University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Sunday, January 31
Cedar Falls, Iowa
3 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Southern Illinois
UNI Looks to End SIU's Road Dominance Sunday
1/29/2016 10:57:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
Southern Illinois (18-4, 7-2) at UNI (11-11, 3-6) | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS
Sun., Jan. 31, 2016 • 3 p.m. (CT)
Cedar Falls, Iowa • McLeod Center (6,650)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Scott Warmann
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
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 (11-11, 3-6 MVC) returns to the McLeod Center Sunday for a 3 p.m. tip against the Southern Illinois Salukis (18-4 overall, 7-2 MVC).
• SIU leads the all-time series vs. UNI, 32-26.
• The Salukis posted a 75-73 win over UNI Jan. 2 at SIU Arena.
• UNI has won 12 straight home contests against SIU - dating back to games played in the UNI-Dome.
• UNI is a perfect 9-0 against SIU in the McLeod Center.
• UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has faced SIU 21 times and has posted a 14-7 mark against the Salukis.
• UNI's 3-6 start in Missouri Valley Conference play is the Panthers's worst start at the halfway point since a 3-6 start to the 2011-12 league slate.
• UNI leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (195). Matt Bohannon has drained an MVC-best 65 3-pointers, and Paul Jesperson ranks second in the league with 56 triples.
• Jesperson tied a UNI single-game record with eight made 3-pointers and scored a career-high 28 points in UNI's 68-50 win at Bradley.
• Jeremy Morgan tallied seven steals at Bradley.
• Wes Washpun leads the MVC in assists per game (5.7). Washpun handed out 10 assists at Bradley.
• Bennett Koch ranks fifth in the MVC in field goal percentage (.582) and is averaging 9.9 points per game in league games only.
• UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 517 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.
• UNI has registered 16 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 13 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
• 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 VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
UNI LOOKS TO END SIU'S ROAD DOMINANCE IN 2015-16
UNI (11-11, 3-6 MVC) returns to the McLeod Center Sunday for a 3 p.m. tip against the Southern Illinois Salukis (18-4 overall, 7-2 MVC).
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-SIU ON ESPN3
Scott Warmann (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the action for the ESPN3 broadcast.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
SIU has won 10 of their last 12 games heading into Sunday's matchup in the McLeod Center. SIU's only two losses in that stretch came at home to Wichita State (83-58) and at home on Thursday in overtime vs. Evansville (85-78).
SIU is led in scoring by Anthony Beane Jr. (19.8 ppg) and Sean O'Brien (12.5 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. SALUKIS
SIU leads the all-time series vs. UNI, 32-26.
The Salukis posted a 75-73 win over UNI Jan. 2 at SIU Arena.
UNI has won 12 straight home contests against SIU - dating back to games played in the UNI-Dome. UNI is a perfect 9-0 against SIU in the McLeod Center.
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has faced SIU 21 times and has posted a 14-7 mark against the Salukis.
SIU'S ROAD DOMINANCE
Southern Illinois is one of four teams in the nation with a perfect road record.
The Salukis are 8-0 in road contests this season.
James Madison is 7-0 in road contests and plays at William & Mary Sunday.
Saint Joseph's is 6-0 in road games and the Hawks travel to Rhode Island Saturday.
Providence is 5-0 in road games with a trip to Georgetown Saturday.
SLOW START TO MVC PLAY
UNI's 3-6 start in Missouri Valley Conference play is the Panthers's worst start at the halfway point since a 3-6 start to the 2011-12 league slate.
In 2011-12, UNI rallied to go 6-3 down the stretch in MVC play and eventually earned the program's first berth into the NIT.
UNI'S SLOW 9-GAME STARTS IN THE MVC
1-8 - 1994-95 (finished 4-14)
1-8 - 2000-01 (finished 3-15)
2-7 - 1997-98 (finished 4-14)
2-7 - 1998-99 (finished 6-12)
2-7 - 2002-03 (finished 7-11)
3-6 - 1991-92 (finished 6-12)
3-6 - 2011-12 (finished 9-9)
3-6 - 2015-16 (TBD)
SNAP OUT OF IT
UNI snapped its four-game losing skid with a 68-50 win at Bradley on Wednesday.
The Panthers avoided a five-game losing streak - which would have tied the longest skid in head coach Ben Jacobson's tenure.
BENCH CONTRIBUTIONS
UNI's bench scored a 12-7 advantage over Bradley's bench in UNI's 68-50 victory. It marked the first time in six games that UNI's bench outscored the opposing bench.
Overall this season, UNI's bench has won the scoring battle seven times.
BENCH SCORING LAST SIX GAMES
Drake 13, UNI 5
Indiana State 8, UNI 7
Loyola 26, UNI 2
Wichita State 30, UNI 2
Illinois State 18, UNI 4
UNI 12, Bradley 7
SEASON-HIGH FROM DOWNTOWN
UNI drained a season-high 15 three-pointers in its 68-50 win at Bradley.
UNI's prevous high this year of 13 came in an 81-79 win over No. 5-ranked Iowa State (12/19).
JESPERSON TIES SINGLE-GAME MARK FOR MADE TRIPLES
Senior guard Paul Jesperson lit up the nets at Carver Arena by tying a UNI single-game record with eight made three-pointers and a career-high 28 points vs. the Bradley Braves (1/27). Jesperson drained 8-of-11 three-point shots vs. the Braves.
Jesperson's eight made three-pointers ties him with Cam Johnson, who also knocked in eight three-pointers vs. Drake in Des Moines on Feb. 12, 1994. Johnson was 8-of-13 from three-point land against the Bulldogs that night.
Jesperson's eight made three-pointers in a single game ranks tied for No. 14 in the country this season.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Wes Washpun (5)
Matt Bohannon (3)
Paul Jesperson (2)
Jeremy Morgan (1)
THAT'S A WINNER FOR PAULIE
In UNI's 11 victories, Paul Jesperson is leading the Panthers in scoring at 15.5 points per game. Jesperson is shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from 3-point range in UNI's wins this season.
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 (110), steals (45) and blocks (12). He ranks fourth on the team in scoring (10.3 ppg).
Morgan recorded a career-high seven steals at Bradley (1/27). The seven steals is the most by a UNI Panther in a Missouri Valley Conference game since Andy Woodley tallied eight steals vs. Southern Illinois (2/17/01).
His seven steals vs. Bradley ranks tied for No. 9 in the nation in a single game this season.
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).
UNI SINGLE-GAME STEALS
1. Cam Johnson (12/19/92 vs. St. Bonaventure 9
2. Andy Woodley (2/17/01) vs. SIU 8
3. Jeremy Morgan (1/27/16) at Bradley 7
MORGAN NEARING SEASON TOP-10 LIST FOR STEALS
Jeremy Morgan has tallied 45 steals through UNI's first 22 games. With three more steals he will join the single-season top-10 list for steals.
UNI SINGLE-SEASON STEALS
1. Brent Carmichael (1982-83) 100
2. Brent Carmichael (1981-82) 80
Andy Woodley (2000-01) 80
4. Cam Johnson (1992-93) 58
5. Brian Carpenter (1995-96) 54
6. Nick Nurse (1987-88) 53
7. Ben Jacobson (2005-06) 51
8. Jason Daisy (1996-97) 49
Randy Blocker (1993-94) 49
10. Robbie Williams (1984-85) 48
WES LEADS MVC IN ASSISTS
Senior guard Wes Washpun is leading the Panthers and the Missouri Valley Conference in assists this season (5.7 apg).
For the second time this season Washpun recorded a double-figure assist total in a game. Washpun handed out 10 assists in a 68-50 win at Bradley. Earlier this year, he dished out 11 assists vs. Iowa State.
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 335 assists at UNI.
Washpun also handed out 23 assists at Tennessee as a freshman in the 2011-12 season, giving him 358 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) 335
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 240 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 613. 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.) 240
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.) 613
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 (65).
Bohannon has made three or more 3-pointers in a game 15 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 143 three-pointers in 63 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 fifth in the MVC in field goal percentage (.582) and is averaging 9.9 points per game in league games only.
TED ON THE BOARDS
Redshirt sophomore Ted Friedman is tied for the team lead with 11 offensive rebounds in Missouri Valley Conference games.
JESPERSON DRAINS TRIPLES TWO AT A TIME
Senior guard Paul Jesperson has made at least two 3-pointers in 16 games this season. Jesperson ranks second on the team (and the MVC) with 56 3-pointers.
HALFTIME LEADS UNDER JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a career mark of 166-38 (.814) when leading at the half.
UNI Leading at Half Under Jacobson
166-38 (.814)
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 517 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.
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 20 wins over Bradley are the most vs. any Valley opponent he has faced.
He has an overall mark of 55-23 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 20-5
Illinois State 16-8
Southern Illinois 14-7
Loyola 5-3
FOUR 500-POINT SCORERS
UNI's starting lineup features four 500-plus point collegiate scorers.
Matt Bohannon has posted 949 career points, while Wes Washpun has recorded 853 points. Paul Jesperson has tallied 673 career points and Jeremy Morgan has been credited with 609 career points.
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 - 94 career starts
Jeremy Morgan - 67 career starts
Paul Jesperson - 55 career starts
Wes Washpun - 51 career starts
Bennett Koch - 22 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 66.1 points per game.
In UNI's 11 wins, the Panthers have limited the opposition to 59.3 points per game.
200-PLUS WINS FOR JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has tallied 208 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) 218
8. Maury John (Drake) 211
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 208
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 106 league coaching victories.
Jacobson has compiled an MVC mark of 106-64 (.624 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) 109
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 106
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
WINNING WAYS AT MCLEOD
The McLeod Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary this season and the Panthers have made winning a priority in their home venue.
UNI has posted an all-time mark of 119-31 (.793) in games played in the McLeod Center. UNI is 64-21 in MVC games in the McLeod Center.
UNI secured a school-record 16 home wins in the 2012-13 season. The previous mark of 15 home wins was set in the 1989-90 season.
UNI has posted a trio of perfect home seasons since moving to NCAA Division I. UNI was a perfect 14-0 in both the 1983-84 and 2009-10 seasons and then UNI notched a 15-0 mark at home last season.
UNI set its home-court win streak of 21 consecutive victories between the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons.
The McLeod Center opened in November 2006.
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.
WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEONS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday beginning at noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub located on 18th Street 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
Southern Illinois (18-4, 7-2) at UNI (11-11, 3-6) | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS
Sun., Jan. 31, 2016 • 3 p.m. (CT)
Cedar Falls, Iowa • McLeod Center (6,650)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Scott Warmann
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
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 (11-11, 3-6 MVC) returns to the McLeod Center Sunday for a 3 p.m. tip against the Southern Illinois Salukis (18-4 overall, 7-2 MVC).
• SIU leads the all-time series vs. UNI, 32-26.
• The Salukis posted a 75-73 win over UNI Jan. 2 at SIU Arena.
• UNI has won 12 straight home contests against SIU - dating back to games played in the UNI-Dome.
• UNI is a perfect 9-0 against SIU in the McLeod Center.
• UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has faced SIU 21 times and has posted a 14-7 mark against the Salukis.
• UNI's 3-6 start in Missouri Valley Conference play is the Panthers's worst start at the halfway point since a 3-6 start to the 2011-12 league slate.
• UNI leads the MVC in 3-pointers made (195). Matt Bohannon has drained an MVC-best 65 3-pointers, and Paul Jesperson ranks second in the league with 56 triples.
• Jesperson tied a UNI single-game record with eight made 3-pointers and scored a career-high 28 points in UNI's 68-50 win at Bradley.
• Jeremy Morgan tallied seven steals at Bradley.
• Wes Washpun leads the MVC in assists per game (5.7). Washpun handed out 10 assists at Bradley.
• Bennett Koch ranks fifth in the MVC in field goal percentage (.582) and is averaging 9.9 points per game in league games only.
• UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 517 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.
• UNI has registered 16 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 13 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
• 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 VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
UNI LOOKS TO END SIU'S ROAD DOMINANCE IN 2015-16
UNI (11-11, 3-6 MVC) returns to the McLeod Center Sunday for a 3 p.m. tip against the Southern Illinois Salukis (18-4 overall, 7-2 MVC).
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-SIU ON ESPN3
Scott Warmann (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the action for the ESPN3 broadcast.
SCOUTING SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
SIU has won 10 of their last 12 games heading into Sunday's matchup in the McLeod Center. SIU's only two losses in that stretch came at home to Wichita State (83-58) and at home on Thursday in overtime vs. Evansville (85-78).
SIU is led in scoring by Anthony Beane Jr. (19.8 ppg) and Sean O'Brien (12.5 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. SALUKIS
SIU leads the all-time series vs. UNI, 32-26.
The Salukis posted a 75-73 win over UNI Jan. 2 at SIU Arena.
UNI has won 12 straight home contests against SIU - dating back to games played in the UNI-Dome. UNI is a perfect 9-0 against SIU in the McLeod Center.
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has faced SIU 21 times and has posted a 14-7 mark against the Salukis.
SIU'S ROAD DOMINANCE
Southern Illinois is one of four teams in the nation with a perfect road record.
The Salukis are 8-0 in road contests this season.
James Madison is 7-0 in road contests and plays at William & Mary Sunday.
Saint Joseph's is 6-0 in road games and the Hawks travel to Rhode Island Saturday.
Providence is 5-0 in road games with a trip to Georgetown Saturday.
SLOW START TO MVC PLAY
UNI's 3-6 start in Missouri Valley Conference play is the Panthers's worst start at the halfway point since a 3-6 start to the 2011-12 league slate.
In 2011-12, UNI rallied to go 6-3 down the stretch in MVC play and eventually earned the program's first berth into the NIT.
UNI'S SLOW 9-GAME STARTS IN THE MVC
1-8 - 1994-95 (finished 4-14)
1-8 - 2000-01 (finished 3-15)
2-7 - 1997-98 (finished 4-14)
2-7 - 1998-99 (finished 6-12)
2-7 - 2002-03 (finished 7-11)
3-6 - 1991-92 (finished 6-12)
3-6 - 2011-12 (finished 9-9)
3-6 - 2015-16 (TBD)
SNAP OUT OF IT
UNI snapped its four-game losing skid with a 68-50 win at Bradley on Wednesday.
The Panthers avoided a five-game losing streak - which would have tied the longest skid in head coach Ben Jacobson's tenure.
BENCH CONTRIBUTIONS
UNI's bench scored a 12-7 advantage over Bradley's bench in UNI's 68-50 victory. It marked the first time in six games that UNI's bench outscored the opposing bench.
Overall this season, UNI's bench has won the scoring battle seven times.
BENCH SCORING LAST SIX GAMES
Drake 13, UNI 5
Indiana State 8, UNI 7
Loyola 26, UNI 2
Wichita State 30, UNI 2
Illinois State 18, UNI 4
UNI 12, Bradley 7
SEASON-HIGH FROM DOWNTOWN
UNI drained a season-high 15 three-pointers in its 68-50 win at Bradley.
UNI's prevous high this year of 13 came in an 81-79 win over No. 5-ranked Iowa State (12/19).
JESPERSON TIES SINGLE-GAME MARK FOR MADE TRIPLES
Senior guard Paul Jesperson lit up the nets at Carver Arena by tying a UNI single-game record with eight made three-pointers and a career-high 28 points vs. the Bradley Braves (1/27). Jesperson drained 8-of-11 three-point shots vs. the Braves.
Jesperson's eight made three-pointers ties him with Cam Johnson, who also knocked in eight three-pointers vs. Drake in Des Moines on Feb. 12, 1994. Johnson was 8-of-13 from three-point land against the Bulldogs that night.
Jesperson's eight made three-pointers in a single game ranks tied for No. 14 in the country this season.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Wes Washpun (5)
Matt Bohannon (3)
Paul Jesperson (2)
Jeremy Morgan (1)
THAT'S A WINNER FOR PAULIE
In UNI's 11 victories, Paul Jesperson is leading the Panthers in scoring at 15.5 points per game. Jesperson is shooting 52.4 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from 3-point range in UNI's wins this season.
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 (110), steals (45) and blocks (12). He ranks fourth on the team in scoring (10.3 ppg).
Morgan recorded a career-high seven steals at Bradley (1/27). The seven steals is the most by a UNI Panther in a Missouri Valley Conference game since Andy Woodley tallied eight steals vs. Southern Illinois (2/17/01).
His seven steals vs. Bradley ranks tied for No. 9 in the nation in a single game this season.
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).
UNI SINGLE-GAME STEALS
1. Cam Johnson (12/19/92 vs. St. Bonaventure 9
2. Andy Woodley (2/17/01) vs. SIU 8
3. Jeremy Morgan (1/27/16) at Bradley 7
MORGAN NEARING SEASON TOP-10 LIST FOR STEALS
Jeremy Morgan has tallied 45 steals through UNI's first 22 games. With three more steals he will join the single-season top-10 list for steals.
UNI SINGLE-SEASON STEALS
1. Brent Carmichael (1982-83) 100
2. Brent Carmichael (1981-82) 80
Andy Woodley (2000-01) 80
4. Cam Johnson (1992-93) 58
5. Brian Carpenter (1995-96) 54
6. Nick Nurse (1987-88) 53
7. Ben Jacobson (2005-06) 51
8. Jason Daisy (1996-97) 49
Randy Blocker (1993-94) 49
10. Robbie Williams (1984-85) 48
WES LEADS MVC IN ASSISTS
Senior guard Wes Washpun is leading the Panthers and the Missouri Valley Conference in assists this season (5.7 apg).
For the second time this season Washpun recorded a double-figure assist total in a game. Washpun handed out 10 assists in a 68-50 win at Bradley. Earlier this year, he dished out 11 assists vs. Iowa State.
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 335 assists at UNI.
Washpun also handed out 23 assists at Tennessee as a freshman in the 2011-12 season, giving him 358 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) 335
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 240 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 613. 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.) 240
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.) 613
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 (65).
Bohannon has made three or more 3-pointers in a game 15 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 143 three-pointers in 63 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 fifth in the MVC in field goal percentage (.582) and is averaging 9.9 points per game in league games only.
TED ON THE BOARDS
Redshirt sophomore Ted Friedman is tied for the team lead with 11 offensive rebounds in Missouri Valley Conference games.
JESPERSON DRAINS TRIPLES TWO AT A TIME
Senior guard Paul Jesperson has made at least two 3-pointers in 16 games this season. Jesperson ranks second on the team (and the MVC) with 56 3-pointers.
HALFTIME LEADS UNDER JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a career mark of 166-38 (.814) when leading at the half.
UNI Leading at Half Under Jacobson
166-38 (.814)
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 517 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.
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 20 wins over Bradley are the most vs. any Valley opponent he has faced.
He has an overall mark of 55-23 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 20-5
Illinois State 16-8
Southern Illinois 14-7
Loyola 5-3
FOUR 500-POINT SCORERS
UNI's starting lineup features four 500-plus point collegiate scorers.
Matt Bohannon has posted 949 career points, while Wes Washpun has recorded 853 points. Paul Jesperson has tallied 673 career points and Jeremy Morgan has been credited with 609 career points.
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 - 94 career starts
Jeremy Morgan - 67 career starts
Paul Jesperson - 55 career starts
Wes Washpun - 51 career starts
Bennett Koch - 22 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 66.1 points per game.
In UNI's 11 wins, the Panthers have limited the opposition to 59.3 points per game.
200-PLUS WINS FOR JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has tallied 208 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) 218
8. Maury John (Drake) 211
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 208
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 106 league coaching victories.
Jacobson has compiled an MVC mark of 106-64 (.624 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) 109
9. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 106
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
WINNING WAYS AT MCLEOD
The McLeod Center will celebrate its 10th anniversary this season and the Panthers have made winning a priority in their home venue.
UNI has posted an all-time mark of 119-31 (.793) in games played in the McLeod Center. UNI is 64-21 in MVC games in the McLeod Center.
UNI secured a school-record 16 home wins in the 2012-13 season. The previous mark of 15 home wins was set in the 1989-90 season.
UNI has posted a trio of perfect home seasons since moving to NCAA Division I. UNI was a perfect 14-0 in both the 1983-84 and 2009-10 seasons and then UNI notched a 15-0 mark at home last season.
UNI set its home-court win streak of 21 consecutive victories between the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons.
The McLeod Center opened in November 2006.
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.
WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEONS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday beginning at noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub located on 18th Street 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