Ben Jacobson (2016) - Hall of Fame

Ben Jacobson

Induction:
2016
Class:
2006

Ben Jacobson – Men’s Basketball (2002-2006)

Don’t let his name confuse you, Ben Jacobson is one of the finest UNI men’s basketball players to suit up for the Panthers.

Jacobson came to UNI after having led Sioux City East High School to the 4A state boys’ basketball state title in 2002 – defeating Waterloo East in the title game, 55-52. He poured in 25 points in the title game triumph, including 23 in the second half. He earned class 4A Player of the Year honors having helped Sioux City East to a 25-1 mark as a senior.

As a true freshman, Jacobson was named to the Missouri Valley Conference’s All-Freshman and All-Newcomer teams after averaging 11.3 points per game. He came off the bench in his first collegiate game vs. Montana and scored 22 points. He started 24 of the 28 games in 2002-03.

Jacobson and the Panthers made a huge stride in 2003-04 by winning the MVC Tournament and earning the program’s second trip to the NCAA Tournament. Jacobson was named the MVP of the MVC Tournament as he averaged 20.3 points per game and shot 56 percent from the field in the three Panther victories in St. Louis. He averaged 14.0 points per game on the season and earned a spot on the all-MVC honorable mention squad. He was also named to the MVC All-Improved squad as he helped lead the Panthers to their first 20-win season since 1989-90.

He earned first-team all-MVC honors in 2004-05 and guided the Panthers to the program’s first at-large selection into the NCAA Tournament. Jacobson led the MVC in scoring at 17.9 points per game and became the 27^th member of UNI’s 1,000-point club. He sank a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer on Feb. 28 to win at Wichita State, 67-66. He also set his career scoring high with 31 points at Creighton on Feb. 9 in front of a national ESPN2 audience.

Jacobson tallied first-team all-MVC status as a senior in 2005-06 as he helped lead the Panthers back to its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. UNI tied a then-school record with 23 victories, including a victory over No. 23 Iowa and at eventual Final Four participant LSU. He averaged 14.2 points per game and led the team in steals for the fourth straight year.

He finished his Panther career third on the all-time scoring list (1,773 points). Jacobson set the school record for three-pointers made in a career (203).

Jacobson continued his professional basketball career overseas by playing in Germany and France.