Coach Bruce Pearl would undoubtedly like to see a few more fans buzzing, but his UWM Panthers are doing everything they can to make the U.S. Cellular Arena a very tough place for opponents to play.
The Panthers are 5-1 at the Arena in their last six games, losing only to Southern Illinois. They have beaten two of their closest Horizon League competitors -- Illinois-Chicago and Detroit -- at home this season.
Their win over Detroit came Monday night of this week, in very exciting fashion. The Panthers spotted Detroit a 13-0 lead, but came back to grab a 36-35 lead by halftime and go on to a 82-74 win.
The Panthers staged the comeback by going to a fullcourt press and just plain hustling. That effort came after a pretty good tongue-lashing by Pearl during a timeout.
Dylan Page led UWM with 24 points. Ed McCants scored 22 points and had two big plays late in the game, as Detroit attempted to make another comeback. McCants sank a key 3-pointer and then had the presence of mind to call a timeout as he was falling out-of-bounds after tracking down a loose ball.
The Panthers miss Clay Tucker and Ronnie Jones, two of the leaders of the team that went to the NCAA last season, but are developing their own personality and leaders. Once again, they play like street fighters, with intense defensive pressure and a physical, quick presence.
Although it is still early, it looks like UW-Green Bay, which is undefeated so far in the Horizon, could set up an intra-state rivalry for the Horizon title. The Phoenix come to the Arena on January 31.
Butler, a traditional powerhouse in the Horizon, is off to a 0-2 start in the conference. The Panthers will try to make Butler 0-3 at the Arena on Thursday night.
UWM is in its first year of a new contract with the U.S. Cellular Arena, but it has a long history with the facility, which still is a great place to watch basketball. The Panthers played their first game at the Arena in 1971 and actually have played more than 100 games at the venue. They played there from 1992 through 1998. Last March, the Panthers drew a school record 10,115 for the Horizon League championship game at the Arena.
Only 2,223 attended the Detroit game. It was a Monday night, a frigid evening and the students are on winter break, but the Panthers are only averaging a little over 3,000 so far at home. They deserve more, because they are doing everything possible to create a real buzz at the Arena.
Admirals Sale
If a Business Journal report is correct, hockey fans in Milwaukee should be very happy. The publication reported that Racine businessmen Craig Leipold, the owner of the Nashville Predators in the NHL, will buy the Admirals, perhaps as soon as the end of this month.
The officials of the Jane Bradley Pettit trust have made it clear they do not want to stay in the hockey business forever, and Leipold is a natural as the new owner. The Predators already are affiliated with the Admirals, who play in the American Hockey League minor league.
In the past, Leipold has been mentioned as a possible buyer of the Bucks and investor in the Brewers. He might still get involved in those franchises. In fact, fans should welcome his Johnson family money. (He is married to Helen Johnson, daughter of Racine billionaire Sam Johnson.)
But, for now, Leipold is in the hockey business and the reported $3 million or so asking price for the Admirals is chump change for him compared to what the Bucks and Brewers would want.
Leipold also might be able to play a future role in some updating of the Bradley Center. One of the reported contingents in the Admirals' transaction is a new deal with the BC.
The Name Game
Kudos to former Brewer Paul Molitor, who was selected to go into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Brewer this summer. Molitor and this writer started in the major leagues the same season, 1978. It was my first year covering the Brewers on a regular basis. Molly had a better rookie season ... Tony Thrasher of Hustisford scored 37 points in a 69-45 win over Deerfield ... Goalie Dan Green and defenseman Troy Dusosky of the Wave were named players of the week in the Major Indoor Soccer League. Greg Howes of the Wave was named the MISL offensive player of the month for December.
Beyond Milwaukee Sports
UW-Stevens Point's men's basketball team is off to an 11-0 start, tying the school's best start ever ... Hayward lumberjack Sean Duffy will serve as the "honorary athlete" for the winter Badger State Games in Wausau in February. Duffy, the Ashland County district attorney, is a three-time world champion in the 90-ft. speed climb competition and has competed in the ESPN Outdoor Games, which will be held in Madison this summer.
Hot Tix
The Bucks, who have been hot as of late, host Miami at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Bradley Center. Former Marquette star Dwyane Wade, who is with the Heat, was put on the injured list with a bone bruise last Friday and is questionable for the game here. Look for an update on the Bucks in this column next week, as they approach the midway point of the NBA season.
In hockey, the Admirals host Cincinnati at 7 p.m. Thursday and Utah at 7 p.m. Saturday at the BC. The Wave is on the road at San Diego.
In college basketball, Wisconsin hosts Michigan State at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kohl Center in a game that will be shown on ESPN. Marquette opens Conference USA action against St. Louis at 8 p.m. Saturday at the BC.
UWM has that afore-mentioned game with Butler on Thursday. Before the men's game at 7:30 p.m., the women's teams from both schools will meet at 5 p.m. Both games are at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
Of course, the Packers play at Philadelphia in the next round of the NFL playoffs this weekend. Look for coverage in On The Pack next Monday.
Gregg Hoffmann writes The State Sports Buzz on Thursdays, exclusively for OMC.
