Because I have spent time around the program. Obviously I'm exaggerating a bit, but with what I know about other programs, I stand by what I said. Portland does as little race specific workouts as any top program in the country.
The reason why Portland is good is because you guys have had talent up the wazoo and you've worked your ass off. It's a great program for 10k guys. Coach Johnson deserves as big of a raise as possible.
I'll absolutely admit that Basset has surprised me. But as you know, the steeple is a strength event. Portland is a cross country program, much like CU. Phenomenal cross country runners, 10k guys, steeple chaser....
What separates CU from Portland is that Wetmore knows what he's doing, and they are at altitude (reason for lack of middle distance stars).
I know you guys picked up a bunch of the top high school milers, so we'll see what happens. If Conner manages to take these kids and turn them into 3:43 guys then maybe I'll come back and say that I was wrong.
But more than likely I'll just assume that Solinsky must have stepped in.