With training camp at Mankato in their rearview mirror, the Wolves travel to Milwaukee to open up preseason play versus the Bucks tonight at 7:00 PM.
PRESEASON HISTORY
The Wolves enter tonight's matchup with a 70-70 all-time record in preseason play, which includes an 18-19 all-time record vs. Milwaukee. The two teams met twice last preseason, with each team winning on its home floor. Milwaukee defeated Minnesota 106-97 at Bradley Center on Oct. 20 and the Wolves closed out its 2007-08-preseason play beating Milwaukee 106-85. Al Jefferson paced the Wolves in the two contests, averaging 22.5 and 11.5 rpg.
2007-08 SEASON SERIES
The Wolves and Bucks battled twice in regular season play last year, with each team garnering a victory. Milwaukee overcame 30 points from Craig Smith to edge by the Wolves 95-92 in the teams' first meeting in Milwaukee. Minnesota exacted some revenge at its regular season finale at Target Center. Randy Foye scored a career-high 32 points and Ryan Gomes (17 points, 10 rebounds) and Al Jefferson (13 points, 11 rebounds) each tallied double-doubles in the 110-101 OT win.
OFFSEASON FULL OF CHANGES
Tonight's matchup pits two teams with rosters that underwent some drastic changes over the summer. Minnesota's roster overhaul has been well documented here, so the focus is on the Bucks' offseason. Gone from the Bucks roseter are Mo Williams, Desmond Mason, Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons, Michael Ruffin and Awvee Storey, and new to the Bucks roster this season are long-time New Jersey Net Richard Jefferson, former Seattle SuperSonic Luke Ridnour and 2008 first-round draft pick Joe Alexander. Not only did much of the roster change, but the Bucks front office underwent an extensive makeover as well. John Hammond came over from Detroit to be the Bucks new general manager. Hammond's first move was to bring in former Chicago Bulls head coach Scott Skiles to take over head-coaching duties from Larry Krystkowiak.
INTERESTING NUMBERS
103.5 - Number of points averaged by the Wolves vs. Milwaukee last season, up 7.9 ppg from their season average of 95.6 ppg.
27 - Number of points scored by Corey Brewer in the two teams' first preseason matchup in 2007, a 106-97 Milwaukee win.
15 - Number of holdovers from the 2007 season on the current rosters of Milwaukee and Minnesota combined. The Bucks training camp roster features six players who finished in a Milwaukee uniform last season; the Wolves have nine.
PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS
Tonight's game will not be broadcast locally on television or radio. The Wolves will travel to Billings, Mont. on Wednesday to face-off against Oklahoma City in the first of two U.S. Bank Classics. The second U.S. Bank Classic is held in Bismark, N.D. on Sunday, Oct. 19 against Denver.
Listen to the game preview.