Over the past three years, Milwaukee’s ascension back to the upper ranks of the Horizon League during the Bart Lundy era has been no accident. The Panthers have excelled in making key pick-ups in the off-season that have best matched their style of play. And while the ultimate goal, namely a spot in the NCAA Tournament, hasn’t materialized yet, UWM has still consistently been in the conversation, and most certainly will this season as well.
But as with the previous three seasons for Lundy, the Panthers needed to reload their roster, as AJ McKee graduated, Jamichael Stillwell and Themus Fulks landed at UCF, Erik Pratt transferred to Stony Brook, and Darius Duffy found his way to Horizon League rival Purdue Fort Wayne. However, as expected, Lundy and his staff identified the best pieces to ensure Milwaukee would once again be a force to be reckoned with once again.
And thanks to a solid core of returnees, in Lundy’s assessment, the expectation is that the transition will be seamless and could make this squad the one that can take the conference tourney crown and dance in March.
“We’ve got good leadership and it’s enabled the new players to plug-and-play,” Lundy said. “We’ve got a bountiful amount of character. Chemistry and character have prevented us from getting over the hill in the past. This is much more cohesive than any in my tenure.”
Returning Players
Faizon Fields, 6-10, F, Grad Student, Memphis, TN, Houston (TN) HS/Old Dominion
Fields’ stint in the transfer portal was short-lived, and the anchor of the Milwaukee frontcourt announced that he’d be returning for his final campaign. Fields is eager to make up ground from the injury-riddled season of a year ago, especially given that his contributions in the 21 games he did appear (6.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg) were essential for the Panthers. With Darius Duffy now at Purdue Fort Wayne, Fields will have every opportunity to shine even brighter, with his injury woes hopefully far behind him.
“I don’t think there are many players coming back with his experience and talent,” Lundy said. “The fact that we have a guy that’s a fifth-year senior in this position is unique. I think that gives him an advantage. He’s a great leader and overall student-athlete.”
John Lovelace, Jr., Senior, 6-8, F, Milwaukee, WI, Brown Deer HS/Youngstown State
The return home to Milwaukee from YSU netted Lovelace some dividends, but his scoring average took a slight hit, as the Panther rotation tightened to the extent where he didn’t see the floor nearly as much as his sophomore campaign. This season, though, is likely to see Lovelace find himself very much in the mix for more playing time, something that Milwaukee will need from him if it expects to be successful.
“Johnny’s poised to have the year he’s been waiting to have,” Lunday said. “He really does take pride in wearing Milwaukee across his chest. I think the sky’s the limit as to what he can do this year.”
Aaron Franklin, RS Senior, 6-5, G, Kansas City, MO, Raytown HS/Hutchinson CC
Anytime Lundy needed a spark off the Milwaukee bench, he called on Franklin, who was pretty good at providing it. Even though the opportunities came less often last season for him, which included the injury that kept him sidelined for more than a month, he came through when it counted. Such was the case in the second game against Wright State, when both his offense and defense (specifically his three steals) gave the Panthers the juice to take the Raiders down in OT. Franklin will remain a key piece to Lundy’s rotation this season as well.
Danilo Jovanovich, Senior, 6-9, G, Milwaukee, WI, Whitnall HS/Louisville
Like Lovelace, Jovanovich opted for a return home with the hopes of making an impact. His start last season, though, was stunted by an injury, limiting him to 17 games. While it was slow going for him, the 2022 Wisconsin Mr. Basketball did show some flashes and averaged 5.3 points and 3.5 boards per game. Expect to see a lot more of Jovanovich on the court this season, which will give the Panther more of a boost up front.
Esyah Pippa-White, Junior, 6-2, G, Portland, OR, Gresham HS/Odessa College
Pippa-White’s minutes were limited last year, as Milwaukee was loaded in the backcourt. This season, however, with another year of experience under his belt, Pippa-White will have the chance to see more playing time and, in turn, provide the Panthers with even more depth at the point guard position.
Incoming Players
Amar Augillard, 6-5, RS Senior, G, Zion, IL, Zion-Benton Township HS/Georgia Southern/Triton CC/Fresno State
Augillard chose Milwaukee as the final destination of his college journey, with his most recent stop being on the West Coast. As a Bulldog, he averaged 13.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, and the Panthers will call upon him to make the same contributions for them this season. That’s to be expected, given that he’s widely regarded as one of Milwaukee’s top off-season acquisitions. And if history is any guide, there’s a good chance that he’ll certainly come through.
“He’s a straight-up bucket,” Lundy said. “He scores in so many different ways. And he doesn’t need space to make a shot. He’s got to do the other things, but he’s a really good kid. I think we’re going to get the best version of Amara, and the league’s going to be terrorized by him.”
Seth Hubbard, 6-4, Senior, G, Jonesboro, GA, Huntington Prep/Western Michigan/Toledo
Hubbard’s college career has primarily been in the MAC, where he spent two seasons at Western Michigan before making the move to Toledo last year. With the Rockets, Hubbard provided some much-needed firepower off the bench, averaging 8.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per contest. His arrival to the Panthers’ roster will give Lundy yet another weapon to choose from as part of the backcourt rotation.
Isaiah Dorceus, 6-0, Junior, G, Orlando, FL, West Oaks Academy/Daytona State
Junior college transfers have been a key part of Milwaukee’s success during Lundy’s tenure, as evidenced by Stillwell and BJ Freeman in previous years. Dorceus could be another key incoming juco piece in that same vein, with plenty of accolades to back that up. As part of Daytona State’s NJCAA Division 1 Elite Eight run, he chipped in 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. That was good enough for him to be recognized as First Team All-American. Lundy will certainly be banking on Dorceus’ past performance as indicative of what he can look forward to this season.
Chandler Jackson, 6-7, RS Junior, F, Indianapolis, IN, Warren Central HS/Illinois-Springfield/Parkland College
One of Lundy’s transfer commits later in the off-season came in the form of yet another juco First Team All-American in Jackson. A key piece of Parkland’s Division II national runner-up campaign, he was a huge piece, scoring 17 points a game and grabbing 7.9 boards per contest. He also averaged 1.3 assists and one steal per game, as well as shooting at a 38 percent clip from beyond the arc. Jackson’s arrival will not only add some bodies up front, but his ability to stretch the floor as a three-point shooter gives the Panthers another offensive threat for opponents to deal with.
Sekou Konneh, 6-9, RS Freshman, F, Milwaukee, WI, St. Thomas More/DePaul
Milwaukee has consistently been a place for area players who’ve started at other schools to find their way home, with Loveland and Jovanovich being current examples. With Konneh having four full years of eligibility, courtesy of being redshirted last year at DePaul, he’ll have a chance to learn and excel on the Panthers roster while enjoying the comforts of being in his hometown, where he was part of the St. Thomas More squad that won the state Division III crown his senior year of high school. Konneh, along with fellow freshmen Stevie Elam, Ned Renfree and Josh Dixon, represent an incoming class that Lundy is very high on.
“I wouldn’t trade those four freshmen for anyone,” Lunday said. “They really are a special group.”
Projected Starting Roster
Guard – Isaiah Dorceus, 6-0, JR
Guard – Amar Augillard, 6-5, RS SR
Guard – John Lovelace, Jr., 6-8, SR
Forward – Chandler Jackson, 6-7, JR
Forward – Faizon Fields, 6-10, GR
Preview Week 2025-26
MBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
WBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
Cleveland State (MBB | WBB) | Detroit Mercy (MBB | WBB) | Green Bay (MBB | WBB) | IU Indy (MBB | WBB)
Milwaukee (MBB | WBB) | Northern Kentucky (MBB | WBB) | Oakland (MBB | WBB) | Purdue Fort Wayne (MBB | WBB)
Robert Morris (MBB | WBB) | Wright State (MBB | WBB) | Youngstown State (MBB | WBB)
