshman year at Tennessee State.
Being able to add not only an athlete with incredible leaping ability (vertical leap of 40-plus inches) but also a Milwaukee City Conference product is a definite win-win for the Panthers.
"His ceiling is so high," Lundy said. "I told our staff this morning he's the one guy I'm so eager to get here and start working with because I don't know how high his ceiling is. Athletically he's really good, plays really hard. But I want to get him in the guts of everything and see where he can go."
Davis practiced all season with Tennessee State but wasn't allowed to play in games due to an academic issue.
"He ended up just short and once he got there they had to sit him out," Lundy said. "His grades were fine, but he was just half a core (course) short. They thought he would be a starter for them as a freshman. His potential is really off the charts.
"And not only is he athletic, but he's got length. He's got an NBA body and NBA athleticism. He's a developing shooter but can really handle the ball so he can go up and get the ball above the rim, push it himself and make a lot of plays."
Davis will have four years of eligibility with the Panthers.
Keon Edwards enters the transfer portal Keon Edwards arrived at UWM with a Division I pedigree but already well-traveled, having spent time at both DePaul and Nebraska.
His journey will again take him elsewhere as the 6-8 sophomore wing has entered the transfer portal, making him the fifth Panthers player to do so since the end of the season.
Edwards was hampered by a badly sprained ankle for a good portion of the season and played in only 16 games, averaging 3.3 points and 1.5 rebounds.
"We part on good terms," Lundy said. "He just really wants to play. We talked right after the season was over and my comment to him was you're either 10 toes in or 10 toes out -- don't be in-between.
"We went through the spring and I think he saw the recruiting and maybe that his chances to play weren't going to be as much. He just wants to play, and we're trying to help him however we can and wish him the best."
Jordan Ratliffe is moving on Guard Jordan Ratliffe, a graduate transfer from UNC-Pembroke, is calling it a career. He transferred in to UWM last offseason but suffered a torn ACL in practice before the season and was forced to redshirt after undergoing surgery. Ratliffe was expected to provide depth at guard.
Ratliffe arrived at UWM having already earned a master's degree.
"Jordan is going to move on with life," Lundy said. "He tore his knee up and has been in school for a long time and is kind of ready to get on with life. But he's still around and helps with the guys."
UWM has two open scholarships remaining Due to the departures of Edwards and Ratliffe, Lundy has two additional scholarships to fill moving forward.
In addition to Pratt, Spencer and Davis the Panthers have also inked 6-6 wing Makuei Riek and 6-8 post Darius Duffy. Also expected to come onboard is 6-9 Thomas Diew.
The best guess is UWM is on the hunt for at least one and probably two big men to round out the roster. With Ahmad Rand and Moses Bol having completed their eligibility, the tallest returning scholarship player is Freeman at 6-6.
"We're hustling," Lundy said. "We're hustling hard, trying to fill these two (spots)."
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on Apr 26, 2023 7:31:08 GMT -6
Thoughts on this....
- Great info by Todd Rosiak. Nothing to new for us on the board, yet we are a some few. Let's hope outside Panther fans see this as it gives great info.
-I enjoyed many quotes from Bart Lundy.
-Quote that got myself excited by Lundy was "We're going to be extremely hard to guard." I wonder what player or players fit that mold?
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Post by Cactus Panther on May 6, 2023 12:50:56 GMT -6
UWM men's basketball adds two players including Milwaukee Hamilton's Simeon Murchison Todd Rosiak Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
UW-Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy has one scholarship to fill.
UW-Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy likes to think big when it comes to his players.
So while his newest signee, Aaron Franklin, is listed at 6 feet 5 inches, Lundy doesn't see the 210-pound native of Kansas City, Missouri, as being strictly a guard once he suits up for the Panthers this coming season.
"To me, he's got a frame where he could get up to 230 (pounds) and be a PJ Tucker type," Lundy said. "It was nice having Moses (Bol, the 7-footer). But I think height is the most overrated thing in basketball. He can play anywhere from the 2 through the 5 for us."
Franklin just put the wraps on a tremendous season at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College, where he was named third-team all-American in the NJCAA after averaging 22 points on 49.2% shooting and 8.2 rebounds per game.
Helping Franklin's average on the glass were 12 double-digit rebounding games, including one in which he hauled down 18 in 32 minutes to help fuel a victory.
"He's really just scratching the surface on how good a rebounder he can be," said Lundy of Franklin, who also hit a team-leading 80 three-pointers in 32 games to go along with 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals. "He has massive hands and really, just a nose for the ball.
"He is a definite switchable. He can shoot the three, he can post you up. He can do a little bit of everything. Very, very versatile."
Franklin's play had attracted the notice of Power 5 schools but he whittled his list of finalists to UWM, Tulsa and Western Kentucky based on his goal to major in electrical engineering.
"He's almost like the perfect student-athlete," Lundy said. "He's not a good student, he's a great student. And then he's a terrific player, as well. Humble and just a great young man. The kind of guy you want to coach.
"He's definitely talented enough, but he brings so many other intangibles. That's what makes me excited about him."
Franklin will have three years of eligibility at UWM.
Joining Franklin as the latest newcomers to the program will be 6-8 Simeon Murchison of Milwaukee Hamilton product who becomes the second City Conference play to come aboard since March.
Bradley Tech's Learic Davis, a transfer from Tennessee State, was the first.
Murchison fits the bill as far as the Panthers' need for size, with no returning scholarship players over 6-6. But the belief is as Murchison develops he can become a true inside-outside player with tremendous potential.
Murchison's story is also unique in that he is autistic. There are some who believe he was the best all-around player in the City Conference this past season, and to be able to keep Murchison home and close to his support network while playing Division I basketball is hoped to be a win-win for both player and program.
Murchison will join the Panthers this season as a preferred walk-on with the potential to earn a scholarship.
With the signing of Franklin, UWM has one remaining scholarship to fill.
"I'm looking for an all-league type to fill that last spot," Lundy said. "So, as patient as I have to be is how I'm going to play it out.
"We've got a good team. I like the toughness and the character that we've added with these signees. But we need some size and rebounding and somebody that can really carry a lot of water at that 5 spot."
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Post by mcdadenets50 on May 6, 2023 13:42:13 GMT -6
UWM men's basketball adds two players including Milwaukee Hamilton's Simeon Murchison Todd Rosiak Milwaukee Journal Sentinel UW-Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy has one scholarship to fill. UW-Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy likes to think big when it comes to his players. So while his newest signee, Aaron Franklin, is listed at 6 feet 5 inches, Lundy doesn't see the 210-pound native of Kansas City, Missouri, as being strictly a guard once he suits up for the Panthers this coming season. "To me, he's got a frame where he could get up to 230 (pounds) and be a PJ Tucker type," Lundy said. "It was nice having Moses (Bol, the 7-footer). But I think height is the most overrated thing in basketball. He can play anywhere from the 2 through the 5 for us." Franklin just put the wraps on a tremendous season at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College, where he was named third-team all-American in the NJCAA after averaging 22 points on 49.2% shooting and 8.2 rebounds per game. Helping Franklin's average on the glass were 12 double-digit rebounding games, including one in which he hauled down 18 in 32 minutes to help fuel a victory. "He's really just scratching the surface on how good a rebounder he can be," said Lundy of Franklin, who also hit a team-leading 80 three-pointers in 32 games to go along with 2.2 assists and 1.7 steals. "He has massive hands and really, just a nose for the ball. "He is a definite switchable. He can shoot the three, he can post you up. He can do a little bit of everything. Very, very versatile." Franklin's play had attracted the notice of Power 5 schools but he whittled his list of finalists to UWM, Tulsa and Western Kentucky based on his goal to major in electrical engineering. "He's almost like the perfect student-athlete," Lundy said. "He's not a good student, he's a great student. And then he's a terrific player, as well. Humble and just a great young man. The kind of guy you want to coach. "He's definitely talented enough, but he brings so many other intangibles. That's what makes me excited about him." Franklin will have three years of eligibility at UWM. Joining Franklin as the latest newcomers to the program will be 6-8 Simeon Murchison of Milwaukee Hamilton product who becomes the second City Conference play to come aboard since March. Bradley Tech's Learic Davis, a transfer from Tennessee State, was the first. Murchison fits the bill as far as the Panthers' need for size, with no returning scholarship players over 6-6. But the belief is as Murchison develops he can become a true inside-outside player with tremendous potential. Murchison's story is also unique in that he is autistic. There are some who believe he was the best all-around player in the City Conference this past season, and to be able to keep Murchison home and close to his support network while playing Division I basketball is hoped to be a win-win for both player and program. Murchison will join the Panthers this season as a preferred walk-on with the potential to earn a scholarship. With the signing of Franklin, UWM has one remaining scholarship to fill. "I'm looking for an all-league type to fill that last spot," Lundy said. "So, as patient as I have to be is how I'm going to play it out. "We've got a good team. I like the toughness and the character that we've added with these signees. But we need some size and rebounding and somebody that can really carry a lot of water at that 5 spot." I am instantly a big fan of both Simeon and Aaron. Welcome and good luck!
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Post by tyrunner0097 on May 6, 2023 14:04:49 GMT -6
I hope to get to spend time talking with Murchison. Being autistic myself, just to build conversation with him and talk with him about his experiences.
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Post by ghostofdylan on May 6, 2023 16:36:26 GMT -6
I'm learning more about autism every day from Mrs. D.R. Simeon should be just fine with the right support network.
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Post by FTA1982 on May 7, 2023 10:08:52 GMT -6
"I'm looking for an all-league type to fill that last spot," Lundy said. "So, as patient as I have to be is how I'm going to play it out. "We've got a good team. I like the toughness and the character that we've added with these signees. But we need some size and rebounding and somebody that can really carry a lot of water at that 5 spot." Easily my favorite quote of the entire article. Love that Lundy is taking his time to find the right guy instead of signing the types like Samba Kane, Harrison Henderson and the rest of the terrible bigs we've seen over the years.
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Post by ghostofdylan on May 7, 2023 10:25:45 GMT -6
Great observation, FTA. Let's make certain that we get the RIGHT guy at a position of need instead of rushing to settle.
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on May 23, 2023 14:05:09 GMT -6
Raw talent: With Langston Wilson now in the fold, UWM's roster is long, athletic and deep Todd Rosiak Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
UW-Milwaukee Panthers coach Bart Lundy likes what his revamped roster looks like heading into next season. Just how much has UW-Milwaukee's men's basketball roster changed since Bart Lundy took over as coach last March?
So much so that only one scholarship player -- Markeith Browning II -- remained on the day the Panthers put the wraps on their 2023-24 roster by finalizing the signing of graduate transfer Langston Wilson.
"It’s hard to get even my mind around where this has gone," Lundy said on Tuesday. "But the versatility, the ability to play at a high level on both sides of the ball, the ability to play different styles and manipulate the game in different ways from a coaching perspective – I look at our roster and think, ‘Wow, I don’t know that we could have done much better than what we did.’
"These guys have to find chemistry and learn how to play together; we have a long way to go. But sitting here in late May, I feel pretty good about things."
The 6-foot-9 Wilson, who arrives after spending the past two seasons at Washington, is the seventh player to be added since UWM lost to Charlotte in the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational two months ago.
In Wilson, Lundy believes the Panthers landed a difference-maker on both ends of the court.
"People will automatically see the dunks and the highlight plays he can make physically. But the underrated part of his game is he really is a good and willing defender," he said. "So, being able to guard multiple positions and to use his length and athleticism to guard not only guys inside but outside really, for the way we play, has a ton of value.
"He definitely blocks shots, affects shots. Most of Ahmad (Rand's) blocks were at the rim but Langston’s may be more on perimeter players, where he blocks jump shots. He and Faizon (Fields, the 6-10 signee who preceded Wilson), really between the two of them, will buffer a lot of what we lost with Ahmad and Moses (Bol).
"People will focus on the offensive end but really, his best attributes might be on the defensive end."
Wilson didn't get much of a chance to display his offensive game at Washington other than by using his athleticism and length to score on dunks and putbacks.
At UWM, his role will expand significantly on that end of the floor.
"He’s much more of a face-up player than he is a back-to-the-basket player," Lundy said. "He’ll have the opportunity here to handle the ball. He’s a guy that can take it off the glass and push it and make decisions with the ball. He can shoot it.
"So really, he is a much different player than what we had at those 4-5 spots. He’s more of a 3-4 type player than he is just a post player. I’ve got to put those guys in positions where they’re doing things that they’re good at and comfortable with.
"He can do stuff with his back to the basket, but he’s much more comfortable being a face-up guy."
Wilson's story is also unique in that a heart issue kept him from being able to play high-school basketball; he instead served as team manager. Wilson was eventually cleared by multiple cardiologists in 2019 and then had a terrific junior-college career before eventually signing with Washington.
Enduring those ups and downs, and having already earned his undergraduate degree by the time he arrives at UWM this summer, will make Wilson a valuable addition in the locker room as well.
"With Langston, we’ve added maturity and character. Faizon, same thing," Lundy said. "Pierce (Spencer) – I think we’ve added a ton of character to our team and guys that are very mature individuals.
"Langston being older, basketball-wise, he didn’t play in high school so he still really has a lot of growth left on the court. But as a college student, his maturity level is off the charts.
"So, that will help us."
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Post by runninpanthers on May 23, 2023 16:16:29 GMT -6
Can you bet on wisconsin teams at Poto or is that banned?
If it isn’t, catch me there quite often for this team…
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Post by FTA1982 on May 23, 2023 17:32:59 GMT -6
Can't bet on state college teams in WI at any casino.
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Post by PantherU on May 23, 2023 17:42:18 GMT -6
Can you bet on wisconsin teams at Poto or is that banned? If it isn’t, catch me there quite often for this team… Bovada
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Post by ghostofdylan on May 24, 2023 14:26:24 GMT -6
I want Todd as our beat reporter FOREVER!
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Post by FTA1982 on May 24, 2023 15:13:56 GMT -6
I want Todd as our beat reporter FOREVER! The big thing is we finally have a coach who engages with the local media and they in turn provide coverage. I dont think PBS did anything outside of talking about his kid.
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Post by Pounce Needs Pals on May 25, 2023 6:40:06 GMT -6
I want Todd as our beat reporter FOREVER! Yes. I also feel Coach, Bart Lundy does give better interviews than our past coaches. Lundy gives many details on each player he talks about. As a reader I feel I have a better understanding on each player without having to find a video on each player. I also love the vision in how Lundy see's fit on the roster.
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