Milwaukee faces big test against Oklahoma State

Milwaukee Panthers (1-2) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (3-0)
Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena – Stillwater, Oklahoma
Time: 7:00 p.m. CST
Broadcast: Radio – WISN-AM1130

After losing to IUPUI on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Panthers will look to return to winning ways as they take the court against the challenging Oklahoma State Cowboys on Friday evening.

This will be the first ever meeting between these two programs, but the Panthers haven’t faired well against teams in the Big 12 Conference going only 2-6 all-time.

The Cowboys will not be an easy test for the Panthers, who have gotten off to a scorching start. In their first three games they have dominated their opponents, winning by at least 22 points in each of those contests.

Two players the Panthers’ defense will need to focus their attention on are forward Le’Bryan Nash and guard Phil Forte III. Nash is a 6-foot-7 senior who is averaging 17.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, while the 5-11 Forte has added 17.3 points and 4.3 assists per contest.

Starting alongside Nash and Forte will be guard Anthony Hickey Jr., forward Jeffrey Carroll and center Michael Cobbins.

Milwaukee will counter with their usual starting lineup featuring guards Steve McWhorter, Akeem Springs and JeVon Lyle along with forwards Matt Tiby and J.J. Panoske.

Milwaukee has not beaten a power conference opponent since the 2006 NCAA Tournament, and it will not be easy to snap that streak against the Cowboys. The Panthers have struggled at the free throw line, while launching up way too many three-point shots. If this continues against the Cowboys, they will struggle just trying to keep this game close.

But, if the Panthers can fix the mistakes they have had early on in the season, they could give the Cowboys a serious upset scare.

Related Posts

• 
  Packers vs. Seahawks: Preview, Prediction
• 
  Packers vs. Lions: Preview, Prediction
• 
  Packers vs. Bears: Preview, Prediction