Midwestern Collegiate Conference report

SportsLine.com Report
April 10, 2000

Some of their non-conference opponents included Iowa State, Cincinnati and Utah, so you can't lay the "soft schedule" rap on the Panthers. They used those games (all losses) as tuneups, then surprised a few MCC foes in Bo Ryan's first year as head coach.

The Panthers were not ultimately successful, but you couldn't accuse them of being dull. They went with four guards and a center for the most part and gave opponents fits with their quickness to the hoop and uncanny 3-point shooting. Fans streamed into home games in record numbers.

In the conference tournament, UWM upended in-state rival Wisconsin-Green Bay in the first round and might have gone farther if not for a broken wrist suffered by freshman Clay Tucker, their best all-around player.

A glance at 2001

Optimism is running high already as most of the Panthers' key players return, including 6-9 center Chad Angeli, a first team all-MCC choice, and Tucker, who made the all-newcomer squad and would have been Newcomer of the Year if not for Cleveland State's Damon Stringer. The Panthers almost certainly will be a contender or, at the very least, again make the contenders squirm.

The Coach

Bo Ryan wasn't the winningest coach in Division III history without knowing how to relate to players and get the most out of them. He was an instant hit in Milwaukee not only with the players, but everyone connected with the program. He brought energy and a sense of purpose to a place where those qualities had been in short supply.

Who'll Be Back

Many important elements of the Panthers' success are returning, including the two most important, Angeli and Tucker. Angeli finished fifth in the league in scoring (16.8 ppg), Tucker seventh (14.3)

Who's Gone

Guard Shaun Fountain is the most significant graduation loss. His leadership and overall game will be missed.