University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Saturday, February 3
Cedar Falls, Iowa
3 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Indiana State
UNI Men's Hoops Take on Indiana State Saturday
2/2/2018 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Complete Release (PDF)
Indiana State (10-13, 5-6) at UNI (11-12, 3-8)
Sat., Feb. 3, 2018 • 3 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
WATCH* | LISTEN | STATS
*-ESPN3 blacked out in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri
TICKET INFORMATION
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 INFORMATION
Saturday's Indiana State-UNI game will be shown live on the Missouri Valley Conference TV Network.
Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the action in the McLeod Center.
Clearances for the game include: Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports Indiana and NBC Sports Chicago+.
The game can also be seen ESPN3 nationally but it will be blacked out in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri.
It can also be streamed on the Fox Sports GO app.
Television
MVC TV
Play-by-Play: Brad Wells
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
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-Time Series: Indiana State leads 29-26
Last Meeting: Indiana State 69, UNI 67 (Jan. 10, 2018)
UNI has won three straight home matchups against Indiana State.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. INDIANA STATE
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (11-12 overall, 3-8 MVC) returns to the McLeod Center Saturday to take on the Indiana State Sycamores (10-13 overall, 5-6 MVC). Tip is set for 3 p.m.
• UNI ranks No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense (62.3 ppg). UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.0).
• UNI is averaging 67.0 points per game at home in five MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
• UNI is 8-0 this season when scoring 68 or more points in a game.
• Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman. Pickford has tallied 189 rebounds this season and needs only 11 more to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
• Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder (8.2 rpg) under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among all freshmen.
• Junior guard Wyatt Lohaus ranks first and sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman ranks second in scoring among active MVC players who have not made a start this season. Lohaus is scoring 8.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.2 points per game.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. INDIANA STATE
INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES
Indiana State enters the McLeod Center having lost three straight contests.
The Sycamores are 3-6 on the road this season with their wins coming against Indiana (90-69), Loyola (61-57) and Evansville (71-66).
Indiana State is led in scoring by Jordan Barnes (17.6 ppg), Brenton Scott (14.9 ppg) and Qiydar Davis (10.6 ppg).
Barnes ranks No. 4 in the nation in three-point field goals made (87).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. INDIANA ST
Indiana State owns a 29-26 lead over UNI in the all-time series.
UNI has won three straight matchups vs. Indiana State in Cedar Falls.
The Sycamores have posted four wins in the McLeod Center - the most by any current member of the Missouri Valley Conference.
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-12 vs. Indiana State.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
UNI had rallied from a five-point deficit in the final 20 seconds to knot the score at 67-67 on a three-pointer from Wyatt Lohaus and a layup by Tywhon Pickford after a steal when the teams met in the Hulman Center on Jan. 10.
Indiana State's Jordan Barnes brought the ball down the floor with the score tied at 67-67 and launched a three-pointer that was missed, but the errant shot was tipped in by Brandon Murphy as the buzzer sounded to give the Sycamores a two-point win.
PICKFORD LOOKS TO JOIN LIST OF FROSH MVC REBOUNDERS
UNI guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Pickford has tallied 189 rebounds this season and needs only 11 more to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Eric Coleman holds the UNI freshman record for rebounds in a season with 205 in the 2004-05 season. Seth Tuttle is No. 2 on UNI's freshman rebounding list with 190 in 2011-12. Both Coleman and Tuttle were named the MVC Freshman of the Year in their respective years.
MVC Freshman Rebound Leaders
1. Cliff Levingston - WSU (1979-80) - 294
2. Doug McDermott - CU (2010-11) - 280
3. Bob Harstad - CU (1986-87) - 272
4. Benoit Benjamin - CU (1982-83) - 259
5. Josh Cunningham - BU (2014-15) - 247
6. Ashraf Amaya - SIU (1989-90) - 245
7. Jamie Arnold - WSU (1993-94) - 242
8. Michael Ruffin - TULSA (1995-96) - 232
9. Cleo Littleton - WSU (1951-52) - 231
10. Danny Granger - BU (2001-02) - 207
11. Jordan Caroline - SIU (2014-15) - 206
12. Eric Coleman - UNI (2004-05) - 205
13. Patrick O'Bryant - BU (2004-05) - 201
-------------------------------------------------------
14. Obediah Church - MSU (2015-16) - 195
15. Rick Shipley - SIU (1987-88) - 194
16. Carl Richard - INS (2008-09) - 192
17. Seth Tuttle - UNI (2011-12) - 190
18. Tywhon Pickford - UNI (2017-18) - 189
19. Luke Jackson - BU (1986-87) - 188
20. Hersey Hawkins - BU (1984-85) - 182
NO. 6 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 62.3 points per game.
Rk. Team W-L Points
1. Virginia 21-1 52.7
2. Cincinnati 20-2 56.8
3. UCF 14-7 60.2
4. New Mexico St. 19-3 61.9
5. SMU 15-7 62.0
6. UNI 11-12 62.3
7. Texas Tech 18-4 62.5
8. Loyola 18-5 62.8
9. Syracuse 15-7 62.8
10. Bradley 17-7 62.8
UNI RANKS NO. 8 IN THE NATION IN FEWEST FOULS PER GAME
UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.0).
Rk. Team Fouls/Game
1. Notre Dame 13.0
2. Virginia 13.7
3. Elon 14.2
4. George Washington 14.2
5. Loyola Chicago 14.4
6. Western Illinois 14.8
7. UCF 15.0
8. UNI 15.0
9. Minnesota 15.0
10. Michigan 15.0
MAGIC NUMBER IS 68
UNI is 8-0 this season when scoring 68 or more points in a game.
SCORE IT MORE AT HOME
UNI is scoring 13 more points per game at home than on the road during Missouri Valley Conference play.
UNI is averaging 67.0 points per game at home in five MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
STRONG NON-CONFERENCE WINS
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.
The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
SMU was ranked No. 60 and North Carolina State was ranked No. 65 in Thursday's NCAA RPI.
NO 'BAD' LOSSES
UNI sits at 11-12 overall and 3-8 in the MVC but you have to search far and wide to find a 'bad' loss for the Panthers in 2017-18.
All 10 of UNI's losses have come against top-171 RPI opponents. UNI's RPI sits at No. 138 in Thursday's NCAA RPI report.
RPI for UNI's Losses in 2017-18
No. 2 vs. Villanova - L, 64-50
No. 3 Xavier - L, 77-67
No. 10 at North Carolina - L, 86-69
No. 52 Loyola - L, 56-50
No. 52 at Loyola - L, 70-47
No. 73 at Bradley - L, 72-53
No. 92 at Southern Illinois - L, 64-53
No. 92 Southern Illinois - L, 56-53
No. 96 vs. Iowa State - L, 76-65
No. 109 at Evansville - L, 57-49
No. 115 at Missouri State - L, 62-55
No. 171 at Indiana State - L, 69-67
SECOND-HALF MVC IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI sits at 3-8 in MVC play as the Panthers embark on the second half of the league slate.
UNI has been under .500 at the midway point six times under head coach Ben Jacobson. The Panthers have bounced back strong in the second half of each of the previous five seasons to continue UNI's streak of .500 or above finishes in the league for 14 straight years.
UNI has produced a winning record in the second half of 10 of the last 11 conference seasons. The Panthers have gone 65-36 (.644) in the second half of MVC seasons under Jacobson.
Halfway in MVC Under Jake
Season 1st Half 2nd Half
2006-07 6-3 5-4
2007-08 4-5 5-4
2008-09 8-1 6-3
2009-10 8-1 7-2
2010-11 6-3 4-5
2011-12 4-5 5-4
2012-13 4-5 7-2
2013-14 5-4 5-4
2014-15 8-1 8-1
2015-16 3-6 8-1
2016-17 4-5 5-4
2017-18 3-6 0-2
Totals 63-45 (.583) 65-36 (.644)
PHYFE FEASTING IN MVC PLAY
UNI freshmen forward Austin Phyfe is shooting 72.7 percent from the field (16-of-22 FGs) during Missouri Valley Conference play.
Phyfe made his first career start vs. Valparaiso on Jan. 13. Phyfe entered the Valpo game having scored 27 total points in the season - including only 11 points in MVC play.
Following his first start vs. Valpo, Phyfe has scored 34 points for the Panthers.
Phyfe has made 14 of his last 17 field goal attempts and has drained 13 consecutive free throws entering Saturday's game vs. Indiana State.
TWO SPARKS OFF THE BENCH
UNI is getting a pair of scoring bursts off the bench from junior Wyatt Lohaus and sophomore Spencer Haldeman.
Lohaus ranks first and Haldeman ranks second among active MVC players in scoring without making a start this season.
Lohaus is scoring 8.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.2 points per game.
MVC Bench Scorers (no starts)
1. Wyatt Lohaus (UNI) 8.3 ppg
2. Spencer Haldeman (UNI) 6.2 ppg
3. Micah Bradford (Valpo) 5.3 ppg
4. Casey Schlatter (Drake) 4.5 ppg
5. Bruno Skokna (Loyola) 4.2 ppg
6. Rudy Stradnieks (SIU) 3.9 ppg
7. Isaac Gassman (Ill. St.) 3.5 ppg
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDER UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 8.2 rebounds per game.
UMass-Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 8.0 rebounds per game.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.2 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Marvin Bagley III (Duke) 11.4
2. Mohamed Bamba (Texas) 10.9
3. Deandre Ayton (Arizona) 10.7
4. Brandon McCoy (UNLV) 10.1
5. Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne) 9.5
6. Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke) 9.3
7. Loudon Love (Wright State) 9.3
8. Oshae Brissett (Syracuse) 9.1
9. Terry Taylor (Austin Peay) 8.5
10. Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.2
TYWHON TAKES CHARGE IN MVC
UNI freshmen guard Tywhon Pickford is the squad's leading scorer through 11 games in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Pickford is averaging 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in league play.
FROSH GUARD DOUBLE-DOUBLES
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks tied for third among freshman guards who have recorded double-doubles this season. Pickford has posted five double-doubles in 2017-18.
Oklahoma's Trae Young (10) and Duquesne's Eric Williams Jr. (9) are the only freshman guards with more than five double-doubles this season.
MVC Frosh Double-Doubles (since '97)
9 -- Doug McDermott, Creighton (2010-11)
6 -- Danny Granger, Bradley (2001-02)
6 -- Patrick O'Bryant, Bradley (2004-05)
5 -- Jamar Howard, Wichita State (2001-02)
5 -- Tywhon Pickford, UNI (2017-18)
PICKFORD DOUBLES UP
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds nine times this season.
Pickford has registered a team-best five double-doubles. Pickford has recorded double-doubles against Alcorn State (16 pts., 10 rbs.), North Carolina State (18 pts., 18 rbs.), Missouri State (18 pts., 10 rbs.), Loyola (15 pts., 11 rbs.) and Drake (16 pts., 10 rbs.).
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Bennett Koch (4)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
UNI's Single-Season Double-Double Leaders (Since 2000)
Joe Breakenridge (17) - 2000-01
Eric Coleman (16) - 2007-08
Grant Stout (13) - 2005-06
Eric Coleman (13) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (12) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (8) - 2004-05
Seth Tuttle (7) - 2013-14
David Gruber (6) - 2001-02
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2008-09
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2009-10
Matt Schneiderman (5) - 2002-03
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2012-13
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2014-15
Tywhon Pickford (5) - 2017-18
UNI's Overall Double-Double Leaders
(Since 2000)
Eric Coleman (36)
Grant Stout (33)
Seth Tuttle (21)
Joe Breakenridge (17)
Jordan Eglseder (15)
David Gruber (13)
Matt Schneiderman (8)
Jeremy Morgan (5)
Adam Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Erik Crawford (4)
Jake Koch (4)
Bennett Koch (4)
FOUR UNDERCLASSMEN IN STARTING FIVE
UNI has gone young in its starting lineup over the past six games by starting four underclassmen.
UNI's starting five consists of senior Klint Carlson, sophomores Isaiah Brown and Juwan McCloud to go along with true freshmen Tywhon Pickford and Austin Phyfe. The current starting five have combined to start 156 career games.
UNI's Starters (Played, Started)
Juwan McCloud (53, 51)
Isaiah Brown (49, 25)
Tywhon Pickford (23, 23)
Klint Carlson (105, 51)
Austin Phyfe (20, 6)
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 23 games, UNI has six players who have made at least 17 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (33), Isaiah Brown (32), Tywhon Pickford (28), Klint Carlson (27), Wyatt Lohaus (23) and Juwan McCloud (17) have all made at least 17 shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 7.6 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 584 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference. It also ranks as the 32nd-longest active streak among all NCAA Division I teams.
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.
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 TOURNEY SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
Current MVC NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Valparaiso (3) - 2004, 2013, 2015
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
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.
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)
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.
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 set the Cedar Falls High School scoring mark Jan. 16, 2018, with 1,435 points. 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 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
Indiana State (10-13, 5-6) at UNI (11-12, 3-8)
Sat., Feb. 3, 2018 • 3 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
WATCH* | LISTEN | STATS
*-ESPN3 blacked out in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri
TICKET INFORMATION
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 INFORMATION
Saturday's Indiana State-UNI game will be shown live on the Missouri Valley Conference TV Network.
Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the action in the McLeod Center.
Clearances for the game include: Fox Sports Midwest, Fox Sports Kansas City, Fox Sports Indiana and NBC Sports Chicago+.
The game can also be seen ESPN3 nationally but it will be blacked out in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri.
It can also be streamed on the Fox Sports GO app.
Television
MVC TV
Play-by-Play: Brad Wells
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
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-Time Series: Indiana State leads 29-26
Last Meeting: Indiana State 69, UNI 67 (Jan. 10, 2018)
UNI has won three straight home matchups against Indiana State.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. INDIANA STATE
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (11-12 overall, 3-8 MVC) returns to the McLeod Center Saturday to take on the Indiana State Sycamores (10-13 overall, 5-6 MVC). Tip is set for 3 p.m.
• UNI ranks No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense (62.3 ppg). UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.0).
• UNI is averaging 67.0 points per game at home in five MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
• UNI is 8-0 this season when scoring 68 or more points in a game.
• Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman. Pickford has tallied 189 rebounds this season and needs only 11 more to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
• Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder (8.2 rpg) under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among all freshmen.
• Junior guard Wyatt Lohaus ranks first and sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman ranks second in scoring among active MVC players who have not made a start this season. Lohaus is scoring 8.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.2 points per game.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. INDIANA STATE
INDIANA STATE SYCAMORES
Indiana State enters the McLeod Center having lost three straight contests.
The Sycamores are 3-6 on the road this season with their wins coming against Indiana (90-69), Loyola (61-57) and Evansville (71-66).
Indiana State is led in scoring by Jordan Barnes (17.6 ppg), Brenton Scott (14.9 ppg) and Qiydar Davis (10.6 ppg).
Barnes ranks No. 4 in the nation in three-point field goals made (87).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. INDIANA ST
Indiana State owns a 29-26 lead over UNI in the all-time series.
UNI has won three straight matchups vs. Indiana State in Cedar Falls.
The Sycamores have posted four wins in the McLeod Center - the most by any current member of the Missouri Valley Conference.
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-12 vs. Indiana State.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
UNI had rallied from a five-point deficit in the final 20 seconds to knot the score at 67-67 on a three-pointer from Wyatt Lohaus and a layup by Tywhon Pickford after a steal when the teams met in the Hulman Center on Jan. 10.
Indiana State's Jordan Barnes brought the ball down the floor with the score tied at 67-67 and launched a three-pointer that was missed, but the errant shot was tipped in by Brandon Murphy as the buzzer sounded to give the Sycamores a two-point win.
PICKFORD LOOKS TO JOIN LIST OF FROSH MVC REBOUNDERS
UNI guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Pickford has tallied 189 rebounds this season and needs only 11 more to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Eric Coleman holds the UNI freshman record for rebounds in a season with 205 in the 2004-05 season. Seth Tuttle is No. 2 on UNI's freshman rebounding list with 190 in 2011-12. Both Coleman and Tuttle were named the MVC Freshman of the Year in their respective years.
MVC Freshman Rebound Leaders
1. Cliff Levingston - WSU (1979-80) - 294
2. Doug McDermott - CU (2010-11) - 280
3. Bob Harstad - CU (1986-87) - 272
4. Benoit Benjamin - CU (1982-83) - 259
5. Josh Cunningham - BU (2014-15) - 247
6. Ashraf Amaya - SIU (1989-90) - 245
7. Jamie Arnold - WSU (1993-94) - 242
8. Michael Ruffin - TULSA (1995-96) - 232
9. Cleo Littleton - WSU (1951-52) - 231
10. Danny Granger - BU (2001-02) - 207
11. Jordan Caroline - SIU (2014-15) - 206
12. Eric Coleman - UNI (2004-05) - 205
13. Patrick O'Bryant - BU (2004-05) - 201
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14. Obediah Church - MSU (2015-16) - 195
15. Rick Shipley - SIU (1987-88) - 194
16. Carl Richard - INS (2008-09) - 192
17. Seth Tuttle - UNI (2011-12) - 190
18. Tywhon Pickford - UNI (2017-18) - 189
19. Luke Jackson - BU (1986-87) - 188
20. Hersey Hawkins - BU (1984-85) - 182
NO. 6 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 62.3 points per game.
Rk. Team W-L Points
1. Virginia 21-1 52.7
2. Cincinnati 20-2 56.8
3. UCF 14-7 60.2
4. New Mexico St. 19-3 61.9
5. SMU 15-7 62.0
6. UNI 11-12 62.3
7. Texas Tech 18-4 62.5
8. Loyola 18-5 62.8
9. Syracuse 15-7 62.8
10. Bradley 17-7 62.8
UNI RANKS NO. 8 IN THE NATION IN FEWEST FOULS PER GAME
UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.0).
Rk. Team Fouls/Game
1. Notre Dame 13.0
2. Virginia 13.7
3. Elon 14.2
4. George Washington 14.2
5. Loyola Chicago 14.4
6. Western Illinois 14.8
7. UCF 15.0
8. UNI 15.0
9. Minnesota 15.0
10. Michigan 15.0
MAGIC NUMBER IS 68
UNI is 8-0 this season when scoring 68 or more points in a game.
SCORE IT MORE AT HOME
UNI is scoring 13 more points per game at home than on the road during Missouri Valley Conference play.
UNI is averaging 67.0 points per game at home in five MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
STRONG NON-CONFERENCE WINS
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.
The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
SMU was ranked No. 60 and North Carolina State was ranked No. 65 in Thursday's NCAA RPI.
NO 'BAD' LOSSES
UNI sits at 11-12 overall and 3-8 in the MVC but you have to search far and wide to find a 'bad' loss for the Panthers in 2017-18.
All 10 of UNI's losses have come against top-171 RPI opponents. UNI's RPI sits at No. 138 in Thursday's NCAA RPI report.
RPI for UNI's Losses in 2017-18
No. 2 vs. Villanova - L, 64-50
No. 3 Xavier - L, 77-67
No. 10 at North Carolina - L, 86-69
No. 52 Loyola - L, 56-50
No. 52 at Loyola - L, 70-47
No. 73 at Bradley - L, 72-53
No. 92 at Southern Illinois - L, 64-53
No. 92 Southern Illinois - L, 56-53
No. 96 vs. Iowa State - L, 76-65
No. 109 at Evansville - L, 57-49
No. 115 at Missouri State - L, 62-55
No. 171 at Indiana State - L, 69-67
SECOND-HALF MVC IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI sits at 3-8 in MVC play as the Panthers embark on the second half of the league slate.
UNI has been under .500 at the midway point six times under head coach Ben Jacobson. The Panthers have bounced back strong in the second half of each of the previous five seasons to continue UNI's streak of .500 or above finishes in the league for 14 straight years.
UNI has produced a winning record in the second half of 10 of the last 11 conference seasons. The Panthers have gone 65-36 (.644) in the second half of MVC seasons under Jacobson.
Halfway in MVC Under Jake
Season 1st Half 2nd Half
2006-07 6-3 5-4
2007-08 4-5 5-4
2008-09 8-1 6-3
2009-10 8-1 7-2
2010-11 6-3 4-5
2011-12 4-5 5-4
2012-13 4-5 7-2
2013-14 5-4 5-4
2014-15 8-1 8-1
2015-16 3-6 8-1
2016-17 4-5 5-4
2017-18 3-6 0-2
Totals 63-45 (.583) 65-36 (.644)
PHYFE FEASTING IN MVC PLAY
UNI freshmen forward Austin Phyfe is shooting 72.7 percent from the field (16-of-22 FGs) during Missouri Valley Conference play.
Phyfe made his first career start vs. Valparaiso on Jan. 13. Phyfe entered the Valpo game having scored 27 total points in the season - including only 11 points in MVC play.
Following his first start vs. Valpo, Phyfe has scored 34 points for the Panthers.
Phyfe has made 14 of his last 17 field goal attempts and has drained 13 consecutive free throws entering Saturday's game vs. Indiana State.
TWO SPARKS OFF THE BENCH
UNI is getting a pair of scoring bursts off the bench from junior Wyatt Lohaus and sophomore Spencer Haldeman.
Lohaus ranks first and Haldeman ranks second among active MVC players in scoring without making a start this season.
Lohaus is scoring 8.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.2 points per game.
MVC Bench Scorers (no starts)
1. Wyatt Lohaus (UNI) 8.3 ppg
2. Spencer Haldeman (UNI) 6.2 ppg
3. Micah Bradford (Valpo) 5.3 ppg
4. Casey Schlatter (Drake) 4.5 ppg
5. Bruno Skokna (Loyola) 4.2 ppg
6. Rudy Stradnieks (SIU) 3.9 ppg
7. Isaac Gassman (Ill. St.) 3.5 ppg
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDER UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 8.2 rebounds per game.
UMass-Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 8.0 rebounds per game.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.2 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Marvin Bagley III (Duke) 11.4
2. Mohamed Bamba (Texas) 10.9
3. Deandre Ayton (Arizona) 10.7
4. Brandon McCoy (UNLV) 10.1
5. Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne) 9.5
6. Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke) 9.3
7. Loudon Love (Wright State) 9.3
8. Oshae Brissett (Syracuse) 9.1
9. Terry Taylor (Austin Peay) 8.5
10. Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.2
TYWHON TAKES CHARGE IN MVC
UNI freshmen guard Tywhon Pickford is the squad's leading scorer through 11 games in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Pickford is averaging 12.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in league play.
FROSH GUARD DOUBLE-DOUBLES
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks tied for third among freshman guards who have recorded double-doubles this season. Pickford has posted five double-doubles in 2017-18.
Oklahoma's Trae Young (10) and Duquesne's Eric Williams Jr. (9) are the only freshman guards with more than five double-doubles this season.
MVC Frosh Double-Doubles (since '97)
9 -- Doug McDermott, Creighton (2010-11)
6 -- Danny Granger, Bradley (2001-02)
6 -- Patrick O'Bryant, Bradley (2004-05)
5 -- Jamar Howard, Wichita State (2001-02)
5 -- Tywhon Pickford, UNI (2017-18)
PICKFORD DOUBLES UP
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds nine times this season.
Pickford has registered a team-best five double-doubles. Pickford has recorded double-doubles against Alcorn State (16 pts., 10 rbs.), North Carolina State (18 pts., 18 rbs.), Missouri State (18 pts., 10 rbs.), Loyola (15 pts., 11 rbs.) and Drake (16 pts., 10 rbs.).
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Bennett Koch (4)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
UNI's Single-Season Double-Double Leaders (Since 2000)
Joe Breakenridge (17) - 2000-01
Eric Coleman (16) - 2007-08
Grant Stout (13) - 2005-06
Eric Coleman (13) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (12) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (8) - 2004-05
Seth Tuttle (7) - 2013-14
David Gruber (6) - 2001-02
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2008-09
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2009-10
Matt Schneiderman (5) - 2002-03
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2012-13
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2014-15
Tywhon Pickford (5) - 2017-18
UNI's Overall Double-Double Leaders
(Since 2000)
Eric Coleman (36)
Grant Stout (33)
Seth Tuttle (21)
Joe Breakenridge (17)
Jordan Eglseder (15)
David Gruber (13)
Matt Schneiderman (8)
Jeremy Morgan (5)
Adam Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Erik Crawford (4)
Jake Koch (4)
Bennett Koch (4)
FOUR UNDERCLASSMEN IN STARTING FIVE
UNI has gone young in its starting lineup over the past six games by starting four underclassmen.
UNI's starting five consists of senior Klint Carlson, sophomores Isaiah Brown and Juwan McCloud to go along with true freshmen Tywhon Pickford and Austin Phyfe. The current starting five have combined to start 156 career games.
UNI's Starters (Played, Started)
Juwan McCloud (53, 51)
Isaiah Brown (49, 25)
Tywhon Pickford (23, 23)
Klint Carlson (105, 51)
Austin Phyfe (20, 6)
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 23 games, UNI has six players who have made at least 17 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (33), Isaiah Brown (32), Tywhon Pickford (28), Klint Carlson (27), Wyatt Lohaus (23) and Juwan McCloud (17) have all made at least 17 shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 7.6 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 584 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference. It also ranks as the 32nd-longest active streak among all NCAA Division I teams.
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.
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 TOURNEY SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
Current MVC NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Valparaiso (3) - 2004, 2013, 2015
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
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.
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)
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.
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 set the Cedar Falls High School scoring mark Jan. 16, 2018, with 1,435 points. 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 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 BasketballBen 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
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 12)
Wednesday, November 05