University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Wednesday, January 27
Peoria, Ill.
8 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
at
Bradley
UNI Set For 8 pm Tip Wednesday at Bradley
1/25/2016 9:40:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
UNI (10-11, 2-6) at Bradley (3-18, 1-7) | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS
Wed., Jan. 27, 2016 • 8 p.m. (CT)
Peoria, Ill. • Carver Arena (11,164)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
MVC TV
Play-by-Play: Scott Warmann
Analyst: Rich Zvosec
Clearances: FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports Indiana, FOX Sports Kansas City, Comcast SportsNet Chicago
ESPN3 (outside the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri)
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship - NewsTalk 1540-AM KXEL
On the Web - UNIPanthers.com, TuneIn
Live Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship - NewsTalk 1540-AM KXEL
On the Web - UNIPanthers.com, TuneIn
Live Stats - uni.StatBroadcast.com
OPENING TIP
• UNI (10-11, 2-6 MVC) will travel to Peoria, Ill., to take on the Bradley Braves (3-18, 1-7 MVC) Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Carver Arena.
• UNI and Bradley are tied 28-28 in the all-time series.
• UNI won the previous matchup this season by a count of 80-44 in the McLeod Center Dec. 30.
• The Panthers have won nine of the last 10 meetings vs. the Braves.
• UNI will be looking to avoid its first five-game losing streak since the 2006-07 season.
• UNI has started 2-6 or worse in MVC play on six occasions. The last time UNI started MVC play with a 2-6 mark came in the 2002-03 season.
• UNI leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (180).
• Senior Wes Washpun recorded his fourth 20-point plus game of the season with 23 points in Saturday's game at Illinois State.
• Washpun leads the MVC in assists per game (5.5). Washpun recorded his 11th game of six assists or more vs. the Redbirds.
• Sophomore center Bennett Koch ranks third in the MVC in field goal percentage (.608) and is averaging 10.5 points per game in league games only.
• Matt Bohannon leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (61). Bohannon has made three or more 3-pointers 14 times this season.
• UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 516 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
• UNI has secured a pair of top-five wins (AP poll) this season with triumphs over No. 1 North Carolina and No. 5 Iowa State.
• The NCAA recognizes teams in the top-10 percent of the Academic Progress Report. The UNI men's basketball program is the only Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball school to be listed in the top 10 percent in each of the last three years.
• UNI is one of 14 schools to have won 30 or more games twice in the last six seasons.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES AT BRADLEY
UNI TRAVELS TO PEORIA FOR WEDNESDAY 8 PM TIP VS. BRADLEY
UNI (10-11, 2-6 MVC) will travel to Peoria, Ill., to take on the Bradley Braves (3-18, 1-7 MVC) Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Carver Arena.
The Panthers completed non-conference play at 8-5 overall. UNI posted two top-five wins in non-conference play with triumphs over No. 1 North Carolina (71-67) and No. 5 Iowa State (81-79).
UNI-BRADLEY ON MVC TV
Scott Warmann (play-by-play) and Rich Zvosec (analyst) will call the action for the Missouri Valley Conference television broadcast.
The telecast will be cleared live on FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports Indiana and FOX Sports Kansas City (combined 5.8 million homes), Comcast SportsNet Chicago (4.9 million homes), ESPN3 (outside the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri), DirecTV (FOX - Channel 671; Comcast - Channel 665), Dish Network (FOX - Channel 418; Comcast - Channel 429), AT&T U-Verse (Channel 748) and AT&T U-Verse HD (Channel 1748).
SCOUTING BRADLEY
The Bradley Braves have lost nine of its last 10 game entering Wednesday's contest vs. UNI.
The Braves have been outscored by an average of 21.4 points per game in MVC play.
Bradley's lone MVC win came Jan. 13 at Loyola when the Braves tallied a 54-53 win over the Ramblers in Gentile Arena.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. BRAVES
UNI and Bradley are tied 28-28 in the all-time series.
UNI won the previous matchup this season by a count of 80-44 in the McLeod Center Dec. 30.
The Panthers have won nine of the last 10 meetings vs. the Braves.
PANTHERS LOOK TO AVOID 5-GAME LOSING STREAK
UNI will be looking to avoid its first five-game losing streak since head coach Ben Jacobson's first season in 2006-07.
The Panthers lost games at Indiana State, Drake, Missouri State, Creighton and No. 11 Nevada in the 2006-07 campaign. UNi finished the 2006-07 season with an 18-13 overall record and 9-9 mark in MVC play.
NO 5-GAME MVC LOSING SKIDS UNDER JAKE'S DIRECTION
UNI has not lost five consecutive MVC games in the Jacobson era.
The last time UNI lost five straight MVC games came in the 2000-01 season when the Panthers were under the direction of head coach Sam Weaver. The 2000-01 Panthers lost five consecutive games to Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Creighton, Illinois State and Evansville.
SLOW START TO MVC PLAY
UNI's 2-6 start in Missouri Valley Conference play is the Panthers's worst start to league action through eight games since the 2002-03 season.
UNI'S SLOW 7-GAME STARTS IN THE MVC
1-7 - 2000-01 (finished 3-15)
1-7 - 1994-95 (finished 4-14)
2-6 - 1997-98 (finished 4-14)
2-6 - 1998-99 (finished 6-12)
2-6 - 2002-03 (finished 7-11)
2-6 - 2015-16 (TBD)
COACH JAKE FARES WELL VS MVC'S ILLINOIS SCHOOLS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has taken full advantage of the four schools representing the state of Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference in his 10 seasons as UNI's head coach.
His 19 wins over Bradley are the most vs. any Valley opponent he has faced.
He has an overall mark of 54-23 vs. Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and Loyola.
Jacobson is 31-2 all-time in the McLeod Center against Southern Illinois (9-0), Illinois State (9-0), Bradley (10-1) and Loyola (3-1).
Jake Overall vs. MVC's Illinois Schools
Bradley 19-5
Illinois State 16-8
Southern Illinois 14-7
Loyola 5-3
FOUR 500-PLUS POINT SCORERS
UNI's starting lineup features four 500-plus point collegiate scorers.
Matt Bohannon has posted 937 career points, while Wes Washpun has recorded 852 points. Paul Jesperson has tallied 645 career points and Jeremy Morgan has been credited with 599 career points.
WES IS MORE
Senior guard Wes Washpun recorded his fourth 20-plus point scoring game of the season with a game-high 23 points against the Illinois State Redbirds. Washpun has five career 20-plus point scoring games. Washpun recorded his 11th game of six assists or more vs. the Redbirds. The senior guard leads the Panthers in scoring (14.5 ppg) and assists (5.5 apg).
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Wes Washpun (5)
Matt Bohannon (3)
Paul Jesperson (1)
Jeremy Morgan (1)
WES LEADS MVC IN ASSISTS
Senior guard Wes Washpun is leading the Panthers and the Missouri Valley Conference in assists this season (5.5 apg).
Washpun was held without an assist for the first time in 21 games in UNI's 51-41 loss to Loyola. It also marked the first home game in Washpun's career that he did not record an assist - a streak that had reached 35 games in a row.
Jay Imhoff (1979-80) and Brooks McKowen (2006-07) hold the UNI single-season assist record at 5.8 assists per game.
WASHPUN TOP 10 IN ASSISTS
Senior guard Wes Washpun has cracked the top-10 list at UNI in career assists. Washpun has dished out 325 assists at UNI.
Washpun also handed out 23 assists at Tennessee as a freshman in the 2011-12 season, giving him 348 for his collegiate career.
UNI CAREER ASSISTS
1. Dale Turner (1988-1992) 520
2. Brooks McKowen (2003-07) 425
3. Robbie Williams (1982-1986) 418
4. Mark Long (1975-1979) 387
5. Deon Mitchell (2011-15) 373
6. Chris Foster (2000-2005) 370
7. Ben Jacobson (2002-2006) 357
8. Kwadzo Ahelegbe (2006-2011) 342
9. Nick Nurse (1985-1989) 340
10. Wes Washpun (2013-present) 325
WASHPUN NAMED TO MIDSEASON LOU HENSON AWARD WATCH LIST
The Lou Henson award mid-season watch list was announced by CollegeSportsInsider.com and UNI senior guard Wes Washpun is among the honorees.
The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the Mid-Major player in NCAA Division I college basketball.
The award is named in honor of Lou Henson who coached 41 years. When he left the game in 2005 he was sixth all-time in career Division I wins with 779. He is the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State. He is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two schools to the Final Four.
The recipient of the 2016 award will be announced at the CollegeInsider.com Award Presentation on April 1 in Houston, site of the men's division I national championship.
BO SETS CAREER 3-POINT MARK
Senior guard Matt Bohannon set UNI's all-time three-point field goals made mark against Hawaii (Dec. 22).
Bohannon has drained 236 career 3-pointers to surpass the previous record of 203 set by Ben Jacobson (2002-2006).
Bohannon has also set the UNI record for career three-point field goal attempts with 607. Bohannon surpassed Johnny Moran's mark of 601 career three-point attempts set from 2008-2012.
UNI CAREER 3-POINTERS MADE
1. Matt Bohannon (2012-pres.) 236
2. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 203
3. Johnny Moran (2008-12) 201
Marc Sonnen (2009-13) 201
5. Nick Nurse (1985-89) 170
6. Darian DeVries (1994-98) 166
7. Robbie Sieverding (1998-02) 157
8. Ali Farokhmanesh (2008-10) 152
9. Maurice Newby (1987-91) 146
10. Chris Foster (2000-05) 144
UNI CAREER 3-POINTERS ATT.
1. Matt Bohannon (2012-pres.) 607
2. Johnny Moran (2008-12) 601
3. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 519
4. Marc Sonnen (2009-13) 480
5. Chris Foster (2000-05) 422
6. Robbie Sieverding (1998-02) 418
7. Darian DeVries (1994-98) 407
8. Ali Farokhmanesh (2008-10) 405
9. Maurice Newby (1987-91) 391
10. Brooks McKowen (2003-07) 376
BOHANNON PREFERS THREES
Senior guard Matt Bohannon leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (61).
Bohannon has made three or more 3-pointers in a game 14 times so far this season.
BO FOR 3 IN MVC PLAY
UNI senior guard Matt Bohannon holds the UNI career record for most three-pointers in Missouri Valley Conference games.
Bohannon has drained 139 three-pointers in 62 MVC games.
The previous UNI mark was set by Ben Jacobson with 113 three-pointers in MVC games only from 2002-2006.
KOCH'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Sophomore center Bennett Koch ranks third in the MVC in field goal percentage (.608) and is averaging 10.5 points per game in league games only.
TED ON THE BOARDS
Redshirt sophomore Ted Friedman leads the squad with 11 offensive rebounds in Missouri Valley Conference games.
Since the start of MVC play, Friedman is perfect from the field having made all four of his field goal attempts.
JESPERSON DRAINS TRIPLES TWO AT A TIME
Senior guard Paul Jesperson has made at least two 3-pointers in 15 games this season. Jesperson ranks second on the team with 48 3-pointers.
MORGAN IS MAKING PLAYS
Junior guard Jeremy Morgan has shown he can do it all this season from scoring and rebounding to defending.
Morgan ranks first on the team in rebounds (105), steals (38) and blocks (11). He ranks fourth on the team in scoring (10.3 ppg).
Morgan's steal of Joel Berry II's pass with :08 left and ensuing free throw helped clinch UNI's 71-67 victory over No. 1 North Carolina (Nov. 21).
HALFTIME LEADS UNDER JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a career mark of 165-38 (.813) when leading at the half.
UNI Leading at Half Under Jacobson
165-38 (.813)
UNI Trailing at Half Under Jacobson
31-75 (.292)
UNI Tied at Half Under Jacobson
11-3 (.786)
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 515 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basket came Feb. 3, 2000, vs. Southern Illinois in a 72-58 Panther victory in the UNI-Dome. UNI went 0-for-4 from 3-point land vs. the Salukis in that contest.
FOR STARTERS
UNI's starting five consists of Matt Bohannon, Paul Jesperson, Bennett Koch, Jeremy Morgan and Wes Washpun.
Bohannon and Morgan are the two returning starters from last year's 31-4 Panther squad.
Jesperson started 33 career games at the University of Virginia before transferring to UNI. Prior to this season, Jesperson's last start came at Virginia on March 27, 2013 vs. Iowa in the NIT.
Washpun started 29 games as a sophomore for the Panthers. His last start previous the pair this season came March 7, 2014, in the MVC Tournament vs. Southern Illinois.
Koch came off the bench in all 28 games he played as a redshirt freshman.
No. of Starts for UNI's Starters
Matt Bohannon - 93 career starts
Jeremy Morgan - 66 career starts
Paul Jesperson - 54 career starts
Wes Washpun - 50 career starts
Bennett Koch - 21 career starts
UNI TOPS FIRST TWO MVC FOES BY WIDE MARGINS
UNI has recorded two of its three largest victory margins ever in Missouri Valley Conference play this season.
UNI scored its largest win over an MVC opponent in a 36-point triumph over Bradley on Dec. 30.
UNI tallied its third-largest margin of victory in MVC play with a 33-point win over Drake on Jan. 9.
UNI'S LARGEST MVC VICTORIES
36 (80-44) vs. Bradley (12/30/2015)
34 (80-46) vs. Bradley (1/1/2014)
33 (77-44) vs. Drake (1/9/2015)
31 (84-53) vs. Bradley (1/12/2013)
30 (85-55) vs. Drake (1/20/2013)
27 (83-56) vs. Indiana State (2/4/06)
26 (81-55) vs. Southern Illinois (2/11/09)
DON'T FORGET THE DEFENSE
It's not all about scoring this year, as UNI can also play some defense.
UNI is allowing 66.9 points per game.
In UNI's 10 wins, the Panthers have limited the opposition to 60.2 points per game.
200-PLUS WINS FOR JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has tallied 206 career wins to rank No. 9 in MVC history.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 227
5. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
6. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
7. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 217
8. Maury John (Drake) 211
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 207
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
Jake Ranks 9th in MVC Wins
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 9 all-time in Missouri Valley Conference history with 105 league coaching victories.
Jacobson has compiled an MVC mark of 105-64 (.621 winning percentage).
MVC Coaching Wins (Conf. Games Only)
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 121
6. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
7. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
8. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 108
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 105
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
UNI MBB IN APR TOP-10 PERCENT
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball, men's golf, women's golf, women's cross country and women's volleyball teams have been recognized by the NCAA for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports.
The UNI men's basketball team has been recognized with a perfect APR score (1,000) in each of the last three seasons - the only MVC school to do that in each of the past three years.
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
MBB INKS 3 IN EARLY SIGNING
UNI has announced the signing of Isaiah Brown, Tanner Lohaus, Juwan McCloud to National Letters-of-Intent to play for UNI Beginning in 2016-17.
Brown (Flower Mound, Texas/Flower Mound HS) is a 6'5", 170-pound, guard from Flower Mound, Texas. Brown averaged 14 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals as a junior at Flower Mound High School for head coach Eric Littleton. Flower Mound finished third in their district in 2014-15. He earned second-team all-district honors as a junior. He is the No. 25-ranked recruit in the 2016 recruiting class in the state of Texas according to Texas Hoops. He played AUU ball for Marcus Smart YGC36 for head coach Vonzell Thomas. He is the son of Craig and Sophia Brown. He has two siblings, Landon (10) and Maliyah (2).
Lohaus (North Liberty, Iowa/Iowa City West HS) is a 6'7" 205-pound forward. Lohaus helped Iowa City West to the 2014 state championship for head coach Steve Bergman and a 23-3 record. Lohaus guided Iowa City West to a third-place finish in the 2015 state tournament with a 25-1 record. As a junior, Lohaus averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He earned second-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors as a junior. He is the son of Anne Lohaus and Brad Lohaus. He is the younger brother of UNI sophomore guard Wyatt Lohaus.
Juwan McCloud (Germantown, Wis./Germantown HS) is a 5'11" 150-pound guard. McCloud was named the North Shore Conference player of the year after helping lead the Warhawks to their sixth consecutive league crown. McCloud led Germantown HS to the Division I state championship game as a junior. He averaged 16.7 points per game as Germantown posted a mark of 27-1 in 2014-15 for then head coach Steve Showalter. McCloud played AAU with the Wisconsin Swing coached by Justin Litscher. He is the son of Brian and Mellisa McCloud. He has an older brother, Jalen.
RADIO INFORMATION
This year's UNI men's basketball games can be heard on the UNI Sports Radio Network, with KXEL (1540 AM, Waterloo, Iowa) serving as flagship station. Affiliates include KBGG (1700 AM, Des Moines), KGYM (1600 AM, Cedar Rapids), KCHA (1580 AM, Charles City), KQCR (98.9 FM, Hampton), KILJ (105.5 FM, Mount Pleasant), KFXE (1160 AM, Decorah-Waukon) and KVFD (1400 AM, Fort Dodge).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning in December at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER & YOUTUBE
Fans of UNI Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube will have access to updates, score recaps and special announcements.
UNI Athletics on Facebook will give fans the chance to connect with other Panther fans, as well as providing information on upcoming events. Followers on Twitter will be able to access news and scoring updates. Followers on YouTube will be able to access game highlights and press conference footage.
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/UNIAthletics
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
TWITTER
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
UNI (10-11, 2-6) at Bradley (3-18, 1-7) | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS
Wed., Jan. 27, 2016 • 8 p.m. (CT)
Peoria, Ill. • Carver Arena (11,164)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
MVC TV
Play-by-Play: Scott Warmann
Analyst: Rich Zvosec
Clearances: FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports Indiana, FOX Sports Kansas City, Comcast SportsNet Chicago
ESPN3 (outside the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri)
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship - NewsTalk 1540-AM KXEL
On the Web - UNIPanthers.com, TuneIn
Live Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship - NewsTalk 1540-AM KXEL
On the Web - UNIPanthers.com, TuneIn
Live Stats - uni.StatBroadcast.com
OPENING TIP
• UNI (10-11, 2-6 MVC) will travel to Peoria, Ill., to take on the Bradley Braves (3-18, 1-7 MVC) Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Carver Arena.
• UNI and Bradley are tied 28-28 in the all-time series.
• UNI won the previous matchup this season by a count of 80-44 in the McLeod Center Dec. 30.
• The Panthers have won nine of the last 10 meetings vs. the Braves.
• UNI will be looking to avoid its first five-game losing streak since the 2006-07 season.
• UNI has started 2-6 or worse in MVC play on six occasions. The last time UNI started MVC play with a 2-6 mark came in the 2002-03 season.
• UNI leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (180).
• Senior Wes Washpun recorded his fourth 20-point plus game of the season with 23 points in Saturday's game at Illinois State.
• Washpun leads the MVC in assists per game (5.5). Washpun recorded his 11th game of six assists or more vs. the Redbirds.
• Sophomore center Bennett Koch ranks third in the MVC in field goal percentage (.608) and is averaging 10.5 points per game in league games only.
• Matt Bohannon leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (61). Bohannon has made three or more 3-pointers 14 times this season.
• UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 516 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
• UNI has secured a pair of top-five wins (AP poll) this season with triumphs over No. 1 North Carolina and No. 5 Iowa State.
• The NCAA recognizes teams in the top-10 percent of the Academic Progress Report. The UNI men's basketball program is the only Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball school to be listed in the top 10 percent in each of the last three years.
• UNI is one of 14 schools to have won 30 or more games twice in the last six seasons.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES AT BRADLEY
UNI TRAVELS TO PEORIA FOR WEDNESDAY 8 PM TIP VS. BRADLEY
UNI (10-11, 2-6 MVC) will travel to Peoria, Ill., to take on the Bradley Braves (3-18, 1-7 MVC) Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Carver Arena.
The Panthers completed non-conference play at 8-5 overall. UNI posted two top-five wins in non-conference play with triumphs over No. 1 North Carolina (71-67) and No. 5 Iowa State (81-79).
UNI-BRADLEY ON MVC TV
Scott Warmann (play-by-play) and Rich Zvosec (analyst) will call the action for the Missouri Valley Conference television broadcast.
The telecast will be cleared live on FOX Sports Midwest, FOX Sports Indiana and FOX Sports Kansas City (combined 5.8 million homes), Comcast SportsNet Chicago (4.9 million homes), ESPN3 (outside the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri), DirecTV (FOX - Channel 671; Comcast - Channel 665), Dish Network (FOX - Channel 418; Comcast - Channel 429), AT&T U-Verse (Channel 748) and AT&T U-Verse HD (Channel 1748).
SCOUTING BRADLEY
The Bradley Braves have lost nine of its last 10 game entering Wednesday's contest vs. UNI.
The Braves have been outscored by an average of 21.4 points per game in MVC play.
Bradley's lone MVC win came Jan. 13 at Loyola when the Braves tallied a 54-53 win over the Ramblers in Gentile Arena.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. BRAVES
UNI and Bradley are tied 28-28 in the all-time series.
UNI won the previous matchup this season by a count of 80-44 in the McLeod Center Dec. 30.
The Panthers have won nine of the last 10 meetings vs. the Braves.
PANTHERS LOOK TO AVOID 5-GAME LOSING STREAK
UNI will be looking to avoid its first five-game losing streak since head coach Ben Jacobson's first season in 2006-07.
The Panthers lost games at Indiana State, Drake, Missouri State, Creighton and No. 11 Nevada in the 2006-07 campaign. UNi finished the 2006-07 season with an 18-13 overall record and 9-9 mark in MVC play.
NO 5-GAME MVC LOSING SKIDS UNDER JAKE'S DIRECTION
UNI has not lost five consecutive MVC games in the Jacobson era.
The last time UNI lost five straight MVC games came in the 2000-01 season when the Panthers were under the direction of head coach Sam Weaver. The 2000-01 Panthers lost five consecutive games to Missouri State, Southern Illinois, Creighton, Illinois State and Evansville.
SLOW START TO MVC PLAY
UNI's 2-6 start in Missouri Valley Conference play is the Panthers's worst start to league action through eight games since the 2002-03 season.
UNI'S SLOW 7-GAME STARTS IN THE MVC
1-7 - 2000-01 (finished 3-15)
1-7 - 1994-95 (finished 4-14)
2-6 - 1997-98 (finished 4-14)
2-6 - 1998-99 (finished 6-12)
2-6 - 2002-03 (finished 7-11)
2-6 - 2015-16 (TBD)
COACH JAKE FARES WELL VS MVC'S ILLINOIS SCHOOLS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has taken full advantage of the four schools representing the state of Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference in his 10 seasons as UNI's head coach.
His 19 wins over Bradley are the most vs. any Valley opponent he has faced.
He has an overall mark of 54-23 vs. Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and Loyola.
Jacobson is 31-2 all-time in the McLeod Center against Southern Illinois (9-0), Illinois State (9-0), Bradley (10-1) and Loyola (3-1).
Jake Overall vs. MVC's Illinois Schools
Bradley 19-5
Illinois State 16-8
Southern Illinois 14-7
Loyola 5-3
FOUR 500-PLUS POINT SCORERS
UNI's starting lineup features four 500-plus point collegiate scorers.
Matt Bohannon has posted 937 career points, while Wes Washpun has recorded 852 points. Paul Jesperson has tallied 645 career points and Jeremy Morgan has been credited with 599 career points.
WES IS MORE
Senior guard Wes Washpun recorded his fourth 20-plus point scoring game of the season with a game-high 23 points against the Illinois State Redbirds. Washpun has five career 20-plus point scoring games. Washpun recorded his 11th game of six assists or more vs. the Redbirds. The senior guard leads the Panthers in scoring (14.5 ppg) and assists (5.5 apg).
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Wes Washpun (5)
Matt Bohannon (3)
Paul Jesperson (1)
Jeremy Morgan (1)
WES LEADS MVC IN ASSISTS
Senior guard Wes Washpun is leading the Panthers and the Missouri Valley Conference in assists this season (5.5 apg).
Washpun was held without an assist for the first time in 21 games in UNI's 51-41 loss to Loyola. It also marked the first home game in Washpun's career that he did not record an assist - a streak that had reached 35 games in a row.
Jay Imhoff (1979-80) and Brooks McKowen (2006-07) hold the UNI single-season assist record at 5.8 assists per game.
WASHPUN TOP 10 IN ASSISTS
Senior guard Wes Washpun has cracked the top-10 list at UNI in career assists. Washpun has dished out 325 assists at UNI.
Washpun also handed out 23 assists at Tennessee as a freshman in the 2011-12 season, giving him 348 for his collegiate career.
UNI CAREER ASSISTS
1. Dale Turner (1988-1992) 520
2. Brooks McKowen (2003-07) 425
3. Robbie Williams (1982-1986) 418
4. Mark Long (1975-1979) 387
5. Deon Mitchell (2011-15) 373
6. Chris Foster (2000-2005) 370
7. Ben Jacobson (2002-2006) 357
8. Kwadzo Ahelegbe (2006-2011) 342
9. Nick Nurse (1985-1989) 340
10. Wes Washpun (2013-present) 325
WASHPUN NAMED TO MIDSEASON LOU HENSON AWARD WATCH LIST
The Lou Henson award mid-season watch list was announced by CollegeSportsInsider.com and UNI senior guard Wes Washpun is among the honorees.
The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the Mid-Major player in NCAA Division I college basketball.
The award is named in honor of Lou Henson who coached 41 years. When he left the game in 2005 he was sixth all-time in career Division I wins with 779. He is the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State. He is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two schools to the Final Four.
The recipient of the 2016 award will be announced at the CollegeInsider.com Award Presentation on April 1 in Houston, site of the men's division I national championship.
BO SETS CAREER 3-POINT MARK
Senior guard Matt Bohannon set UNI's all-time three-point field goals made mark against Hawaii (Dec. 22).
Bohannon has drained 236 career 3-pointers to surpass the previous record of 203 set by Ben Jacobson (2002-2006).
Bohannon has also set the UNI record for career three-point field goal attempts with 607. Bohannon surpassed Johnny Moran's mark of 601 career three-point attempts set from 2008-2012.
UNI CAREER 3-POINTERS MADE
1. Matt Bohannon (2012-pres.) 236
2. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 203
3. Johnny Moran (2008-12) 201
Marc Sonnen (2009-13) 201
5. Nick Nurse (1985-89) 170
6. Darian DeVries (1994-98) 166
7. Robbie Sieverding (1998-02) 157
8. Ali Farokhmanesh (2008-10) 152
9. Maurice Newby (1987-91) 146
10. Chris Foster (2000-05) 144
UNI CAREER 3-POINTERS ATT.
1. Matt Bohannon (2012-pres.) 607
2. Johnny Moran (2008-12) 601
3. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 519
4. Marc Sonnen (2009-13) 480
5. Chris Foster (2000-05) 422
6. Robbie Sieverding (1998-02) 418
7. Darian DeVries (1994-98) 407
8. Ali Farokhmanesh (2008-10) 405
9. Maurice Newby (1987-91) 391
10. Brooks McKowen (2003-07) 376
BOHANNON PREFERS THREES
Senior guard Matt Bohannon leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (61).
Bohannon has made three or more 3-pointers in a game 14 times so far this season.
BO FOR 3 IN MVC PLAY
UNI senior guard Matt Bohannon holds the UNI career record for most three-pointers in Missouri Valley Conference games.
Bohannon has drained 139 three-pointers in 62 MVC games.
The previous UNI mark was set by Ben Jacobson with 113 three-pointers in MVC games only from 2002-2006.
KOCH'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Sophomore center Bennett Koch ranks third in the MVC in field goal percentage (.608) and is averaging 10.5 points per game in league games only.
TED ON THE BOARDS
Redshirt sophomore Ted Friedman leads the squad with 11 offensive rebounds in Missouri Valley Conference games.
Since the start of MVC play, Friedman is perfect from the field having made all four of his field goal attempts.
JESPERSON DRAINS TRIPLES TWO AT A TIME
Senior guard Paul Jesperson has made at least two 3-pointers in 15 games this season. Jesperson ranks second on the team with 48 3-pointers.
MORGAN IS MAKING PLAYS
Junior guard Jeremy Morgan has shown he can do it all this season from scoring and rebounding to defending.
Morgan ranks first on the team in rebounds (105), steals (38) and blocks (11). He ranks fourth on the team in scoring (10.3 ppg).
Morgan's steal of Joel Berry II's pass with :08 left and ensuing free throw helped clinch UNI's 71-67 victory over No. 1 North Carolina (Nov. 21).
HALFTIME LEADS UNDER JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a career mark of 165-38 (.813) when leading at the half.
UNI Leading at Half Under Jacobson
165-38 (.813)
UNI Trailing at Half Under Jacobson
31-75 (.292)
UNI Tied at Half Under Jacobson
11-3 (.786)
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 515 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basket came Feb. 3, 2000, vs. Southern Illinois in a 72-58 Panther victory in the UNI-Dome. UNI went 0-for-4 from 3-point land vs. the Salukis in that contest.
FOR STARTERS
UNI's starting five consists of Matt Bohannon, Paul Jesperson, Bennett Koch, Jeremy Morgan and Wes Washpun.
Bohannon and Morgan are the two returning starters from last year's 31-4 Panther squad.
Jesperson started 33 career games at the University of Virginia before transferring to UNI. Prior to this season, Jesperson's last start came at Virginia on March 27, 2013 vs. Iowa in the NIT.
Washpun started 29 games as a sophomore for the Panthers. His last start previous the pair this season came March 7, 2014, in the MVC Tournament vs. Southern Illinois.
Koch came off the bench in all 28 games he played as a redshirt freshman.
No. of Starts for UNI's Starters
Matt Bohannon - 93 career starts
Jeremy Morgan - 66 career starts
Paul Jesperson - 54 career starts
Wes Washpun - 50 career starts
Bennett Koch - 21 career starts
UNI TOPS FIRST TWO MVC FOES BY WIDE MARGINS
UNI has recorded two of its three largest victory margins ever in Missouri Valley Conference play this season.
UNI scored its largest win over an MVC opponent in a 36-point triumph over Bradley on Dec. 30.
UNI tallied its third-largest margin of victory in MVC play with a 33-point win over Drake on Jan. 9.
UNI'S LARGEST MVC VICTORIES
36 (80-44) vs. Bradley (12/30/2015)
34 (80-46) vs. Bradley (1/1/2014)
33 (77-44) vs. Drake (1/9/2015)
31 (84-53) vs. Bradley (1/12/2013)
30 (85-55) vs. Drake (1/20/2013)
27 (83-56) vs. Indiana State (2/4/06)
26 (81-55) vs. Southern Illinois (2/11/09)
DON'T FORGET THE DEFENSE
It's not all about scoring this year, as UNI can also play some defense.
UNI is allowing 66.9 points per game.
In UNI's 10 wins, the Panthers have limited the opposition to 60.2 points per game.
200-PLUS WINS FOR JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has tallied 206 career wins to rank No. 9 in MVC history.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 227
5. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
6. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
7. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 217
8. Maury John (Drake) 211
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 207
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
Jake Ranks 9th in MVC Wins
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 9 all-time in Missouri Valley Conference history with 105 league coaching victories.
Jacobson has compiled an MVC mark of 105-64 (.621 winning percentage).
MVC Coaching Wins (Conf. Games Only)
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 121
6. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
7. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
8. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 108
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 105
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
UNI MBB IN APR TOP-10 PERCENT
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball, men's golf, women's golf, women's cross country and women's volleyball teams have been recognized by the NCAA for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports.
The UNI men's basketball team has been recognized with a perfect APR score (1,000) in each of the last three seasons - the only MVC school to do that in each of the past three years.
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
MBB INKS 3 IN EARLY SIGNING
UNI has announced the signing of Isaiah Brown, Tanner Lohaus, Juwan McCloud to National Letters-of-Intent to play for UNI Beginning in 2016-17.
Brown (Flower Mound, Texas/Flower Mound HS) is a 6'5", 170-pound, guard from Flower Mound, Texas. Brown averaged 14 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals as a junior at Flower Mound High School for head coach Eric Littleton. Flower Mound finished third in their district in 2014-15. He earned second-team all-district honors as a junior. He is the No. 25-ranked recruit in the 2016 recruiting class in the state of Texas according to Texas Hoops. He played AUU ball for Marcus Smart YGC36 for head coach Vonzell Thomas. He is the son of Craig and Sophia Brown. He has two siblings, Landon (10) and Maliyah (2).
Lohaus (North Liberty, Iowa/Iowa City West HS) is a 6'7" 205-pound forward. Lohaus helped Iowa City West to the 2014 state championship for head coach Steve Bergman and a 23-3 record. Lohaus guided Iowa City West to a third-place finish in the 2015 state tournament with a 25-1 record. As a junior, Lohaus averaged 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He earned second-team all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors as a junior. He is the son of Anne Lohaus and Brad Lohaus. He is the younger brother of UNI sophomore guard Wyatt Lohaus.
Juwan McCloud (Germantown, Wis./Germantown HS) is a 5'11" 150-pound guard. McCloud was named the North Shore Conference player of the year after helping lead the Warhawks to their sixth consecutive league crown. McCloud led Germantown HS to the Division I state championship game as a junior. He averaged 16.7 points per game as Germantown posted a mark of 27-1 in 2014-15 for then head coach Steve Showalter. McCloud played AAU with the Wisconsin Swing coached by Justin Litscher. He is the son of Brian and Mellisa McCloud. He has an older brother, Jalen.
RADIO INFORMATION
This year's UNI men's basketball games can be heard on the UNI Sports Radio Network, with KXEL (1540 AM, Waterloo, Iowa) serving as flagship station. Affiliates include KBGG (1700 AM, Des Moines), KGYM (1600 AM, Cedar Rapids), KCHA (1580 AM, Charles City), KQCR (98.9 FM, Hampton), KILJ (105.5 FM, Mount Pleasant), KFXE (1160 AM, Decorah-Waukon) and KVFD (1400 AM, Fort Dodge).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning in December at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER & YOUTUBE
Fans of UNI Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube will have access to updates, score recaps and special announcements.
UNI Athletics on Facebook will give fans the chance to connect with other Panther fans, as well as providing information on upcoming events. Followers on Twitter will be able to access news and scoring updates. Followers on YouTube will be able to access game highlights and press conference footage.
www.facebook.com/UNIAthletics
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
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/ Men's BasketballUNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 13)
Wednesday, November 12
Ben Jacobson Postgame Interview - Nov. 10, 2025.
Tuesday, November 11
Tristan Smith & Leon Bond III Postgame Interview - Nov. 9, 2025.
Sunday, November 09
Ben Jacobson Postgame Interview - Nov. 7, 2025.
Friday, November 07