MU, UWM will play basketball exhibition for hurricane relief efforts

The Marquette and UW-Milwaukee men's basketball teams have renewed their intracity rivalry, this time for charity.

The Golden Eagles and the Panthers, who haven't met since 2011, will play an exhibition game at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Al McGuire Center on MU's campus.

According to the school, MU requested a waiver from the NCAA to play another exhibition game. It was granted provided all the proceeds go to hurricane relief efforts across the country. The schools will work with the American Red Cross.

NCAA rules normally allow only exhibitions against non-NCAA Division I four-year schools. The Golden Eagles face Division II Lindenwood in an exhibition game on Nov. 4.

Kansas and Missouri, another hoops rivalry that has been on hiatus, will also stage a game for hurricane relief. 

MU and UWM have met 39 times in regular-season games. The last matchup was a 64-50 victory by the Golden Eagles on Dec. 22, 2011, under head coach Buzz Williams. The Panthers have never won in the series.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for our programs to become involved with the relief efforts currently underway across the country and it’s my hope we can fill the Al to capacity,” MU head coach Steve Wojciechowski said in a statement.  “Many of us have a personal connection to someone directly impacted by the recent hurricanes and being able to partner with the American Red Cross allows us to help people like Marquette legend Butch Lee, who lives in his native Puerto Rico.”

Lee, in an interview with the Journal Sentinel last month, said he has plans to help out businesses around his city of San Juan in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Tickets will be $20 for lower-level seats, $10 for upper level and $5 for MU students. They will go on sale Thursday at 10 a.m. by phone at 414-288-GOMU or online at www.GoMarquette.com/tickets.

The game will not be televised or streamed on the internet. 

Fans in attendance can also donate money at the game. 

“Coach Wojciechowski called me and presented an opportunity for our programs to play an exhibition game for hurricane relief efforts and those in need,” first-year UWM coach Pat Baldwin said. “I truly believe it is a great opportunity for Milwaukee and Marquette to play for a great cause. I know our great city of Milwaukee will come together and support all the efforts to help those ravaged by flooding throughout the many regions of our country and give a big assist in putting their lives back together.”

MU hasn't played a game at the McGuire Center since an 83-49 win over Alabama A&M on Dec. 19, 2014.