After spending a few years atop the Horizon League standings, it appears the Milwaukee Panthers may come back down to Earth this season.  Gone from last year’s NCAA tournament team are every single starter and several top reserves.  All in all, it adds up to more than 65 points and 31 rebounds a game that have left Milwaukee.  Several talented newcomers have been added to the mix this season and Milwaukee looks strong for the future but this season could very well be a tough learning experience.

The Panthers do bring back two of their top reserves from last season in guards Avery Smith and Allan Hanson.  Though neither has ever started a game in their Panthers career, they do bring the knowledge and experience of being on winning teams.  Both will be thrust into the unfamiliar role of leaders this season.  Smith, a 6’3” junior, is a tough-nosed defender who averaged nearly five points a game with two rebounds.  Despite seeing just 14 minutes a game, he was second on the club in steals and 15th in the league.  Smith could very well make it onto the league all-defensive team this season.

Hanson has come off the bench his first two seasons at UWM mainly as a back-up point guard.  He led the Panthers in three-point shooting percentage last season, hitting nearly 47% of his three-point attempts.  Appearing in all 31 games last season, Hanson averaged just under three points a game in about ten minutes of action.

Senior Nick Hansen is a former walk-on who has worked his way into a back-up role for the Panthers. 

A trio of newcomers will see plenty of time in the backcourt alongside Hanson and Smith.  Sophomore guard Ricky Franklin sat out last season with eligibility issues but is a former all-state performer in high school.  The Milwaukee native is sure to become a fan-favorite and has the tools to become a star for the Panthers.

Freshman Charlie Swiggett is the point guard of the future for Milwaukee.  The 6’1” 180 pounder spent a year at prep school after leading his high school squad to state championship. 

Freshman Roman Gentry from Iowa is a 6’4” wing with tremendous athleticism.  After verballing to Missouri Valley power Northern Iowa, he wound up a Panther in Milwaukee instead.  He was the player of the year his senior year in high school.

Up front, the Panthers will rely almost exclusively on newcomers to the Panthers program.  The lone returnee with any significant experience is Kevin Massiah.  The 6’5” forward appeared in 26 games last season, averaging just over two points and one rebound.  With a year under his belt and an increased role on the team, Massiah’s numbers should improve significantly.

A pair of transfers are expected to play prominent roles for the Panthers this season.  Northern Illinois transfer Paige Paulsen stands 6’7” and brings a formidable inside-outside game to the Panthers.  Junior college transfer Marcus Skinner at 6’6” and 215 pounds has very good speed and agility for his size.

Another transfer Sam Mauldin is a load at 6’9” and 245 pounds.  If healthy, he will be able to provide a much needed physical and rebounding presence for the Panthers. 

With so many new faces on the court this season, a media guide will be a must for fans watching the Panthers.  A bit of patience may come in handy, as well, because the Panthers will surely go through some growing pains that they haven’t had to suffer through for several seasons now.  With the talent the Panthers will be putting on the floor, the opportunity to win games will be there but it will take time for this team to come together.  With the parity in the league this season, it’s not out of the question to think the Panthers could be in the top half of the Horizon League.

--Joe Dlugosz is the editor of Ramblermania.com, a website dedicated to Loyola-Chicago sports information.  For more of Joe's writing, visit: www.ramblermania.com --ed.