The Fundamentals:Name: UNI Panthers
Conference: Missouri Valley
Last Year's Record: 23-10
This Year's Record: 13-2 (4-0)
This Year's Current RPI: 27
Mascot: T.C. That stands for "The Cat," which is the lamest mascot we've run across yet here in "Embrace a Mid-Major." I do like this representation that appeared in the 1952 edition of the UNI yearbook.
Big Wins: Iowa State, Iowa, Bucknell, Bradley, Wichita State
Notable Losses: 70-61 on the road against Washington, which is understandable. 76-67 to Loyola Chicago, also on the road, against a pretty decent squad.
Player You Should Know: Grant Stout, a 6'8" senior forward, is rather stout, weighing in at 240 pounds. Stout is the reigning MVC player of the week for the his efforts in UNI's big win against Southern Illinois, who was also previously undefeated in the MVC. Stout likes to step out and hit the jumper, opening things up inside for 6'6" 240-lb. center Eric Coleman. Coleman averages 13.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, while Stout goes for 12.3 and 8.5. Mid-Major teams don't usually sport a total of 480 pounds of man-beef in the post, but the Panthers have it, and they use it to kill the boards. Coleman and Stout are the top two rebounders in the MVC. They're not completely reliant on their frontcourt, though, they're solid and experienced at every position. The only underclassman in the starting line-up is sophomore guard Travis Brown.
Outlook: They look like the best team in the Missouri Valley right now, as well as the best team in the state of Iowa. They weren't projected in the preseason to be an MVC force, but that's exactly what they are. If they end up not winning the conference, they should be able to score an at-large tournament bid.
Previously on Embrace a Mid-Major:
Appalachian State Mountaineers
Drexel Dragons
Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
