The three Bucks allegedly involved in an off-court incident outside a Toronto strip club last weekend are mum on it, but privately say it won't affect them in the upcoming playoffs.

Jason Caffey, Sam Cassell and Gary Payton have been accused of assaulting a dancer and her boyfriend last weekend when the Bucks were in Toronto to play the Raptors. No formal charges have been filed, but the players reportedly have retained lawyers.

On the advise of those attorneys, and likely orders from the Bucks, none of the players are talking about the incident. Coach George Karl also has been a man of very few words about it.

Caffey and Cassell did not suit up for the Bucks' last regular season game Wednesday. Caffey was said to be suffering from back problems, and Cassell a sore right thumb. Payton did play in the win over the Magic at the Bradley Center.

The players have told friends they all will play in the playoffs, which start Saturday at New Jersey, and will not be distracted by the incident.

It was disappointing to see three veteran players put themselves into such a situation, however, no matter how true the sketchy details may or may not be. Caffey, who has documented a battle with emotional problems over the last couple seasons, and Cassell, who does have an "erratic" personality, are not as surprising as Payton, who was obtained from Seattle in large part to supply leadership to the team. Again, without knowing all the details, you can't be too judgmental of the players.

Caffey is not likely to see that much action in the playoffs, but Cassell and Payton will have to be focused if the Bucks are to have a chance against the Nets, the second seed in the Eastern Conference.

With Jason Kidd running the show, the Nets have been a force the last two seasons in the conference. The Bucks went 2-2 against New Jersey this season, but three of the games were played before the big deal with Seattle, which changed the makeup of the team.

"I don't know, because we have only one game against them with this particular set of players," Karl said, when asked how his team matches up against the Nets. "I think New Jersey is going to be an interesting matchup.

"Jason is a legitimate MVP candidate. They have explosiveness on offense. They grew up a lot in the playoffs last season."

Michael Redd said the Bucks can expect a very tough series. "We played really well out there a couple weeks ago," Redd said. "They've been a little up and down lately. They're tough though with Kidd pushing the ball and Kenyon (Martin) and Richard Jefferson running the wing. They are the defending Eastern Conference champions so we expect a battle."

The Bucks will go into the playoffs with the momentum after winning eight of their last nine regular season games. For the playoff series schedule, see the Hot Tix section of this column.

The Wave can wrap up its successful tenure at the Bradley Center by winning a Major Indoor Soccer League championship Friday night when it hosts the Baltimore Blast in the final game of the title series. The Wave will move to the U.S. Cellular Arena next season.

At the BC, the Wave has compiled one of the best home winning percentages of any pro sports team in the country. The series with Baltimore is tied 1-1, going into the championship showdown.

The Admirals lost to the Aeros in Houston Wednesday night in the American Hockey League playoffs, and will play in Houston again Friday night. Then, the Admirals return to the BC for games against the Aeros on Saturday and Monday, if necessary.

Milwaukee beat Rochester in the first playoffs series to advance to the best-of-five series against the Aeros. The Admirals are 4-5-1-1 against Houston to this point.

After starting 0-6, the Brewers won five of their next eight games and seemed to be making real progress. Ben Sheets threw a masterpiece in a win Tuesday against the Cardinals.

But, it all fell apart in a 15-2 slaughter at the hands of the Cardinals on ESPN Day Game Wednesday afternoon. The Brewers are trying to get it back together again this weekend in a series with the Astros that started Thursday night.

Go to the BCR Message Board later on Friday to see the Players, Play and Goats of the Week selections.

Wave fans might be disappointed that goalie Victor Nogueira was aced out as the MISL MVP, but the man who was selected, Kansas City's Dino Delevski, will play outdoor soccer for the Wave United this coming season…Michael Redd is considered a strong candidate for the NBA Sixth Man award…Elm Grove's Tim Kent sailed away from South America last weekend and is well on his way home in the last leg of the Around Alone sailing competition…Outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds, who has been plagued with injuries since becoming a Brewer, didn't even make it to Easter this season before going on the DL, with a high ankle sprain. Brady Clark was activated from the DL to take Hammonds' spot and will platoon with John Vander Wal in right.

The Wave's championship game starts at 7:05 p.m. Friday. The Admirals' playoff games on Saturday and Monday both start at 7:12 p.m.

The Bucks will play in New Jersey at 11:30 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Tuesday. They come home to the BC for games at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Saturday, April 26. After that, game times are to be determined.

ESPN will carry the Saturday game in New Jersey. The other three games listed above will be on TNT.

The Brewers play the Astros at Miller Park at 7:05 p.m. Friday and 1:05 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.