Marquette Golden Eagles and Wisconsin Badgers will be playing in the NCAA Tournament starting Thursday. It’s a survive and advance mindset for those two teams. The professional team in the state, Milwaukee Bucks, will have a similar feeling with their six-game, five-city road trip they’ll be on for the next two weeks. Bucks are red-hot right now, but these two weeks of game will define their season. Go .500, and they’re right there in the hunt, lose five of six and it’s likely curtains for the playoffs. The trip is not as daunting as one might think.

Must-Wins
Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings – There’s really no excuse to lose to either of these teams. With under 20 games left in the season, both teams do not want to win basketball games. They would rather tank it for a higher draft pick this season. They do play Kings as their final game of the road trip, and a back-to-back so that game might not be very easy. Nothing is given, but these are two Milwaukee has to have during this road trip.

Either/or Games
Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers – If Milwaukee wants to have some breathing room, a win tonight versus a scuffling Memphis squad would be major. The game shouldn’t be looked at as a ‘must-win’ for Milwaukee though as Grizzlies present a challenge for Bucks and losing to Memphis on the road isn’t a big deal. Some might put Portland in the ‘must’ category, but it’s not with how Trail Blazers are playing down the stretch. They’re a different team with the addition of Jusef Nurkic, and Portland always seems to play Milwaukee tough at home. Bucks do two days off before playing Blazers so they’ll be fresh if that means anything.

YOLO games
Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors – Milwaukee plays two high playoff teams during this trip with Los Angeles and Golden State. Clippers are a team the Bucks have beat this month, but with the nature of the game, Clips will be seeking revenge. Don’t be surprised if Los Angeles brings its A-game on Wednesday night. Bad news for Bucks is Golden State will not be coming off a back-to-back meaning it’s likely we’ll see all the starters. That said without Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo should be able to get buckets. These games are always fun between Warriors-Bucks and likely unpredictable.

Truth be told if Bucks win the next two games, and lose the final four of the road trip, I will not be sweating. Same goes if they win the first three. The fact is Milwaukee should do a magic number of three for this trip. If they can get there early, everything after is house money. They’re going to lose at some point, but if Milwaukee can remind on fire, they could make a serious to move to the six seed or even possibly the five with a huge Friday night game versus Atlanta at home next Friday night.

Go Bucks Go.

Charlie.