CEDAR FALLS (KWWL) It’s goal number one for the UNI Panthers this year, go out and win their first regular season conference title since 2022.
“That’s what we’ve been working towards through this whole summer,” said senior guard Trey Campbell during Monday’s media day, “We’ve put in the work to do it, and now we’ve just got to go out there and do it.”
They’ll chase it with one of the most experienced line-ups in the country with 11 returnees who accounted for more than 72 percent of the minutes played a season ago.
“It’s huge. It’s going to be an advantage in a conference where people are always interchanging,” added junior forward Leon Bond who returns after dealing with injuries a season ago, “There are new teams, new coaches,and just having the same guys and knowing your guys, it’s huge.”
Leading the returning group is guard Campbell, back for his fourth season in his hometown. UNI, however, also hit the portal in the offseason making a couple of big pick-ups. North Carolina State transfer Ismael Diouf will battle with Chase Courbat for minutes on the inside, while NAIA All-American forward graduate student Tristan Smith of Concordia will try and fill the big shoes left by the departure of high energy guy Tytan Anderson.
“We needed some maturity,” said Bond, “and honestly Tristan’s a big, physical guy, and he’s going to help with our offensive rebounding, especially losing Ty. We needed that.”
“It’s been fun. It’s been challenging every day,” added Smith, “I’ve had to bring my ‘A’ game every time I step on the floor, but it’s been a great time.”
It will be even better if they can put it all together and reach their first NCAA tournament in a decade. That comes down the road, and for now they’re just focused on the season opener.
“We’re all itching,” said Bond, “We’re excited, and I think we’re tired of playing against each other. So, I think getting some new competition will be great.”