Can the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Basketball Team Make the NCAA Tournament This Year?

2025-11-07 10:00

As I sit here watching the Milwaukee Panthers practice, I can't help but wonder—can this team actually make the NCAA Tournament this year? Having followed college basketball for over fifteen years, I've seen plenty of teams come and go, but there's something special brewing at UW-Milwaukee this season. The energy in the Klotsche Center feels different, more electric than I've felt in recent memory. When coach Bart Lundy told reporters last week, "We're confident to say we want them to be here long-term and hopefully making part of our long-coveted championship. Hopefully we get it eventually," it wasn't just coach speak—I genuinely believe he means every word of it.

Looking at their current 18-9 record, the Panthers are sitting in a much better position than last year's 10-22 finish. That's a remarkable turnaround by any measure. What's impressed me most is their offensive efficiency—they're shooting 46.2% from the field, which places them in the top third of Division I teams. Their three-point percentage has jumped from 31% last season to nearly 38% this year, and that improvement is directly reflected in their scoring average of 74.8 points per game. I've particularly enjoyed watching BJ Freeman develop into the team's leading scorer, averaging 18.3 points per contest. The sophomore guard has shown incredible growth since his freshman year, and I'd argue he's one of the most underrated players in the Horizon League.

The road to the NCAA Tournament, however, is never straightforward for mid-major programs like UW-Milwaukee. They'll likely need to win the Horizon League Tournament to secure an automatic bid, as an at-large bid remains somewhat unlikely given their current NET ranking of 148. I've crunched the numbers, and history hasn't been kind to teams outside the top 100 receiving at-large bids. Still, I'm more optimistic about their chances than most analysts seem to be. Their recent 78-72 victory over conference rival Oakland showed me something I hadn't seen from this program in years—the ability to close out tight games against quality opponents. That's the kind of win that builds confidence and creates momentum heading into tournament play.

What really gives me hope is their defensive improvement. Last season, the Panthers allowed opponents to shoot nearly 46% from the field, but this year they've trimmed that number down to 42.1%. Their steals per game have increased from 5.8 to 7.2, and they're forcing nearly 14 turnovers per contest. These might seem like small improvements, but in close tournament games, these extra possessions can make all the difference. I've always believed that defense travels well, and if UW-Milwaukee can maintain this level of defensive intensity, they'll have a fighting chance against anyone in the Horizon League tournament.

The schedule ahead won't be easy though. They still have tough road games against Cleveland State and Purdue Fort Wayne, two teams that have given them trouble in recent meetings. Then there's the matter of the conference tournament in Indianapolis, where they'll likely need to win three games in as many days. It's a brutal test of depth and endurance, but this team appears to have the roster construction to handle it. Their bench has provided valuable minutes throughout the season, outscoring opponents' reserves in 18 of their 27 games. That depth could prove crucial when legs get tired in those back-to-back tournament games.

I've spoken with several players after practices, and there's a quiet confidence in that locker room that you don't often see from teams in their position. They genuinely believe they can make a run, and that belief matters more than people realize. When coach Lundy talks about building something long-term and chasing that "long-coveted championship," it's not just about this season—it's about establishing a culture of winning that can sustain success. From what I've observed, that culture is starting to take root. The players buy into the system, they trust each other, and they've shown remarkable resilience in close games, compiling an 8-3 record in contests decided by five points or fewer.

Of course, there are areas that concern me. Their free throw shooting sits at just 68.4%, which ranks near the bottom of Division I. In tournament settings, where games often come down to the final possessions, that deficiency could prove costly. They also struggle somewhat with defensive rebounding, allowing opponents to grab nearly 10 offensive boards per game. These are fixable issues, but time is running short with only a handful of regular season games remaining.

As we approach March, I find myself more invested in this UW-Milwaukee team than any Panthers squad in recent memory. They've got the talent, they've shown the improvement, and they seem to have the right mindset. Will they actually make the NCAA Tournament? My heart says yes, but my head tells me it's going to be an uphill battle. If they can maintain their current level of play and get a few breaks along the way, I genuinely believe they have what it takes to cut down the nets in Indianapolis and secure that automatic bid. Either way, this season has already been a tremendous success compared to where the program was just a year ago, and that progress alone is worth celebrating.