Wisconsin schools proving their basketball prowess

STATE OF THE HORIZON

(as published in Whoosh! magazine Jan. 20, 2004)

The state of Wisconsin is generally known for its cold weather, dairy farms, and cheese. But in 2004, it’s earning a good reputation for its college basketball teams, including Horizon League frontrunners Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Milwaukee was expected to contend with UIC for the Horizon championship this season with star forward Dylan Page returning. Marquette went to the Final Four last year, and Wisconsin is a top contender in the Big Ten, but the biggest surprise in the state comes from the school from “Titletown.”

Green Bay’s biggest sports name is Packers quarterback Brett Favre, but a name that is quickly rising is Wisconsin-Green Bay coach Tod Kowalczyk.

Kowalczyk, a former Marquette assistant and in his second season as head man of the Fighting Phoenix, has led his team to nine straight victories, an 11-5 overall record, and stunning 5-1 start in conference play.

To top it off, Kowalczyk’s team, mixed with veterans and newcomers, has already completed a sweep of the Horizon League’s perennial power Butler. If Green Bay’s 70-63 victory at famed Hinkle Fieldhouse in December shook the foundation of the conference, then its subsequent 60-50 home win over the Bulldogs Jan. 10 turned the league upside down.

The Phoenix recently completed a grueling eight-day stretch with four conference games with an unblemished record.

“We called this identity week,” Kowalczyk said. “It felt like an NBA season, [with] as many games as we played.

“I challenged the guys. At the end of these four games we were going to find out a lot about our program and how good we are.”

The glue that holds the Phoenix together is junior Matt Rohde, who shifted to shooting guard this season to better showcase his shooting abilities.

The most amazing fact is the Phoenix starts three newcomers, including freshmen forwards Tyler Koenig and and Illinois-native Josh Lawrence. Solid junior transfer Brandon Morris starts at the point guard spot.

The other starter, besides Rohde, is sophomore Terry Parker, who started 17 games as a freshman.

Another transfer, 6-foot-5 guard Javier Mendiburu, gets extensive minutes off the bench, along with two seniors – forwards Mike King and Kevin Hughes. Morris leads the team in scoring at 11.5 points per game and shoots 49 percent from three-point range. Parker averages 10.7 points and King at 10.1. Mendiburu averages 4.1 assists per contest.

As shockingly good as Green Bay has been, Butler has been alarmingly bad. The Bulldogs stood at 6-9 overall and 2-4 in the conference after the second loss to Green Bay.

One of Butler’s two quality returners, Duane Lightfoot, has been hobbled by an ankle injury, and the other, Mike Monserez has struggled to find his shot. The team is obviously missing the on-the-court leadership of its recent stars Brandon Miller, Joel Cornette and Mike Marshall.

Back on the surprisingly good side, Wright State, which starts three freshmen, stands at 5-1 in league play after a victory at Detroit’s Calihan Hall.

Milwaukee, with a blend of veterans and quality newcomers, including guard Ed McCants, already has key home victories over UIC and Detroit, and barring a slump, is the favorite right now.

UIC, which started 0-2 in the league, seems to have righted things, and will still be a threat for the conference title.

Detroit and Loyola are currently in the middle of the pack and can move up, depending on whether Detroit can find a go-to player and Loyola can find consistent guard play and outside shooting.

Cleveland State, which almost upset North Carolina early in the season, has slumped mightily, while Youngstown State, seen by some as a potential sleeper, has disappointed.