The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers defeated the Milwaukee School of Engineering Raiders 69-63 in an exhibition game on Saturday. It was Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s first action as a Panther.
Baldwin Jr. lead the team with 18 points (6-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-5 FT), eight rebounds and one assist in 28 minutes. Tafari Simms added 10 points (2-5 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT) with three rebounds and an assist. Josh Thomas posted nine points (3-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds and an assist. In addition, he led the team with three steals. Also, Jasin Sinani had eight points (3-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT) with two rebounds and a steal.
“This is absolutely what we needed to start off the season. We needed some great film work that we can go back to,” said Head Coach Pat Baldwin. “I’m excited about the opportunity to get better and learn from our game.”
Despite the win, MSOE was able to stick with the Panthers throughout the game. The Raiders are a Division III school, so the Panthers were expected to win easily.
Each team finished with 42 rebounds, despite the Raiders being undersized. The Panthers finished with 12 turnovers, one more than the Raiders’ 11 turnovers.
“They gave us a tough fight,” said Baldwin Jr. “I like the way we responded at halftime and really pushed that lead. I just think across the board we had good efforts from a lot of different people.”
Milwaukee allowed this game to be much closer than many may have thought, and that could be contributed to mediocre shooting from the field. The Panthers shot 36.1% from the field while the Raiders shot 38.2%. However, Milwaukee played with great physicality, drawing 24 fouls and taking 21 free throw attempts. In contrast, they committed just nine fouls and the Raiders only had six free throws.
“We only shot seven free throws in the first half which we really made a point at half time that we weren’t aggressive enough and settling for a lot of perimeter shots,” said Baldwin. “If you can attempt more than your opponents shoot you’re going to be in very good position. We definitely want to take advantage of that.”
In addition, the Panthers blocked five shots. Centers Samba Kane and Moses Bol, both over seven feet tall, boasted their height with two blocks each as they compete for playing time this season.
Expectations for Panthers, Baldwin Jr.
With that win, the Panthers gain some confidence and experience working together as they prepare for the season in the Horizon League. The Panthers are optimistic for the new season, as they already made history with the highest rated recruit to ever play in the Horizon League in Baldwin Jr. He is the No. 5 ranked prospect in the nation, according to ESPN Recruiting Database. Baldwin Jr. committed to the Panthers over offers from Duke, Iowa, Kentucky and more. He is a McDonald’s All-American and he won the gold medal in the 2021 FIBA World Cup with Team USA U19 this past summer. The Panthers expect Baldwin Jr. to be a leader this season and bring them back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2014.
The Panthers will need production from returning players in DeAndre Gholston, Vin Baker Jr, Thomas and Simms. Gholston was the team’s top scorer last season, averaging 16.8 ppg and will look to replicate that this season. Thomas averaged 12.5 ppg last season, and the Panthers will look to him to provide points whether he starts or comes off the bench. In addition, the Panthers also look to Gholston and Thomas to provide leadership as they return as upperclassmen.
Simms is looking to be a valuable role player off the bench. After averaging 7.4 ppg last season, Simms will look to take a step forward and build on his game. Baker did not get a chance to play in the scrimmage as he is recovering from an injury last season. However, Baker is almost ready to go.
“He’ll be ready for the November Opener,” said Baldwin postgame. “He probably could have played today, but we held him out of this game and next week he’s going to be full contact in our practices.”
The Panthers starting five could look different from a normal starting five, moving away from the traditional two guard, two forward and one center format. The Panthers starting five could look like: Baker and Gholston at guard, Jordan Lathon as another guard acting as a shooting guard-small forward, Baldwin Jr. as a small forward-power forward and Joey St. Pierre at center.
Award Watch
Both Baldwin Jr. and Gholston were voted to preseason All-Horizon League teams, with Baldwin Jr. to the first team and Gholston to the second team respectively. Also, the NCAA selected Baldwin Jr. as one of 20 players for the Julius Erving Award watchlist. The award goes to the top men’s collegiate small forward.
“I think just looking back at the past winners, it’s definitely a prestigious list to be included in, said Baldwin Jr. “It really gives me motivation to wake up in the morning and put in the work.”
The Panthers enter the new season, looking to improve on their eighth-place finish and 10-12 record from last year’s season. The Panthers open the season on the road Tuesday, Nov. 9 against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.
Nice article. I’m not normally a UWM follower, but this made me interested in the UWM Men’s Basketball team. Go pod luck in the Horizon League Conference this season!