Milwaukee City Wire

The Milwaukee men's basketball team is gearing up for the 2024-25 season with a promising start, securing the No. 18 spot in the CollegeInsider.com Preseason Mid-Major Top 25 rankings released yesterday. This marks Milwaukee's first appearance in this preseason list since before the 2014-15 season, when they were coming off their last NCAA Tournament appearance.

In recent months, Milwaukee has topped several early rankings, including claiming the top position in the Under Armour Horizon League preseason poll for the first time in 18 years. National polls have also recognized their potential, with Lindy's, Blue Ribbon Yearbook, and Mid-Major Madness all ranking them at No. 1. HoriZone placed them at No. 2, and Mid-Major Basketball also considers them a leading contender.

Last season, Milwaukee finished with a record of 20-15 after an impressive postseason run that ended just short of an NCAA Tournament berth following a loss in the championship game. The team set new records in total points (2,782), field goals made (980), field goals attempted (2,198), three-point field goals attempted (861), total rebounds (1,364), and offensive rebounds (473). They also recorded second-best entries in rebound average (39.0 rpg) and blocked shots (155). Their scoring average of 79.5 points per game was the highest since the 1992-93 season.

Milwaukee will open their season next Monday against Lakeland at Klotsche Center with a tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m.

Gonzaga leads the mid-major poll followed by Grand Canyon, Princeton, Bradley, and Saint Mary's completing the top five positions. Horizon League competitor Purdue Fort Wayne is ranked No. 21 while Northern Kentucky and Oakland received votes.