University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Friday, November 10
Chapel Hill, N.C.
6 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
at
North Carolina
UNI Opens Season at No. 9 North Carolina
11/7/2017 8:40:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
UNI (0-0) at #9 North Carolina (0-0)
Fri., Nov. 10, 2017 • 6 p.m.
Chapel Hill, N.C. • Dean E. Smith Center
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPNU
Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald
Analyst: Dino Gaudio
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Stations - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: North Carolina 85, UNI 42 (Dec. 21, 2016)
• UNI scored a 71-67 win over No. 1-ranked North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will open the 2017-18 season at No. 9-ranked North Carolina on Friday at 6 p.m. (CT).
• UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
• UNI rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final four minutes to secure a 72-66 exhibition victory over NCAA Div. II UNC Pembroke on Sunday.
• True freshman guard Tywhon Pickford scored 10 of his 15 points in the final 3:41 to lift the Panthers to a win. Pickford recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds - eight of which came on the offensive end of the floor.
• Sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman scored a team-high 20 points and drained four 3-pointers vs. UNC Pembroke.
• Sophomore guard Juwan McCloud scored a team-high 10 points in UNI's 69-38 exhibition loss at Wisconsin on Nov. 1. McCloud was 5-of-10 from the field and helped UNI build a 10-2 lead seven minutes into the contest.
• UNI has been picked to finish second in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference poll.
UNI TO OPEN SEASON AT NO. 9-RANKED NORTH CAROLINA
UNI will open the 2017-18 season at No. 9-ranked North Carolina - the defending NCAA Tournament champions. Tip is set for 6 p.m. (CT) at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
UNI VS. RANKED TEAMS
UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
Since the 1979-80 season, UNI is 17-38 vs. ranked foes.
The Panthers have posted two road wins over ranked foes in program history and both times it came in Wichita, Kansas. UNI knocked off No. 25 Wichita State (53-50 - Feb. 13, 2016) and No. 16 Wichita State (63-59 (Dec. 30, 2006).
UNI has three neutral-court wins over ranked foes, with two of those coming in 1990 and 2010 NCAA tournaments.
UNI is 2-0 all-time against No. 1-ranked opponents. UNI secured a 71-67 win over North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015. The Panthers also recorded a 69-67 win over No. 1 Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI has posted a mark of 3-2 in its last five matchups against top-five ranked foes.
UNI vs. Ranked Opponents (since 1979-80)
#8 North Carolina L, 85-42 (A) - 12/21/16
#9 Xavier L, 64-42 (A) - 11/26/16
#11 Xavier L, 67-59 (N) - 11/20/16
#15 Texas A&M L, 92-88 2ot (N) - 3/20/16
#25 Wichita State W, 53-50 (A) - 2/13/16
#5 Iowa State W, 81-79 (N) - 12/19/15
#1 North Carolina W, 71-67 (H) - 11/21/15
#17 Louisville L, 66-53 (N) - 3/22/15
#11 Wichita State L, 74-60 (A) - 2/28/15
#12 Wichita State W, 70-54 (H) - 1/31/15
#4 Wichita State L, 82-73 (H) - 2/8/14
#8 Wichita State L, 67-53 (A) - 1/5/14
#17 Iowa State L, 91-82 OT (N) - 12/7/13
#15 Wichita State W, 57-52 (H) - 2/2/13
#12 Creighton L, 79-68 (A) - 1/15/13
#21 UNLV L, 73-59 (A) - 12/19/12
#19 Memphis L, 52-47 (N) - 11/24/12
#2 Louisville L, 51-46 (N) - 11/22/12
#13 Creighton W, 65-62 (H) - 2/4/12
#23 Creighton L, 63-60 (A) - 1/10/12
#10 Syracuse L, 68-46 (A) - 11/12/10
#13 Michigan State L, 59-52 (N) - 3/26/10
#1 Kansas W, 69-67 (N) - 3/20/10
#15 Marquette L, 73-43 (N) - 11/28/08
#14 Drake L, 65-55 (H) - 2/16/08
#22 Drake L, 58-54 (A) - 1/26/08
#11 Nevada L, 79-64 (A) - 2/17/07
#16 Wichita State W, 63-59 (A) - 12/30/06
#17 Washington L, 70-61 (A) - 11/14/06
#23 Georgetown L, 54-49 (N) - 3/17/06
#24 Bucknell W, 65-61 (H) - 2/18/06
#12 Iowa W, 67-63 (H) - 12/6/05
#20 Wisconsin L, 57-52 (N) - 3/18/05
#17 Iowa L, 76-73 (A) - 12/7/05
#14 Georgia Tech L, 65-60 (N) - 3/19/04
#15 Southern Illinois W, 68-52 (H) - 3/1/04
#20 Creighton W, 82-73 (H) - 1/14/04
#24 Iowa W, 77-66 (H) - 12/9/03
#13 Creighton L, 84-75 (H) - 2/4/03
#11 Iowa W, 78-76 (H) - 12/4/01
#17 Alabama L, 64-56 (N) - 12/20/00
#10 Iowa W, 84-78 (H) - 12/9/97
#12 Iowa L, 78-73 (H) - 12/5/95
#11 Iowa State L, 81-62 (H) - 1/25/95
#8 Iowa L, 64-44 (A) - 12/8/92
#16 Iowa L, 108-85 (H) - 12/19/91
#20 Minnesota L, 81-78 (N) - 3/18/90
#11 Missouri W, 74-71 (N) - 3/16/90
#20 Iowa W, 77-74 (H) - 1/3/90
#3 Georgetown L, 83-49 (N) - 12/29/89
#5 Iowa L, 95-76 (A) - 12/6/88
#14 Missouri L, 91-62 (A) - 1/12/83
#6 Iowa L, 84-53 (A) - 12/21/81
#14 Iowa L, 86-52 (A) - 12/30/80
#20 Iowa L, 78-46 (A) - 12/6/79
NOTE: Associated Press poll used
UNI's Record vs. Ranked Opponents
Overall Home Away Neutral
17-38 12-6 2-18 3-14
UNI PERFORMS WELL IN SEASON OPENERS
UNI has posted a mark of 8-3 in season openers under head coach Ben Jacobson.
UNI has won 12 of its last 15 season openers dating back to the 2002-03 campaign.
The last time UNI opened the season with a road victory came in a 63-46 triumph at Old Dominion to begin the 2011-12 season.
UNI in Season Openers Since 2002-03
W, 77-71 at Montana (2002-03)
W, 83-59 Chicago State (2003-04)
W, 84-66 Wayne State (2004-05)
W, 68-46 vs. W. Carolina (2005-06)
W, 68-63 vs. Nicholls State (2006-07)
W, 75-45 Northern Illinois (2007-08)
W, 61-56 Denver (2008-09)
W, 71-65 at Denver (2009-10)
L, 68-46 at Syracuse (2010-11)
W, 63-46 at Old Dominion (2011-12)
W, 103-50 Wartburg (2012-13)
L, 75-64 at Ohio (2013-14)
W, 64-52 North Dakota (2014-15)
L, 84-78 Colorado State (2015-16)
W, 74-37 Coe (2016-17)
UNI RALLIES FOR EXHIBITION WIN
UNI rallied from an eight-point deficit with four minutes remaining to score a 72-66 exhibition victory over NCAA Division II UNC Pembroke on Sunday in the McLeod Center.
UNI led by 18 points in the first half only to see Pembroke take a 64-56 lead with 3:58 left in the game.
The Panthers scored the next 15 points including 10 from true freshman guard Tywhon Pickford and closed the game on a 16-2 run.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR PICKFORD
Guard Tywhon Pickford secured a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds - eight of which came on the offensive end - in UNI's 72-66 exhibition win over UNC Pembroke.
Pickford scored all 15 of his points in the second half.
SPENCE OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman came off the bench to score a team-high 20 points vs. UNC Pembroke.
Haldeman scored 14 first-half points as he drained four triples in the first 20 minutes of action
Haldeman sank all six of his free throws including a pair of technical shots with 3:58 left that started UNI's 16-2 run to close out the six-point victory.
ALL-AROUND GAME FROM JUWAN
UNI sophomore guard Juwan McCloud poured in 12 points, handed out five assists and secured four steals in the exhibition win over UNC Pembroke on Sunday.
MCCLOUD SHINES IN WISCONSIN
Sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud scored a team-high 10 points in UNI's 69-38 exhibition loss at Wisconsin on Wednesday.
McCloud, a native of Germantown, Wisconsin, was 5-of-10 from the field and helped UNI build a 10-2 lead seven minutes into the contest against the Big Ten's Badgers.
FIVE DEBUTS IN MADISON
UNI had five players make their Panther debuts on Wednesday against Wisconsin.
Adam McDermott, Tywhon Pickford, Miles Wentzien, Tanner Lohaus and Austin Phyfe each saw their first action as UNI Panthers on the floor in the Kohl Center.
McDermott (3 pts.), Pickford (8 pts.), Wentzien (2 pts.), Lohaus (2 pts.) and Phyfe (5 pts.) all scored in their Panther debuts.
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
It is the longest active streak in the league.
Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
Wichita State has the second-longest active streak at eight.
UNI in the MVC Since 2003-04
2003-04 - 12-6 (T-2nd)
2004-05 - 11-7 (T-3rd)
2005-06 - 11-7 (T-5th)
2006-07 - 9-9 (5th)
2007-08 - 9-9 (T-5th)
2008-09 - 14-4 (T-1st)
2009-10 - 15-3 (1st)
2010-11 - 10-8 (T-4th)
2011-12 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
2012-13 - 11-7 (3rd)
2013-14 - 10-8 (3rd)
2014-15 - 16-2 (2nd)
2015-16 - 11-7 (T-4th)
2016-17 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 561 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.
JAKE RANKS AMONG VALLEY'S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Conference history in victories with 234.
Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only with 123 wins.
Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 248
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 234
7. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
8. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
9. Maury John (Drake) 211
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
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. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 134
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
7. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 123
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
WINNING TRADITION AT MCLEOD
UNI will be playing its 12th season in the McLeod Center and the Panthers have made winning a priority in their home venue.
UNI has posted an all-time mark of 133-35 (.792) in games played in the McLeod Center.
UNI secured a school-record 16 home wins in the 2012-13 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 in 2014-15.
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.
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
UNI's Home Record Since 2006-07
Year Record
2006-07 9-4
2007-08 11-6
2008-09 11-4
2009-10 14-0
2010-11 13-5
2011-12 13-3
2012-13 16-4
2013-14 11-2
2014-15 15-0
2015-16 11-3
2016-17 9-4
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. The Panthers are 5-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA APPEARANCE SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC.
MVC'S NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Wichita St. (7) - 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Creighton (4) - 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
PANTHERS PICKED SECOND IN MVC PRESEASON POLL
UNI has been slotted to finish second in the preseason 2017-18 Missouri Valley Conference poll.
UNI received eight first-place votes in the preseason poll. It is the most preseason first-place votes in a year that the Panthers were not picked as the preseason favorites.
MVC Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) Total
1. Missouri State (30) 381
2. UNI (8) 337
3. Loyola (1) 321
4. Illinois State (1) 256
5. Southern Illinois 226
6. Valparaiso 214
7. Bradley 182
8. Indiana State 116
9. Evansville 88
10. Drake 79
KOCH, CARLSON EARN ALL-MVC PRESEASON HONORS
University of Northern Iowa seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson have been named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.
Koch earned first-team all-MVC honors, while Carlson was selected to the second team.
Koch is UNI's top returning scorer at 11.0 points per game. In his last 14 games last season, Koch averaged a team-best 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game.
Carlson averaged more points per game for the third consecutive season (8.3 ppg). He ranked No. 4 in the league at 36.6 minutes per game.
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), 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 CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday beginning at noon in the McLeod Center's Alumni Suite.
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
INSTAGRAM
www.instagram.com/UNIAthletics
UNI (0-0) at #9 North Carolina (0-0)
Fri., Nov. 10, 2017 • 6 p.m.
Chapel Hill, N.C. • Dean E. Smith Center
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPNU
Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald
Analyst: Dino Gaudio
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Stations - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: North Carolina 85, UNI 42 (Dec. 21, 2016)
• UNI scored a 71-67 win over No. 1-ranked North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will open the 2017-18 season at No. 9-ranked North Carolina on Friday at 6 p.m. (CT).
• UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
• UNI rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final four minutes to secure a 72-66 exhibition victory over NCAA Div. II UNC Pembroke on Sunday.
• True freshman guard Tywhon Pickford scored 10 of his 15 points in the final 3:41 to lift the Panthers to a win. Pickford recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds - eight of which came on the offensive end of the floor.
• Sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman scored a team-high 20 points and drained four 3-pointers vs. UNC Pembroke.
• Sophomore guard Juwan McCloud scored a team-high 10 points in UNI's 69-38 exhibition loss at Wisconsin on Nov. 1. McCloud was 5-of-10 from the field and helped UNI build a 10-2 lead seven minutes into the contest.
• UNI has been picked to finish second in the preseason Missouri Valley Conference poll.
UNI TO OPEN SEASON AT NO. 9-RANKED NORTH CAROLINA
UNI will open the 2017-18 season at No. 9-ranked North Carolina - the defending NCAA Tournament champions. Tip is set for 6 p.m. (CT) at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
UNI VS. RANKED TEAMS
UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
Since the 1979-80 season, UNI is 17-38 vs. ranked foes.
The Panthers have posted two road wins over ranked foes in program history and both times it came in Wichita, Kansas. UNI knocked off No. 25 Wichita State (53-50 - Feb. 13, 2016) and No. 16 Wichita State (63-59 (Dec. 30, 2006).
UNI has three neutral-court wins over ranked foes, with two of those coming in 1990 and 2010 NCAA tournaments.
UNI is 2-0 all-time against No. 1-ranked opponents. UNI secured a 71-67 win over North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015. The Panthers also recorded a 69-67 win over No. 1 Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI has posted a mark of 3-2 in its last five matchups against top-five ranked foes.
UNI vs. Ranked Opponents (since 1979-80)
#8 North Carolina L, 85-42 (A) - 12/21/16
#9 Xavier L, 64-42 (A) - 11/26/16
#11 Xavier L, 67-59 (N) - 11/20/16
#15 Texas A&M L, 92-88 2ot (N) - 3/20/16
#25 Wichita State W, 53-50 (A) - 2/13/16
#5 Iowa State W, 81-79 (N) - 12/19/15
#1 North Carolina W, 71-67 (H) - 11/21/15
#17 Louisville L, 66-53 (N) - 3/22/15
#11 Wichita State L, 74-60 (A) - 2/28/15
#12 Wichita State W, 70-54 (H) - 1/31/15
#4 Wichita State L, 82-73 (H) - 2/8/14
#8 Wichita State L, 67-53 (A) - 1/5/14
#17 Iowa State L, 91-82 OT (N) - 12/7/13
#15 Wichita State W, 57-52 (H) - 2/2/13
#12 Creighton L, 79-68 (A) - 1/15/13
#21 UNLV L, 73-59 (A) - 12/19/12
#19 Memphis L, 52-47 (N) - 11/24/12
#2 Louisville L, 51-46 (N) - 11/22/12
#13 Creighton W, 65-62 (H) - 2/4/12
#23 Creighton L, 63-60 (A) - 1/10/12
#10 Syracuse L, 68-46 (A) - 11/12/10
#13 Michigan State L, 59-52 (N) - 3/26/10
#1 Kansas W, 69-67 (N) - 3/20/10
#15 Marquette L, 73-43 (N) - 11/28/08
#14 Drake L, 65-55 (H) - 2/16/08
#22 Drake L, 58-54 (A) - 1/26/08
#11 Nevada L, 79-64 (A) - 2/17/07
#16 Wichita State W, 63-59 (A) - 12/30/06
#17 Washington L, 70-61 (A) - 11/14/06
#23 Georgetown L, 54-49 (N) - 3/17/06
#24 Bucknell W, 65-61 (H) - 2/18/06
#12 Iowa W, 67-63 (H) - 12/6/05
#20 Wisconsin L, 57-52 (N) - 3/18/05
#17 Iowa L, 76-73 (A) - 12/7/05
#14 Georgia Tech L, 65-60 (N) - 3/19/04
#15 Southern Illinois W, 68-52 (H) - 3/1/04
#20 Creighton W, 82-73 (H) - 1/14/04
#24 Iowa W, 77-66 (H) - 12/9/03
#13 Creighton L, 84-75 (H) - 2/4/03
#11 Iowa W, 78-76 (H) - 12/4/01
#17 Alabama L, 64-56 (N) - 12/20/00
#10 Iowa W, 84-78 (H) - 12/9/97
#12 Iowa L, 78-73 (H) - 12/5/95
#11 Iowa State L, 81-62 (H) - 1/25/95
#8 Iowa L, 64-44 (A) - 12/8/92
#16 Iowa L, 108-85 (H) - 12/19/91
#20 Minnesota L, 81-78 (N) - 3/18/90
#11 Missouri W, 74-71 (N) - 3/16/90
#20 Iowa W, 77-74 (H) - 1/3/90
#3 Georgetown L, 83-49 (N) - 12/29/89
#5 Iowa L, 95-76 (A) - 12/6/88
#14 Missouri L, 91-62 (A) - 1/12/83
#6 Iowa L, 84-53 (A) - 12/21/81
#14 Iowa L, 86-52 (A) - 12/30/80
#20 Iowa L, 78-46 (A) - 12/6/79
NOTE: Associated Press poll used
UNI's Record vs. Ranked Opponents
Overall Home Away Neutral
17-38 12-6 2-18 3-14
UNI PERFORMS WELL IN SEASON OPENERS
UNI has posted a mark of 8-3 in season openers under head coach Ben Jacobson.
UNI has won 12 of its last 15 season openers dating back to the 2002-03 campaign.
The last time UNI opened the season with a road victory came in a 63-46 triumph at Old Dominion to begin the 2011-12 season.
UNI in Season Openers Since 2002-03
W, 77-71 at Montana (2002-03)
W, 83-59 Chicago State (2003-04)
W, 84-66 Wayne State (2004-05)
W, 68-46 vs. W. Carolina (2005-06)
W, 68-63 vs. Nicholls State (2006-07)
W, 75-45 Northern Illinois (2007-08)
W, 61-56 Denver (2008-09)
W, 71-65 at Denver (2009-10)
L, 68-46 at Syracuse (2010-11)
W, 63-46 at Old Dominion (2011-12)
W, 103-50 Wartburg (2012-13)
L, 75-64 at Ohio (2013-14)
W, 64-52 North Dakota (2014-15)
L, 84-78 Colorado State (2015-16)
W, 74-37 Coe (2016-17)
UNI RALLIES FOR EXHIBITION WIN
UNI rallied from an eight-point deficit with four minutes remaining to score a 72-66 exhibition victory over NCAA Division II UNC Pembroke on Sunday in the McLeod Center.
UNI led by 18 points in the first half only to see Pembroke take a 64-56 lead with 3:58 left in the game.
The Panthers scored the next 15 points including 10 from true freshman guard Tywhon Pickford and closed the game on a 16-2 run.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE FOR PICKFORD
Guard Tywhon Pickford secured a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds - eight of which came on the offensive end - in UNI's 72-66 exhibition win over UNC Pembroke.
Pickford scored all 15 of his points in the second half.
SPENCE OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman came off the bench to score a team-high 20 points vs. UNC Pembroke.
Haldeman scored 14 first-half points as he drained four triples in the first 20 minutes of action
Haldeman sank all six of his free throws including a pair of technical shots with 3:58 left that started UNI's 16-2 run to close out the six-point victory.
ALL-AROUND GAME FROM JUWAN
UNI sophomore guard Juwan McCloud poured in 12 points, handed out five assists and secured four steals in the exhibition win over UNC Pembroke on Sunday.
MCCLOUD SHINES IN WISCONSIN
Sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud scored a team-high 10 points in UNI's 69-38 exhibition loss at Wisconsin on Wednesday.
McCloud, a native of Germantown, Wisconsin, was 5-of-10 from the field and helped UNI build a 10-2 lead seven minutes into the contest against the Big Ten's Badgers.
FIVE DEBUTS IN MADISON
UNI had five players make their Panther debuts on Wednesday against Wisconsin.
Adam McDermott, Tywhon Pickford, Miles Wentzien, Tanner Lohaus and Austin Phyfe each saw their first action as UNI Panthers on the floor in the Kohl Center.
McDermott (3 pts.), Pickford (8 pts.), Wentzien (2 pts.), Lohaus (2 pts.) and Phyfe (5 pts.) all scored in their Panther debuts.
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
It is the longest active streak in the league.
Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
Wichita State has the second-longest active streak at eight.
UNI in the MVC Since 2003-04
2003-04 - 12-6 (T-2nd)
2004-05 - 11-7 (T-3rd)
2005-06 - 11-7 (T-5th)
2006-07 - 9-9 (5th)
2007-08 - 9-9 (T-5th)
2008-09 - 14-4 (T-1st)
2009-10 - 15-3 (1st)
2010-11 - 10-8 (T-4th)
2011-12 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
2012-13 - 11-7 (3rd)
2013-14 - 10-8 (3rd)
2014-15 - 16-2 (2nd)
2015-16 - 11-7 (T-4th)
2016-17 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 561 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.
JAKE RANKS AMONG VALLEY'S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Conference history in victories with 234.
Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only with 123 wins.
Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 248
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 234
7. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
8. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
9. Maury John (Drake) 211
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
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. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 134
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
7. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 123
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
WINNING TRADITION AT MCLEOD
UNI will be playing its 12th season in the McLeod Center and the Panthers have made winning a priority in their home venue.
UNI has posted an all-time mark of 133-35 (.792) in games played in the McLeod Center.
UNI secured a school-record 16 home wins in the 2012-13 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 in 2014-15.
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.
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
UNI's Home Record Since 2006-07
Year Record
2006-07 9-4
2007-08 11-6
2008-09 11-4
2009-10 14-0
2010-11 13-5
2011-12 13-3
2012-13 16-4
2013-14 11-2
2014-15 15-0
2015-16 11-3
2016-17 9-4
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. The Panthers are 5-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA APPEARANCE SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC.
MVC'S NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Wichita St. (7) - 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Creighton (4) - 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
PANTHERS PICKED SECOND IN MVC PRESEASON POLL
UNI has been slotted to finish second in the preseason 2017-18 Missouri Valley Conference poll.
UNI received eight first-place votes in the preseason poll. It is the most preseason first-place votes in a year that the Panthers were not picked as the preseason favorites.
MVC Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) Total
1. Missouri State (30) 381
2. UNI (8) 337
3. Loyola (1) 321
4. Illinois State (1) 256
5. Southern Illinois 226
6. Valparaiso 214
7. Bradley 182
8. Indiana State 116
9. Evansville 88
10. Drake 79
KOCH, CARLSON EARN ALL-MVC PRESEASON HONORS
University of Northern Iowa seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson have been named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.
Koch earned first-team all-MVC honors, while Carlson was selected to the second team.
Koch is UNI's top returning scorer at 11.0 points per game. In his last 14 games last season, Koch averaged a team-best 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game.
Carlson averaged more points per game for the third consecutive season (8.3 ppg). He ranked No. 4 in the league at 36.6 minutes per game.
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), 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 CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday beginning at noon in the McLeod Center's Alumni Suite.
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
www.instagram.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