Head coach: Rob Jeter (9th season)
Season summary: Few expected Milwaukee to make the tournament this year. The Panthers finished with a losing record in the Horizon League (7-9) and a 2-4 record against RPI top 100 teams, but earning fifth place in the conference marked a huge jump from their projected last-place finish. After going 6-24 against Division I competition last season, Milwaukee won nine of its first 11 games for the 2013-14 season. Led by senior guard Jordan Aaron, the Panthers have four double-digit scorers. Beyond them, there's not much. Only one other player averages more than 11 minutes a game, and when Aaron missed four contests after being suspended for violating team rules, Milwaukee dropped three games.
Since his return, Aaron has played at an even higher level, leading the Panthers to a conference title with a win against Wright State. The guard averaged 20.2 points per game in the tournament—including a 28-point performance in the overtime upset victory against Green Bay. With just Aaron and point guard Steve McWhorter comfortable handling the ball, the Panthers have struggled with turnovers this year, coughing up 13.5 per game, but they held that total to less than 11 per game for the tournament.
How they make a run: Milwaukee will have to get to the line early and often, getting opponents in foul trouble, and Aaron will have to elevate his play and create more opportunities for teammates.
How they falter: The magic runs out for the Panthers as a deeper, more athletic Villanova squad has an answer for the 5-foot-10 Aaron.
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