GAME NOTES: The Milwaukee Panthers and the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns will meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Monday afternoon as part of the MGM Grant Main Event.

Milwaukee, the reigning Horizon League champions, has not started the 2014-15 season the way it had hoped, as it has won only once in its first four contests. The Panthers most recently endured a tough road contest at Oklahoma State on Friday and suffered a 82-68 loss.

Since winning its opener at home against Louisiana College on Nov. 14 (85-57), Louisiana has dropped two straight to dip to 1-2. The Cajuns last played at Auburn on Friday, falling on the wrong end of a 105-80 decision.

This marks the first-ever meeting between the Panthers and the Cajuns.

The Panthers dug themselves a 17-point hole at halftime in their latest game and never got to within single digits the rest of the way. Although they shot an impressive 49.1 percent from the field, including 9-of-22 from 3-point range, they allowed Oklahoma State to shoot 50 percent and were plagued by losing the turnover battle, 17-8. Doing his best to lift the team to victory was Steve McWhorter, who scored 18 points on 7-of-9 from the floor to go with nine assists and six rebounds. Matt Tiby was the only other player in double figures with 10 points.

Milwaukee has had some success generating offense this season with 71.0 ppg on 46 percent field goal shooting. Unfortunately its effort on the other end of the floor has not been up to par, as it allows 72.3 ppg. McWhorter stuffs the stat sheet on a regular basis with 15.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 4.3 apg. J.R. Lyle brings 11.8 ppg to the table and Akeem Springs tallies 10.5 ppg and 6.0 rpg.

The Cajuns were able to make it a game against Auburn in the first 25 minutes of action, as they trailed by just six early in the second half, but from there Auburn put together a 16-4 run to pull away. Despite shooting greater than 50 percent from the field, the Cajuns were no match for Auburn and its 54.5 percent showing. Brian Williams was great in the defeat with 18 points (on 7-of-10 from the field) to go with seven rebounds. Jay Wright, Johnathan Stove and Bryce Washington each scored 11 points in bench roles, while Xavian Rimmer brought 10 points to the balanced effort.

Louisiana has unfortunately set a similar trend in the early going this season, as it scores 72.7 ppg but gives up 75.3 ppg, and although it shoots nearly 50 percent from the field, it hasn't had much success from 3-point range (12-of-45). Williams is the only player in double figures with 12.7 ppg, but Shawn Long (9.7 ppg), Devonta Walker (9.0 ppg) and Stove (8.7 ppg) are all on the cusp.

Both teams have capable offenses and suspect defenses, meaning a high-scoring matchup is likely. Figure for Milwaukee to get back on the winning track behind a well-rounded effort by McWhorter.