Wichita State at UNI - 7pm Wednesday

[getreal4]

too many cheaper fun things to do in cedarloo in Jan.

[shocktheheart]

Yeah, UNI can do better than that. Despite our recent success we just can't seem to muster up the fan support. A lot of panther fans think the current group of students will finally be the ones who start to break the hawkeye mold, but I'm not convinced of that. Yall can keep making fun if you want but some things are just tough to change.

I don't understand it and probably never will as my family has lived WSU basketball. I grew up with a father who graduated from WSU and was a professor when I was younger. I was introduced to WSU basketball in the mid to late 90's when he taught there and saw some great teams and every game was sold out. WSU in this communtiy is the lead story on the news for sports and on the front page for sports after and before a game and I hope that never changes. I have five boys and I'm teaching them to live and breathe WSU athletics even if there mother doesn't approve. I just wish more of the Valley was like this in money and support. Go Shox and Valley!

[getreal4]

Coach Jake and this team deserve better.

[Kyle]

I remember watching Armstead play Creighton last year in the CBI championship and wasn't overly impressed. Seemed like a role player on a mediocre P-12 team. Do you think his departure was a result of Dana cleaning house during his first year with the Ducks?

[valleychamp]

Coacj Jake and this team deserve better.

Aren't you a Drake fan?

[Wufan]

I remember watching Armstead play Creighton last year in the CBI championship and wasn't overly impressed. Seemed like a role player on a mediocre P-12 team. Do you think his departure was a result of Dana cleaning house during his first year with the Ducks?

Yes, Armstead only bested Young in 1 of their 3 games last year. He's not all world, but did average about 8 ppg and 3.5 apg and is known more for his defense. Former Shocker PG Clevin Hannah backed him up at JUCO. As to Dana, yes that is the rumor as to why he left, except that it was Malcolm that walked away. DA re-recruited him twice.

[Haha]

I remember watching Armstead play Creighton last year in the CBI championship and wasn't overly impressed. Seemed like a role player on a mediocre P-12 team. Do you think his departure was a result of Dana cleaning house during his first year with the Ducks?

yes he sucks and won't contribute...

Of course he left because Dana wanted him to or at least mutual at best. Big deal he is a solid player and a senior PG who will bridge the gap for FVV.

Why we are sitting here talking about next year is beyond me.

No doubt WSU will be in a down year. 5th place is my guess give or take one. Who cares, this year still has a lot of season left.

[Aargh]

I remember watching Armstead play Creighton last year in the CBI championship and wasn't overly impressed. Seemed like a role player on a mediocre P-12 team. Do you think his departure was a result of Dana cleaning house during his first year with the Ducks?

Armstead wanted to leave the moment Altman showed up. Altman convinced him to stay. Altman and Armstead did not fit and Armstead's minutes and effectiveness went downhill the entire season. By the time CU played Oregon, Armstead had become a role player - a role player who was voted the pre-season PAC all-league PG when he was on campus at WSU. He's likely to be the starting PG next year.

WSU also has a Fr PG nest year (Fred VanVleet) who played against every one of the top-rated PG's in the nation last summer and the services who scouted and reported on him said he outplayed every one of them. Rivals and Scout didn't watch him after he committed to WSU and left him at around 151 on their lists. When asked why he was so low in their lists, they both said they hadn't seen him so they couldn't raise him from his rating from the previous year.

[strike00]

WSU seems to be counting on a lot of unknowns next year. Every team goes through it, I'm sure they will be fine, but to have a team next year that will equal this team would be quite a surprise. UNI should be good next year and will have high expectations. If the newcomers in the front court can step in and the current ones improve, which should happen, UNI could be in the hunt next year or right behind the Blue Jays.

This year, in 3 of the 5 conference losses UNI has held a double digit lead. In this game they were ahead most of the 2nd half. A season of letting games slip through their fingers for the Panthers.

[2livewu]

Everyone will have their chance to get back at WSU next year. Experience and size is king in the Valley, and WSU will have precious little of both next season, especially considering the depth of the conference and the relatively few seniors leaving programs.

UNI loses Moran....no problem. Drake has no seniors and neither does Illinois State. CU only loses Young, a superstar, but Chatman might be better in the long run. Evansville doesn't lose that much either.

MSU is kind of like WSU last year in that they'll have several seniors next year, but lose a lot this year. Indiana State is in trouble. SIU will blow until Clo leaves. Bradley will take some time to rebuild.

Creighton will boatrace the Valley next season. UNI, Drake, ISUR and Evansville will fight 2-5. MSU, WSU and ISUB will fight to stay out of Thursday and BU and SIU will suck hind teat. There is a chance WSU could be dangerous by the end of the year....they aren't bringing in blanks. They've got some talent, but it will take time.