University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Thursday, December 7
Cedar Falls, Iowa
7 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
UT Arlington
Top-50 Matchup Thursday in McLeod
12/5/2017 10:01:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
UT Arlington (7-1) at UNI (6-2)
Thurs., Dec. 7, 2017 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
ESPN3 | AUDIO | STATS
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets to UNI men's basketball home games through UNITIX. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.unipanthers.com/tickets.
BROADCAST INFORMATOIN
Television
Panther Sports TV/ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Eric Braley
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Clearances: Panther Sports TV Network/ESPN3 (CFU Ch. 15/HD415, KCRG Ch. 9.2, WHO 13 D-2, KGCW Ch. 26, NBC Sports Chicago, KSMO - Kansas City)
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
UT Arlington posted a record of 27-9 last year and reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 NIT.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (6-2 overall) will continue its rugged non-conference schedule this Thursday at 7 p.m. at home against the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks (7-1 overall).
• Thursday's game in the McLeod Center will feature a matchup of two top-50 RPI teams in UNI (No. 27) and UT Arlington (No. 44).
• Senior Bennett Koch has been named the MVC Player of the Week after scoring 30 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a 77-68 overtime win over previously unbeaten UNLV. Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (17.0 ppg), field goal% (63.5%) and free throw% (80.8%).
• UNI freshman Tywhon Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds per game (11.1). Pickford ranks No. 12 in the country in rebounding among all NCAA Division I players. Pickford leads the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and in offensive rebounds (27).
• UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (20) and steals (11). McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game.
• UNI ranks No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 58.5 points per game.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. UT ARLINGTON
UNI CONTINUES CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SLATE VS UTA
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will continue its rugged non-conference schedule this Thursday at home against the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks (7-1 overall).
UNI and UTA will tip at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Thursday game will be shown live on the Panther Sports Television Network and on ESPN3.
Eric Braley (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
Clearances: Panther Sports TV Network/ESPN3 (CFU Ch. 15/HD415, KCRG Ch. 9.2, WHO 13 D-2, KGCW Ch. 26, NBC Sports Chicago, KSMO - Kansas City)
UT ARLINGTON MAVERICKS
The University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks are NCAA Division I members of the Sun Belt Conference.
UTA is under the direction of 12th-year head coach Scott Cross.
UTA posted a record of 27-9 during the 2016-17 season. The Mavericks reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 NIT.
UTA returns two starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's squad. The Mavericks return two of their top three scorers, including Sun Belt Player of the Year Kevin Hervey and point guard Erick Neal.
This will mark the first meeting between UNI and UT Arlington. UNI will make a return trip to Arlington, Texas, next season the complete the home-and-home agreement.
STRONG START FOR UTA
UTA is off to a 7-1 start to the 2017-18 season. The Mavericks lone loss this season came at No. 24-ranked Alabama, 77-76.
UTA's Erick Neal is the nation's leader in assists (10.3 apg). UTA's Kevin Hervey is ranked No. 9 in the country in scoring (23.4 ppg).
TOP 50 RPI MATCHUP
Thursday's matchup in the McLeod Center will feature of a pair of top-50 RPI teams in UNI (No. 27) and UT Arlington (No. 44).
NO. 5 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 58.5 points per game.
KOCH EARNS MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
UNI senior Bennett Koch has earned the Missouri Valley Conference's men's basketball player of the week honor.
Koch (Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin) scored a career-high 30 points and led UNI to a 77-68 overtime victory over UNLV.
Koch made 10-of-19 field goals and was 10-of-13 from the free throw line against the previously undefeated Runnin' Rebels.
UNI trailed by three points with under a minute to play in regulation, when Koch scored in the post with :49.7 left. Koch then sent the game to overtime by making a free throw with :18.4 remaining.
Koch's dunk with 1:49 left in overtime gave UNI a 68-63 lead. He buried two free throws with :11.5 left to close out the scoring.
Koch also grabbed seven rebounds and posted three steals.
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (17.0 ppg), field goal% (63.5%) and free throw% (80.8%) through their first eight games.
Koch is the lone UNI Panther to have scored in double figures in all eight contests.
He ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.9 rpg).
TWO CAREER HIGHS FOR KOCH, CARLSON VS. UNLV
UNI seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson each tallied career scoring highs in a 77-68 overtime win over UNLV.
Koch went for 30 points, while Carlson notched 23 points against the Runnin' Rebels.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (6)
Klint Carlson (2)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
UNI freshman Tywhon Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds per game (11.1).
He ranks No. 12 in the country in rebounding among all NCAA Division I players.
He leads the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and in offensive rebounds (27).
Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six of UNI's eight games this season.
Pickford ranks third on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game.
MCCLOUD'S CONFIDENCE SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (20) and steals (11).
McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game.
McCloud has reached double-figure scoring five times this season. Last year, McCloud had four double-figure scoring games as a true freshman.
McCloud has drained 11 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
SCORING SPARK OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is the leading bench scorer for the Panthers.
Haldeman has made 14-of-32 three-pointers this season and is averaging 7.5 points per game.
RHODES CAN'T MISS
UNI senior guard Hunter Rhodes has made the most of his limited time on the floor this year by making all three of his field goal attempts.
Rhodes played seven minutes against UNLV and was 3-for-3 from the field, including a three-pointer in nine minutes of action vs. the Runnin' Rebels.
WORKIN' OVERTIME
UNI has won its last three overtime contests. The Panthers posted a 77-68 overtime win over previously unbeaten UNLV in the McLeod Center on Nov. 29.
Last season, UNI went 2-0 in overtime games with a 73-67 win over Oklahoma (Nov. 18, 2016) and a double-overtime triumph over Loyola (Jan. 18, 2017).
Head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-8 all-time in overtime games.
UNI's Overtime Games Since 2006
L, 67-64 at Illinois State (1/9/07)
W, 64-60 at UMKC (12/19/07)
W, 77-75 vs. Wichita State (2/13/08)
L, 71-66 vs. Iowa State (12/3/08)
L, 85-84 (2OT) vs. Indiana State (12/28/08)
W, 69-67 at Illinois State (2/24/09)
W, 60-57 vs. Illinois State (3/8/09)
W, 84-81 vs. Toledo (11/14/12)
W, 82-77 at George Mason (12/8/12)
L, 54-51 at Evansville (1/29/13)
L, 91-82 vs. Iowa State (12/7/13)
L, 93-87 at Loyola (1/25/14)
W, 79-77 at Stephen F. Austin (11/18/14)
W, 71-65 vs. George Mason (12/6/14)
L, 93-87 (2OT) at VCU (12/13/14)
W, 57-52 vs. Wichita State (3/5/16)
L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. Texas A&M (3/20/16)
W, 73-67 vs. Oklahoma (11/18/16)
W, 72-69 (2OT) vs. Loyola (1/18/17)
W, 77-68 vs. UNLV (11/29/17)
PLAYING WELL IN DECEMBER
UNI has won nine consecutive home games in December vs. non-conference foes.
LAST TWO NCAA CHAMPS
UNI's only two losses this season have come against the last two NCAA champions - North Carolina (2017) and Villanova (2016).
Both setbacks also came against top-10 ranked foes as North Carolina was ranked No. 9 and Villanova was No. 5 at the time of each matchup.
RARE CLASS OF STATS
Pickford is looking to become the first UNI Panther to average double-figure rebounds for a season since Joe Breakenridge averaged 10.5 rebounds per game in the 2000-2001 season.
Prior to Breakenridge averaging double figures in rebounds you have to go all the way back to the 1975-1976 season which saw Mark Enright average 10.5 rebounds per game for the Panthers.
DEFENSE, REBOUNDING KEYED UNI'S 6-2 START TO SEASON
UNI's 6-2 start to the 2017-18 season has been built on the strength of its defense and ability to rebound.
The Panthers have limited the opposition to 58.5 points per game and 36.8 percent field goal shooting.
UNI is enjoying a +6.3 rebonding margin this season. UNI has outrebounded five of its eight opponents, including a +8.0 advantage over No. 5-ranked Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis title game.
RATCHETING UP THE DEFENSE
Since giving up 86 points in the season opener against North Carolina, UNI has ratcheted up the defensive effort.
In its last seven games, UNI is 6-1 and allowing only 54.6 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 34.8 percent shooting from the field and only 28.7 percent from three-point range in its last seven contests.
UNI is enjoying a plus 8.3 advantage (41.7 to 33.4) on the boards in its last seven games.
KEEP IT IN THE STATE OF IOWA
UNI will play its next five games in the state of Iowa including Thursday vs. UT Arlington in the McLeod Center.
Four of UNI's next five games (Dec. 7 - UT Arlington; Dec. 10 - Dubuque; Dec. 22 - Xavier; Dec. 28 - Southern Illinois) will be played in the McLeod Center - the only game away from Cedar Falls is Dec. 16 vs. Iowa State in Des Moines at The Hy-Vee Classic.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through eight games, UNI has five players who have made at least six 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (14), Juwan McCloud (11), Tywhon Pickford (11), Isaiah Brown (10) and Klint Carlson (6) have all made at least six shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 7.4 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 569 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.
22 POWER-FIVE VICTORIES
UNI reached the championship game of the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with victories over SMU and Atlantic Coast Conference's North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The triumph over N.C. State marked the 22nd victory for the Panthers over a Power-5 conference foe (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) since head coach Ben Jacobson took over the program in 2006-07.
Power 5 Victories (since 2006-07)
Iowa State (60-57 - 2006-07)
at Iowa (57-55 - 2006-07)
at Iowa State (61-48 - 2007-08)
vs. Auburn (67-61 - 2008-09)
vs. Boston College (81-69 - 2009-10)
at Iowa State (63-60) - 2009-10)
Iowa (67-50 - 2009-10)
vs. Kansas (69-67 - 2009-10)
Iowa State (60-54 - 2010-11)
vs. Indiana (67-61 - 2010-11)
at Iowa State (69-62 - 2011-12)
Iowa (80-60 - 2011-12)
vs. Virginia Tech (73-54 - 2014-15)
vs. Northwestern (61-42 - 2014-15)
vs. Iowa (56-44 - 2014-15)
North Carolina (71-67 - 2015-16)
vs. Iowa State (81-79 - 2015-16)
vs. Washington State (63-59 - 2015-16)
vs. Texas (75-72 - 2015-16)
vs. Arizona State (82-63 - 2016-17)
vs. Oklahoma (73-67 - 2016-17)
vs. North Carolina State (64-60 - 2017-18)
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win in the McLeod Center.
It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests.
UNI has won 40 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date Opponent Result
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
11/15/17 Wartburg W, 72-43
11/13/17 Alcorn State W, 73-45
2/8/17 Southern Illinois W, 49-41
11/12/16 Coe W, 74-37
2/24/15 Indiana State W, 66-44
1/9/15 Drake W, 77-44
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
3/7/15 vs. Loyola W, 63-49
(MVC Tournament)
3/6/15 vs. Bradley W, 71-46
(MVC Tournament)
2/21/15 Bradley W, 56-39
2/18/15 at Loyola W, 58-39
1/18/15 Missouri State W, 60-46
1/10/15 at Drake W, 64-40
1/7/15 Southern Illinois W, 55-39
12/20/14 vs. Iowa W, 56-44
11/26/14 vs. Northwestern W, 61-42
11/22/14 North Florida W, 66-49
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
2/5/13 Missouri State W, 48-37
1/23/13 Southern Illinois W, 58-45
11/17/12 North Dakota W, 72-47
1/31/12 Southern Illinois W, 58-49
1/4/12 Indiana State W, 65-48
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
11/22/11 Western Carolina W, 59-39
11/12/11 Old Dominion W, 63-46
1/22/11 Drake W, 69-49
1/12/11 at Illinois State W, 46-44
12/19/10 SIU Edwardsville W, 68-47
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
3/6/10 vs. Bradley W, 57-40
(MVC Tournament)
3/5/10 vs. Drake W, 55-40
(MVC Tournament)
2/10/10 at Drake W, 57-48
1/16/10 vs. Indiana State W, 62-40
1/9/10 at Illinois State W, 59-44
1/6/10 at Southern Illinois W, 61-49
1/1/10 vs. Evansville W, 65-46
12/19/09 at North Dakota W, 64-41
11/28/09 vs. Northern Illinois W, 52-45
2/18/09 vs. Drake L, 47-46
12/6 /08 vs. North Dakota W, 69-49
3/7/08 vs. Southern Illinois W, 54-49
(MVC Tournament)
12/29/07 at Bradley W, 59-46
12/15/07 vs. Wartburg W, 99-48
11/27/07 at Iowa State W, 61-48
11/9/07 vs. Northern Illinois W, 75-45
12/2/06 at Bucknell W, 57-48
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 44-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date Opponent Results
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
12/7/16 South Dakota State W, 86-58
11/17/16 vs. Arizona State W, 82-63
3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M L, 92-88 (2OT)
2/10/15 Missouri State W, 83-69
2/6/15 at Drake W, 82-66
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
12/19/15 vs. Iowa State W, 81-79
11/30/15 North Texas W, 93-70
11/28/15 at North Dakota W, 97-51
11/25/15 Dubuque W, 83-63
2/11/15 Illinois State W, 83-64
12/13/14 at VCU L, 93-87 (2OT)
2/1/14 Indiana State L, 87-81
1/29/14 Evansville W, 95-81
1/25/14 at Loyola L, 93-87 (OT)
1/14/14 Missouri State W, 94-89
1/8/14 at Evansville W, 80-53
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
12/28/13 Iona W, 90-78
12/7/13 vs. Iowa State L, 91-82 (OT)
11/22/13 Loyola Marymount W, 90-81
11/11/13 Coe W, 86-52
3/26/13 Bradley W, 90-77
3/2/13 Illinois State W, 80-72
1/20/13 Drake W, 85-55
1/12/13 Bradley W, 84-53
12/23/12 Saint Mary's W, 82-75
12/8/12 at George Mason W, 82-77 (OT)
11/14/12 Toledo W, 84-81 (OT)
11/10/12 Wartburg W, 103-50
1/7/12 at Drake W, 83-68
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
12/6/11 Iowa W, 80-60
12/3/11 Colorado State W, 83-77
3/15/11 Rider W, 84-50
2/15/11 at Bradley W, 80-70
1/9/11 Bradley W, 83-77
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
1/3/10 Missouri State W, 84-76
12/12/09 Siena W, 82-65
11/23/09 vs. Boston College W, 81-69
2/11/09 Southern Illinois W, 81-55
1/17/09 at Drake W, 81-59
12/28/08 Indiana State L, 85-84 (2OT)
11/25/08 Chicago State W, 81-70
12/15/07 Wartburg W, 99-48
12/20/06 Wartburg W, 83-61
12/09/06 UMKC W, 85-53
11/13/06 vs. Pepperdine W, 83-58
MCLEOD CENTER
UNI is 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 137-35 (.797) 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.
THIRD KOCH BROTHER WITH 30-POINT GAME
Bennett Koch's 30-point scoring performance in UNI's 77-68 overtime win over UNLV was the third 30-point scoring game by a Koch brother in a UNI uniform.
Adam Koch went for 30 points at Missouri State (Jan. 25, 2009) and Jake Koch had a 34-point scoring night vs. Bradley (Jan. 9, 2011).
UNI's 30-Point Games Since 1980-81
40 - Cam Johnson (2/12/94 vs. Drake)
38 - Jeremy Morgan (12/10/16 vs. North Dakota)
38 - Jason Reese (3/1/90 at Missouri State)
38 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/4/84 at Cleveland St.)
37 - Jason Daisy (1/22/97 vs. Illinois State)
37 - Jason Reese (12/30/88 at SMU)
36 - Jeremy Morgan (3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M)
36 - Jason Daisy (12/16/95 vs. Nebraska)
35 - Jason Daisy (12/2/95 vs. UCF)
35 - Jason Reese (12/17/88 vs. Youngstown St.)
35 - James Parker (12/28/87 vs. LSU)
34 - Jake Koch (1/9/11 vs. Bradley)
34 - Jason Daisy (2/15/97 vs. Southern Illinois)
33 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/28/84 at Illinois-Chicago)
32 - Kwadzo Ahelegbe (11/23/09 vs. Boston College)
32 - Jason Daisy (2/18/95 vs. Loyola Chicago)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/30/85 at San Diego)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (11/30/85 vs. Prairie View A&M)
32 - Scott Stafford (1/21/85 vs. Valparaiso)
31 - Jordan Eglseder (12/13/08 vs. Wyoming)
31 - Ben Jacobson (2/9/05 vs. Creighton)
31 - Robbie Sieverding (2/22/99 vs. Drake)
31 - Tony Brus (2/17/99 vs. Illinois State)
31 - Jason Reese (1/7/89 at Stephen F. Austin)
31 - Jason Reese (2/14/89 vs. Missouri State)
31 - Jason Reese (2/25/89 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Maurice Newby (1/28/87 vs. Northern Illinois)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/18/86 at Cleveland St.)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/25/85 vs. Green Bay)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/14/84 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/26/83 vs. Wayne St.)
30 - Bennett Koch (11/29/17 vs. UNLV)
30 - Adam Koch (1/25/09 vs. Missouri State)
30 - Robbie Sieverding (12/4/01 vs. Iowa)
30 - Randy Blocker (3/5/94 vs. Illinois State)
30 - Randy Blocker (2/7/94 vs. Bradley)
30 - Randy Blocker (1/15/94 vs. Wichita State)
30 - Randy Blocker (12/21/93 vs. Long Island)
30 - Troy Muilenberg (12/8/90 vs. Morningside)
30 - Jason Reese (12/11/89 at Sam Houston St.)
30 - Jason Reese (1/28/89 at Illinois-Chicago)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (3/6/86 vs. Cleveland St.)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/21/85 vs. Elmhurst)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/12/85 at Eastern Illinois)
30 - Ray Storck (2/20/82 vs. UNC-Wilmington)
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular seaso home games since the 2007-08 season when the Panthers had 17 on the slate.
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
2017-18 4-0
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.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green has scored 1,120 points entering his senior season at Cedar Falls High School. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
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
UT Arlington (7-1) at UNI (6-2)
Thurs., Dec. 7, 2017 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
ESPN3 | AUDIO | STATS
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets to UNI men's basketball home games through UNITIX. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.unipanthers.com/tickets.
BROADCAST INFORMATOIN
Television
Panther Sports TV/ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Eric Braley
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Clearances: Panther Sports TV Network/ESPN3 (CFU Ch. 15/HD415, KCRG Ch. 9.2, WHO 13 D-2, KGCW Ch. 26, NBC Sports Chicago, KSMO - Kansas City)
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
UT Arlington posted a record of 27-9 last year and reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 NIT.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (6-2 overall) will continue its rugged non-conference schedule this Thursday at 7 p.m. at home against the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks (7-1 overall).
• Thursday's game in the McLeod Center will feature a matchup of two top-50 RPI teams in UNI (No. 27) and UT Arlington (No. 44).
• Senior Bennett Koch has been named the MVC Player of the Week after scoring 30 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a 77-68 overtime win over previously unbeaten UNLV. Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (17.0 ppg), field goal% (63.5%) and free throw% (80.8%).
• UNI freshman Tywhon Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds per game (11.1). Pickford ranks No. 12 in the country in rebounding among all NCAA Division I players. Pickford leads the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and in offensive rebounds (27).
• UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (20) and steals (11). McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game.
• UNI ranks No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 58.5 points per game.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. UT ARLINGTON
UNI CONTINUES CHALLENGING NON-CONFERENCE SLATE VS UTA
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will continue its rugged non-conference schedule this Thursday at home against the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks (7-1 overall).
UNI and UTA will tip at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Thursday game will be shown live on the Panther Sports Television Network and on ESPN3.
Eric Braley (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
Clearances: Panther Sports TV Network/ESPN3 (CFU Ch. 15/HD415, KCRG Ch. 9.2, WHO 13 D-2, KGCW Ch. 26, NBC Sports Chicago, KSMO - Kansas City)
UT ARLINGTON MAVERICKS
The University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks are NCAA Division I members of the Sun Belt Conference.
UTA is under the direction of 12th-year head coach Scott Cross.
UTA posted a record of 27-9 during the 2016-17 season. The Mavericks reached the quarterfinals of the 2017 NIT.
UTA returns two starters and 10 letterwinners from last year's squad. The Mavericks return two of their top three scorers, including Sun Belt Player of the Year Kevin Hervey and point guard Erick Neal.
This will mark the first meeting between UNI and UT Arlington. UNI will make a return trip to Arlington, Texas, next season the complete the home-and-home agreement.
STRONG START FOR UTA
UTA is off to a 7-1 start to the 2017-18 season. The Mavericks lone loss this season came at No. 24-ranked Alabama, 77-76.
UTA's Erick Neal is the nation's leader in assists (10.3 apg). UTA's Kevin Hervey is ranked No. 9 in the country in scoring (23.4 ppg).
TOP 50 RPI MATCHUP
Thursday's matchup in the McLeod Center will feature of a pair of top-50 RPI teams in UNI (No. 27) and UT Arlington (No. 44).
NO. 5 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 58.5 points per game.
KOCH EARNS MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
UNI senior Bennett Koch has earned the Missouri Valley Conference's men's basketball player of the week honor.
Koch (Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin) scored a career-high 30 points and led UNI to a 77-68 overtime victory over UNLV.
Koch made 10-of-19 field goals and was 10-of-13 from the free throw line against the previously undefeated Runnin' Rebels.
UNI trailed by three points with under a minute to play in regulation, when Koch scored in the post with :49.7 left. Koch then sent the game to overtime by making a free throw with :18.4 remaining.
Koch's dunk with 1:49 left in overtime gave UNI a 68-63 lead. He buried two free throws with :11.5 left to close out the scoring.
Koch also grabbed seven rebounds and posted three steals.
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (17.0 ppg), field goal% (63.5%) and free throw% (80.8%) through their first eight games.
Koch is the lone UNI Panther to have scored in double figures in all eight contests.
He ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.9 rpg).
TWO CAREER HIGHS FOR KOCH, CARLSON VS. UNLV
UNI seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson each tallied career scoring highs in a 77-68 overtime win over UNLV.
Koch went for 30 points, while Carlson notched 23 points against the Runnin' Rebels.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (6)
Klint Carlson (2)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
UNI freshman Tywhon Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds per game (11.1).
He ranks No. 12 in the country in rebounding among all NCAA Division I players.
He leads the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and in offensive rebounds (27).
Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six of UNI's eight games this season.
Pickford ranks third on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game.
MCCLOUD'S CONFIDENCE SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (20) and steals (11).
McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 11.8 points per game.
McCloud has reached double-figure scoring five times this season. Last year, McCloud had four double-figure scoring games as a true freshman.
McCloud has drained 11 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
SCORING SPARK OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is the leading bench scorer for the Panthers.
Haldeman has made 14-of-32 three-pointers this season and is averaging 7.5 points per game.
RHODES CAN'T MISS
UNI senior guard Hunter Rhodes has made the most of his limited time on the floor this year by making all three of his field goal attempts.
Rhodes played seven minutes against UNLV and was 3-for-3 from the field, including a three-pointer in nine minutes of action vs. the Runnin' Rebels.
WORKIN' OVERTIME
UNI has won its last three overtime contests. The Panthers posted a 77-68 overtime win over previously unbeaten UNLV in the McLeod Center on Nov. 29.
Last season, UNI went 2-0 in overtime games with a 73-67 win over Oklahoma (Nov. 18, 2016) and a double-overtime triumph over Loyola (Jan. 18, 2017).
Head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-8 all-time in overtime games.
UNI's Overtime Games Since 2006
L, 67-64 at Illinois State (1/9/07)
W, 64-60 at UMKC (12/19/07)
W, 77-75 vs. Wichita State (2/13/08)
L, 71-66 vs. Iowa State (12/3/08)
L, 85-84 (2OT) vs. Indiana State (12/28/08)
W, 69-67 at Illinois State (2/24/09)
W, 60-57 vs. Illinois State (3/8/09)
W, 84-81 vs. Toledo (11/14/12)
W, 82-77 at George Mason (12/8/12)
L, 54-51 at Evansville (1/29/13)
L, 91-82 vs. Iowa State (12/7/13)
L, 93-87 at Loyola (1/25/14)
W, 79-77 at Stephen F. Austin (11/18/14)
W, 71-65 vs. George Mason (12/6/14)
L, 93-87 (2OT) at VCU (12/13/14)
W, 57-52 vs. Wichita State (3/5/16)
L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. Texas A&M (3/20/16)
W, 73-67 vs. Oklahoma (11/18/16)
W, 72-69 (2OT) vs. Loyola (1/18/17)
W, 77-68 vs. UNLV (11/29/17)
PLAYING WELL IN DECEMBER
UNI has won nine consecutive home games in December vs. non-conference foes.
LAST TWO NCAA CHAMPS
UNI's only two losses this season have come against the last two NCAA champions - North Carolina (2017) and Villanova (2016).
Both setbacks also came against top-10 ranked foes as North Carolina was ranked No. 9 and Villanova was No. 5 at the time of each matchup.
RARE CLASS OF STATS
Pickford is looking to become the first UNI Panther to average double-figure rebounds for a season since Joe Breakenridge averaged 10.5 rebounds per game in the 2000-2001 season.
Prior to Breakenridge averaging double figures in rebounds you have to go all the way back to the 1975-1976 season which saw Mark Enright average 10.5 rebounds per game for the Panthers.
DEFENSE, REBOUNDING KEYED UNI'S 6-2 START TO SEASON
UNI's 6-2 start to the 2017-18 season has been built on the strength of its defense and ability to rebound.
The Panthers have limited the opposition to 58.5 points per game and 36.8 percent field goal shooting.
UNI is enjoying a +6.3 rebonding margin this season. UNI has outrebounded five of its eight opponents, including a +8.0 advantage over No. 5-ranked Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis title game.
RATCHETING UP THE DEFENSE
Since giving up 86 points in the season opener against North Carolina, UNI has ratcheted up the defensive effort.
In its last seven games, UNI is 6-1 and allowing only 54.6 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 34.8 percent shooting from the field and only 28.7 percent from three-point range in its last seven contests.
UNI is enjoying a plus 8.3 advantage (41.7 to 33.4) on the boards in its last seven games.
KEEP IT IN THE STATE OF IOWA
UNI will play its next five games in the state of Iowa including Thursday vs. UT Arlington in the McLeod Center.
Four of UNI's next five games (Dec. 7 - UT Arlington; Dec. 10 - Dubuque; Dec. 22 - Xavier; Dec. 28 - Southern Illinois) will be played in the McLeod Center - the only game away from Cedar Falls is Dec. 16 vs. Iowa State in Des Moines at The Hy-Vee Classic.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through eight games, UNI has five players who have made at least six 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (14), Juwan McCloud (11), Tywhon Pickford (11), Isaiah Brown (10) and Klint Carlson (6) have all made at least six shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 7.4 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 569 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.
22 POWER-FIVE VICTORIES
UNI reached the championship game of the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with victories over SMU and Atlantic Coast Conference's North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The triumph over N.C. State marked the 22nd victory for the Panthers over a Power-5 conference foe (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) since head coach Ben Jacobson took over the program in 2006-07.
Power 5 Victories (since 2006-07)
Iowa State (60-57 - 2006-07)
at Iowa (57-55 - 2006-07)
at Iowa State (61-48 - 2007-08)
vs. Auburn (67-61 - 2008-09)
vs. Boston College (81-69 - 2009-10)
at Iowa State (63-60) - 2009-10)
Iowa (67-50 - 2009-10)
vs. Kansas (69-67 - 2009-10)
Iowa State (60-54 - 2010-11)
vs. Indiana (67-61 - 2010-11)
at Iowa State (69-62 - 2011-12)
Iowa (80-60 - 2011-12)
vs. Virginia Tech (73-54 - 2014-15)
vs. Northwestern (61-42 - 2014-15)
vs. Iowa (56-44 - 2014-15)
North Carolina (71-67 - 2015-16)
vs. Iowa State (81-79 - 2015-16)
vs. Washington State (63-59 - 2015-16)
vs. Texas (75-72 - 2015-16)
vs. Arizona State (82-63 - 2016-17)
vs. Oklahoma (73-67 - 2016-17)
vs. North Carolina State (64-60 - 2017-18)
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win in the McLeod Center.
It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests.
UNI has won 40 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date Opponent Result
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
11/15/17 Wartburg W, 72-43
11/13/17 Alcorn State W, 73-45
2/8/17 Southern Illinois W, 49-41
11/12/16 Coe W, 74-37
2/24/15 Indiana State W, 66-44
1/9/15 Drake W, 77-44
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
3/7/15 vs. Loyola W, 63-49
(MVC Tournament)
3/6/15 vs. Bradley W, 71-46
(MVC Tournament)
2/21/15 Bradley W, 56-39
2/18/15 at Loyola W, 58-39
1/18/15 Missouri State W, 60-46
1/10/15 at Drake W, 64-40
1/7/15 Southern Illinois W, 55-39
12/20/14 vs. Iowa W, 56-44
11/26/14 vs. Northwestern W, 61-42
11/22/14 North Florida W, 66-49
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
2/5/13 Missouri State W, 48-37
1/23/13 Southern Illinois W, 58-45
11/17/12 North Dakota W, 72-47
1/31/12 Southern Illinois W, 58-49
1/4/12 Indiana State W, 65-48
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
11/22/11 Western Carolina W, 59-39
11/12/11 Old Dominion W, 63-46
1/22/11 Drake W, 69-49
1/12/11 at Illinois State W, 46-44
12/19/10 SIU Edwardsville W, 68-47
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
3/6/10 vs. Bradley W, 57-40
(MVC Tournament)
3/5/10 vs. Drake W, 55-40
(MVC Tournament)
2/10/10 at Drake W, 57-48
1/16/10 vs. Indiana State W, 62-40
1/9/10 at Illinois State W, 59-44
1/6/10 at Southern Illinois W, 61-49
1/1/10 vs. Evansville W, 65-46
12/19/09 at North Dakota W, 64-41
11/28/09 vs. Northern Illinois W, 52-45
2/18/09 vs. Drake L, 47-46
12/6 /08 vs. North Dakota W, 69-49
3/7/08 vs. Southern Illinois W, 54-49
(MVC Tournament)
12/29/07 at Bradley W, 59-46
12/15/07 vs. Wartburg W, 99-48
11/27/07 at Iowa State W, 61-48
11/9/07 vs. Northern Illinois W, 75-45
12/2/06 at Bucknell W, 57-48
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 44-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date Opponent Results
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
12/7/16 South Dakota State W, 86-58
11/17/16 vs. Arizona State W, 82-63
3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M L, 92-88 (2OT)
2/10/15 Missouri State W, 83-69
2/6/15 at Drake W, 82-66
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
12/19/15 vs. Iowa State W, 81-79
11/30/15 North Texas W, 93-70
11/28/15 at North Dakota W, 97-51
11/25/15 Dubuque W, 83-63
2/11/15 Illinois State W, 83-64
12/13/14 at VCU L, 93-87 (2OT)
2/1/14 Indiana State L, 87-81
1/29/14 Evansville W, 95-81
1/25/14 at Loyola L, 93-87 (OT)
1/14/14 Missouri State W, 94-89
1/8/14 at Evansville W, 80-53
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
12/28/13 Iona W, 90-78
12/7/13 vs. Iowa State L, 91-82 (OT)
11/22/13 Loyola Marymount W, 90-81
11/11/13 Coe W, 86-52
3/26/13 Bradley W, 90-77
3/2/13 Illinois State W, 80-72
1/20/13 Drake W, 85-55
1/12/13 Bradley W, 84-53
12/23/12 Saint Mary's W, 82-75
12/8/12 at George Mason W, 82-77 (OT)
11/14/12 Toledo W, 84-81 (OT)
11/10/12 Wartburg W, 103-50
1/7/12 at Drake W, 83-68
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
12/6/11 Iowa W, 80-60
12/3/11 Colorado State W, 83-77
3/15/11 Rider W, 84-50
2/15/11 at Bradley W, 80-70
1/9/11 Bradley W, 83-77
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
1/3/10 Missouri State W, 84-76
12/12/09 Siena W, 82-65
11/23/09 vs. Boston College W, 81-69
2/11/09 Southern Illinois W, 81-55
1/17/09 at Drake W, 81-59
12/28/08 Indiana State L, 85-84 (2OT)
11/25/08 Chicago State W, 81-70
12/15/07 Wartburg W, 99-48
12/20/06 Wartburg W, 83-61
12/09/06 UMKC W, 85-53
11/13/06 vs. Pepperdine W, 83-58
MCLEOD CENTER
UNI is 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 137-35 (.797) 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.
THIRD KOCH BROTHER WITH 30-POINT GAME
Bennett Koch's 30-point scoring performance in UNI's 77-68 overtime win over UNLV was the third 30-point scoring game by a Koch brother in a UNI uniform.
Adam Koch went for 30 points at Missouri State (Jan. 25, 2009) and Jake Koch had a 34-point scoring night vs. Bradley (Jan. 9, 2011).
UNI's 30-Point Games Since 1980-81
40 - Cam Johnson (2/12/94 vs. Drake)
38 - Jeremy Morgan (12/10/16 vs. North Dakota)
38 - Jason Reese (3/1/90 at Missouri State)
38 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/4/84 at Cleveland St.)
37 - Jason Daisy (1/22/97 vs. Illinois State)
37 - Jason Reese (12/30/88 at SMU)
36 - Jeremy Morgan (3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M)
36 - Jason Daisy (12/16/95 vs. Nebraska)
35 - Jason Daisy (12/2/95 vs. UCF)
35 - Jason Reese (12/17/88 vs. Youngstown St.)
35 - James Parker (12/28/87 vs. LSU)
34 - Jake Koch (1/9/11 vs. Bradley)
34 - Jason Daisy (2/15/97 vs. Southern Illinois)
33 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/28/84 at Illinois-Chicago)
32 - Kwadzo Ahelegbe (11/23/09 vs. Boston College)
32 - Jason Daisy (2/18/95 vs. Loyola Chicago)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/30/85 at San Diego)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (11/30/85 vs. Prairie View A&M)
32 - Scott Stafford (1/21/85 vs. Valparaiso)
31 - Jordan Eglseder (12/13/08 vs. Wyoming)
31 - Ben Jacobson (2/9/05 vs. Creighton)
31 - Robbie Sieverding (2/22/99 vs. Drake)
31 - Tony Brus (2/17/99 vs. Illinois State)
31 - Jason Reese (1/7/89 at Stephen F. Austin)
31 - Jason Reese (2/14/89 vs. Missouri State)
31 - Jason Reese (2/25/89 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Maurice Newby (1/28/87 vs. Northern Illinois)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/18/86 at Cleveland St.)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/25/85 vs. Green Bay)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/14/84 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/26/83 vs. Wayne St.)
30 - Bennett Koch (11/29/17 vs. UNLV)
30 - Adam Koch (1/25/09 vs. Missouri State)
30 - Robbie Sieverding (12/4/01 vs. Iowa)
30 - Randy Blocker (3/5/94 vs. Illinois State)
30 - Randy Blocker (2/7/94 vs. Bradley)
30 - Randy Blocker (1/15/94 vs. Wichita State)
30 - Randy Blocker (12/21/93 vs. Long Island)
30 - Troy Muilenberg (12/8/90 vs. Morningside)
30 - Jason Reese (12/11/89 at Sam Houston St.)
30 - Jason Reese (1/28/89 at Illinois-Chicago)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (3/6/86 vs. Cleveland St.)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/21/85 vs. Elmhurst)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/12/85 at Eastern Illinois)
30 - Ray Storck (2/20/82 vs. UNC-Wilmington)
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular seaso home games since the 2007-08 season when the Panthers had 17 on the slate.
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
2017-18 4-0
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.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green has scored 1,120 points entering his senior season at Cedar Falls High School. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
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
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballBen Schwieger & Tristan Smith Postgame Interview - Nov. 14, 2025.
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