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SPORTS
December 12, 2011
Milwaukee Bucks season preview In search of strong offense in the upcoming year By Mitch Pratt Staff Writer sports@uwmpost.com
With the NBA back in full swing, the Milwaukee Bucks return to the hardwood, striving to make the playoffs again since their 2010 surprise appearance. After a great run at the end of the 2010 season, the Bucks took a step backward in the 2010-11 campaign. It didn’t help that the team’s arguably two most skilled players struggled. Brandon Jennings had a sophomore slump after breaking out early in his rookie year. Andrew Bogut was unable to shake off the effects of that gruesome elbow injury that he suffered in 2010. Those two never clicked last season, mainly due to health issues. In fact, the Bucks as a whole struggled with their health. The team never seemed to have the same starting lineup for two games in a row. On draft day 2011, Bucks General Manager John Hammond was somehow able to shave the expensive contracts of Corey Maggette and John Salmons in a three-team trade that brought in oftcriticized Stephen Jackson and Shaun Livingston from Charlotte, guard Beno Udrih from the Sacramento Kings and the draft rights to the 19th overall pick in Tobias Harris. Credit should be given to Hammond for identifying the problems with his team and making the proper adjustments to put a winner on the floor. Salmons seemed to be half the player last season compared to his play at the end of the ‘10-‘11 season, which came after he signed a new contract with the Bucks. Maggette really never clicked with the rest of the players and coaches. He never was the scorer the Bucks had hoped to get when they traded for him prior to last season. But that’s enough about the past. The upcoming season promises to be better than the last, despite there being only 66 games to play. The Bucks’ offense needs to improve, plain and simple. The Bucks had the worst offense in the league and
simply could not get the ball in the hoop, leaving them with nowhere to go but up in that department. It’s also put up or shut up time for Jennings. He treats himself like a superstar off the court, and it’s time for him to play like one on the court. We all know he has the potential, now he just has to stay on his game and prove himself once and for all. Jackson should provide some punch from the backcourt this year. He has averaged 18 points per game so far in his career and has shown he can get to the bucket. Carlos Delfino will factor into the offense to a certain degree, but the offense will still be mainly run through Bogut, as it should be. He’s the most underrated center in the NBA, despite playing basically one-handed last year. With the added the talents of Mike Dunleavy, Jr. at small forward to give them some depth, the team will be in good shape, considering the way he can shoot some threes. The defense is there. Anyone who watches the Bucks on a nightly basis knows that when it comes to defense, they shine. Health will be another huge factor in the livelihood of the Bucks’ season. Guys like Drew Gooden and Ersan Ilyasova are somewhat effective in the frontcourt when healthy. Gooden dealt with a case of plantar fasciitis, a foot injury, and started in 18 of just 35 games in his first season with Milwaukee after signing on for five years. As is with most teams in competitive sports, if the Bucks can stay relatively healthy during this shortened season, I think they’ll make the playoffs. They’ll have to compete with the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers in the Central Division, which might be a tough feat, but I could see them getting in as a seventh or an eighth seed. Here’s to hoping the Bucks staying fighting fit.
the uwm post
Packers chase perfection in home stretch With three games remaining, Green Bay could run table
By Nolan Murphy
Week 15 at Kansas City Chiefs:
Staff Writer sports@uwmpost.com
Talk of perfection has been mentioned in recent weeks, but now with three remaining regular season games and their first NFC North title and first round bye wrapped up since 2007, speculation is now becoming a reality. The Packers frustrated the Oakland Raiders 46-16 to move to 13-0. Looking at the Packers’ three remaining games, a plethora of injuries are plaguing their future opponents. The Packers close out the season with two of said three games at home on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. A road trip to Kansas City is next on the menu, before closing out the season with two home games against division rivals Chicago and Detroit.
Arrowhead Stadium has historically been a tough venue for opposing teams. The injury bug has bitten the Chiefs hard this season, with the loss of Pro Bowl running back Jaamal Charles in week two and, most recently, quarterback Matt Cassel. Uncertainty surrounds who will be at the helm of the Chiefs, with the recent acquisition of quarterback Kyle Orton. Week 16 vs. Chicago Bears: The black and blue rivalry will be renewed with an NFL record 183rd meeting. The Bears will come into the game battered and depleted without their two best offensive players – quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte. The Bears will be hanging on for their playoff lives, so look for Chicago to bring
out all their tricks. The Packers should cruise, as long as they avoid Devin Hester in the return game. Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions: The Packers look to enter the game with history on their mind. This team has taken the one-game-at-a-time approach all season and will want nothing else but to beat their hated rivals. Barring coach Mike McCarthy resting any starters, the Packers will close out the season with their toughest remaining match. Remember, the Packers closed the door on the Lions 0-16 season a mere three seasons ago; they could ruin any plans the Packers have of going 16-0. This 2011 Packers team has a chance to make history, but their real goal will only be achieved with the sight of Lombardi trophy in their hands February 5 in Indianapolis.
New Year’s resolutions FOR WISCONSIN SPORTS THOUGHTFUL WISHES TO HOLD ONTO AS THE CALENDAR CHANGES By Jeremy Lubus
UWM women’s basketball
For the last issue of the fall semester, the Sports section decided to work up some New Year’s resolutions for both Wisconsin’s college and professional sports scene.
Stay committed to recruiting strong locally. The Panthers and coach Sandy Botham have done a great job landing Ashley Green (Nicolet) and Angela Rodriquez (Oak Creek), but with a new coach at Wisconsin and a Big East Marquette program, it will get more difficult.
UW-Milwaukee men’s basketball
UWM women’s soccer
Commit to playing sophomore Mitch Roelke more. The walk-on standout has a super smooth jumper that is not being used, and if not, he has at least six fouls not being used effectively. Overall, the Panthers need to continue to win games in order to prove last year was not a fluke, as well as to get a commitment from local standout Austin Malone-Mitchell of Rufus King High School, whose father, Marc, played for UWM.
No let down – find the next Sarah Hagen. The program has been absurdly successful under Michael Moynihan, but with another crop of seniors graduating (with awesome grades, by the way), the program has a real chance to become a Midwest powerhouse for good. Finding the next Hagen will be difficult, but if anyone can do it, it’s Coach Moynihan.
Sports Editor sports@uwmpost.com
Milwaukee Brewers Commit to playing Matt Gamel and
Taylor Green, and don’t stray from what got you here, Doug Melvin. The Brewers are not the Florida Marlins and definitely not the L.A. Angels. Wild spending will get the Brewers nowhere and that includes resigning Prince Fielder. Milwaukee Bucks Stop signing players who are never going to hit their prime (Keyon Dooling, Jon Brockman) or are past their prime (Stephen Jackson, Drew Gooden), and draft better. Also, do not allow the Packers to win more games in a row (19 and counting) than you can in a 66-game regular season. Green Bay Packers Commit to resigning Jermichael Finley and be the first team to go 19-0. Resigning Finley is the key to the Packers establishing themselves as a continuous Super Bowl contender every year.
‘‘POSITIVE-LY BS’’ Photo courtesy of danny-wild.com.