sports - december 2008

Division rivals test Bucks this month

THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS play only six home games at the Bradley Center in December, but fans will get a chance to see how the team stands up against division rivals Detroit, Chicago and Indiana.

New general manager John Hammond and head coach Scott Skiles have added key players like high-scoring forward Richard Jefferson and guard Luke Ridnour. The newcomers join Bucks veterans Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut.

All Bucks home games are at the Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St. For tickets and additional information, visit www.bucks.com.

December  home games:
Dec. 3 vs. Chicago Bulls, 7 p.m.
Dec. 5 vs. Charlotte Bobcats, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 vs. Indiana Pacers, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. LA Clippers, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 23 vs. Utah Jazz, 7 p.m.
Dec. 27 vs. Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m.

Top U.S. speed skaters here for long-track event

THE TOP American speed skaters will be in Milwaukee this month for the 2009 U.S. Long Track Speedskating Championships, the most prestigious event in the U.S. for the 2008-2009 season.  

Scheduled to compete at the Pettit National Ice Center Dec. 27-30 are 2006 Olympic Gold Medalists Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick; Catherine Raney, a three-time Olympian from Elm Grove; Elli Ochowicz, a two-time Olympian from Waukesha, and Tucker Fredricks, a 2006 Olympian from Janesville. 

The long-track championships are scheduled for 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each day. Admission is $5. 

The Pettit National Ice Center at 500 S. 84th St., just south of I-94, is minutes from downtown Milwaukee. The U.S. Olympic Training Facility is the only indoor sea-level oval in the U.S. available  and is expected to be critical when it comes to preparing for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver (also a sea level location).

Collegiate Basketball

BOTH MEN'S and women's basketball teams at the Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) have national reputations, providing fans many opportunities to see quality contests.

Marquette men play at the Bradley Center, while the Golden Eagle women play at the Al McGuire Center on campus. UWM men play home games at the U.S. Cellular Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave., while women play at the Klotsche Center on campus.

Marquette men's games:
Dec. 2 vs. Central Michigan, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 vs. Wisconsin-Madison, 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 13 vs. Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne, 1 p.m.
Dec. 19 vs. Western Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 28 vs. Presbyterian, 1 p.m.

UWM men's games:
Dec. 4 vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
Dec. 6 vs. Wright State, 2 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. Bradley, 7 p.m.

Marquette women's games:
Dec. 7 vs. Kansas, 2 p.m.
Dec. 17 vs. Oregon, Noon
Dec. 20 vs. UW-Green Bay, 2 p.m.
Dec. 31 vs. UW-Milwaukee, 3 p.m.

UWM women's games:
Dec. 10 vs. Illinois, 7 p.m.
Dec. 20 vs. Central Michigan, 2 p.m.
Dec. 22 vs. Evansville, 7 p.m.

Admirals Hockey

THE MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS of the American Hockey League play five games during November at the Bradley Center. Tickets are available at the Bradley Center are available at the Admirals office, 510 W. Kilburn Ave., by phone at 414-227-0550 or at www.milwaukeeadmirals.com.

December home games:
Dec. 12 vs. Rockford IceHogs, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 vs. Houston Aeros, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21 vs. Iowa Chops , 4 p.m.
Dec. 26 vs. Quad City Flames, 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 vs. San Antonio Rampage, 7 p.m.
Dec. 30 vs. Iowa, 6 p.m.

Milwaukee Wave Soccer

THE MILWAUKEE WAVE enters its 25th season this month in a new indoor soccer league consisting of teams in Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago and New Jersey.

The Xtreme Soccer League will play a 20-game schedule from December through April. For more information on the new league, visit XtremeSL.net.

The Wave plays home games at the U.S Cellular Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave. Visit milwaukee.wave.com for special offers and ticket information.

December home games:
Dec. 13 vs. Detroit Ignition, 6 p.m.
Dec. 31 vs. Chicago Storm, 1 p.m.

Harlem Globetrotters

THE Clown Princes of basketball return to the Bradley Center on New YearÕs Eve for two always-enjoyable family shows. The Globetroters play at 1 and 6 p.m. Visit www.bradleycenter.com for ticket information.