Matt Freije cut

Matt Freije (6'10 240 SF) cut by Bucks today. He played well for the Bucks' summer league team, averaging 11.8 ppg (2nd on team) as well as being the 2nd leading shot blocker, while leading the team in FG% and 3-point FG%. But in the preseason, his few minutes shrunk by the game, going from 20 to 15 to 13 to a few sub-10s and a couple DNPs. His best game was an 11 point night on 5-6 shooting in 13 minutes against Detroit.

Matt played briefly with the Hornets in '04-05 and the Hawks in '06-07 but has yet to find a season-long home in the NBA.

He played for Vanderbilt from 2000 to 2004, leaving as Vandy's all-time leading scorer, and was named First Team All-SEC as a senior, when he averaged 18.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg.

Good luck to Matt finding a basketball home elsewhere this year.

Luke Ridnour ready to start

Luke is in a battle for the starting spot in his new home with the Milwaukee Bucks (nothing new for Luke in that regard), and tonight made his case strongly. Give a starter's PT (36 minutes), Ridnour racked up 16 points (on 11 shots) and 12 assists. Most impressive was his team-leading 10 trips to the line. Making such aggressive play a regular feature of his game would be huge, as he has averaged less than 2 FT/game over the last couple years.

After only playing 18 and 16 minutes in the last couple games, fighting knee problems, Luke must have had an extra fire in his belly, and it really showed.

Ridnour’s presence gave the offense a bit of cohesiveness, something that has been lacking as the Bucks’ new players learn more about each other and the system of coach Scott Skiles.

“It felt good to get my knee back to where I can play a lot,” said Ridnour, acquired in a three-team, off-season trade that sent Mo Williams from Milwaukee to Cleveland. “It held up real well. My goal is to get everybody involved.”

Kevin Kruger gets a shot with the Bucks

Kevin Kruger (6'2 185 G), 1 year pro, spent most of his career at ASU but finished at UNLV, averaging 15.0 and 13.5 ppg/7.1 apg his last two years in college, leading UNLV to the Sweet 16, but went undrafted.

Kruger, 25, was the last player cut by the Orlando Magic before its season started a year ago.

If a roster spot with the Bucks doesn't materialize, options will include Europe or a return to the D-League for a second year.