The Milwaukee Bucks are paying their fines and taking some time off to recover from their disappointing playoff loss. But, soon they will start planning for next season. Here are five things they need to do to take the next step into the NBA finals next season:

1. Continue the maturity they showed during the season. Despite their immature, ineffective responses to the refs' calls in the Eastern Conference finals, the Bucks really came a long way this season from what coach George Karl once called a "collection of teenagers" early in the season. They need to continue that process and next season channel the emotion they showed against the Sixers into competitive intensity.
2. Add another big man. He might already be sitting on the roster in 7-foot Joel Przybilla, who saw little action most of the season. When the big kid did play, he showed some potential. Scott Williams is a free agent and might not be back. Mark Pope also can go elsewhere and might after being buried on the bench in the playoffs. Jason Caffey added some muscle inside, but is not a strong finisher. The Bucks might look at free agents or try to work a trade, but they are limited by the salary cap.
3. Make Tim Thomas a starter. The time has come for the 6-10 Thomas to start at power forward. Karl liked bringing him in off the bench because of his versatility and scoring potential, but it's better to hit teams with your best lineup from the opening tipoff and then come in with muscle off the bench.
4. Replace Lindsey Hunter. The veteran guard has lost his shot and killed the Bucks in several situations in the playoffs. He plays nice defense and is a great guy in the locker room, but the Bucks need a 3-point shooter off the bench. Hunter started out filling that role, but couldn't later in the season and in the playoffs.
5. Keep the fans into it. Milwaukee has become a good basketball town again. Make it as attractive for them as possible from the start of next season with special perks, etc. This place should become like Portland or Utah, a tough place to play any time, not just after people jump on the playoff bandwagon.

The buzz is increasing that the Milwaukee Mustangs are in trouble. Before the season even started, the Milwaukee Arena Football League franchise found out it might not have a place to play next season, when the Bradley Center undergoes remodeling.

Then, the Mustangs have not been able to win a game on the field. In fact, they have not even been competitive in several games.

Ownership reportedly is losing its patience, and its ties to the community are no longer as strong. The Mustangs made a big splash when the AFL first arrived in town, but their future now is questionable.

The Admirals move to the American Hockey League should keep hockey alive in town. Just a few years ago, it looked like the Pettits and the Admirals were going to lead the International Hockey League to new heights.

But, then several franchises had some financial difficulties, the Pettits split up, and the IHL announced that it will cease operations on Oct. 1.

Mrs. Pettit reportedly remains devoted to keeping the Admirals afloat. The AHL has been around since 1936 and has become the main developmental league for the National Hockey League. So, the move to the league makes a lot of sense.

I am proud to be a member of the Prof. Baseball team at UWM. If you don't know what the team is all about, UWM and the Brewers have signed a marketing agreement that among many other things includes a team of professors and others at the university who provide quiz questions for the scoreboard during home games.

A female cartoon character, Prof. Baseball, who has an uncanny resemblance to our dynamic chancellor, Nancy Zimpher, asks the questions on the scoreboard and then always gives a grade of A+ -- which either is an indication of grade inflation or the possibility that grades are being given only to those in the stands who get the right answer.

As part of the program, UWM held a celebration during the recent regents' meetings with the theme of "It's A Whole New Ballgame." Staff at the university out-did itself with a great reception that transformed the Union into a ballpark and dinner with the four sausages as the main course. (No, they weren't the losers of the most recent races at Miller Park.)

I was privileged to represent Prof. Baseball at the reception Thursday and help out with some tours of the press box at Miller Park on Friday and Saturday. Many other innovative plans are in the works for this unique partnership between UWM and the Brewers. For more information on the program, check out the UWM web site at uwm.edu.

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