Heading into the 1998-99 season the Flyers knew they would need to find answers to specific questions if they were to make an appearance in the field of 64 for the first time in almost 10 years. But who would man the point was not expected to be one of those questions. Edwin Young, while not the flashiest point guard in the Atlantic 10 would provide a steady hand on offense and anchor a suffocating defense. But perhaps due in part to the demands of being a husband, father, student and Division I basketball player, Young’s production tailed off in 1998-99. And as Edwin struggled, so did the Flyers.

After a solid 1997-98 campaign in which he averaged 8.2 points per game on 49% shooting, Edwin slumped to 5.6 points in 1998-99, shooting a frigid 28% from the field. In conference play Edwin shot 21% from the field, and just 16% from behind the 3 point arc. Always a solid defender — earning the nickname “The Blanket” for his smothering defensive effort on the conference’s best guards — Edwin’s struggles on offense seemed to affect his defensive play late in the year. Shawnta Rogers, Lenny Brown, Donnie Carr, and Eddie Lucas all had high scoring games against the Flyers as the season wore down.

Heading into his senior season, Edwin’s ability to man the point for the Flyers will again be in question, much like his sophomore season. To maintain a starting position Edwin will have to respond to the challenge the way he did in 1997-98. After last season Edwin will have to prove to opposing defenses that he can hit the open jumper or his defender will continue to sag off and clog the lane. If Young continues to struggle offensively, David Morris will see the bulk of the minutes at the point. Never underestimate a senior however. This is Young’s last year to make the NCAAs and fans should expect his best effort as a collegian.