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Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball

American men's college basketball team


American men's college basketball team

FieldValue
current2025–26 Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team
nameMilwaukee Panthers men's basketball
logoWisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers wordmark.svg
logo_size250
universityUniversity of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
conferenceHorizon League
locationMilwaukee, Wisconsin
coachBart Lundy
tenure4th
arenaUWM Panther Arena
capacity10,783
nicknamePanthers
h_bodyFFFFFF
h_pattern_b_goldcollar
h_shortsFFFFFF
h_pattern_s_goldbottom
a_body000000
a_pattern_b_whitecollar
a_shorts000000
a_pattern_s_whitebottom
3_bodyFFFDF0
3_pattern_b_blacksides
3_shortsFFFDF0
3_pattern_s_blacksides
bestfinish8
NCAAeliteeight1989*
NCAAsweetsixteen1989*, 2005
NCAAroundof322005, 2006
NCAAtourneysDivision II: 1960, 1989
Division III: 1982
Division I: 2003, 2005, 2006, 2014
conference_tournamentHorizon League
2003, 2005, 2006, 2014
conference_seasonWIAC
1913, 1934, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1948, 1960Horizon League
2004, 2005, 2006, 2011
collapseconfregseayes
below* NCAA Division II

Division III: 1982 Division I: 2003, 2005, 2006, 2014 2003, 2005, 2006, 2014 1913, 1934, 1940, 1941, 1943, 1948, 1960Horizon League 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011 The Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team is an NCAA Division I college basketball team competing in the Horizon League for the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. They play their home games at UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and are currently coached by Bart Lundy. The Panthers have made four NCAA Tournament tournament appearances, most recently in 2014.

History

UWM's predecessor institutions (Milwaukee Normal School, Milwaukee State Teachers College and Milwaukee State College) have competed in basketball since the 19th century as the Milwaukee Normals (1896–1927) and Milwaukee State Green Gulls (1927–1956).

Milwaukee State's only undefeated season came in 1940 under head coach Guy Penwell as the Green Gulls finished the year 16–0 enroute to their third Wisconsin State Conference championship.

The team competed under the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee name for the first time for the 1956–57 season. In honor of joining the University of Wisconsin System, they sported the cardinal red and white colors and adopted "Cardinals" as their nickname. Three years later, the Cardinals made their first post-season appearance in the 1960 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Tournament.

1965–1998: Becoming the Panthers; up to Division I

Seeking to establish their own identity, Milwaukee adopted the colors of black and gold on September 1, 1965 and became known as the Panthers. They also left the Wisconsin State College Conference (now the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), of which they had been members since 1913, to form a conference with other urban public universities in the Great Lakes region such as Illinois-Chicago and Cleveland State. Such plans for a new conference never materialized, and the Panthers remained independent even as they moved from the NCAA College Division (now NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III) to the University Division (now NCAA Division I) in 1973.

The team moved again to NCAA Division III in 1980. Between 1985 and 1987, Milwaukee competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. In 1987, the program moved to NCAA Division II where it won its regional in the 1989 NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament, advancing to the contest's Elite Eight. Since 1990, Milwaukee Men's Basketball has competed in NCAA Division I. They played in the Mid-Continent Conference for one year in 1993–94 before joining the Midwestern Collegiate Conference, which became the Horizon League in 1999 and has been the Panthers' home ever since.

1999–2001: Bo Ryan era

In 1999, the Panthers hired Bo Ryan, a highly successful Division III coach at UW–Plattville, as the team's new head coach. Under Ryan, the Panthers had their first consecutive winning seasons since 1993, and Ryan was also instrumental in bringing wider attention and fan enthusiasm to the program. After just two seasons, Ryan left to become the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers.

2002–2005: Bruce Pearl era

After Bo Ryan's departure, Milwaukee would hire Bruce Pearl, a successful Division II coach at Southern Indiana, as head coach. Milwaukee reached new heights of success during the mid-2000s, making its first NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship appearance in 2003 under Pearl, followed by a Sweet Sixteen appearance in 2005 and a second-round appearance in 2006. Pearl left to become the head coach at Tennessee after 2005 and the school hired Rob Jeter, a former assistant under Bo Ryan. The Panthers won three straight regular-season Horizon League championships from 2004 to 2006 as well as the Horizon League tournament championship in 2003, 2005, and 2006.

2006–2015: Rob Jeter era

The Panthers' most recent Horizon League regular season championship came in 2011, where they'd host the Horizon League Championship game, but lost to Butler. In 2014, the Panthers won the Horizon League tournament, making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2006. Just a few weeks later, UWM was handed a one-year postseason ban due to a low Academic Progress Rate. Under Jeter, while the Panthers were mostly competitive, they were unable to stay consistently on top in the Horizon League standings.

On March 17, 2016, Milwaukee fired Rob Jeter after 11 seasons with the Panthers.

2016–2021: LaVall Jordan and Pat Baldwin eras

On April 7, 2016, Milwaukee announced that Michigan assistant coach LaVall Jordan would be the new head coach.

Less than one year later, on March 3, 2017, the Panthers made history by being the first No. 10 seed to win a game in the Horizon League Tournament. They went on to place second overall in the tournament, losing to Northern Kentucky in the championship game on March 7. After this one lone season, Jordan accepted the head coaching job at Butler. On June 20, Milwaukee hired Northwestern assistant coach Pat Baldwin as their new head coach.

In 2021, the Panthers made national news when they were able to successfully recruit Baldwin's son Patrick Baldwin Jr., who was rated by ESPN as the number four rated recruit in the country, becoming the highest rated player to commit to a Horizon League school. Baldwin Jr. struggled with injury in his freshman season, and the Panthers finished the season 10–22. On March 2, 2022, Pat Baldwin was fired as head coach after five straight losing seasons. Patrick Baldwin Jr. declared for the 2022 NBA draft, where he was selected 28th overall by the Golden State Warriors, becoming the first player in program history to be selected in the first round.

2022–Present: Bart Lundy era

On March 18, 2022, the Panthers hired Bart Lundy, a successful Division II coach at Queens (NC), as the team's next head coach. In Lundy's first season, the Panthers won 20 regular season games for the first time since 2004-05, finishing second in the Horizon League before losing in the semifinals of the conference tournament to Cleveland State. Milwaukee accepted an invite to the 2023 College Basketball Invitational, their first postseason appearance since the 2014 NCAA tournament. The Panthers defeated Stetson in overtime in the first round, marking their first postseason tournament victory since 2006, before losing to eventual champions Charlotte in the quarterfinals. In 2023-24, despite high hopes, the Panthers struggled through much of the season, mainly due to injuries to key players. The team still rallied to advance to the Horizon League Championship game before losing to Oakland, finishing with a record of 20-15, which was also the first time since 2006 that the Panthers had consecutive 20-win seasons. Lundy also became the first coach in the program's history to have 20-win seasons in each of his first two seasons coaching the team.

Milwaukee wins vs. the AP Top 25

YearOpponentDateScoreSite
2004-05#21 Alabama
#14 Boston College
3-17-05
3-19-05
W 83-73
W 83-75
Neutral
Neutral
2005-06#24 Oklahoma3-16-06W 82-74Neutral
2008-09#21 Butler3-18-09W 63-60Home

Postseason

NCAA Division I Tournament results

The Panthers have appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament four times. Their combined record is 3–4.

2014#15First round#2 VillanovaL 53–73

NCAA Division II Tournament results

The Panthers have appeared in the NCAA Division II tournament two times. Their combined record is 3–2.

1989Regional semifinals
Regional Finals
Elite EightAugustana (SD)
Northern Colorado
Southeast Missouri StateW 99–95
W 89–88 OT
L 84–93

NCAA Division III Tournament results

The Panthers have appeared in the NCAA Division III tournament one time. Their record is 1–1.

1982Regional semifinals
Regional 3rd PlaceAugustana (IL)
BeloitL 63–70
W 75–73

NIT results

The Panthers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) two times. Their combined record is 1–2.

2011First roundNorthwesternL 61–70

CBI results

The Panthers have appeared in the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) two times. Their record is 1–2.

2023First round
Quarterfinals#6 Stetson
#3 CharlotteW 87–83 OT
L 65–76

Conferences

YearsConferenceWin–loss
recordWin–loss
pct.Seasons
1896–1913IndependentN/AN/A17
1913–1964Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC)N/AN/A51
1964–1973NCAA College Division Independent412–346.5449
1973–1980NCAA Division I Independent7
1980–1985NCAA Division III Independent5
1985–1987NAIA Independent2
1987–1990NCAA Division II Independent3
1990–1993NCAA Division I Independent3
1993–1994Mid-Continent Conference7–11.3881
1994–presentHorizon League227–23730

;Notes:

Home arenas

YearsArena
1956–1977Baker Fieldhouse
1977–1992
1998–2003
2012–presentJ. Martin Klotsche Center
1992–1998The Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena (The MECCA)
2003–2012U.S. Cellular Arena
2013–presentUW–Milwaukee Panther Arena

Milwaukee–Green Bay rivalry records

| 1971 | N/A | Green Bay | 82 | Milwaukee | 75 | 1979 | N/A | Green Bay | 58 | Milwaukee | 57 | 1980 | N/A | Green Bay | 57 | Milwaukee | 53 | 1980 | N/A | Green Bay | 70 | Milwaukee | 50

| 1993 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 75 | Green Bay | 68 | 1993 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 61 | Green Bay | 48 | 1994 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 64 | Milwaukee | 42 | 1994 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 58 | Green Bay | 55 | 1995 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 79 | Milwaukee | 58 | 1995 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 63 | Milwaukee | 43 | 1996 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 67 | Milwaukee | 54 | 1996 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 81 | Milwaukee | 66 | 1997 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 62 | Milwaukee | 49 | 1997 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 62 | Milwaukee | 46 | 1998 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 68 | Milwaukee | 51 | 1998 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 80 | Milwaukee | 72 | 1999 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 74 | Milwaukee | 66 | 1999 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 59 | Green Bay | 57 | 1999 | Chicago, IL | Green Bay | 72 | Milwaukee | 66

| 2000 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 67 | Milwaukee | 65 | 2000 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 67 | Green Bay | 42 | 2000 | Chicago, IL | Milwaukee | 62 | Green Bay | 58 | 2001 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 53 | Milwaukee | 49 | 2001 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 79 | Green Bay | 57 | 2002 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 63 | Green Bay | 51 | 2002 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 76 | Green Bay | 66 | 2003 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 79 | Milwaukee | 68 | 2003 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 78 | Green Bay | 54 | 2004 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 82 | Green Bay | 70 | 2004 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 81 | Green Bay | 70 | 2005 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 86 | Green Bay | 56 | 2005 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 76 | Milwaukee | 72 | 2006 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 80 | Green Bay | 60 | 2006 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 84 | Milwaukee | 77 | 2007 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 73 | Milwaukee | 67 | 2007 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 74 | Green Bay | 73 | 2008 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 65 | Green Bay | 61 | 2008 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 76 | Green Bay | 66 | 2009 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 77 | Milwaukee | 75 | 2009 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 72 | Milwaukee | 68 | 2010 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 71 | Green Bay | 51 | 2010 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 61 | Milwaukee | 54 | 2011 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 69 | Milwaukee | 64 | 2011 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 88 | Green Bay | 75 | 2012 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 64 | Green Bay | 63 | 2012 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 81 | Green Bay | 75 | 2013 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 74 | Milwaukee | 54 | 2013 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 78 | Milwaukee | 61 | 2013 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 62 | Milwaukee | 46 | 2014 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 93 | Milwaukee | 86 | 2014 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 73 | Green Bay | 63 | 2014 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 73 | Green Bay | 66 | 2015 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 79 | Milwaukee | 63 | 2015 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 81 | Milwaukee | 70 | 2016 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 95 | Green Bay | 94 | 2016 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 70 | Milwaukee | 68 | 2016 | Detroit, MI | Green Bay | 70 | Milwaukee | 61 | 2017 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 80 | Milwaukee | 74 | 2017 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 80 | Milwaukee | 56 | 2018 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 99 | Milwaukee | 92 | 2018 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 76 | Green Bay | 58 | 2019 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 92 | Milwaukee | 82 | 2019 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 90 | Milwaukee | 74 | 2020 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 87 | Green Bay | 80 | 2020 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 94 | Milwaukee | 90 | 2021 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 68 | Green Bay | 65 | 2021 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 74 | Green Bay | 62 | 2022 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 63 | Green Bay | 49 | 2022 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 54 | Green Bay | 44 | 2022 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 81 | Green Bay | 67 | 2023 | Milwaukee, WI | Green Bay | 80 | Milwaukee | 79 | 2023 | Green Bay, WI | Green Bay | 70 | Milwaukee | 58 | 2024 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 90 | Milwaukee | 69 | 2024 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 95 | Green Bay | 84 | 2024 | Green Bay, WI | Milwaukee | 88 | Green Bay | 67 | 2025 | Milwaukee, WI | Milwaukee | 70 | Green Bay | 59

Players in the NBA draft

YearPlayerRound #Pick #Overall #Team
1961Ron Debillous10th184New York Knicks
1971Vance Tyree16th1225Cleveland Cavaliers
1977Larry Pikes8th3154Milwaukee Bucks
1991Von McDade2nd2653New Jersey Nets
2022Patrick Baldwin Jr.1st2828Golden State Warriors

References

Basketball Media Guide (history)

References

  1. Thamel, Pete. (March 18, 2022). "Bart Lundy accepts men's basketball coaching job for UW-Milwaukee Panthers, sources say".
  2. Journal, Jon Masson Wisconsin State. "JUST ONE OPENING AT UW ROB JETER IS DRIVEN TO SUCCEED AT UWM; GARY CLOSE WON'T BE GOING TO EASTERN ILLINOIS.".
  3. "Wisconsin-Milwaukee banned from 2015 postseason due to APR".
  4. "Rob Jeter fired as UWM men's basketball coach".
  5. (7 April 2016). "Michigan assistant LaVall Jordan to coach UWM basketball". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  6. "Milwaukee's Wild Postseason Ride Ends In Title Game".
  7. (2017-06-20). "Milwaukee hires Baldwin as new hoops coach".
  8. (2021-05-12). "5-star recruit picks Milwaukee over Duke, UVa".
  9. Rosiak, Todd. "Pat Baldwin fired after five seasons as men's basketball coach at UW-Milwaukee".
  10. "Warriors Select Patrick Baldwin Jr. (#28) & Gui Santos (#55) in 2022 NBA Draft, Presented by Oracle".
  11. (2022-03-18). "Sources: Lundy accepts job at UW-Milwaukee".
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