Marquette to Retire Dwyane Wade's Jersey

Just announced today at the Coach's Luncheon in Chicago.

Reported first by John Dodds over at Marquette Hoops.

Interesting timing for MU ......Dwyane has not yet graduated but has clearly demonstrated a commitment to the university and the basketball program since moving on to the NBA. I'll gather from this news that DWade will continue to work towards his degree, however (hey, idealism still lives in certain corners of my mind)

I'm glad to see MU move quickly on this. To think it took MU roughly two decades to retire the jerseys of Bo Ellis, Earl Tatum and Doc Rivers -- those waits were unnecessary. And there was no reason to wait on retiring DWade's.

Bravo.

Here's the Rosiak article.

Patrick Hazel Visiting MU - UPDATED

UPDATED
Per a report on Marquette Hoops, 6'7" 220 pound Patrick Hazel of Blair Academy (NJ) has received a scholarshop offer from Marquette. As of Thursday night Hazel is already on the MU campus, and Scout.com filed this interesting article -- complete with Patrick's impressions of Marquette.

Hazel began his high school career in Bayside, Queens before enrolling at Blair Academy. Blair is the same program that produced Charlie Villanueva of the Milwaukee Bucks, Royal Ivey of the Atlanta Hawks, the Chicago Bulls' Luol Deng, and current Boston College freshman Shamari Spears. Blair Academy has one of the most successful programs on the East Coast.

Marquette currently has three players on its roster from the East Coast: Dwight Burke (NYC/St. Benedict's, NJ), David Cubillan (Venezuela/St. Benedict's, NJ), and Lazar Hayward (Buffalo/Notre Dame Prep).

Future so bright, gotta wear shades

With apologies to Austin-based Timbuk-3, the headline captures the essence of Mike DeCourcy's latest blog over at TSN. While many Big East wannabes anxiously await the demise of the league, DeCourcy posits that "the supersized hybrid Big East -- with some programs that emphasize football, some that dabble in it and some that don't play the game at all -- is going to endure. That may be the best thing for the future of college basketball."

I'd imagine some of our football-playing conference friends might disagree with this premise. While there's nothing particularly revealing in DeCourcy's blog, he convincingly restates strengths of the current Big East - - - exclusively in basketball terms. It's a simpler argument, but not complete. Let's face it, the Big East must remain a viable BCS football participant to remain in good health -- and right now, that's also the case.

Recruiting Update: Jerrell Williams

According to recent report on Rivals.com, MU is aggressively recruiting 6'8" forward Jerrell Williams out of Northfield (MA) Mount Hermon prep. Jerrell's twin brother Terrell verballed to LaSalle a few days ago. Per Rivals, Jerrell "is still open although leaning towards Marquette."

Jerrell is orginally from Paterson, New Jersey but left for Mount Hermon last year. Here's a revealing article about the Williams twins and their decision to attend Mount Hermon. Unlike other prep schools, Mount Hermon appears to be a legitimate educational institution.

Haunted Hoops....

The name is campy but at least it means the basketball season is about to start. Per the JS today, get ready for some Haunted Hoops kiddies!

The Marquette Golden Eagles will hold their annual "Haunted Hoops" men's basketball scrimmage on Oct. 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Al McGuire Center.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature trick-or-treating for kids 14 and under in Halloween costumes, as well as a kids' parade at halftime of the scrimmage.

Players will be available afterward to sign autographs.

The Golden Eagles officially open practice on Oct. 13, with MU holding its annual "Marquette Madness" event in celebration of the event. Doors will open at 7 p.m.

Is this a Haunted Hoop?

DWade Teams Up with Mars Blackmon

......so to speak. Look for DWade to appear in a Spike Lee directed commercial for his new line of Converse shoes in late October. The Miami Herald has all the details here.

Its gotta be the shoes!

Mike DeCourcy On the Money

In his most recent blog, Mike DeCourcy sums up the symbiotic relationship between Tom Crean and Marquette University better than anybody has, ever. This one is spot-on.

When Crean got the Golden Eagles to the Final Four, he was supposed to then trade that distinction for a job at a school where football money is plentiful and the school's brand name resonates with in-state recruits. And Marquette was supposed to feign poverty, wave goodbye and figure out who among the mid-major head coaches and high-major assistants was "the next Tom Crean." That's how it always works.

Instead, Marquette committed to continuing at a high level, and Crean committed to Marquette. Three top-flight, national-contender-type Big Ten jobs have come open since the 2003 Final Four: Illinois, Ohio State and Indiana. Essentially, Crean did not budge in pursuit of any one of them, and Marquette responded by raising his pay to help make it more attractive to stay. The university built the single best practice facility in college basketball, the Al McGuire Center.

Read it all right here.

Kudos to Alum91 at Ring Out Ahoya! for finding this gem.

Big News Day for MU; Crean Extension Tops the News

Tuesday unexpectedly became the biggest news day of this long off-season.

Clearly the biggest news was that MU has extended the contract of Tom Crean through the 2016-2017 season. 10 more years. Does anybody think he's going anywhere else now? Certain negative recruiters will have to invent some new fiction, I suppose.

This contract is a coup for Bill Cords and Father Wild. Crean is the quintessential program builder and a charismatic ambassador for MU. During the last eight years, the University responded in-kind with dramatically improved facilities, resources and expertise to match. With top-notch facilities, an expanded athletic department staff, a much-improved athletic scholarship fund engine, burgeoning ticket sales, and now the Crean extension - - MU's commitment is clear.

The new deal likely ensures that Crean's tenure at MU will outlast that of current AD Bill Cords, who has been at the university for roughly 20 years. Also, its possible that Crean will also serve under another university president in the years to come. In each case the message is clear - - big-time basketball is a critical part of the overall, long-term university strategy.

A lengthy, lucrative deal like this signals that the commitment to the basketball program transcends the current administration. This is a good thing considering MU's lack of commitment during the mid-1980s, one that derailed the program for years to come.

Glad you're sticking around, Coach Crean. Here's the MJS article.

Next up -- the CBE Classic, where the field now is set for November. MU is one of four programs hosting a first-round game in this event, and will open on November 13 against Idaho State at the Bradley Center. Maine and Detroit will also play at the BC that same night, with the winner of this mini-bracket advancing to the CBE semifinals in Kansas City on November 20. The winner of this bracket would likely face Texas Tech in Kansas City, and perhaps the Duke/Stanford winner in the finals on November 21. Interestingly, this event will also play a consolation game on that same date.

Finally, we were treated to the news that the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has agreed in principle to play MU beginning in the 2007-2008 season. The 'rivalry' will be renewed with what amounts to a 4 for 1 arragement, with MU hosting four games at the Bradley Center. MU has never lost to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Tom Crean signs 10 year extension

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that Tom Crean and Marquette University have come to an agreement that would extend the coach's contract through the 2016-17 season...a ten year extension.

"Tom has such a tremendous commitment. He's all about commitment and relationships," Cords said. "We just felt that this was a strong and powerful commitment to make to him and in turn, it's a powerful commitment that he's making to the university and the community. It was the right thing to do."

For the quick story, click here

Here is the official press release from MU.

Media Update

Good morning....well, the Richmond (IN) Palladium-Item hasn't forgotten about its most recent basketball prodigy, Dominic James.

Mike Bennett catches up with DJ in this article, which also somewhat previews the upcoming MU season. Also of note - - a radio station in Richmond is now part of the Marquette baskeball radio network. Hoosiers love their hoops.

Also, Tom Crean was at Miller Park last night catching a Brewers/Cardinals game -- meeting Tony LaRussa and Albert Pujols. LaRussa has been a friend to the MU program for some time.

Top PG in the Big East

.......that'd be Dominic James from Marquette University.

Here's the rundown from the Big East Basketball Report.

In case you missed it.....

.....last night Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel conducted a chat session about MU basketball. Rosiak has great access to the program, and offered a first-hand account of most of the roster. Check it out here.

Support Al's Run for Children's Hospital

OK folks, one of Milwaukee's finest traditions is upon us, the 29th Annual Al's Run for Children's Hospital will be held on Wisconsin Avenue in the heart of campus. The run is sponsored by the good folks at Briggs & Stratton.

This year Alum91 over at Ring Out Ahoya! launched a massive pledge drive for the run. I'm proud to say that I've donated this year, and hope you'll give strong consideration as well.

Children's hospitals are extraordinary places where miracles happen every day. The care kids receive at these facilities is vital - - and is specifically tailored to their unique needs. To continue offering great care for our kids, the hospital needs support from the community. Last year Al's Run generated more than $1 million for the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Let's help Alum91 push that number up in 2006.

Want to donate? It's very easy, just click on this link.

Still not convinced? Check out Tom and Joani Crean -- the Grand Marshals for this year's event.

Ranking the Big East's Top Point Guards

Eric Silver.......you are now officially a prolific journalist.

Check out Silver's latest effort - - an anlysis of the Big East's top point guards. Guess who tops the list?

MU v UWM, ETA 2007-2008?

Looks like the ball is in UWM's court on this one. Per this morning's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, MU sent a proposal to the cross-town state school that amounts to a 4 for 1 arrangement (four games at the Bradley Center).

In the end, the 4 for 1 arrangement mirrors what UWM has in place with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Let's see what happens.

Tom Crean Goes JUCO

Coach Tom Crean has been meandering across the great state of Texas this week, looking for a JUCO big man to add to the incoming class next fall. Along the way, Crean visited the central Texas hamlet of Brenham this week -- home of incomparable Blue Bell Ice Cream and the six-time state champion Brenham High School Cubs baseball team (Cecil Cooper is an alum, and who can forget the amazing Jon Peters -- the only high school pitcher to make the cover of Sports Illustrated in the last 30+ years).

But I digress.......lets look at three new kids on the MU radar -- two of whom are confirmed for official visits this weekend.

Eric Whitehurst
TC wasn't in Brenham to tour the creamery, but he did pay a visit to Blinn Junior College where the talented Eric Whitehurst, a 6-foot-9, 210-pound sophomore forward, toils in the paint. After a season at Alleghany College, the Virginia native originally verballed to VCU but landed up at Blinn after Jeff Capel packed his bags for Norman. Previously, Whitehurst was recruited by Virginia Tech, St. Bonaventure and Wake Forest.

Quintin Thornton
In addition, MU is pursuing 6'9", 225-pound sophomore forward Quintin Thornton of Odessa Junior College (Larry Johnson's alma mater). Thornton started all 26 games last season for the Odessa Wranglers. He shot an impressive 54% from the field and was the team's second leading rebounder.

No word on whether or not Thornton will visit, though premium content on Hoopmasters has a teaser on their front page indicating that Thornton will visit a Big East school this weekend. Let's figure MU is getting that visit, just for fun -- eventhough its not confirmed.

Per Rivals, as a high school senior Thornton was offered by Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and St. Joseph's. Scout.com rated him as the Sunshine State's 24th best prospect for 2005. As a junior at Orlando's Edgewater High School, Thornton teamed up with former Memphis star Darius Washington to lead the squad to a state championship.

Looks like JUCO recruiting is here to stay at MU. Marcus Jackson, Jamil Lott and Trend Blackledge all fit the same pattern - - TC keeps his options open for the last scholarship every year looking for the best player available, presumably one who can contribute immediately. What's different about Whitehurst and Thornton is MU's relatively early interest in them - - Jackson, Lott and Blackledge were late signees for Crean. Looks like TC wants to wrap things up in November rather than April.

Even if Thornton is not visiting, the Whitehurst visit to campus is encouraging. The program is in need of a productive big man - - maybe he can fill the void.

Carlon Brown
According Fullcourtpress.net, Brown is a promising combo guard:

Brown is a terrific, but very underrated national combo-guard prospect that will be one of the top West Coast surprises this spring! Very savvy balhandler has nice size for a lead guard as well as real ability to bury the deep perimeter shot. Very good student too.

Another guard? This makes sense to me - - if TC believes there's a good possibility of Dominic James moving on to the NBA after his sophomore season. And let's face it . . . he just might. Per Scout.com, Marquette has already offered Brown.

VISITS THIS WEEKEND
Per the resourceful Todd Rosiak - - its confirmed that at least Whitehurst and Carlon Brown will visit MU this weekend.

NCAA Looking into Hayward's Eligibility

Ouch. This one could really hurt. Hayward is a likely starter - - - - or so we hope.

Check out the updated article Tuesday morning from Rosiak.

UPDATED
A quick Google news search of "NCAA Clearinghouse" proves that this process is somewhat routine. The search yielded 34 full pages of results - - keep in mind, all of these articles appeared within the last month alone. The majority of the cases cited in these reports deal with football players' eligibility for the current semester.

The reaction to the Clearinghouse's investigations tended matter of fact (hey, its standard operating procedure -- yet its interesting that the Clearinghouse process draws so little scrutinty). A few articles did take the process to task a bit - here's an example from The Advocate in Baton-Rouge.

For more information, here's a link to the Clearinghouse's official site.

Big East Television Channel Nixed...but was under consideration

Recently the Big Ten decided to create it's own television channel to broadcast it's Olympic sports as well as revenue producing sports beginning next year. DIRECTV has agreed to carry the channel in it's lowest tier, meaning that all customers with Total Choice and above would receive the channel. A coup for the Big Ten with that satellite network. If they reach similar deals with Dish Network and the various major cable companies then they will be off an flying.

Much speculation circled around the Big East doing the same. The Sports Business Weekly is now reporting the Big East conference gave it serious consideration to do just that...launch it's own national television station. In the end, Mike Tranghese believed going with ESPN and signing a long term deal meant more exposure to the league and guaranteed them almost 90 million television households (there are approximately 106 million in the USA) with ESPN's long term contracts with various cable and satellite systems. Instead of negotiating carriage rights with the various television distributors across the country, the Big East went with ESPN instead.

Sports Business Weekly is now reporting that the Big 12 and the SEC are also exploring channels of their own, but nothing is a slam dunk.

Here are some various excerpts from Sports Business Weekly on this subject.

Big East picks ESPN over starting own network

While the Big East was negotiating its latest television deal with ESPN over the past several months, it seriously considered launching its own TV network, following the recent example of the Big Ten and Mountain West conferences.

But the BigEast eventually decided too many risks were associated with setting up its own regional sports network and opted to go the safer route to guaranteeing wider distribution for its programming for a rights fee that's said to be close to $200 million over the six-year deal.

"I want our fan base to see our games," Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese saidlast week when announcing the conference's deal to stay with ESPN, with whom it has had a relationship since 1979.

The BigEast's announcement came just three days before the launch of the nation's first college conference RSN, Mountain West's The mtn., and illustrated the thought process every conference will go through as their current TV deals expire.

Essentially, conferences have two choices. They can launch their own network and control their programming and ad inventory, similar to the Big Ten and Mountain West. Or, they can cut a wide-ranging, multiplatforrn rights deal with an established programmer, such as ESPN or Fox Sports.

The Big 12 is the ncixt major conference to face the choice. Its ABC/ESPN deal expires in the spring of 2008.

The SEC's current deal with CBS, ESPN and Lincoln Financial ends in the spring of 2009, and the conference is exploring the possibility of an SEC TV channel, said Charles Bloom, the conference's associate commissioner.

"But it's not a slam dunk," Bloom said. "We're not going to jeopardize what we have already ...We're very happy with what we have now. We're asking ourselves how we can add to it and how we can make it better."

To launch the Big Ten Channel next August, the Big Ten is partnering with Fox, which will pick up the startup costs. The conference and Fox will form a limited liability company that will pay the conference an annual rights fee.

Due in part to the growing number of cable and broadband channels, schools and conferences are less concerned about their high-visibility football and basketball programming and focused more on finding a home for Olympic sports, such as volleyball, field hockey and soccer.

"One of the growing trends is developing added exposure for J Olympic sports," said Brian Ullmann, assistant athletic director for the University of Maryland.
The Big Ten'slaunch will provideahome for those non-revenue-generating sports. The conference still will get distribution for its bigger games through a 10-year, $100 million deal with ABC/ESPN.

It also will be able to retain control over when its teams play their games and which sports to promote. Its investment will grow wildly if the channel gains enough distribution.

Distribution, though, is the biggest risk conferences face in launching their own channel. The mtn., for example, has been receiving negative local press detailing its problems in trying to launch in several of its conference's markets, particularly on systems run by Cox Communications, which is taking a hard line with the RSN
and refusing to pay its carriage fee.

"We don't feel a need to compete [with satellite and telephone companies] on video content as much as we did before," said Bob Wilson, Cox's senior vice president of programming, citing the fact that video brings in "well under" 50 percent of Cox's revenue. "That allows us to not have to accept all deals and offers that come our way"

The Big East decided that ESPN could provide adequate coverage via its broadcast, cable, broadband and mobile platforms while also affording it a steady rights fee.
Also contributing to the Big East's decision to extend with ESPN was the sports network's broadcast syndication arm, which sells games to over-the-air stations in conference markets.

"We're getting into all of the cable entities that we would have wanted to get into with our own channel," Tranghese said.

In the end, we will have to see if this was the correct decision or not. There is a tremendous amount of money and risk in launching any new station and from that perspective, I would say that the Big East made the correct call. However, they do have to adhere to the 500lb gorilla in ESPN as part of that process which is never easy. The Big 10 Channel has a tremendous upside if they can get distribution. I have no doubt they will accomplish this in Midwest markets. Will other markets also pick up the channel...will they truly have a national base to reach? That remains the question.

Nick Bennett Joins Marquette Basketball

Yesterday Tom Crean hired former UW-Stephens Point star Nick Bennett as the program's new head manager and director of basketball technology. Bennett is the newphew of former UW-Madison coach Dick Bennett and played for his father Jack on two national champions at Stephens Point.

Welcome to Marquette, Nick.

Quick media roundup

Todd Rosiak spoke with Tom Crean about the MU schedule in his article this morning. Coach Crean is understandably pleased with the national exposure for the Big East and his squad:

The Golden Eagles will play eight conference games on national TV, including four straight to close out the regular season. The highlight will be the finale on March 3 when they play host to Pittsburgh as the nightcap to "ESPN Gameday," the network's studio show, which will begin broadcasting live from the Bradley Center at 10 a.m.

"I think it speaks volumes about the league, it speaks volumes about what they feel our atmosphere is like," Crean said. "That's a tribute to the students, the fans, the way they have done so many things to make playing at Marquette such a great experience. But there's no way this would have happened without the leadership of the Milwaukee Bucks and especially Sen. (Herb) Kohl clearing the way for us to have an opportunity to do this."

UPDATE

• MU alum Eric Silver, prolific message board poster and emerging Big East reporter, completed his splendid Big East preview yesterday. Eric previewed all sixteen Big East teams -- tabbing the Pittsburgh Panthers as the pre-season favorite. Check out the link here - - to read his previews on each team, scroll to the bottom of the Pitt preview. Well done, Eric.

• Also, Dominic James and Pitt's Stuart Gray are the coverboys for the Big East's official 2006-2007 preview. Click here to get the links for the series of .pdf files.

MU Releases 2006-2007 Schedule

Marquette released its '06-'07 schedule earlier today.

There are plenty of TV games here folks -- MU will make a minimum of nine appearances on national television this season, including a visit from the ESPN GameDay crew for the season finale against Pittsburgh. MU will also play two games on ESPN's much hyped 'Big Monday' lineup (Villanova and Louisville).

The lights do shine brightly in the BIG EAST. For the second consecutive year, the BIG EAST will set a record for national television appearances:

The 2006-07 BIG EAST men's basketball schedule lists more telecasts on national networks - a total of 45 regular season intra-conference games on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and CBS - than ever before in conference history, granting the league and its members unprecedented exposure across the country.

Back to MU........Among the highlights at the Bradley Center this season are scheduled tilts against the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Syracuse, Villanova, Louisville and Pittsburgh. MU's mirror games for the '06-'07 season are with Providence, Pittsburgh and Louisville.

In a balanced conference slate, Marquette opens BIG EAST conference play with five of its first eight games on the road. Ouch. As you'd expect, MU closes with five of its last eight at home - - good news for a program that defends its home court as well as the Warriors.

November
5 -- Cardinal Stritch (exhibition), 7 p.m.;
10 -- Hillsdale (Division II), 7:30 p.m.;
13 -- CBE Classic - Maine v. Detroit, 4:30 pm; MU v. Idaho State, 7 pm;
14 -- Consolation game, 4:30 p.m.; championship game, 7 p.m.;
18 -- Eastern Michigan, 1 p.m.;
20 -- CBE Classic semifinals at Kansas City, Mo., 6 and 8 p.m.;
21 -- CBE Classic consolation and championship, 6 and 8 p.m.;
27 -- at Valparaiso, 7 p.m.

December
1 -- Blue & Gold Classic, North Dakota State vs. Princeton, 5:30 p.m.;
MU vs. Northwestern State, 8 p.m.;
2 -- Blue & Gold Classic consolation and championship, 5:30 and 8 p.m.;
5 -- Delaware State, 7 p.m.;
9 -- Wisconsin, 1 p.m. (ESPN);
16 -- Maryland-Baltimore County, 1 p.m.;
19 -- Oakland, 7 p.m.;
22 -- Morgan State, 7:30 p.m.;
30 -- Savannah State, 1 p.m.

January
4 -- at Providence;
7 -- Syracuse;
10 -- at Connecticut;
13 -- West Virginia;
15 -- at Louisville (ESPN);
21 -- at Pittsburgh (CBS);
24 -- Seton Hall;
28 -- at South Florida.

February
3 -- Providence;
7 -- Rutgers;
10 -- at Georgetown (ESPN);
14 -- at DePaul;
17 -- Louisville (ESPNU);
19 -- Villanova (ESPN);
24 -- at Notre Dame (ABC).

March
3 -- Pittsburgh (ESPN Gameday);
7-10 -- Big East Tournament at New York.

Here's a link to the schedule.

Here's a link to the overall Big East schedule announcement.

*MU will not play St. John's or Cincinnati during the regular season.

Mbakwe Transfers...

......to another high school in the Twin Cities. Earlier we'd reported that 2007 commit Trevor Mbakwe was moving to Georgia to complete high school. Well, things have changed - - again. Per the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Mbakwe left Sibley High School and is now enrolled at St. Bernard's. Sounds like this move was a compromise between mother and son:

"It's a done deal, he's gone," Henry Sibley coach Tom Dasovich said Tuesday. "His mom didn't want to come back to Sibley and Trevor didn't want to go to Georgia. I wish him the best. I hope they help him academically as much as possible."

The last sentence in Dasovich's quote gives me pause, however. After flip-flopping on his choice of high school as both a junior and a senior, let's hope Mbakwe transitions smoothly at St. Bernard's -- particularly in the classroom.

Collegehoops.net Previews Marquette

OK, summer is over and Midnight Madness can't come around fast enough. Anybody need a fix? Check out Eric Silver's terrific MU preview over at Collegehoops.net Per CHN, MU is the preseason #5 team in the Big East. The most interesting tidbit in the preview? - - - learning that Lazar Hayward was Notre Dame Prep's leading scorer last season, outpacing Paul Harris (Syracuse) and Derrick Caracter (Louisville).

College basketball is still dominated by guards, and Marquette has the best trio of guards in the league. All three starters – James, McNeal, and Matthews – are warriors in the best sense of the word. Having Fitzgerald and Cubillan coming off the bench means Marquette also has the deepest guard corps in the conference. Crean’s crew should finish no lower than sixth in the Big East; if Barro can get 8 points and 5 boards a game, and if someone moves ahead of the pack to become a solid back-up at the 4/5, MU should finish higher. They’re a Top 25 team based on their guards alone. If everyone stays healthy, Marquette will likely finish fifth.

Here's the link.

Schedule freaks unite......

The good folks at Ring Out Ahoya have pieced together the mosiac of MU's 2006-2007 schedule. None of this is official, but the dates/opponents are generally confirmed via the Web.

Anyway, check it out here.

Still no word on the official MU schedule

Jerai Grant verbals to Clemson

Per reports at both Scout.com and Rivals.com

Here's a thread on the verbal.......Grant was scheduled to visit MU later this month. Grant will continue a family tradition with the Tigers, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle at Littlejohn Coliseum.

Tom Crean still has one scholarship to offer for the 2007 freshman class. Most expect MU to go 'big' with the last scholarship, as Crean did when he landed PF Trevor Mbakwe earlier this summer

What's Next for the Bradley Center?

........according to onmilwaukee.com, the next two years are critical to the future of the Bradley Center and/or the potential of a new facility for MU, the Bucks and the Admirals. The Bucks agreed to a short-term lease, and now the commission will negotiate with MU and the Admirals on the same timeline.

Considering 2006 is an election year, its doubful that this situation will be resolved in the short-term. However, assuming Senator Kohl is re-elected this November, the Bradley Center issue quickly will become a hot-button issue in 2007.

The Bradley Center Board and the Bucks earlier this month agreed to a new lease, keeping the team in Milwaukee through the 2007-2008 season. The board will now work to finalize new leases with the Milwaukee Admirals and the Marquette University, said Ulice Payne Jr., chairman for the center's board.

Check out the article here.