Milwaukee vs. Cleveland State Game Notes (pdf)

MILWAUKEE (11-16, 6-7) vs. CLEVELAND STATE (17-11, 11-3)
FEBRUARY 22, 2015 – 2:30 P.M.
UWM PANTHER ARENA – MILWAUKEE, WIS.
AMERICAN SPORTS NETWORK (My 24 in Milwaukee)
WISN (AM 1130)
 
THE OPENING TIP
• Milwaukee plays its final home game of the 2014-15 season Sunday when it hosts Cleveland State. The Panthers have won six of their last 10 games overall and five of their last six at home and are coming off of a 71-60 victory at UIC on Thursday, which gave them their first true road win of the season. Milwaukee has won three of its last four regular-season home finales.
 
• The Panthers have snapped out of a shooting funk to knock down shots at an impressive clip from the perimeter. Over the last six outings, Milwaukee is hitting 43.3 percent (52-for-120) of its three-point field goal attempts after sinking just 23.7 percent (50-for-211) of its triple tries in the previous 10 contests. Milwaukee is 7-4 this season when it knocks down eight or more three-pointers.
 
• Taking better care of the basketball has also been a key to the Panthers' last few wins as they are coughing the ball up just 8.3 times per game in their last four victories. Milwaukee is 6-1 this season when it commits 10 or fewer miscues.
 
• Prior to Sunday's game, the Panthers will honor senior guards Steve McWhorter and Evan Richard for their contributions to the program.
 
• Through games of February 20, forward Matt Tiby ranked 32nd in the nation with 6.37 defensive rebounds per contest.  With 7.8 rebounds per outing, Tiby has a chance to become the first Panther ever to lead the Horizon League in rebounding for a season. Corey Petros (Oakland) paces the circuit with 8.1 rpg.
 
• The Panthers had a great semester in the classroom posting a 3.078 team GPA for the Fall 2014 term.
 
ABOUT THE VIKINGS
Cleveland State has won three of its last four outings and is coming off of a huge 66-61 victory over Green Bay in overtime on Friday night. Trey Lewis totaled a team-high 21 points and Anton Grady added 20 points and 11 rebounds in that game as the Vikings moved ahead of Green Bay in the race for the Horizon League regular-season crown. Traditionally one of the top defensive teams in the Horizon League, Cleveland State is yielding just 61.6 points per game this season and has surrendered 70 or more points just once in conference play this season. Lewis paces the club with 17.0 ppg, while Grady adds 13.6 ppg and a team-best 7.3 rpg and Milwaukee native Charlie Lee pitches in 12.3 ppg.
 
SERIES STUFF
Sunday's game will be the 44th meeting between Milwaukee and Cleveland State and the Panthers hold a 23-20 edge in the all-time series, which began in 1993-94. The Panthers are 14-7 against the Vikings in Milwaukee and under head coach Rob Jeter are 7-2 at home versus CSU. Milwaukee has dropped four straight in the series since a 69-57 victory at the Klotsche Center on January 17, 2013 and when the teams met in the Horizon League opener for both teams earlier this season on January 2, Cleveland State coasted to an 84-57 decision. Matt Tiby and Steve McWhorter scored 16 points apiece for the Panthers in that game last month, but it wasn't enough to overcome 27 points from Trey Lewis as the host Vikings shot 57.6 percent from the field.
 
SPRINGS FEVER
Fully recovered from a broken hand that hampered his shooting for the better part of the first month of the 2014-15 season, Akeem Springs has been a force at both ends of the floor and in Milwaukee's last six outings is accounting for 14.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.2 apg and 1.2 spg, while shooting 47.1 percent (33-for-70) from the field and 72.7 percent (16-for-22) from the foul line. The 6-foot-4 guard, who transferred from Northern Illinois, has scored in double figures in nine of the last 12 contests recorded his first-ever double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) against Oakland on February 10. He is contributing 11.6 ppg and shooting 46.3 percent (69-for-139) from the field in the Panthers' last 17 outings after managing just 6.0 ppg on 24.6 percent (17-for-69) shooting from the field in his previous eight appearances. Springs has buried 44 of his last 60 (.733) tries from the charity stripe after opening the year by hitting 9 of his first 17 (.529) foul shots. Springs has scored in double digits in six of the last eight home games, putting up 14.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 2.1 apg, while shooting 46 percent (40-for-87) from the field. He is contributing 11.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg in Milwaukee's wins. Springs owns an impressive 5.3 assist-to-turnover ratio (16-3). Springs, who is averaging 13./0 ppg and 9.0 rpg in the last five games at UWM Panther Arena, totaled 17 points at UIC on February 19.
 
BLOCK PARTY
Earlier this season, junior J.J. Panoske became Milwaukee's career leader in blocked shots, surpassing Craig Greene's previous record of 89 rejections. The 6-foot-10 Panoske has turned away 93 shots in his career and is averaging 1.7 bpg in the Panthers' last three outings. Panoske also seems to be finding himself at the offensive end of the floor as he is contributing 12.0 ppg, to go with 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg and 2.0 bpg, while shooting 62.5 percent (10-for-16) from the field and 57.1 percent (4-for-7) from beyond the arc in the last pair of outings. In his previous five appearances, the forward managed just 3.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.4 apg and 0.4 bpg and shot 26.1 percent (6-for-23) from the field and 16.7 percent (1-for-6) from three-point range. Panoske has drained 28 of his last 32 (.875) attempts from the free-throw stripe and in the last two games at Panther Arena is tallying 8.0 ppg and 1.5 bpg. He has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time since December 14 and 20, 2014, and in two games versus Cleveland State as a freshman in 2012-13, averaged 7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 2.0 bpg. Panoske had 14 points and six boards at UIC Thursday night.
 
TIBY TIDBITS
The Panthers' emotional leader, Matt Tiby has been consistently producing great numbers for the last two months. Over the last 18 outings, the 6-foot-8 forward is pitching in 15.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 2.0 apg after managing 7.8 ppg, 6.0 rpg and 1.9 apg through the first nine contests. A 2015 Preseason Second Team All-Horizon League selection, the Urbandale, Iowa native ranks second in the conference with 7.8 rpg and sits second in League contests only with 8.8 rpg. Tiby is one of only three players to rank among the top nine in the League in both scoring and rebounding in conference play. Tiby is averaging 12.6 ppg and 7.8 rpg through 27 games this season and has scored in double figures 21 times, including in each of the last 18 outings. He is shooting 42.9 percent (57-for-133) from the field in the last 12 outings and has knocked down 45 of his last 52 (.865) attempts from the free throw line. With a career-high-tying 22 points and 12 boards at Green Bay on February 5, he registered his seventh double-double of the season, surpassing his total from a year ago (6), and Milwaukee is now 9-4 in his career when he totals 10 or more points and rebounds. The seven double-doubles are the most by a Panther in a single season since Adrian Tigert had nine in 2005-06. In League action this season, he is putting up 15.0 ppg and 8.8 rpg. Tiby, who had 16 points and nine boards at Cleveland State last month, is averaging 11.0 ppg and 6.7 rpg against the Vikings in his career. He has scored in double figures in 10 consecutive home games, averaging 13.9 ppg and 9.0 rpg during that stretch. His current streak of 18 straight games with double-digit points is the longest by a Panther since Joah Tucker in 2005-06 (27 games). Tiby has knocked down 6 of his last 13 three-point attempts (.462) after making just 1 of his previous 20 (.050). He is connected on only 35.2 percent (25-for-71) of his field goal tries over the last six outings after draining 51.6 percent (32-for-62) in the previous six contests.
 
STEVIE WONDERFUL
Redshirt senior Steve McWhorter has saved his best season for his last. After averaging 7.8 ppg last season, the Racine, Wis., native leads the Panthers with 14.3 ppg in 2014-15.  McWhorter, who matched a career high with 21 points to go with six rebounds, three assists and a steal at UIC on February 19, has scored in double digits on 36 occasions in his UWM career and the Panthers are 22-14 in those contests. A starter in all 62 of his appearances as a Panther, McWhorter has a 2.62 assist-to-turnover ratio (68-26) over the last 12 contests. He has scored in double digits in 23 of the last 26 outings. A winner in every sense of the word, in three previous seasons on active rosters at both Indiana State and Milwaukee, McWhorter has helped his team reach the postseason on three occasions (2 NCAA, 1 CIT). He is accounting for 16.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 4.6 apg in Milwaukee's wins this year and had 16 points and six rebounds at Cleveland State last month. Milwaukee is 0-4 this season when he has failed to score at least 10 points this season. In a January 14 victory over Youngstown State, he recorded his third double-double of the season by collecting 16 points and a career-high 12 assists with only one turnover. His 12 helpers are the most by a Panther since Kaylon Williams dished out a dozen assists at Western Michigan on January 3, 2012. McWhorter has played all 40 minutes in five of the last 12 contests and is contributing 15.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.5 apg and 2.0 spg, while shooting at a 55.4 percent (46-for-83) clip from the field, including 48.4 percent (15-for-31) from three-point land, in the last five home games. His six steals versus Detroit on January 31 are the most by a Panther since Larry Treadwell had a half dozen thefts against Butler on February 9, 1998. McWhorter is putting up 17.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.7 apg and 2.7 spg, while connecting on 53.8 percent (21-for-39) of his field goal attempts and 55.6 percent (5-for-9) of his three-point tries in the last three contests.
 
CODY CONTRIBUTES
With Austin Arians on the sidelines as a redshirt this season, sophomore Cody Wichmann has shouldered more of a load and has responded in fine fashion after logging only 6.8 minutes and 2.4 ppg a year ago. Over the last six outings, Wichmann is putting up 7.7 ppg and shooting 50 percent from the field (16-for-32) and 56.5 percent (13-for-23) from three-point territory. In his previous three games, Wichmann mustered 1.7 ppg on just 11.1 percent (1-for-9) shooting from the field and downtown. The 6-foot-5 guard is shooting 40.8 percent (46-for-113) from beyond the arc and scored a career-best 15-points against Youngstown State on January 14.  Five of his seven double-digit-scoring performances this season have come at Panther Arena, where he is shooting 53 percent (35-for-66) from the field and 53.8 percent (28-for-52) from three-point land. In his career, Milwaukee is 8-2 when he scores in double digits. His marksmanship has helped the Panthers to victory this season as he is contributing 8.2 ppg and knocking down 50.8 percent (30-for-59) of his field-goal tries and 54.3 percent (25-for-46) of his three-point attempts in UWM's wins. In a November 29 victory versus Concordia-St. Paul, he registered his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. Dating back to last season, the Pulaski, Wis., native has connected on 14 of his last 17 (.824) attempts from the foul line. In his last two appearances versus Cleveland State, Wichmann is registering 7.0 ppg and 2.0 rpg. In Milwaukee's last six outings at Panther Arena, Wichmann is putting up 8.8 ppg on an amazing 60 percent (18-for-30) rate from the field and 66.7 percent (16-for-24) from downtown.
 
PANTHERS GET CHARITABLE
After a slow start, Milwaukee has reversed its fortunes at the foul line, shooting a healthy 76.2 percent (342-for-449) over the last 24 contests. Through the first three games of 2014-15, the Panthers knocked down just 55.4 percent (36-for-65) of their charity throws. At 73.5 percent, Milwaukee ranks second in the Horizon League and 35th in the nation in free throw percentage through games of February 20.
 
JORDAN RULES
At a time when a lot of freshmen hit a wall, Justin Jordan is playing his best basketball of the season. In Milwaukee's last nine games, he is pitching in 7.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, and shooting 40.7 percent (22-for-54) from the field and 35.7 percent (10-for-28) from beyond the arc. Jordan's season-high 17 points against Wright State on January 20 were the most by a Milwaukee freshman since Austin Arians collected 17 points versus Loyola Chicago on January 30, 2013. The 6-foot-3 guard, who is the nephew of former Chicago Bulls guard, Hall of Famer and six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan, is averaging 6.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 1.8 apg in 13 starts this season. He has an admirable 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio (14-6) in the last six home games and Milwaukee is 7-3 when he scores seven or more points this season. In Milwaukee's wins, Jordan, who has scored in double figures three times in the last nine games, is putting up 7.6 ppg and converting 45.5 percent (15-for-33) of his triple tries. He has knocked down nine of his last 11 attempts (.818) from the foul line.
 
FROM THE HARDWOOD TO THE GRIDIRON
Former Milwaukee forward Demetrius Harris has joined the likes of one-time college basketball players Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham and made a career as a tight end in the National Football League. The 6-foot-7 Harris, who starred at UWM for two seasons (2011-13), was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad last year before earning a spot on the active roster this season. Before breaking his foot in pregame warm-ups on November 9, he had appeared in eight games this year and caught three passes for 20 yards. Harris averaged 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game at Milwaukee in 2012-13 and is the first Panther to play in the NFL since 1983. The first 1,000 fans to arrive for Milwaukee's game versus Cleveland State Sunday will receive a free Demetrius Harris bobblehead. He will be recognized prior to tip-off of Sunday's contest.
 
HOW SWEET IT WAS
The 2014-15 season marks the 10-year anniversary of Milwaukee's magical run to the NCAA Sweet 16. Led by the play of Ed McCants, Joah Tucker and Adrian Tigert, the Panthers knocked off Alabama and Boston College in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national runner-up Illinois. Two members of Rob Jeter's current staff - Chris Hill and Allan Hanson - were on that Sweet 16 squad. Milwaukee finished the year with a 26-6 overall record and a No. 23 ranking in the final ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Poll.