As I sit here watching the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Panthers warm up for another season, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and anticipation. I've been following this program for over fifteen years now, and there's something special brewing with this current squad. I vividly remember hearing Coach Bart Lundy's passionate statement last season: "We're confident to say na we want them to be here long-term and hopefully maging part ng aming long-coveted championship. Sana makuha namin eventually." That blend of Filipino and English, that raw hope in his voice—it stuck with me. It speaks to the cultural diversity this program embraces and the championship hunger that's been building for years.
Looking at this season's roster and schedule, I believe we're witnessing the foundation of something remarkable being built. The Panthers finished last season with a 10-22 record, which doesn't look impressive on paper, but having watched every single game, I saw the pieces starting to come together. The team showed flashes of brilliance that convinced me they're closer to turning things around than most people realize. From my perspective, having analyzed countless college basketball programs over the years, Milwaukee's success this season hinges on executing five fundamental strategies that could transform them from underdogs to Horizon League contenders.
First and foremost, the Panthers must establish defensive consistency. Last season, they allowed opponents to shoot 45.3% from the field—a number that needs to drop significantly. Defense wins championships isn't just a cliché; it's the bedrock of successful mid-major programs. I've noticed during preseason practices that the coaching staff has implemented new defensive schemes focusing on perimeter pressure and help-side rotations. They're emphasizing communication—constant talking on defense—which was noticeably absent during critical moments last year. What I particularly like about their approach is how they're adapting defensive strategies to their personnel rather than forcing players into a rigid system. The addition of transfer guard Elijah Jamison could be crucial here; his wingspan and lateral quickness should help contain opposing guards, something we struggled with tremendously last season.
Offensively, the team needs to improve their shooting efficiency across the board. Last season's 42.1% field goal percentage placed them in the bottom third of Division I basketball. From my analysis of their shot selection, too many possessions ended with contested mid-range jumpers early in the shot clock. What I'd love to see is more ball movement and patience—working for higher percentage shots either in the paint or from beyond the arc. The three-point shooting at 33.7% simply must improve if they want to compete with Horizon League powerhouses like Cleveland State and Northern Kentucky. Personally, I'm excited about sophomore forward Aaron Franklin's development; his shooting form has looked noticeably smoother during preseason workouts, and I suspect he could increase his scoring average from 8.7 to somewhere in the 14-15 point range if given more offensive responsibility.
Player development, particularly for underclassmen, represents the third critical strategy. Having followed Milwaukee basketball for so long, I've observed that our most successful seasons came when sophomore and junior players made significant leaps in their development. This current roster features seven underclassmen who need to contribute meaningful minutes. The coaching staff's player development program appears more comprehensive this year—I've heard they've incorporated specialized training regimens focusing on individual weaknesses. For instance, I'm told center Markeith Browning has been working extensively with assistant coaches on his post moves and free throw shooting after converting just 58% from the line last season. These incremental improvements might seem minor, but they often make the difference in close games.
The fourth strategy involves mastering late-game situations. This is where my perspective might differ from some analysts—I believe Milwaukee lost at least six winnable games last season due to poor execution in the final five minutes. Timeout management, inbound plays, and clutch shooting all need dramatic improvement. Statistics show the Panthers were outscored by 4.3 points on average in the last five minutes of games decided by single digits. What I find encouraging is that Coach Lundy has mentioned focusing specifically on situational basketball during practices, running drills that simulate high-pressure endgame scenarios. I watched one practice where they repeatedly practiced last-second plays for both when they need a three-pointer and when they need a two—that level of preparation could pay huge dividends.
Finally, building team chemistry and maintaining roster continuity might be the most overlooked aspect of their strategy. When Coach Lundy expressed his desire to keep players "long-term," he was addressing the modern challenge of roster turnover that plagues many mid-major programs. Having covered college basketball for various publications, I've seen how teams with strong chemistry often outperform more talented but disjointed squads. The Panthers return 68% of their scoring from last season, which provides valuable continuity. From what I've observed in preseason interactions, this group seems genuinely connected—they spend time together off the court, which typically translates to better on-court communication and trust. That intangible factor could be what pushes them over the top in close conference games.
As the season approaches, I'm more optimistic about Milwaukee basketball than I've been in several years. These five strategies—defensive consistency, offensive efficiency, player development, late-game execution, and team chemistry—form a comprehensive blueprint for success. The program hasn't won a Horizon League championship since 2014, but something feels different this time around. The pieces are there, the coaching staff has a clear vision, and the players seem bought into the process. When I recall Coach Lundy's words about that "long-coveted championship," I can't help but share his hope. The path won't be easy, but if they can execute these strategies consistently, I genuinely believe we could see the Panthers playing meaningful basketball come March.