Team also to face T’wolves at Kohl Center
Madison — The Milwaukee Bucks will hold training camp in Madison this fall and also will play a preseason game at the Kohl Center, the team announced at a news conference Monday at the Kohl Center.
The Bucks are trying to emphasize their statewide presence as they continue their efforts to get a new downtown arena plan approved by the state legislature.
Training camp will open Sept. 29 and continue for four days on the UW campus, with the Bucks holding sessions at the Badgers’ practice facility, the Nicholas-Johnson Pavilion. The preseason game at the Kohl Center is Tuesday, Oct. 20, and the Bucks will face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game will be at 7 p.m. and tickets will go on sale Aug. 5.
Bucks coach Jason Kidd and general manager John Hammond, Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan and UW athletic director Barry Alvarez spoke Monday, along with Bucks broadcaster Jon McGlocklin.
“I’d like to thank Barry and Coach (Ryan) for the opportunity to use the world-class facilities,” Kidd said. “When you talk about this arena, the weight room, it’s as good as it gets in the country.”
Alvarez said the university always has tried to foster a strong relationship with the pro teams in the state.
“I tell people we don’t compete
“When you talk about this arena, the weight room, it’s as good as it gets in the country.”
Jason Kidd, Bucks coach
with them; we work with them,” Alvarez said. “I think this is a sign of that. We have the same type of relationship with the Packers.”
Last year the Bucks played two home preseason games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center and one game at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon. No preseason game will be played in Ashwaubenon in 2015.
The Bucks last played a preseason game in Madison in 1999 but played some regularseason and playoff games in the 1970s, both at the UW Field House and the former Dane County Coliseum. McGlocklin recalled that the Bucks played three home playoff games against the San Francisco Warriors in Madison in 1971 on their way to the NBA title, because the Home Show was booked at the Milwaukee Arena.
In the early years of the franchise, the Bucks played 25 regular-season games, seven playoff games and five preseason games in Madison. The Bucks played three more exhibitions in the capital city in the 1980s and two in the ’90s.
Kidd said taking the training camp to Madison will be a good start for the 2015-’16 season.
“Understanding it’s going to be a different year, because expectations will be a little bit higher,” Kidd said. “And for me as a coach, there’s no better coach to talk to (than Ryan).
“I’m still a young coach and I still have a lot to learn about coaching. Hopefully I can learn some of the things he’s gone through.”
Kidd said he thought the public would be able to watch the Bucks at some point during the training camp.
The first week of camp is an important time when the coaches put in their offensive and defensive systems, and the team will have a few new players including center Greg Monroe, who agreed to a free-agent deal; and veteran guard Greivis Vasquez, acquired in a trade.
“It’s no different than last year’s training camp,” Kidd said. “We don’t have a lot of time. And for the guys who have been through training camp last year, they can give them a secret or two or a little advice. Coming here, we’re going to work. It’s not time to relax.”
Ryan said he remembers attending the Philadelphia 76ers training camp when they held it in his hometown of Chester, Pa.
““I had a chance to watch the Doctor (Julius Erving) and (George) McGinnis, Bobby Jones, (Mo) Cheeks, World B. Free, (Darryl) Dawkins,” Ryan said. “So I had some fun sitting in that gym. . . .
“I don’t how many they’re going to have open to the public. But they know we have good facilities; they know they’ll be well taken care of here. They will be appreciated, that’s for sure.”
Alvarez said the university will get something positive out of the Bucks’ stay.
“I think it gives us exposure; it gives our facility exposure,” Alvarez said. “It’s a benefit to our students, who firsthand have an opportunity to see a young NBA team practice and play. It allows our fans to come in and watch our NBA team play.
“I think Jason and Bo will have a relationship and they’ll benefit from the time they spend here. So it’s a winwin. And there will be a financial benefit for our community.”