Kulning the Herd: For the Culture

Welcome to “Kulning the Herd,” our weekly recap and preview of everything going on with the Milwaukee Bucks’ G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. What is kulning exactly? It’s an old Scandinavian herding call/song form. Take a listen to a small sample here.

And we’re back!

The Wisconsin Herd resumed their inaugural season after taking a week or so off for the All-Star break. During the break, the Herd made the announcement that they had signed former Milwaukee Bucks cult hero, Brandon Jennings.

As I’m sure y’all know by now, Jennings has no clear path to join Milwaukee’s roster and his Herd assignment does not mean that he is in the Bucks organization. Jennings has the same status as Joel Bolomboy and James Young where he can be signed to a 10-Day Contract by any NBA club whenever the opportunity would theoretically present itself.

After his first game with the Herd on Wednesday night, BJ3 was asked about the “Bucks in Six” origin story by Ti Windisch (Behind the Buck Pass) and the prodigal son delivered:

Wednesday, February 21st vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Indiana Pacers)

The first game back from the break was against the Central Division-leading Mad Ants and the Herd squandered a halftime lead, losing 128-110. Brandon Jennings kicked off his Herd stint with a team-high 31 points on 11/21 shooting and also dished out eight assists.

Two-way guy, Marshall Plumlee, finished one rebound shy of a double-double as he posted a 22 point, nine rebound stat line in 29 minutes of action. The other two-way player, Xavier Munford, went 0/4 from beyond the arc and just 4/18 from the field as he finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Wisconsin committed 19 turnovers on the night while they were only able to force Fort Wayne into coughing the ball up 12 times.

Friday, February 23rd @ Long Island Nets (Brooklyn Nets)

The Herd only played seven players in their 115-109 overtime victory in Long Island on Friday night. Three of those seven players scored over 20 points and were led by Brandon Jennings who finished with 29 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Jennings knocked down a late three-pointer to send the game into overtime.

Ricky Ledo and Joel Bolomboy were the other two players to eclipse the 20 point threshold. Ledo tallied 23 points, nine rebounds, and shot 10/17 from the floor. Bolomboy chipped in with 22 points, eight rebounds, and went 9/11 from the field. Marshall Plumlee recorded a double-double (12 points and 12 rebounds) as he played 33 minutes off the bench. The win helped push Wisconsin’s record to 18-21, good for eighth in the Eastern Conference.

We got three games for the Herd this week, including their only Sunday game of the year. The games can be heard on 99.1FM in Oshkosh and 95.3FM in the Fox Cities and seen on Facebook Live, Twitch, and Eleven Sports. So let’s dive into this week’s upcoming Herd action.

Sunday, February 25th @ Raptors 905 (Toronto Raptors)

A little Sunday Funday action for the Herd as they take on a Raptors squad that sits at 24-16 and fourth place in the East. Wisconsin dropped their previous game, 106-95, which also took place in Canada. The arrival of Jennings seems to have injected some energy into the reeling Herd, and I would not be surprised if the Herd were able to give the Raptors a run for their money.

Friday, March 2nd vs. Maine Red Claws (Boston Celtics)

The last time the Herd welcomed the 16-23 Red Claws into Wisconsin, they won a 132-125 shootout at the Bradley Center. James Young dropped 40 points in that contest and, well, Young is not on the Herd anymore. No matter though, I feel the Herd will build off of a solid Sunday performance and kick the weekend off with a win.

Saturday, March 3rd vs. Raptors 905

The Herd will be feeling it from Friday night’s win and welcome this Raptors 905 squad to Oshkosh with loud, open arms. I think Wisconsin can squeak out a victory and head into the homestretch of the season riding high.

I’m feeling particularly bullish on the Herd and have them going 2-1 on the week. This week feels like a make-or-break week for the team and they really need a good showing to stay in the playoff hunt.

Any predictions of your own? General comments or questions about the Herd, or even the G-League? Share them in the comments below and stop by next week as we recap the games above and look forward to next week in the Herd’s inaugural season.