What to know about UW-Milwaukee men's basketball and players to watch in 2023-24

Panthers at a glance

Coach: Bart Lundy (22-12, second season; 451-202, 22nd season)

2022-23 record: 22-12 overall, 14-6 Horizon League (second place)

2022-23 postseason: Lost to Charlotte, 76-65, in quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational.

Home court: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. Tickets: (414) 229-5886.

Players to watch

10 BJ Freeman (6-6 Jr., G/F): His 14 games of 20 or more points last season were the most for a UWM player since Dylan Page had 20 in 2003-2004. In line for a huge year.

1 Markeith Browning II (6-4 Jr., G): A tremendous athlete who has offensive ability but could make a name for himself by becoming a lockdown defender.

4 Kentrell Pullian (6-0 Jr., G): Pullian is a mighty mite who truly gets the most out of his ability – particularly on the boards, where he had five games with eight or more rebounds.

2 Elijah Jamison (6-3 Soph., G): A do-everything type of player whose role this season will require him to be a facilitator with the basketball.

13 Langston Wilson (6-9 Grad., G): Every bit the athlete Ahmad Rand was, but Wilson's skill set is much different. Will provide much more offensive punch.

11 Learic Davis (6-7 Fr., G): The former Milwaukee City Conference star has tantalizing physical gifts, and the hope is playing at home will help unleash them.

25 Aaron Franklin (6-5 Soph., G): A junior-college transfer whose body is billed by Lundy as Division I-ready and whose competitiveness will be welcomed.

Reason to believe

Everything – coaching, ability, depth – is in place for the Panthers to make their first real run at an NCAA Tournament bid since last appearing in 2013-2014.

Reason to doubt

Bringing so many new players together can sometimes result in chemistry issues, and Lundy already talked about players butting heads (in a positive way to this point) in practice.