Milwaukee makes statement in season opener

With the college basketball season tipping off on Monday, the Milwaukee Panthers wasted no time making a statement. The Panthers overpowered Division III Lakeland (Wis.) University 118-62 at the Klotsche Center. 

The Panthers delivered a commanding performance, outscoring Lakeland by 37 points in the second half alone. The victory showcased Milwaukee’s depth, athleticism and overall talent.

Here are three takeaways from the Panthers’ victory. The Panthers return to action against Northern Iowa at 8 p.m. ET Thursday in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on ESPN+.

Jamichael Stillwell

Since the summer practices, Stillwell has impressed me with his size, athleticism and skill set.

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound junior forward joined the Panthers this offseason through the transfer portal after a strong season at Butler County Community College (Kan.), where he averaged 12.5 points and 10.5 rebounds over 27 games. On Monday, he exceeded all expectations, immediately impacting both ends of the floor.

On Monday, Stillwell came off the bench to deliver an impressive double-double, leading the team with 18 points and 14 rebounds in just 20 minutes. His energy was evident on both ends of the court. Offensively, he played under control, displaying a soft touch and reliable finishing ability around the rim. Stillwell stood out as Milwaukee’s top interior presence on the defensive end, anchoring the paint with smart positioning and physicality.

AJ McKee

Milwaukee coach Bart Lundy turned to redshirt senior guard AJ McKee to fill the void after the departure of star guard BJ Freeman in the offseason. Lundy originally recruited McKee to Queens University, and he played for Lundy for three seasons. McKee’s relationship with Lundy strongly influenced his decision to commit to Milwaukee after averaging 18.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game in 2023-24.

McKee enjoyed a standout five-year career at Queens. On Monday, the skilled guard offered a glimpse of his potential. Though his scoring wasn’t the most efficient, he managed 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, in 25 minutes. McKee also had eight assists to help guide the offense.

Defensively, McKee displayed athleticism, grit and aggressiveness. He contributed three steals and a block as he pressured opponents and disrupted passing lanes.

This may not have been McKee’s best performance, but he showed enough to suggest the Panthers won’t experience a drop-off from Freeman. In fact, McKee may prove to be a more well-rounded player, demonstrating solid ball-handling and playing commendable defense throughout the game.

Depth and Athleticism

Lundy favors an up-tempo style of play with a strong defensive focus. The Panthers lacked the pieces to execute his system fully during his first two years. This season, however, that’s no longer the case, and Lundy is ready to capitalize on it.

The Panthers are loaded with talent and depth this season. On Monday, 11 players logged at least 10 minutes of play, with little to no drop-off between the starters and players off the bench. Their roster features athletic, lengthy and versatile players who blend size and skill on both ends of the court. Milwaukee played at a quick pace, consistently out-hustling Lakeland, who struggled to keep up and appeared exhausted by the end of the game.

Lundy has consistently expressed his desire to push the pace offensively while implementing a relentless full-court press defensively. On Monday, that strategy paid off. If the Panthers can maintain this aggressive style against teams of equal or superior caliber, they will undoubtedly be a formidable force this season.