Unless you live in Oshkosh proper, or maybe the Fox Valley, you're probably not aware of the fact that Wisconsin has not one, but two, professional basketball teams.
The Wisconsin Herd, a G-League team affiliated with the Milwaukee Bucks, makes Oshkosh it's home at the Menominee Nation Arena, 1212 South Main Street, Oshkosh.
I can't speak for the media in the rest of the state, but can say that the Madison market pretty much ignores the Herd, a move that baffles since it is affiliated with the Bucks, whose NBA-best record of 44-7 make them a hot topic state-wide
In the third year of existence, the club is currently leading the 15-team Eastern Conference with a 24-8 record (a sterling 14-2 on the road). Second place is held by the Maine Red Claws (affiliated with the Boston Celtics). The Red Claws, 22-8, were visiting Oshkosh today (2/8/20). Their featured player a 7-5 center from Senegal who was at Central Florida before declaring for the NBA draft in 2017.
Over in the 13-team Western Conference, the Memphis Hustle (24-9) are setting the pace.
Our party of four attended the Friday 2/7/20 game against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Indiana Pacers) and saw the Herd win 127-119 in an entertaining game before a crowd of 3,303. Pacing the Herd were guard Jaylen Adams (out of St. Bonaventure) with 37 points (nailing six of eight three-point attempts) and 7-0 center Dragan Bender (just 22 years old, he's on a two-way contract, meaning the Milwaukee Bucks can call him up from time to time). Bender had 25 points and 10 rebounds. Both played 35 minutes, while Frank Mason III chipped in 21 points in 20 minutes.
If Mason's name rings a bell, it's because he was college basketball's national player of the year following the 2016-2017 season. Coming off an injury, he's also on a two-way contract with the Bucks.
Herd games are entertaining, to be sure. Yes, the players might seem a step slower than those in the NBA. Yet they aspire to get to the "big leagues" and generally play hard. The Herd works to make the game atmosphere family-friendly. Overheard a couple guys talking as we headed for the exits, and one noted "This was a blast. I'm definitely gonna come back again..."
There are quirks to the G-League game, to be sure. Until there are two minutes remaining in the game, or in any overtime session, it seems, ALL free throws are limited to a single charity shot, but can count for multiple points. For example, Player A is fouled in the act of shooting. He gets one free throw, but if he makes it, it's worth two points. Weird, it seems to make the game move faster. It's an experimental rule put in for this season. The NBA uses the G-League as a sort of lab rat.
I noticed the 24-second shot clock not resetting,which seemed wanky. A check of the rules indicates it resets to 14 seconds after an offensive rebound or when the offensive team otherwise is the first team to retain possession after the ball contacts the rim.
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