As a longtime Milwaukee Panthers basketball fan and someone who's followed college sports broadcasting for over a decade, I've witnessed firsthand how dramatically the viewing landscape has transformed. When I first started following UWM basketball back in 2015, finding games required either attending in person or hoping for a local television broadcast. Today, the options have expanded tremendously, though navigating them requires some insider knowledge. The excitement around this season feels particularly palpable after hearing Coach Bart Lundy's recent statement about building toward that "long-coveted championship" - words that resonate deeply with fans who've been waiting for the program's breakthrough moment.
Streaming services have completely revolutionized how we watch college basketball, and for University of Wisconsin Milwaukee fans, the primary destination this season is ESPN+. Having subscribed to the platform since its early days, I can confidently say it's become indispensable for following Horizon League action. During the 2022-23 season, ESPN+ carried approximately 85% of UWM's men's basketball games, and I expect similar coverage this year. The subscription runs me $9.99 monthly or $99.99 annually - honestly one of my most worthwhile sports expenditures. The platform's reliability has improved significantly since its launch, though I still recommend testing your connection before tip-off to avoid those frustrating buffering moments during crucial possessions. What I particularly appreciate is how ESPN+ often bundles women's basketball coverage too, giving fans comprehensive access to both programs.
Traditional television hasn't completely disappeared from the picture though. For those major conference matchups or rivalry games, I still keep my cable subscription active specifically for channels like ESPN2, ESPNU, and CBS Sports Network. Last season, I counted at least six UWM games that appeared on these national networks, typically during weekend time slots. The production quality on these broadcasts noticeably surpasses the streaming-only productions, with more camera angles and experienced commentary teams. For cord-cutters, services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV offer solid alternatives that include these channels - though they'll cost you significantly more than a standalone ESPN+ subscription.
Attending games at the Klotsche Center provides an experience no screen can replicate. There's an electricity in the arena during close contests that translates poorly even to the best broadcasts. Ticket prices remain remarkably accessible - general admission typically runs between $10-20 depending on the opponent, making it one of the more affordable Division I basketball experiences in the region. The university has also improved its in-arena technology recently, with better Wi-Fi that actually allows me to check stats during timeouts without frustrating delays. When the team makes its eventual championship push that Coach Lundy referenced, being there for those pivotal moments will create memories that last far longer than any broadcast.
International fans or those traveling during game times face the trickiest scenarios. Through trial and error during my own travels, I've found that using a VPN service combined with ESPN+ typically bypasses geographic restrictions. The NBA League Pass approach of offering single-team packages hasn't really caught on in college sports yet, which means international Panthers fans often need to purchase broader conference packages or rely on sometimes unreliable third-party streams. The athletic department could definitely improve its outreach to this segment of the fanbase.
Radio broadcasts remain a wonderfully nostalgic option, especially for daytime games when I'm driving or working around the house. WISN 1130 AM has carried UWM games for years, and their play-by-play coverage consistently delivers that intimate feeling of being courtside through audio alone. The announcers develop such deep familiarity with the team over seasons that their commentary often provides insights the television broadcasts miss. During last season's thrilling overtime victory against Cleveland State, I found myself switching to the radio broadcast specifically because the announcers' excitement perfectly captured the tension of those final minutes.
Social media platforms, particularly Twitter, have become unexpected companions to game viewing. The official @MKEPanthers account provides real-time updates, but it's the fan communities that truly enhance the experience. I've discovered strategic nuances and player background information through these interactions that I'd likely have missed otherwise. The collective reaction when a player makes a spectacular play creates a sense of shared experience, even when watching alone from my living room.
Looking at the broader landscape, the future of college sports viewing appears headed toward even more fragmentation before eventual consolidation. Conference realignment could eventually shift UWM to a conference with its own dedicated streaming platform, similar to what we've seen with the ACC Network or SEC Network. For now though, the combination of ESPN+ for most games, occasional national television appearances, and in-person attendance for special matchups provides comprehensive coverage. The championship aspirations Coach Lundy expressed require growing the fanbase beyond the Milwaukee area, and accessible viewing options play a crucial role in that expansion. As someone who's followed this program through rebuilding seasons and breakthrough victories, I'm convinced that making games easily viewable represents half the battle in building the sustained support necessary for that championship pursuit. The other half, of course, depends on what happens on the court - and this season promises to deliver plenty of compelling basketball worth watching through whatever means you choose.
