Not only does the U-N-I men’s basketball team expect to snap a string of six-straight losing seasons but the Panthers also plan to make a strong showing in the Missouri Valley Conference. Five starters are back from last year’s team and with a number of talented newcomers third-year coach Greg McDermott feels the Panthers are ready to turn the corner. McDermott says he’ll be disappointed and the team will be disappointed if they get into mid February and the games they’re playing aren’t meaningful. He says they feel they can compete for a high seed in the conference tournament. Senior David Gruber was named to the Valley preseason team. He has high hopes for the season. He says they have a lot of home games, a lot of returning players and depth on the bench. Sophomore guard Ben Jacobsen returns and feels the Panthers will finish better than their preseason choice at sixth. He says the people who set the rankings probably don’t know the team very well. U-N-I opens at home November 21st against Chicago State.
