In the beginning 10 minutes of this, the first conference game, at Green Bay (0-7, 0-1), your Milwaukee Panthers (6-3, 1-0) did not look like the favored team who would leisurely cover the rather low-ish 6 point spread as most fans assumed.
As it turned out, most Panther fans probably should have assumed we'd win by 10+.
The officiating crew was definitely of the quick-whistle variety tonight and saw Green Bay shoot 28 free throw attempts to our 17. Our in-your-face man defense and frenetic pace will be prone to quick whistle refs, but our depth counters any foul trouble that may emerge from this new style of play.
As seems to be our game pattern all season, we started shaky, we settled down, and then eventually we started making shots to match all the Green Bay cheapee foul shots.
We led 43-33 at half following an outpouring of points from Jalen Johnson (12pts, 1blk).
Milwaukee ground down the Phoenix, primarily via our superior shooting. Milwaukee was 54.5% from the field, 37.5% from 3pt and 88.2% from the charity stripe. Solid numbers in any game.
An 18-1 Milwaukee run toward the end of the game, extended Milwaukee's advantage to 18 at 66-48 and the lead later got over 20 a couple times. Milwaukee went on to win without much of a comeback effort from Green Bay, 81-67. Not bad for only being 6 point favorites.
Jalen Johnson, (imagine if he had replicated his first half in the second half), may be emerging as a contender for Horizon League's 6th Man of the Year.
BJ Freeman was held to a single point in this game. And, for him being our leading scorer at 13ppg currently, that we are deep enough of a team to barely have that register as a dent is really something, admitting of course that this is merely '22-'23 Green Bay (0-7, 0-1).
Ahmad Rand's night was a big one in a short space. He swatted 4 blocks, pulled down 6 rebounds and scored 13 points in just 15 minutes of action.
The continued improvement in our primary front line overall is significant. Moses Bol, Jalen Johnson and Ahmad Rand are a frontcourt to win a Horizon Championship with- the Horizon simply doesn't have guys as big (Bol), sound (Johnson) or explosive (Rand).
I don't include guys like Keon Edwards, Justin Thomas and Kentrell Pullian as they are more wings and shooting forwards. Though at times, Pullian makes his 6'0" 180lbs self seem like he is 6'8" 250lbs of muscle- he's a brute on the floor punching way above his weight class.
Justin Thomas (11pts, 4reb, 4ast), Markeith Browning (12pts, 4reb, 4stl) and Keon Edwards (10pts, 3reb) all also scored in double figures and were major factors in this 4th straight victory for the Panthers.
We are passing the ball more. Guys who lack handles are dribbling less; guys who have handles are handling the ball better.
After this one, we are tied among 1/2 the League at 1-0. We've a chance to continue our winning streak and get to 2-0 in conference this Saturday night vs. IUPUI downtown at Panther Arena at 7pm.
With Wisconsin an Marquette finishing up right around pre-game time (~5:30pm) late Saturday afternoon, Milwaukee fans will likely find a jam-packed Red, Blue and Gold Major Goolsby's, so get there early if you plan to get food before the game.
The Jaguars will be giving us their best shot, but the fans- should they come out strong to back this team that has begun to garner interest not only from students and alum but across the city- could be a difference maker. Or at least take in a great display of Panther Basketball.
Panther Arena (or Milwaukee Arena as it was once known) is to be protected at all costs. As one Panther fan recently pointed out, in the 70's and 80's inside this building then known as the "MECCA" (aka Milwaukee Arena, aka US Cellular Arena, aka Milwaukee Panther Arena), Marquette Basketball and the Milwaukee Bucks almost never lost.
That's energy waiting for the taking, history waiting for the making.
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