Tilt-mode: Panthers sweep Cream City Classic, now 5-2

The Panthers took care of business in the Cream City Classic, sweeping the tournament, and now sit with a 5-2 record.

After coasting past a turnover-prone and discombobulated Portland State squad Friday night, Milwaukee eeked out a victory over Wofford on Saturday and out-maneuvered St. Thomas today thanks to a pair of incredible performances by Jamichael Stillwell (22pts, 8reb) and Aaron Franklin (15pts, 8reb). 3 wins in a row and many more on the way...

AJ McKee and Themus Fulks are problematic as they come; get ready Horizon League

This team is not a sharpshooting team or a team that is going to draw up a lot of complicated screens and offensive schemes. But it is a team that knows how to defend and score close to the goal- which are all that matter ultimately.

Our free throw shooting has been pretty abysmal (66%) as has our 3pt shooting (29.3%) and we don't move the ball as much as we might benefit from. But we are getting stoppages and we are scoring. And whenever we seem to need a bucket this guard corps wills it like Frederick Nietzsche.

Through cruising or bruising past defenders, Fulks and McKee get to the hoop because they know they will get to the hoop. They are clearly men against boys in many of these matchups and this will be key to the success level of this season (oh we will succeed).

Pullian and Lovelace play similarly aggressive. And Franklin, Duffy and Stillwell are so-far playing the best basketball of their respective collegiate careers. To a man each one of these Panthers seems to play like they have a chip on their shoulder and like they taking losing very, very seriously- even personally.

Call it "Bullyball" or "Tilt-mode"; this style has worked to great effect so far. The stacking of these wins are all the evidence one needs to see this '24-'25 Milwaukee team is starting to show its true qualities. 

Themus Fulks has begun to feast

This wouldn't be possible without everyone, but especially the leadership from the vets who know the landscape. Kentrell Pullian is the longest-tenured Panther veteran on the roster and has been integral in stepping up this season and being a leader to the younger and newer Panthers. AJ McKee and Themus Fulks are playing quite obviously like they have played college basketball at an insanely high level for 3+ years- but they are also stepping into leadership roles and getting this team directly back on the railroad tracks after a 2-loss stretch that had many Panther fans thinking this season was bound to be another heartbreaking disappointment.

The Panthers travel to Florida this week to face the UCF Knights of the Big 12 (4-2, beat #13 Texas A&M and lost to #19 Wisconsin). It won't be easy to upset UCF, but this weekend had to have been a helluva a confidence booster for the team. A lot can happen when momentum takes over.

go panthers.

tilt the floor. 🏆🏀