Valley in the spotlight

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Question for you Valley fans: The conference seems awfully senior-heavy. SIU, Creighton and Wichita State have proven they can sustain success. What about the rest of the schools (UNI, that school in Springfield, etc)? Do they have players in place to step in? I think the biggest advantage the Valley has is that it recruits 4-year players, and that experience often is enough to overcome the superior athletic talent of BCS conference teams...

UNI is a very young team. However, the young players will really have to step up if the Panthers plan on making the tourney over the next couple of years. Stout had a breakout year as a junior last year but hasn't been quite the same since breaking his arm over the summer. UNI plays 4 freshmen and they do well, but not well enough to be anywhere near elite. Coleman is a junior and is an absolute monster. McCowan is a senior pg and runs the show. Getting someone to fill his shoes next year will be critical to continued success.