Midweek Stock Report: Bucks’ Middleton races to hot start

Khris Middleton, Bucks forward (⬆️ UP)

Last season, Middleton made a run at the rare 50-40-90 (making at least 50% of field-goal attempts, 40% of 3-point attempts and 90% of free-throw attempts). This year, he might trample it. In four games this past week, Middleton made 58.2% of his field-goal attempts, half of his shots from deep (13 of 26) and missed one attempt from the line (10 of 11), while averaging 25.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. On the season, he’s at 55.4 FG%, 49.2 3FG% and 93.8 FT%. Middleton has made at least half his shots in nine of 11 games and in six straight (59.8% over that span). Through 11 games he has career-high averages in points (22.5), rebounds (6.7) and assists (5.6).

Bobby Portis, Bucks forward (⬆️ UP)

A free-agent signing in the offseason, Portis has been a nice addition for Milwaukee. He posted two double-doubles last week, giving him four on the season, and overall in the Bucks’ four games he shot 60% from the field, hit 5 of 10 3-point attempts and averaged 13.8 points and 8.5 rebounds. On the season, Portis is averaging 11.9 rebounds per 36 minutes, which would be a career-best.

D.J. Wilson, Bucks forward (⬇️ DOWN)

A part of Milwaukee’s rotation to begin the season, Wilson’s playing time has all but evaporated. He had three consecutive games where he was a DNP-Coaches Decision before seeing nearly 16 minutes of action vs. Cleveland – a game in which Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play. Wilson played just three minutes of the Bucks’ 22-point win over Orlando on Monday … and had a box/score plus-minus of -3.

Dawson Garcia, Marquette forward (⬆️ UP)

The Golden Eagles’ fantastic freshman tied his season high with 20 points in Tuesday’s win over Providence. He had reached 20 points twice previously, but both came in Marquette losses.

Badgers basketball (⬇️ DOWN)

Wisconsin needed overtime Thursday to beat what looks like a slightly above average Indiana team then just got throttled on the road Tuesday at Michigan. The Badgers actually were down by only three, but the Wolverines went on a 43-6 run (spanning both halves) to turn the game into an embarrassing rout.

Jared Veldheer, Packers offensive tackle (⬆️ UP)

Dude is getting paid by two playoff teams!