Summer Pro Am

[Dr. Blackheart]

http://www.milwaukeeproam.com/

See Jimmy Ganzer is getting it on again this summer...Juan and a few other of the new recruits mentioned they planned to get to MU earlier than they had originally expected. Jae should be at MU all summer. Only upside to this.

With the potential lock-out, maybe some more NBAers this year? Will the Badgers be allowed out of house arrest to create some SE Wisconsin interest beyond The Gasser? Will some Chicago hoopsters make the short trip up to help MU reignite Windy City roots?

Great development on the return. Any updates to share IWB?

[MUfan12]

I talked to Lazar at one of the games there last summer and he said he wanted to play in it to go against Wesley. The lack of a Summer League could really help.

[avid1010]

Great that those guys will be in town early...I really enjoyed a little summer hoop fix...should be more of the same.

[Skatastrophy]

The Pro-Am was a good time last year. I'm looking forward to more of the same this year

[Dr. Blackheart]

The Pro-Am was a good time last year. I'm looking forward to more of the same this year

Will you be blogging on it too?   

[Stronghold]

I plan on staying in Milwaukee this summer so I want to catch some of the games.  Never been to any before so I was just wondering is anyone allowed to go watch and where are they played?

[mosarsour]

It's free for everyone. Last year it was at Homestead High School.

[IWB]

Thanks for the questions guys, will try to answer everything above.....

Is there a Pro-Am?
Yes, putting it all together right now, had to move it from Homestead as they are having their floor re-done, have looked at a lot of schools, should finalize tomorrow.

NBA Lockout?
Last year some pros took the "wait and see" approach since it was the first year. Yes, I have heard from some NBA players that are showing interest, as the lockout will mean they will be locked out of the Bucks facility too, so they need somewhere to play. I am taking a 'believe it when you show' approach, but sounds promising.

NBA Summer League?
Last year we lost about 5 guys to the NBA Summer League, guys like Jerry Smith etc., so that can only help us.

Lazar etc?
Well, the problem with guys like Lazar, Novak, wasn't just the summer league, it was that those guys were without contracts. Anyone in their situation would be crazy to risk an injury when looking for a team.

Badgers?
I sure hope so. Like the NBA guys, last year they took a 'wait and see' approach as it was the first year. Mo Cain was the lone Badger, and he really enjoyed the league.

Chicago guys?
Well, that isn't all that easy. College guys can't unless they live here, and can't travel here if there is a Pro-Am closer, which there is. As far as guys like Joe C, Jerel etc go, I will work on them, but there are a few conflicts with the Chicago Pro-Am.

Blogging?
I know that was a dig at someone, but yes, we will have a much better website this year with stories, stats, pictures and video.

Can anyone go?
Yes indeed, this is open to the public. And, the NCAA won't allow me to charge admission (thanks alot Bin Laden), so the event is free, no admission at the door.

Did I miss anything? Don't think so, but looking forward to it.

Oh, one more thing, being the IWB, I have to throw an Irritation in here. I was trying to track down a guy that played last year as he transferred schools. I stumbled upon a site like this one for that particular school (mid major, Midwestern state). There was a discussion about the league, and one guy who had been to it said, "The majority is all Marquette players." Really? We had over 90 players last year. 13 current MU guys and about 5 former MU guys. 18 out of 90 is "the majority"? This league is great - last year we had about 30 Euro pros, guys from the NBA summer league, former NBA players, D1 players that are from here, but playing all over the country, former D1 players and some DII & III guys - it was an incredible mix. Point is, all of your MU favorites will be there, but this is not an "MU thing", it is a great hoops league, and will only be better this year.

Thanks - Jim Ganzer, "IWB"

[reinko]

Thanks for the questions guys, will try to answer everything above.....

Is there a Pro-Am?
Yes, putting it all together right now, had to move it from Homestead as they are having their floor re-done, have looked at a lot of schools, should finalize tomorrow.

NBA Lockout?
Last year some pros took the "wait and see" approach since it was the first year. Yes, I have heard from some NBA players that are showing interest, as the lockout will mean they will be locked out of the Bucks facility too, so they need somewhere to play. I am taking a 'believe it when you show' approach, but sounds promising.

NBA Summer League?
Last year we lost about 5 guys to the NBA Summer League, guys like Jerry Smith etc., so that can only help us.

Lazar etc?
Well, the problem with guys like Lazar, Novak, wasn't just the summer league, it was that those guys were without contracts. Anyone in their situation would be crazy to risk an injury when looking for a team.

Badgers?
I sure hope so. Like the NBA guys, last year they took a 'wait and see' approach as it was the first year. Mo Cain was the lone Badger, and he really enjoyed the league.

Chicago guys?
Well, that isn't all that easy. College guys can't unless they live here, and can't travel here if there is a Pro-Am closer, which there is. As far as guys like Joe C, Jerel etc go, I will work on them, but there are a few conflicts with the Chicago Pro-Am.

Blogging?
I know that was a dig at someone, but yes, we will have a much better website this year with stories, stats, pictures and video.

Can anyone go?
Yes indeed, this is open to the public. And, the NCAA won't allow me to charge admission (thanks alot Bin Laden), so the event is free, no admission at the door.

Did I miss anything? Don't think so, but looking forward to it.

Oh, one more thing, being the IWB, I have to throw an Irritation in here. I was trying to track down a guy that played last year as he transferred schools. I stumbled upon a site like this one for that particular school (mid major, Midwestern state). There was a discussion about the league, and one guy who had been to it said, "The majority is all Marquette players." Really? We had over 90 players last year. 13 current MU guys and about 5 former MU guys. 18 out of 90 is "the majority"? This league is great - last year we had about 30 Euro pros, guys from the NBA summer league, former NBA players, D1 players that are from here, but playing all over the country, former D1 players and some DII & III guys - it was an incredible mix. Point is, all of your MU favorites will be there, but this is not an "MU thing", it is a great hoops league, and will only be better this year.

Thanks - Jim Ganzer, "IWB"

Perfect 

[Stronghold]

Very helpful post thanks

[Mr. Nielsen]

I hope there still is pizza, snacks and soda again!!

[brewcity77]

I hope to get out there even more this summer. Looking forward to it, IWB!

And for what it's worth...keep it on the north end of town. Homestead was great because it's less than 10 mins from my house...nice and close to that would be perfect 

[Bocephys]

I hope to get out there even more this summer. Looking forward to it, IWB!

And for what it's worth...keep it on the north end of town. Homestead was great because it's less than 10 mins from my house...nice and close to that would be perfect 

Let's just put it in Brew's basement haha.  Honestly though, it was an awesome event last summer and I can't wait to go again.  Good work IWB!

[brewcity77]

Let's just put it in Brew's basement haha.  Honestly though, it was an awesome event last summer and I can't wait to go again.  Good work IWB!

Oh crap...I've got a LOT of cleaning to do! **Rushes downstairs**

[MUBurrow]

I hope there still is pizza, snacks and soda again!!

haha, this sounds like it was written by a 5 year old...

but seriously +1

[GGGG]

haha, this sounds like it was written by a 5 year old...

Or a UWM fan...  (just kidding)

[avid1010]

I actually enjoyed when UWM had tourney teams...it was fun to have two teams worth watching in town.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Sounds great...good luck with it IWB.

As for the majority comment, I nominate Lenny as the culprit....he has no idea what majority or "vast majority" means.   

[Lennys Tap]

Sounds great...good luck with it IWB.

As for the majority comment, I nominate Lenny as the culprit....he has no idea what majority or "vast majority" means.   

I (and pretty much everyone else) know what it means. Unfortunately once you and your boy (was 84 an auditor for Enron?) get done cookin' the books the numbers are turned upside down

[willie warrior]

haha, this sounds like it was written by a 5 year old...

but seriously +1

No, it was written by the Ox.

[Mr. Nielsen]

Hay, on those Friday nights that start at 6pm. I get done at work at 4pm, go home and change and it's about 30 minutes away for me to Homestead.

So that pizza was great for myself. 

[muwarrior69]

Jim/IWB, just curious. How are the players picked for each team?

[DomJamesToTheBasket]

I'm itching to hear where it will be this summer...hoping for Whitefish Bay fieldhouse!

[IWB]

DomJamesToTheBasket - Sorry, Whitefish Bay is also resurfacing their facility during the prime weeks.

muwarrior69 - Well.... That isn't the easiest task. In talking to some guys that ran leagues around the country, they said if an NBA player comes, ask him who he wants to play with. So, I asked Wes and he wanted a few former high sch, so I started there. There were also a handful of former college players that had played in several leagues together, and they requested to be on the same team.

Next I had to take into consideration that the NCAA does not allow more than two players per team, so I split up the guys from MU & UWM to comply.

Next I took the big men and split them up the best I could, then the wings & guards.

Once I had what I felt was a pretty good split, I sent the rosters to a few people I trusted and had them look it over. The suggested a few changes and away we went. Worked out pretty well as the teams all ended up pretty even. I'll follow the same process this year.

[mu_hilltopper]

Love the pro-am, good luck with it again.

Maybe MUScoop should sponsor a team with its imaginary revenue!