MILWAUKEE - Pecatonica alumna and Blanchardville native Kimee Chandler is expected to be the starting point guard when the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team takes on the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center on Sunday.
Chandler, a junior, scored six points Friday night in the Panthers' season-opening 82-58 win over Chicago State and said, she's looking forward to taking on the Badgers at 6 p.m. Sunday.
"It would be a big win for us if we can win at Wisconsin," said Chandler, who was a three-time Division 4 all-state player at Pecatonica. "Wisconsin is always looked at in the state. They get more attention than everyone. It's a great opportunity to come back and play against the Badgers. It's exciting to play in front of my family and friends."
Chandler isn't the only one expected to receive a homecoming welcome from fans Sunday night. Kyle Rechlicz takes over as a first year head coach for UW-Milwaukee, having come to Milwaukee from the University of Wisconsin where she served as the Badgers' assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Many Wisconsin basketball fans may better know Rechlicz as Kyle Black, who was a key member of very successful UW women's basketball teams from 1998-2002. She served as co-captain of the 2000-01 and 2001-02 teams that went to the NCAA tournament, and she was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten team.
"It's a fresh start," Chandler said of her new coach, Rechlicz. "She is all about developing a new culture and doing the right thing all the time. She is always positive and a great role model for us."
Chandler welcomes the fresh start, after receiving some playing time two years as the team went 24-37. Last year, the team finished 12-18, 9-9 Horizon, good for fourth place in the conference.
Chandler averaged about a point and 0.5 rebounds per game in 17 games last year. As a freshman, she was fifth on the team in assists (33). She's ready for a more prominent role this season.
"I'm not satisfied with being a starter," Chandler said. "I still want to get better. I think we can achieve the goals we set for this year."
Chandler said the No. 1 goal is to finish in the top half of the Horizon League.
Chandler worked hard in the offseason, getting stronger, and devoted her time to enhancing her ballhandling skills. She has worked with a new strength and conditioning coach four days a week, including in the weight room, on the track and doing beach workouts.
"He really has pushed us," Chandler said of her new conditioning coach. "We are in great shape."
She said the biggest transition to college basketball was the speed and quickness of each player on the court. The game has started slowing down for her, though, and she's excited about the season.
"My confidence has improved," Chandler said. "That is my No. 1 priority."
Chandler, a junior, scored six points Friday night in the Panthers' season-opening 82-58 win over Chicago State and said, she's looking forward to taking on the Badgers at 6 p.m. Sunday.
"It would be a big win for us if we can win at Wisconsin," said Chandler, who was a three-time Division 4 all-state player at Pecatonica. "Wisconsin is always looked at in the state. They get more attention than everyone. It's a great opportunity to come back and play against the Badgers. It's exciting to play in front of my family and friends."
Chandler isn't the only one expected to receive a homecoming welcome from fans Sunday night. Kyle Rechlicz takes over as a first year head coach for UW-Milwaukee, having come to Milwaukee from the University of Wisconsin where she served as the Badgers' assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Many Wisconsin basketball fans may better know Rechlicz as Kyle Black, who was a key member of very successful UW women's basketball teams from 1998-2002. She served as co-captain of the 2000-01 and 2001-02 teams that went to the NCAA tournament, and she was also named to the Academic All-Big Ten team.
"It's a fresh start," Chandler said of her new coach, Rechlicz. "She is all about developing a new culture and doing the right thing all the time. She is always positive and a great role model for us."
Chandler welcomes the fresh start, after receiving some playing time two years as the team went 24-37. Last year, the team finished 12-18, 9-9 Horizon, good for fourth place in the conference.
Chandler averaged about a point and 0.5 rebounds per game in 17 games last year. As a freshman, she was fifth on the team in assists (33). She's ready for a more prominent role this season.
"I'm not satisfied with being a starter," Chandler said. "I still want to get better. I think we can achieve the goals we set for this year."
Chandler said the No. 1 goal is to finish in the top half of the Horizon League.
Chandler worked hard in the offseason, getting stronger, and devoted her time to enhancing her ballhandling skills. She has worked with a new strength and conditioning coach four days a week, including in the weight room, on the track and doing beach workouts.
"He really has pushed us," Chandler said of her new conditioning coach. "We are in great shape."
She said the biggest transition to college basketball was the speed and quickness of each player on the court. The game has started slowing down for her, though, and she's excited about the season.
"My confidence has improved," Chandler said. "That is my No. 1 priority."
