The Wisconsin Roundtable
 
This upcoming season, the Milwaukee men's basketball team will have six players on the roster who make a claim to their hometown roots from cities inside the state of Wisconsin. That marks the most for an MKE roster since the same total in the 2017-18 campaign.
 
It's a trend that has picked up steam since head coach Bart Lundy arrived on campus in 2022. It's also one that has gained momentum in players with local ties returning to the state to play as Panthers after beginning collegiate careers elsewhere.
 
On the 2024-25 roster, a trio of players are now back home after they started their collegiate career at a different program following successful local prep careers: Learic Davis, John Lovelace Jr., and Danilo Jovanovich.
 
Davis made his debut with the Black & Gold last season – following a redshirt year at Tennessee State – appearing in 33 of the 35 games which included a start as a redshirt freshman in the season opener.

As a prep athlete at Bradley Tech in Milwaukee, Davis was a two-time First-Team All-City Conference player and averaged 22.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 4.1 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game as a senior in 2021-22. A Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 1 All-State honoree, he became Tech's first City Player of the Year since 1983 and was a McDonald's All-America nominee.
 
Lovelace joins the Panthers following two successful seasons at Youngstown State, which included a Horizon League regular-season title. He appeared in 65 games over two seasons, shooting 48.1 percent (127-of-264) from the floor while averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds. Lovelace spent one season at We Are United Prep (17 points/8 rebounds per game) after playing his high school ball at Brown Deer High School, where his coach was current MKE assistant Jose Winston.
 
Jovanovich has made stops at Louisville and Miami before coming home. He put together a brilliant prep career at Whitnall High School, finishing as the runner-up for Mr. Basketball in Wisconsin as a senior in 2022. A two-time all-state honoree, he was a McDonald's All-American Game nominee and a two-time unanimous conference player of the year. He capped his career with Associated Press First Team All-State accolades after averaging 29.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.
 
Two others have been Panthers from the start following their local runs: redshirt sophomore Vinko Polovic and sophomore Simeon Murchison. Freshman Austin Villarreal (Arrowhead in Pewaukee, Wis.) also makes his debut this season.
 
The staff of the Roar Report got the group of six together recently to talk about playing for their state team, what it's been like since those who are returning have come back, and what the plans are for the future of their careers and getting the opportunity to play in front of family and friends regularly at UWM Panther Arena.
 
ROAR REPORT: Start with a simple one … why Milwaukee?
 
SIMEON MURCHISON: "I chose Milwaukee because it was close to home, close to family. I get to play in front of my hometown. It's been a blessing."
 
VINKO POLOVIC: "I chose Milwaukee because a lot of my friends, family, and community are here. It's where I grew up and a very underrated city in my opinion. It's a blessing to represent this city."
 
JOHN LOVELACE: "I chose Milwaukee because I love the city itself. My family is here and Coach Jose (Winston) played a big part in recruiting me and when I met the whole coaching staff it was nothing but love from there. I just appreciate being here."
 
LEARIC DAVIS: "I chose Milwaukee because of 'home' and it was close to the crib."
 
DANILO JOVANOVICH: "Like everyone else said – it's home. Being with my family and friends is really nice. And the coaching staff … getting to know everyone has been great."
 
AUSTIN VILLAREAL: "I chose Milwaukee mostly because it was close to home. What most people don't know is I came here for track. Being able to have the opportunity to play basketball here just really blew my mind away. Instead of going to a different school to play, I just stayed here because, honestly, it's home."
 
ROAR: What has it been like since you have been back (asked to the transfers)?
 
JOVANOVICH: "It's been great. It's been easy getting adjusted. Knowing Jose (Winston) and then getting to know all of the other coaches. And then getting to know the guys – I have known these guys (referring to other guys on the roundtable) for years and years. So it's been an easy adjustment and been great being here."
 
DAVIS: "Since I have been back it has been fun and entertaining. My last year of being here has been a fun experience, especially getting to the championship. But hopefully, we can bring back a trophy this time."
 
LOVELACE: "It's been great being around the team. Working hard together and getting to know each other. I have known these guys (in the room) a long time so building relationships and reconnecting with these guys has been big too. Just getting to know each other, working hard, and trying to get better every day."
 
ROAR: What do you hope to accomplish in your time as a Panther?
 
MURCHISON: "We would like to bring a ring back for the city. We haven't been to the NCAA Tournament in years, I guess. So bringing a ring back, winning the Horizon League, would be a blessing to the city."
 
POLOVIC: "Being the first one here (he is in his third year with the team), I think it's really cool seeing all of the Milwaukee guys come back. Hopefully, winning and bringing a championship back with all of these guys. Seeing the arena filled with all of the community and fans and everyone coming together for a big postseason run."
 
DAVIS: "Bring a trophy back home … that's important to me. Really just being able to say 'we went to March Madness'.
 
JANOVICH: "Just piggy-backing off what everyone else said … bringing a Horizon League championship home and then making a deep tournament run in March. I feel like we have the pieces to do it. I think it will be a great year."
 
VILLAREAL: "I really want to inspire other kids. When I was growing up, I looked up to other athletes that were shorter, like I am, and ones in the area that want to give back to the community. I want to give back … motivate a kid, like, 'oh he's short, if he can do it why can't I?' or 'he's a minority, he's Hispanic'. I feel like you don't really see many Hispanics playing basketball these days, so I want to inspire some kids."
 
LOVELACE: "I have won the league before (at YSU), so I know how that feels. So to win it at home would be an even greater feeling. Bringing a regular-season championship home then getting to that tournament. That's the biggest goal … so we keep grinding every day."