Since being blown out by Memphis in the NIT Season tip-off, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team has picked themselves up.

And then some.

After a home opener that saw the Panthers beat down on the Division II Upper Iowa Peacocks, UWM went on the road, losing a tough game against Tennessee Tech.

Since then, they have rattled off three wins — at home against St. Louis and Hawaii, and one up in Brookings, S.D., against South Dakota State.

While some fans still have the memories of Sweet 16 branded into their heads, Milwaukee could just as easily be 2-4. Upper Iowa was never going to beat UWM, and South Dakota State is still a low major, but their two other wins could have been easy losses.

Ian Vouyoukas and Kevin Lisch of St. Louis had an off night against UWM. Lisch, the Billikens' prime three-point artist, pulled out a goose egg from behind the arc. Voyoukas did sink seven of eight free throws, but he also only had four field goals as the team's No. 1 option.

If either of them would have played like they have been this season, Tommie Liddell would have been even more dangerous, and he would have had more than his career high of 22. UWM did well to deter the opportunities of other players.

Hawaii is battle-tested. They are a different team at home than they are on the road, and it is a different team than the one UWM beat in Honolulu last season. Hawaii thrashed the then-fifth-ranked Michigan State Spartans in the early stages of the season, and they have a starting five that rivals many in the country.

However, Milwaukee's poise is in forcing turnovers. Hawaii out-rebounded, out-assisted and out-blocked UWM. The Panthers got it right where it counted, out-scoring Hawaii, 58-52.

Many people looked at Tennessee Tech as a blowout. Who ever heard of Tennessee Tech?

Of course, when those people saw the 72-67 score in their morning papers, a few spit coffee. The fact is, Tennessee Tech is one of the best home teams in the country, much like Hawaii.

Unlike the Hawaii game, UWM played at Tennessee Tech's home court.

UWM is getting used to the swing offense, something that takes time for any team to do. A far cry from the mentality of last year's team, the swing offense floats every player around the court.

Don't be astounded to see Derrick Ford at the three-point line, in short. Everyone in the offense works around the half court, causing mismatches and general havoc on the opposing team.

While it didn't work against Memphis, in which UWM shot a terrible 22 percent, it did work in later wins.

Over the next month and change, UWM will be a very busy team. Before the spring semester starts Jan. 23, UWM will play many teams: Wisconsin, UW-Green Bay, Oakland, Wyoming, Montana, Cleveland State, Illinois-Chicago, Butler, Loyola, UW-Green Bay again, Detroit, and two days before semester begins, a game against Wright State at the Cell.

The Horizon League will turn out to be a tough schedule yet again, so if you are in the area, I implore you to get on your horse and head to the Cell for some great match-ups.

If you can't make the games, you can follow on the Internet at www.uwmpanthers.collegesports.com, or tune into WOKY (920 AM), which will have Bill Johnson doing the broadcasts.

A few of the games will be televised, with Wisconsin, Wyoming and Detroit coming on WMLW Milwaukee. On Jan. 14, they will televise the UW-Green Bay game on ESPN2.

Milwaukee's tough schedule will become easier as the players learn the new swing offense. If UWM can pull an upset of Wisconsin on Thursday, Dec. 15, Milwaukee can boast that it did something Marquette could not do.

Wisconsin will be the toughest game remaining on the Panthers' schedule, so winning it would make it that much sweeter.

Until next year, keep tuning into the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball team!

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