University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Tuesday, February 13
Cedar Falls, Iowa
7 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Evansville
Panthers, Purple Aces Meet Tuesday in McLeod
2/12/2018 11:47:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
Evansville (16-11, 6-8) at UNI (12-14, 4-10)
Tues., Feb. 13, 2018 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
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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
Tuesday's Evansville at UNI game will be shown live on the Panthers Sports Television Network and on ESPN3. Eric Braley (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the game in the McLeod Center. Clearances: Cedar Falls Utilities Ch. 15/HD415, KCRG Ch. 9.2, WHO 13 D-2, KGCW Ch. 26, NBC Sports Chicago+, KSMO - Kansas City.
Television
Panther Sports TV Network/ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Eric Braley
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: Tied 26-26
Last Meeting: Evansville 57, UNI 49 (Jan. 31, 2018)
UNI has won five of the last seven meetings.
The Panthers are 9-2 vs. the Purple Aces in the McLeod Center.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. EVANSVILLE
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (12-14 overall, 4-10 MVC) will attempt to earn a split of the season series Tuesday vs. the Evansville Purple Aces (16-11 overall, 6-8 MVC). Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
• UNI ranks tied for No. 10 in the nation in scoring defense (63.3 ppg).
• Tywhon Pickford set the UNI freshman record for rebounds in a season. Pickford has 209 rebounds, besting the previous mark of 205 set by Eric Coleman in the 2004-05 season. Pickford's season total ranks as the 10th-best single-season mark for a freshman in MVC history. Pickford ranks as the nation's best rebounder under 6'5" at 8.0 rebounds per game.
• UNI has seven active players on its roster to have scored 20 or more points in a game in their career, which is the most for any MVC team.
• Senior forward Bennett Koch is closing in on becoming the 42nd UNI Panther to score 1,000 points. Koch has tallied 958 career points.
• 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 9.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.5 points per game.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. EVANSVILLE
EVANSVILLE PURPLE ACES
Evansville is under the direction of 11th-year head coach Marty Simmons. Simmons has totaled 281 career coaching wins in stops at Wartburg (10), SIU Edwardsville (88) and Evansville (183).
   The Purple Aces are 2-8 in road games this season with their two victories coming at Bowling Green (91-76 on Nov. 29) and at Valparaiso (75-65 on Jan. 24). Evansville is coming off a 72-55 loss at Missouri State on Saturday.
   Evansville is led in scoring by the MVC's top scorer in Ryan Taylor (21.2 ppg). Blake Simmons, son of the head coach, is averaging 11.4 points per game for Evansville.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. EVANSVILLE
UNI and Evansville are tied at 26-26 in the all-time series.Â
   Evansville is 7-16 in games played in Cedar Falls, including a mark of 2-9 in the McLeod Center.
   UNI has won four straight matchups vs. Evansville in the McLeod Center.
   UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 15-9 vs. Evansville.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
Evansville overcame a six-point second-half deficit to score a 57-49 win over UNI on Jan. 31.
   Evansville got 25 points from the league's leading scorer Ryan Taylor. Blake Simmons posted a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Purple Aces.
   UNI saw senior Bennett Koch post a team-high 19 points. Koch was 5-of-8 from the field and 9-of-14 from the free throw line.
   Evansville led 20-9 with 6:44 left in the first half, but the Panthers would close the half on a 12-1 run to even the contest at the break, 21-21.
   UNI would open up a 28-22 lead following a conventional three-point play from Koch with 16:28 left in the game. The Koch bucket and free throw completed a 19-2 run for the Panthers.
   Evansville answered back with a 17-6 run that gave the Purple Aces a 39-34 lead with 10:19 remaining in the contest. UNI pulled back to within 42-39 after another Koch bucket. But the Purple Aces would push the lead to 11 at 53-42.
UNI'S STREAK OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS SNAPPED
UNI's streak of 14 straight seasons with nine or more league wins has been snapped after the Panthers dropped their 10th MVC game of the season Saturday at Drake.Â
   The league's current longest streak of nine or more wins is now Illinois State with four.
PICKFORD SETS UNI FRESHMAN REBOUNDING MARK
Guard Tywhon Pickford set the Panther freshman rebounding record with 10 rebounds at Drake.Â
   Pickford has registered 209 rebounds this season, besting the previous mark of 205 set by Eric Coleman in the 2004-05 season. Pickford's 209 rebounds ranks as the 10th-best freshman single-season mark in Missouri Valley Conference history.Â
   Only four players have put up higher freshman rebounding numbers in the MVC in the past 25 years - Doug McDermott (Crieghton) had 280 in 2010-11; Josh Cunningham (Bradley) had 247 in 2014-15); Jamie Arnold (Wichita State) had 242 in 1993-94; Michael Ruffin (Tulsa) had 232 in 1995-96.
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. Tywhon Pickford - UNI (2017-18) - 209
11. Danny Granger - BU (2001-02) - 207
12. Jordan Caroline - SIU (2014-15) - 206
13. Eric Coleman - UNI (2004-05) - 205
14. Patrick O'Bryant - BU (2004-05) - 201
-------------------------------------------------------
15. Obediah Church - MSU (2015-16) - 195
16. Rick Shipley - SIU (1987-88) - 194
17. Carl Richard - INS (2008-09) - 192
18. Seth Tuttle - UNI (2011-12) - 190
19. Luke Jackson - BU (1986-87) - 188
20. Hersey Hawkins - BU (1984-85) - 182
WHAT A WEEK FOR WYATT
Junior Wyatt Lohaus averaged 21.0 points per game and shot 56.5 percent from the field, including 58.8 percent from the three-point arc.Â
   Lohaus scored a career-high 25 points in burying 7-of-11 field goals in a 74-65 win over Bradley. Lohaus sank 6-of-9 three-pointers and 5-of-6 free throws against the Braves. He tallied four rebounds and handed out an assist in the Panther victory.Â
   Lohaus followed that up with a team-high 17-point performance Saturday at Drake. Lohaus was 6-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-8 from distance against the Bulldogs.
   For the week, Lohaus was 13-of-23 from the field, which included 10-of-17 from three-point range.
LOHAUS LANDS CAREER HIGH
Junior guard Wyatt Lohaus recorded a career-high 25 points in UNI's 74-65 win over Bradley in the McLeod Center (Feb. 7).
   Lohaus drained a career-high six three-pointers vs. the Braves.
   Lohaus is one of 18 players in the country to have scored 25 points in a game to go with at least six made three-pointers and took 11 or fewer field goal attempts.
LOHAUS BECOMES 7TH 20-POINT SCORER FOR THE PANTHERS
Junior guard Wyatt Lohaus became the seventh active UNI Panthers to post a 20-point scoring game when he went for 25 points against the Bradley Braves (Feb. 7).
   UNI leads all MVC teams with seven different 20-point scorers.
Active 20-Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (7)
Klint Carlson (3)
Isaiah Brown (1)
Wyatt Lohaus (1)
Austin Phyfe (1)
Tywhon Pickford (1)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
MVC Teams Active 20-Point Scoring Games
UNI (7)
Loyola (6)
Bradley (4)
Drake (4)
Evansville (4)
Illinois State (4)
Missouri State (4)
Southern Illinois (3)
Valparaiso (3)
Indiana State (2)
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 9.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.5 points per game.
MVC Bench Scorers (no starts)
1. Â Â Â Wyatt Lohaus (UNI)Â Â Â Â Â Â 9.3 ppg
2.   Spencer Haldeman (UNI)   6.5 ppg
3.   Micah Bradford (Valpo)   5.2 ppg
4.   Casey Schlatter (Drake)   4.3 ppg
5.   Bruno Skokna (Loyola)   4.1 ppg
6.   Rudy Stradnieks (SIU)      3.6 ppg
7.   Isaac Gassman (Ill. St.)   3.4 ppg
KOCH SECURES FIFTH CAREER DOUBLE-DOUBLE
UNI senior forward Bennett Koch registered his fifth career double-double when he tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds at Drake (Feb. 10).
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Bennett Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
KOCH NEARS 1,000 POINTS
UNI senior forward Bennett Koch is closing in on becoming the 42nd member of the Panther 1,000 point scoring club.Â
   Koch has tallied 958 points heading into Tuesday's game vs. Evansville in the McLeod Center.
   Koch would become the third member of his family to score 1,000 points for the Panthers. His older brothers Adam (1,186 points - 2006-2010) and Jake (1,113 points - 2009-2013) each surpassed the 1,000-point mark in their careers.
T-NO. 10 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks tied for No. 10 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 63.0 points per game.
  Â
Rk.   Team   W-L   Points
1.   Virginia   23-2   52.8  Â
2.   Cincinnati   23-2   55.9
3.   UCF   15-9   61.4
4.   New Mexico St.   22-3   61.7
5.   Texas Tech   21-4   62.0
6.   Texas State   14-12   62.7
7.   UNC Greensboro   19-6   62.8
8.   Old Dominion   19-5   63.2
9.   SMU   15-10   63.3
10.   UNI   12-14   63.3
   Loyola   21-5   63.3
12.   Syracuse   17-8   63.4
13.   Michigan   20-7   63.7
15.   Rutgers   12-15   63.9
15.   Liberty   16-11   64.0
MAGIC NUMBER IS 68
UNI is 9-1 this season when scoring 68 points or more in a game. The Panthers are 9-0 in the McLeod Center when scoring 68 or more points.
   UNI's only loss this season when scoring more than 68 points came in the season opener when North Carolina scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers in Chapel Hill.Â
   The Panthers are 3-13 when scoring 67 points or less.
SCORE IT MORE AT HOME
UNI is scoring 12.5 more points per game at home than on the road during Missouri Valley Conference play.
   UNI is averaging 67.9 points per game at home in seven MVC games. The Panthers have posted 55.4 points per game in their seven road league games.
STRONG NON-CONF WINS
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.Â
   The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
   North Carolina St. was ranked No. 72 and SMU was ranked No. 79 in Monday's NCAA RPI.
NO 'BAD' LOSSES
UNI sits at 12-14 overall and 4-10 in the MVC but you have to search far and wide to find a 'bad' loss for the Panthers in 2017-18.
   All 14 of UNI's losses have come against top-169 RPI opponents. UNI's RPI sits at No. 160 in Monday's NCAA RPI report.
RPI for UNI's Losses in 2017-18
No. 2 Xavier - L, 77-67
No. 3 vs. Villanova - L, 64-50
No. 9 at North Carolina - L, 86-69
No. 52 Loyola - L, 56-50
No. 52 at Loyola - L, 70-47
No. 88 vs. Iowa State - L, 76-65
No. 94 at Southern Illinois - L, 64-53
No. 94 Southern Illinois - L, 56-53
No. 101 at Missouri State - L, 62-55
No. 106 at Bradley - L, 72-53
No. 117 at Evansville - L, 57-49
No. 145 at Drake - L, 71-64
No. 169 at Indiana State - L, 69-67
No. 169 Indiana State - L, 77-66
SECOND-HALF MVC IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI sits at 4-10 in MVC play as the Panthers are in 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.
   UNI has produced a winning record in the second half of 10 of the last 11 conference seasons. The Panthers have gone 66-38 (.635) in the second half of MVC seasons under Jacobson.
Halfway in MVC Under Jake
Season   1st Half   2nd Half
2006-07Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 5-4
2007-08 Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 5-4
2008-09 Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 6-3
2009-10Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 7-2
2010-11Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 4-5
2011-12Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 5-4
2012-13Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 7-2
2013-14Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 5-4
2014-15Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 8-1
2015-16Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 8-1
2016-17Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 5-4
2017-18Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 1-4
Totals   63-45 (.583)   66-38 (.635)
PHYFE FEASTING IN MVC PLAY
UNI freshmen forward Austin Phyfe is shooting 66.7 percent from the field (18-of-27 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 40 points for the Panthers.Â
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDER UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's best rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 8.0 rebounds per game.
   UMass Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's second-best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 7.9 rebounds per game.
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FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 12 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.0 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1.   Marvin Bagley III (Duke)   11.4
2. Â Â Â Deandre Ayton (Arizona)Â Â Â 10.7
3.   Mohamed Bamba (Texas)   10.6
4.   Brandon McCoy (UNLV)   10.1
5.   Loudon Love (Wright State)   9.9
6.   Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke)   9.4
7.   Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne)   9.1
8.   Oshae Brissett (Syracuse)   9.0
9.   Terry Taylor (Austin Peay)   8.3
10.   Steffon Mitchell (Boston College)   8.1
11.   Cameron Lard (Iowa State)   8.0
12.   Tywhon Pickford (UNI)   8.0
TYWHON TAKES CHARGE IN MVC
UNI freshmen guard Tywhon Pickford is the squad's leading scorer through 14 games in Missouri Valley Conference play.Â
   Pickford is averaging 11.0 points and 7.0 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 (12) 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 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 LeadersÂ
(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)
Bennett Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Erik Crawford (4)
Jake Koch (4)
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 26 games, UNI has six players who have made at least 18 3-pointers this season.
   Spencer Haldeman (39), Wyatt Lohaus (33), Isaiah Brown (32), Klint Carlson (31), Tywhon Pickford (28) and Juwan McCloud (18) have all made at least 18 shots from 3-point land this season.
   UNI is averaging 7.5 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 587 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.
AMONG THE MVC'S ALL-TIME BEST
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is among the all-time leaders in Missouri Valley Conference victories for all games and league games only.
   Jacobson ranks No. 6 in MVC coaching victories with 245 and also No. 6 in MVC games only wins with 127.
   Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Â Â Â Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State)Â Â Â 486
2. Â Â Â Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis)Â Â Â 337
3. Â Â Â Dana Altman (Creighton)Â Â Â 327
4.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)   265
5.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)   261
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)   246
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. Â Â Â Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) Â Â Â 187
2. Â Â Â Dana Altman (Creighton) Â Â Â 182
3. Â Â Â Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) Â Â Â 163
4.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)    143
5.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)    134
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)    127
7. Â Â Â Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) Â Â Â 126
8. Â Â Â Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) Â Â Â 111
9. Â Â Â Jim Molinari (Bradley) Â Â Â 110
10.   Maurice John (Drake)    95
ROAD LOSING STREAK
UNI has dropped 10 straight road games dating back to the 2016-17 season. It ranks as the 18th-longest current road losing streak in the country.
   Overall, the Panthers are 0-8 on the road this year. UNI is 0-7 in MVC play on the road and is looking to avoid having its first 0-9 road mark in league play since the 2000-2001 season.Â
   UNI's last road win came on Feb. 12, 2017, when the Panthers scored a 55-52 win at Missouri State.
   It is UNI's longest road losing streak since the Panthers lost 11 in a row during the 2002-03 season.Â
   UNI has only had two winless road seasons in MVC play (1994-95 and 2000-2001).
UNI in MVC Road Games
1991-92Â Â Â 2-7Â Â Â 1992-93Â Â Â 2-7
1993-94Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 1994-95Â Â Â 0-9
1995-96Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 1996-97Â Â Â 4-5
1997-98Â Â Â 1-8Â Â Â 1998-99Â Â Â 2-7
1999-2000Â Â Â 1-8Â Â Â 2000-01Â Â Â 0-9
2001-02Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 2002-03Â Â Â 1-8
2003-04Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 2004-05Â Â Â 4-5
2005-06Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 2006-07Â Â Â 4-5
2007-08Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 2008-09Â Â Â 8-1
2009-10Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 2010-11Â Â Â 4-5
2011-12Â Â Â 2-7Â Â Â 2012-13Â Â Â 4-5
2013-14Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 2014-15Â Â Â 7-2
2015-16Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 2016-17Â Â Â 3-6
2017-18Â Â Â 0-7
9 HOME WINS IN 12 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 12 consecutive seasons.
   UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular season home games since the 2007-08 season when the Panthers had 17 on the slate.
UNI's Home Record Since 2006-07
Year   Record
2006-07Â Â Â 9-4
2007-08Â Â Â 11-6
2008-09Â Â Â 11-4
2009-10Â Â Â 14-0
2010-11Â Â Â 13-5
2011-12Â Â Â 13-3
2012-13Â Â Â 16-4
2013-14Â Â Â 11-2
2014-15Â Â Â 15-0
2015-16Â Â Â 11-3
2016-17Â Â Â 9-4
2017-18Â Â Â 10-4
MCLEOD CENTERÂ
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 143-39 (.786) in games played in the McLeod Center.Â
   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.
MVC SWEEPS FOR COACH JAKE
UNI has swept an MVC opponent 37 times since the start of the 2006-07 season - Jacobson's first year as the Panther head coach.
MVC Season Sweeps Under Coach Jacobson
Bradley (6) - 06-07, 08-09, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16
Creighton (1) - 09-10
Drake (6) - 09-10, 11-12, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17
Evansville (5) - 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 13-14, 15-16
Illinois St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Indiana State (2) - 09-10, 14-15
Loyola (1) - 14-15
Missouri St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15
Southern Ill. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 11-12, 14-15, 16-17
Wichita State (1) - 07-08Â
PANTHERS ARE RARELY SWEPT
Since Ben Jacobson took over the head coaching duties in 2006-07, the UNI program has been swept in an MVC home-and-home series on only 16 occasions.
MVC Sweeps of UNI (since 2006-07)
Creighton - 06-07, 07-08
Drake - 06-07, 07-08
Evansville - 11-12, 12-13
Illinois State - 16-17
Indiana State - 10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Loyola - 15-16, 17-18
Southern Illinois - 17-18
Wichita State, 11-12, 13-14, 16-17
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.Â
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).  Â
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
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.Â
   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.Â
   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).Â
   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.
HARDWOOD JOURNEY - A HISTORY OF UNI BASKETBALL
Dr. James Kelly has compiled the history and stories from the beginning of basketball at the University of Northern Iowa until present day Panther hoops with his newest book entitled "Hardwood Journey" – a history of UNI basketball.
   This in-depth look at Panther basketball will provide any fan of UNI and the sport of basketball a must-have in their literary collection. Kelly began his quest to compile the history of UNI men's basketball in his previous book "Tutors to Panthers" – a brief history of UNI Athletics.
   "Hardwood Journey" will be available for pre-sale beginning Feb. 13 for $20. The first 500 books purchased will receive a complimentary copy of "Tutors to Panthers". The cost of the book has been underwritten so 100 percent of the sales will go toward UNI men's basketball.
   To purchase a copy log on to www.unipanthers.com.Â
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCEÂ
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.
PANTHERS RETURN TO PARADISE JAM IN 2018
The 2018 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam will return to the U.S. Virgin Islands, tournament directors announced Wednesday, after the 2017 edition of the annual event was relocated to the mainland United States due to hurricane damage last September. The 19th annual event will be held at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas, Nov. 16-24, 2018, and play host to 16 Division-I men's and women's basketball teams.
   The men's Paradise Jam begins Friday, Nov. 16 and continues through Monday, Nov. 19. The tournament field includes Eastern Kentucky, Kansas State, Kennesaw State, Missouri, Northern Iowa, Old Dominion, Oregon State, and Penn. Old Dominion returns to the tournament for a fourth time, after claiming the tournament title in 2010. Eastern Kentucky, Kansas State, and Northern Iowa also return to St. Thomas after previously participating in the tournament.
   This will mark UNI's third appearance in the Paradise Jam. UNI competed in the event in 2009 and 2013.
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.Â
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/UNIAthleticsÂ
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
TWITTER
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
INSTAGRAM
www.instagram.com/UNIAthletics
Â
Evansville (16-11, 6-8) at UNI (12-14, 4-10)
Tues., Feb. 13, 2018 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS
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
Tuesday's Evansville at UNI game will be shown live on the Panthers Sports Television Network and on ESPN3. Eric Braley (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the game in the McLeod Center. Clearances: Cedar Falls Utilities Ch. 15/HD415, KCRG Ch. 9.2, WHO 13 D-2, KGCW Ch. 26, NBC Sports Chicago+, KSMO - Kansas City.
Television
Panther Sports TV Network/ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Eric Braley
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: Tied 26-26
Last Meeting: Evansville 57, UNI 49 (Jan. 31, 2018)
UNI has won five of the last seven meetings.
The Panthers are 9-2 vs. the Purple Aces in the McLeod Center.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. EVANSVILLE
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (12-14 overall, 4-10 MVC) will attempt to earn a split of the season series Tuesday vs. the Evansville Purple Aces (16-11 overall, 6-8 MVC). Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
• UNI ranks tied for No. 10 in the nation in scoring defense (63.3 ppg).
• Tywhon Pickford set the UNI freshman record for rebounds in a season. Pickford has 209 rebounds, besting the previous mark of 205 set by Eric Coleman in the 2004-05 season. Pickford's season total ranks as the 10th-best single-season mark for a freshman in MVC history. Pickford ranks as the nation's best rebounder under 6'5" at 8.0 rebounds per game.
• UNI has seven active players on its roster to have scored 20 or more points in a game in their career, which is the most for any MVC team.
• Senior forward Bennett Koch is closing in on becoming the 42nd UNI Panther to score 1,000 points. Koch has tallied 958 career points.
• 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 9.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.5 points per game.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. EVANSVILLE
EVANSVILLE PURPLE ACES
Evansville is under the direction of 11th-year head coach Marty Simmons. Simmons has totaled 281 career coaching wins in stops at Wartburg (10), SIU Edwardsville (88) and Evansville (183).
   The Purple Aces are 2-8 in road games this season with their two victories coming at Bowling Green (91-76 on Nov. 29) and at Valparaiso (75-65 on Jan. 24). Evansville is coming off a 72-55 loss at Missouri State on Saturday.
   Evansville is led in scoring by the MVC's top scorer in Ryan Taylor (21.2 ppg). Blake Simmons, son of the head coach, is averaging 11.4 points per game for Evansville.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. EVANSVILLE
UNI and Evansville are tied at 26-26 in the all-time series.Â
   Evansville is 7-16 in games played in Cedar Falls, including a mark of 2-9 in the McLeod Center.
   UNI has won four straight matchups vs. Evansville in the McLeod Center.
   UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 15-9 vs. Evansville.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
Evansville overcame a six-point second-half deficit to score a 57-49 win over UNI on Jan. 31.
   Evansville got 25 points from the league's leading scorer Ryan Taylor. Blake Simmons posted a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Purple Aces.
   UNI saw senior Bennett Koch post a team-high 19 points. Koch was 5-of-8 from the field and 9-of-14 from the free throw line.
   Evansville led 20-9 with 6:44 left in the first half, but the Panthers would close the half on a 12-1 run to even the contest at the break, 21-21.
   UNI would open up a 28-22 lead following a conventional three-point play from Koch with 16:28 left in the game. The Koch bucket and free throw completed a 19-2 run for the Panthers.
   Evansville answered back with a 17-6 run that gave the Purple Aces a 39-34 lead with 10:19 remaining in the contest. UNI pulled back to within 42-39 after another Koch bucket. But the Purple Aces would push the lead to 11 at 53-42.
UNI'S STREAK OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS SNAPPED
UNI's streak of 14 straight seasons with nine or more league wins has been snapped after the Panthers dropped their 10th MVC game of the season Saturday at Drake.Â
   The league's current longest streak of nine or more wins is now Illinois State with four.
PICKFORD SETS UNI FRESHMAN REBOUNDING MARK
Guard Tywhon Pickford set the Panther freshman rebounding record with 10 rebounds at Drake.Â
   Pickford has registered 209 rebounds this season, besting the previous mark of 205 set by Eric Coleman in the 2004-05 season. Pickford's 209 rebounds ranks as the 10th-best freshman single-season mark in Missouri Valley Conference history.Â
   Only four players have put up higher freshman rebounding numbers in the MVC in the past 25 years - Doug McDermott (Crieghton) had 280 in 2010-11; Josh Cunningham (Bradley) had 247 in 2014-15); Jamie Arnold (Wichita State) had 242 in 1993-94; Michael Ruffin (Tulsa) had 232 in 1995-96.
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. Tywhon Pickford - UNI (2017-18) - 209
11. Danny Granger - BU (2001-02) - 207
12. Jordan Caroline - SIU (2014-15) - 206
13. Eric Coleman - UNI (2004-05) - 205
14. Patrick O'Bryant - BU (2004-05) - 201
-------------------------------------------------------
15. Obediah Church - MSU (2015-16) - 195
16. Rick Shipley - SIU (1987-88) - 194
17. Carl Richard - INS (2008-09) - 192
18. Seth Tuttle - UNI (2011-12) - 190
19. Luke Jackson - BU (1986-87) - 188
20. Hersey Hawkins - BU (1984-85) - 182
WHAT A WEEK FOR WYATT
Junior Wyatt Lohaus averaged 21.0 points per game and shot 56.5 percent from the field, including 58.8 percent from the three-point arc.Â
   Lohaus scored a career-high 25 points in burying 7-of-11 field goals in a 74-65 win over Bradley. Lohaus sank 6-of-9 three-pointers and 5-of-6 free throws against the Braves. He tallied four rebounds and handed out an assist in the Panther victory.Â
   Lohaus followed that up with a team-high 17-point performance Saturday at Drake. Lohaus was 6-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-8 from distance against the Bulldogs.
   For the week, Lohaus was 13-of-23 from the field, which included 10-of-17 from three-point range.
LOHAUS LANDS CAREER HIGH
Junior guard Wyatt Lohaus recorded a career-high 25 points in UNI's 74-65 win over Bradley in the McLeod Center (Feb. 7).
   Lohaus drained a career-high six three-pointers vs. the Braves.
   Lohaus is one of 18 players in the country to have scored 25 points in a game to go with at least six made three-pointers and took 11 or fewer field goal attempts.
LOHAUS BECOMES 7TH 20-POINT SCORER FOR THE PANTHERS
Junior guard Wyatt Lohaus became the seventh active UNI Panthers to post a 20-point scoring game when he went for 25 points against the Bradley Braves (Feb. 7).
   UNI leads all MVC teams with seven different 20-point scorers.
Active 20-Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (7)
Klint Carlson (3)
Isaiah Brown (1)
Wyatt Lohaus (1)
Austin Phyfe (1)
Tywhon Pickford (1)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
MVC Teams Active 20-Point Scoring Games
UNI (7)
Loyola (6)
Bradley (4)
Drake (4)
Evansville (4)
Illinois State (4)
Missouri State (4)
Southern Illinois (3)
Valparaiso (3)
Indiana State (2)
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 9.3 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.5 points per game.
MVC Bench Scorers (no starts)
1. Â Â Â Wyatt Lohaus (UNI)Â Â Â Â Â Â 9.3 ppg
2.   Spencer Haldeman (UNI)   6.5 ppg
3.   Micah Bradford (Valpo)   5.2 ppg
4.   Casey Schlatter (Drake)   4.3 ppg
5.   Bruno Skokna (Loyola)   4.1 ppg
6.   Rudy Stradnieks (SIU)      3.6 ppg
7.   Isaac Gassman (Ill. St.)   3.4 ppg
KOCH SECURES FIFTH CAREER DOUBLE-DOUBLE
UNI senior forward Bennett Koch registered his fifth career double-double when he tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds at Drake (Feb. 10).
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Bennett Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
KOCH NEARS 1,000 POINTS
UNI senior forward Bennett Koch is closing in on becoming the 42nd member of the Panther 1,000 point scoring club.Â
   Koch has tallied 958 points heading into Tuesday's game vs. Evansville in the McLeod Center.
   Koch would become the third member of his family to score 1,000 points for the Panthers. His older brothers Adam (1,186 points - 2006-2010) and Jake (1,113 points - 2009-2013) each surpassed the 1,000-point mark in their careers.
T-NO. 10 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks tied for No. 10 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 63.0 points per game.
  Â
Rk.   Team   W-L   Points
1.   Virginia   23-2   52.8  Â
2.   Cincinnati   23-2   55.9
3.   UCF   15-9   61.4
4.   New Mexico St.   22-3   61.7
5.   Texas Tech   21-4   62.0
6.   Texas State   14-12   62.7
7.   UNC Greensboro   19-6   62.8
8.   Old Dominion   19-5   63.2
9.   SMU   15-10   63.3
10.   UNI   12-14   63.3
   Loyola   21-5   63.3
12.   Syracuse   17-8   63.4
13.   Michigan   20-7   63.7
15.   Rutgers   12-15   63.9
15.   Liberty   16-11   64.0
MAGIC NUMBER IS 68
UNI is 9-1 this season when scoring 68 points or more in a game. The Panthers are 9-0 in the McLeod Center when scoring 68 or more points.
   UNI's only loss this season when scoring more than 68 points came in the season opener when North Carolina scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers in Chapel Hill.Â
   The Panthers are 3-13 when scoring 67 points or less.
SCORE IT MORE AT HOME
UNI is scoring 12.5 more points per game at home than on the road during Missouri Valley Conference play.
   UNI is averaging 67.9 points per game at home in seven MVC games. The Panthers have posted 55.4 points per game in their seven road league games.
STRONG NON-CONF WINS
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.Â
   The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
   North Carolina St. was ranked No. 72 and SMU was ranked No. 79 in Monday's NCAA RPI.
NO 'BAD' LOSSES
UNI sits at 12-14 overall and 4-10 in the MVC but you have to search far and wide to find a 'bad' loss for the Panthers in 2017-18.
   All 14 of UNI's losses have come against top-169 RPI opponents. UNI's RPI sits at No. 160 in Monday's NCAA RPI report.
RPI for UNI's Losses in 2017-18
No. 2 Xavier - L, 77-67
No. 3 vs. Villanova - L, 64-50
No. 9 at North Carolina - L, 86-69
No. 52 Loyola - L, 56-50
No. 52 at Loyola - L, 70-47
No. 88 vs. Iowa State - L, 76-65
No. 94 at Southern Illinois - L, 64-53
No. 94 Southern Illinois - L, 56-53
No. 101 at Missouri State - L, 62-55
No. 106 at Bradley - L, 72-53
No. 117 at Evansville - L, 57-49
No. 145 at Drake - L, 71-64
No. 169 at Indiana State - L, 69-67
No. 169 Indiana State - L, 77-66
SECOND-HALF MVC IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI sits at 4-10 in MVC play as the Panthers are in 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.
   UNI has produced a winning record in the second half of 10 of the last 11 conference seasons. The Panthers have gone 66-38 (.635) in the second half of MVC seasons under Jacobson.
Halfway in MVC Under Jake
Season   1st Half   2nd Half
2006-07Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 5-4
2007-08 Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 5-4
2008-09 Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 6-3
2009-10Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 7-2
2010-11Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 4-5
2011-12Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 5-4
2012-13Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 7-2
2013-14Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 5-4
2014-15Â Â Â 8-1Â Â Â 8-1
2015-16Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 8-1
2016-17Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 5-4
2017-18Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 1-4
Totals   63-45 (.583)   66-38 (.635)
PHYFE FEASTING IN MVC PLAY
UNI freshmen forward Austin Phyfe is shooting 66.7 percent from the field (18-of-27 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 40 points for the Panthers.Â
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDER UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's best rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 8.0 rebounds per game.
   UMass Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's second-best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 7.9 rebounds per game.
Â
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 12 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.0 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1.   Marvin Bagley III (Duke)   11.4
2. Â Â Â Deandre Ayton (Arizona)Â Â Â 10.7
3.   Mohamed Bamba (Texas)   10.6
4.   Brandon McCoy (UNLV)   10.1
5.   Loudon Love (Wright State)   9.9
6.   Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke)   9.4
7.   Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne)   9.1
8.   Oshae Brissett (Syracuse)   9.0
9.   Terry Taylor (Austin Peay)   8.3
10.   Steffon Mitchell (Boston College)   8.1
11.   Cameron Lard (Iowa State)   8.0
12.   Tywhon Pickford (UNI)   8.0
TYWHON TAKES CHARGE IN MVC
UNI freshmen guard Tywhon Pickford is the squad's leading scorer through 14 games in Missouri Valley Conference play.Â
   Pickford is averaging 11.0 points and 7.0 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 (12) 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 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 LeadersÂ
(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)
Bennett Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Erik Crawford (4)
Jake Koch (4)
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 26 games, UNI has six players who have made at least 18 3-pointers this season.
   Spencer Haldeman (39), Wyatt Lohaus (33), Isaiah Brown (32), Klint Carlson (31), Tywhon Pickford (28) and Juwan McCloud (18) have all made at least 18 shots from 3-point land this season.
   UNI is averaging 7.5 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 587 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.
AMONG THE MVC'S ALL-TIME BEST
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is among the all-time leaders in Missouri Valley Conference victories for all games and league games only.
   Jacobson ranks No. 6 in MVC coaching victories with 245 and also No. 6 in MVC games only wins with 127.
   Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Â Â Â Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State)Â Â Â 486
2. Â Â Â Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis)Â Â Â 337
3. Â Â Â Dana Altman (Creighton)Â Â Â 327
4.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)   265
5.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)   261
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)   246
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. Â Â Â Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) Â Â Â 187
2. Â Â Â Dana Altman (Creighton) Â Â Â 182
3. Â Â Â Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) Â Â Â 163
4.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)    143
5.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)    134
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)    127
7. Â Â Â Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) Â Â Â 126
8. Â Â Â Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) Â Â Â 111
9. Â Â Â Jim Molinari (Bradley) Â Â Â 110
10.   Maurice John (Drake)    95
ROAD LOSING STREAK
UNI has dropped 10 straight road games dating back to the 2016-17 season. It ranks as the 18th-longest current road losing streak in the country.
   Overall, the Panthers are 0-8 on the road this year. UNI is 0-7 in MVC play on the road and is looking to avoid having its first 0-9 road mark in league play since the 2000-2001 season.Â
   UNI's last road win came on Feb. 12, 2017, when the Panthers scored a 55-52 win at Missouri State.
   It is UNI's longest road losing streak since the Panthers lost 11 in a row during the 2002-03 season.Â
   UNI has only had two winless road seasons in MVC play (1994-95 and 2000-2001).
UNI in MVC Road Games
1991-92Â Â Â 2-7Â Â Â 1992-93Â Â Â 2-7
1993-94Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 1994-95Â Â Â 0-9
1995-96Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 1996-97Â Â Â 4-5
1997-98Â Â Â 1-8Â Â Â 1998-99Â Â Â 2-7
1999-2000Â Â Â 1-8Â Â Â 2000-01Â Â Â 0-9
2001-02Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 2002-03Â Â Â 1-8
2003-04Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 2004-05Â Â Â 4-5
2005-06Â Â Â 5-4Â Â Â 2006-07Â Â Â 4-5
2007-08Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 2008-09Â Â Â 8-1
2009-10Â Â Â 6-3Â Â Â 2010-11Â Â Â 4-5
2011-12Â Â Â 2-7Â Â Â 2012-13Â Â Â 4-5
2013-14Â Â Â 3-6Â Â Â 2014-15Â Â Â 7-2
2015-16Â Â Â 4-5Â Â Â 2016-17Â Â Â 3-6
2017-18Â Â Â 0-7
9 HOME WINS IN 12 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 12 consecutive seasons.
   UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular season home games since the 2007-08 season when the Panthers had 17 on the slate.
UNI's Home Record Since 2006-07
Year   Record
2006-07Â Â Â 9-4
2007-08Â Â Â 11-6
2008-09Â Â Â 11-4
2009-10Â Â Â 14-0
2010-11Â Â Â 13-5
2011-12Â Â Â 13-3
2012-13Â Â Â 16-4
2013-14Â Â Â 11-2
2014-15Â Â Â 15-0
2015-16Â Â Â 11-3
2016-17Â Â Â 9-4
2017-18Â Â Â 10-4
MCLEOD CENTERÂ
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 143-39 (.786) in games played in the McLeod Center.Â
   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.
MVC SWEEPS FOR COACH JAKE
UNI has swept an MVC opponent 37 times since the start of the 2006-07 season - Jacobson's first year as the Panther head coach.
MVC Season Sweeps Under Coach Jacobson
Bradley (6) - 06-07, 08-09, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16
Creighton (1) - 09-10
Drake (6) - 09-10, 11-12, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17
Evansville (5) - 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 13-14, 15-16
Illinois St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Indiana State (2) - 09-10, 14-15
Loyola (1) - 14-15
Missouri St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15
Southern Ill. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 11-12, 14-15, 16-17
Wichita State (1) - 07-08Â
PANTHERS ARE RARELY SWEPT
Since Ben Jacobson took over the head coaching duties in 2006-07, the UNI program has been swept in an MVC home-and-home series on only 16 occasions.
MVC Sweeps of UNI (since 2006-07)
Creighton - 06-07, 07-08
Drake - 06-07, 07-08
Evansville - 11-12, 12-13
Illinois State - 16-17
Indiana State - 10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Loyola - 15-16, 17-18
Southern Illinois - 17-18
Wichita State, 11-12, 13-14, 16-17
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.Â
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).  Â
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
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.Â
   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.Â
   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).Â
   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.
HARDWOOD JOURNEY - A HISTORY OF UNI BASKETBALL
Dr. James Kelly has compiled the history and stories from the beginning of basketball at the University of Northern Iowa until present day Panther hoops with his newest book entitled "Hardwood Journey" – a history of UNI basketball.
   This in-depth look at Panther basketball will provide any fan of UNI and the sport of basketball a must-have in their literary collection. Kelly began his quest to compile the history of UNI men's basketball in his previous book "Tutors to Panthers" – a brief history of UNI Athletics.
   "Hardwood Journey" will be available for pre-sale beginning Feb. 13 for $20. The first 500 books purchased will receive a complimentary copy of "Tutors to Panthers". The cost of the book has been underwritten so 100 percent of the sales will go toward UNI men's basketball.
   To purchase a copy log on to www.unipanthers.com.Â
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCEÂ
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.
PANTHERS RETURN TO PARADISE JAM IN 2018
The 2018 U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam will return to the U.S. Virgin Islands, tournament directors announced Wednesday, after the 2017 edition of the annual event was relocated to the mainland United States due to hurricane damage last September. The 19th annual event will be held at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas, Nov. 16-24, 2018, and play host to 16 Division-I men's and women's basketball teams.
   The men's Paradise Jam begins Friday, Nov. 16 and continues through Monday, Nov. 19. The tournament field includes Eastern Kentucky, Kansas State, Kennesaw State, Missouri, Northern Iowa, Old Dominion, Oregon State, and Penn. Old Dominion returns to the tournament for a fourth time, after claiming the tournament title in 2010. Eastern Kentucky, Kansas State, and Northern Iowa also return to St. Thomas after previously participating in the tournament.
   This will mark UNI's third appearance in the Paradise Jam. UNI competed in the event in 2009 and 2013.
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.Â
www.facebook.com/UNIAthleticsÂ
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
www.instagram.com/UNIAthletics
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