Offseason-Panthers

[Khan4Cats]

The Panthers head into the off-season with a lot to build on towards next year. Most UNI fans are expecting a challenge for a top 2 seed in St. Louis and a look at an at-large for next year. Next years' non-conference schedule is shaping up to be one of the toughest in the league if not the country for a mid-major, so being ready to roll out of the gate will be important. Fortunately, we are only replacing one member of the rotation. I'll try to recap the news to this point:

Graduated: Johnny Moran. All-time school leader in games started, games played, and tied for career wins. 2nd all-time in 3-pointers made, 5th in steals. Some big stats but even more an attitude of all-out effort that will be missed.

Transferring: Freshman PG Jevon Lyle has left the team after redshirting this past season. Was looking at time as a back-up point guard to Mitchell. Expected to be more defensive oriented early in his career.

Incoming: Wes Washpun, PG transferring from Tennessee ( went to HS in Cedar Rapids). Will be able to use a redshirt during his transfer year. Filling Lyle's scholarship and will likely fill in the same role in two years as a defensive and passing oriented PG. Had 23 assists, 22 rebounds and 7 blocks in 17 games for Tennessee while only scoring 16 points on 21 shots. Is said to be as if not more athletic than any player UNI has had recently.

No freshman will be coming from HS as we were one over the limit last year as one player gave up their scholarship last season.

Assistant Coach Ben Johnson left to take a similar job at Nebraska. Opening up a spot on the bench that is likely to be filled by former Panther Assistant Coach Kyle Green. Nothing official yet as Kyle left last season to be Head Coach at Division III Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He recently resigned that position to return to Iowa for 'family reasons'. It would be his third stint on the UNI staff if hired.

Otherwise, no major news on the injury front. Last year Jake Koch and Johnny Moran both had surgeries that prevented them from doing much in the form of game activity during the summer. Hoping for more weight to be put on Tuttle and Buss and for Singleton, Olivier, and Koch to possibly tone down their size a little.

Most UNI players are expected to compete in the Prime Time League with players from the University of Iowa.