Wisconsin Herd ramp up preparations with preseason loss to Windy City Bulls

The Wisconsin Herd continued preparations for the G League season with a preseason loss to the Windy City Bulls in what was their first ever game.

While the Milwaukee Bucks lost in a shootout on the road to the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night, a much more momentous event in the history of Wisconsin basketball had taken place in far more humble surroundings earlier in the day.

November 1 marked the first formal game played by the Wisconsin Herd, as they matched up against a G League opponent for the first time in a preseason clash with the Windy City Bulls.

The game was played at the Advocate Center in Chicago, the practice facility of the Chicago Bulls, rather than at the Windy City Bulls’ regular home of the Sears Centre Arena. While every G League game will be streamed live on Facebook throughout the course of the regular season, there was no such broadcast for this encounter that was effectively played behind closed doors.

In fact, the Bulls’ social media channels and the G League’s own official box score act as the only avenues for people to parse any details about the Herd’s first game.

The game ultimately finished in a comfortable 120-99 win for the Windy City Bulls, but the Herd were certainly more than competitive in their first contest. The Herd took an early lead with a 33-28 opening quarter, and the deficit was only five points as the game transitioned into the final quarter too.

More from Bucks News

• Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
• Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
• Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
• Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
• New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited

The undoubted star for the Herd was recent Bucks two-way contract signee Joel Bolomboy. The 23-year-old thrived in his time with the Salt Lake City Stars last season, and with 19 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal on 8-14 from the field, he’s certainly made a positive start to his time with the Herd.

Unsurprisingly, James Young was one of the standouts for the Herd to, putting his NBA experience to good use en route to posting 14 points, three rebounds and two assists, albeit on a less than stellar 4-12 shooting from the field.

G League veteran Michael Dunigan also impressed with a 10 points and 10 rebounds double-double, while Xavier Munford, another player who is more than proven on that level, also chipped in with 13 points and seven assists.

The Bulls largely had Antonio Blakeney to thank for the win, as the guard who holds one of Chicago’s two-way deals erupted for 33 points, four assists, four rebounds and four steals.

Bronson Koenig played 11 minutes for Windy City, grabbing four rebounds but failing to even attempt a shot against the team he was expected to play for after signing a two-way contract with the Bucks earlier in the summer.

Now all focus turns to Monday for the Herd when they’ll open their inaugural season on the road against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Before then, the Herd will announce their final roster on Thursday, while the people of Oshkosh will then have a chance to get to know their players at a meet-and-greet event on Friday.

Next: Win In 6 Podcast #154: Wisconsin Herd training camp, MECCA return

Due to delays in construction, the Herd will not take to the court in Oshkosh until December, but by all means there seems to be plenty of excitement surrounding the team locally. With reports of 1,100 season ticket holders heading into the new season, the Herd will certainly have plenty of fans to keep entertained throughout the course of the season.