University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI to Honor Johnny Moran on Senior Night
2/20/2012 1:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game #30: UNI vs. Bradley
Wed., Feb. 22 - 7 p.m. (Central)
McLeod Center - Cedar Falls, Iowa
TV: WTVP (Bradley)
Radio: Panther Sports Network
The UNI Panthers (17-12, 7-9 MVC) will play its final home game of the regular season Wednesday against the Bradley Braves (7-22 overall, 2-14 MVC). UNI will honor senior guard Johnny Moran prior to the game. The game will tip at 7:05 p.m.
TIPPING OFF...
• UNI will honor its lone senior Johnny Moran on Wednesday night prior to the Panthers' final home regular season game against Bradley.
• Moran enters Wednesday's game vs. Bradley needing one point to become the 34th UNI Panther to join the 1,000 Point Club. Moran ranks No. 34 on the Panthers' all-time scoring list with 999 points.
• In his four years, Moran has helped UNI to a mark of 90-42 that includes two MVC regular season titles and two MVC tournament championships. Moran's MVC record of the past four years is 46-24 heading into Wednesday's game vs. Bradley.
• UNI is ranked No. 64 in the latest Collegiate Basketball News RPI. UNI is 3-4 against the Top 50.
• UNI's non-conference strength of schedule ranks No. 26 in the nation according to the Collegiate Basketball News RPI.
• UNI freshman Seth Tuttle leads the MVC in field goal percentage (.664).
• Over his last 10 games, Tuttle has taken charge and leads the Panthers in scoring at 13.8 points per game. In that stretch, Tuttle is shooting 71.0 percent from the field (49-of-69) and has grabbed a team-high 55 rebounds (5.5 rpg).
• UNI enters the final week of the regular season in a tie for seventh place in the MVC standings. UNI and Indiana State are knotted at 7-9 in MVC play. UNI has finished in the top five in the Valley in each of the last eight seasons.
• UNI currently sits at 17 wins on the season and with its next win would extend a streak of eight straight seasons with 18 or more wins. Prior to the 2003-04 season, UNI had won 18 or more games only six times in the history of the men's basketball program.
• UNI's streak of three consecutive 20-win seasons is the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
• UNI returns eight letterwinners and three starters from last year's Panther squad that posted a mark of 20-14.
• Head coach Ben Jacobson is in his sixth season at the helm of the Panther program having posted a career mark of 126-69.
• Jacobson ranks No. 4 on the Panthers' all-time wins list trailing only O.M. “Hon” Nordly (166), Eldon Miller (164) and Jim Berry (144).
SCOUTING BRADLEY
Bradley is 7-22 overall and 2-14 in Missouri Valley Conference action ... the Braves will be the No. 10 seed in the State Farm MVC Tournament in St. Louis at the Scottrade Center ... the Braves are led in scoring by Taylor Brown (14.8 ppg), Walt Lemon Jr. (11.9 ppg) and Dyricus Simms-Edwards (11.4 ppg) ... head coach Geno Ford is in his first season at the helm of the Braves' program ... Bradley was 5-4 on Dec. 15, but have since lost 18 of its last 20 games ... the Braves' only two league wins came at home against UNI (78-67) and Indiana State (68-60).
RADIO INFORMATION
Starting with the team's game Nov. 15 at Saint Mary's, 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 KGYM (1600 AM, Cedar Rapids), KCHA (95.9 FM and 1580 AM, Charles City), KXNO (1460 AM, Des Moines), KQCR (98.9 FM, Hampton), KQMG (95.3 FM, Independence), KRIB (1490 AM, Mason City), KILJ (105.5 FM, Mount Pleasant), KWQC (1570 AM, Webster City).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst.
UNI PANTHERS INSIDE ACCESS
All of UNI's home men's basketball games can be viewed and listened to on the World Wide Web by going to www.unipanthers.com. UNI has partnered with NeuLion to provide live video and audio streaming of Panther basketball via “UNI Panthers Inside Access”. In addition to video from most home men's basketball contests, and audio from home and road contests, this subscription-based service also provides video and audio of a number of other UNI sports. In addition, all Panther home men's basketball games have free live stats courtesy of StatBroadcast.com.
SERIES HISTORY VS. BRADLEY
Bradley leads the all-time series vs. UNI, 27-19. UNI has won seven of the last nine matchups, although Bradley won the meeting earlier this season in Peoria (78-67).
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 10-4 all-time vs. Bradley.
SENIOR NIGHT FOR JOHNNY MORAN
UNI will honor its lone senior in Johnny Moran (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs HS) prior to Wednesday's final home regular season game against Bradley.
In his four years, Moran has helped UNI to a mark of 90-42 that includes two MVC regular season titles and two MVC tournament championships. Moran's MVC record of the past four years is 46-24 heading into Wednesday's game vs. Bradley.
Moran has seen action in 130 of a possible 132 games in his Panther career. His 130 games started is a UNI record.
Moran ranks No. 2 on the Panthers' all-time 3-pointers made list with 191 triples. Ben Jacobson (2003-06) set the UNI record with 203 made 3-pointers.
Moran ranks No. 3 on the UNI games played list with 130 games in a Panther uniform. Moran trails only Adam Koch (132) and Kwadzo Ahelegbe (133) on the Panthers' all-time games played list.
Moran ranks No. 5 on the Panthers' all-time steals list with 145 steals.
MORAN SET TO ENTER 1,000-POINT CLUB
Senior guard Johnny Moran enters Wednesday's game vs. Bradley needing one point to become the 34th UNI Panther to join the 1,000 Point Club. Moran ranks No. 34 on the Panthers' all-time scoring list with 999 points.
SEARCHING FOR A TOP-5 VALLEY FINISH
UNI enters the final week of the regular season in a tie for seventh place in the MVC standings. UNI and Indiana State are knotted at 7-9 in MVC play. UNI has finished in the top five in the Valley in each of the last eight seasons.
The last time UNI finished lower than fifth in the MVC came in the 2002-03 season when the Panthers went 7-11 in league play and finished seventh.
UNI will take on Bradley, currently in 10th place, and Southern Illinois, currently in ninth place, in the final week of league play.
RARE SWEEPS IN JACOBSON ERA
Since Ben Jacobson took over the head coaching duties in 2006-07, the UNI program has only been swept in an MVC home-and-home series on seven occasions.
Bradley will be looking to become the third squad this season to sweep the Panthers in a home-and-home regular season MVC series. The Braves notched a 78-67 win over UNI in Peoria, Ill., on Jan. 15.
Evansville was the seventh squad to sweep a Jacobson-coached Panther squad with its 63-62 win at the Ford Center (2/15). Earlier this season, Wichita State also swept the season series from the Panthers.
Prior to this season, the only five times it has occurred have come vs. Indiana State (2010-11), Creighton (2006-07, 2007-08) and Drake (2006-07, 2007-08).
ON THE OTHER HAND
UNI has swept an MVC opponent 18 times since the 2006-07 season. UNI has swept all nine opponents in the MVC at least once in that stretch.
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE
UNI's Seth Tuttle is a making a strong case for MVC Freshman of the Year honors.
Over his last 10 games, Tuttle has taken charge and leads the Panthers in scoring at 13.8 points per game.
In that stretch, Tuttle is shooting 71.0 percent from the field (49-of-69) and has grabbed a team-high 55 rebounds (5.5 rpg).
Tuttle leads the Missouri Valley Conference in field goal percentage (66.4 percent).
NO. 64 IN RPI
UNI is ranked No. 64 in the latest Collegiate Basketball News RPI. UNI is 3-4 against the Top 50.
UNI's non-conference strength of schedule ranks No. 26.
62 OR LESS
UNI is 12-2 this season when holding the opposition to 62 points or less. UNI is only 5-10 when allowing 63 points or more.
DEFENSE AND REBOUNDING = KEYS TO SUCCESS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson harps on defense and rebounding when it comes to success of the Panther basketball team and the numbers don't lie.
When UNI outrebounds its opponent, the Panthers are 10-3 this season. However, when the opponent wins the rebounding battle, the Panthers are only 7-7.
When the Panthers defend and hold the opposition to a lower shooting percentage, the Panthers are 14-2 this year. However, when the opposition shoots a higher percentage, the Panthers are only 3-9.
JAMES LEADS THE UNI SCORING ATTACK
Junior guard Anthony James leads the Panthers in scoring at 12.9 points per game. James has reached double-figure scoring in 20 games, including five contests of 20 or more points. James has recorded nine 20-plus scoring efforts in his UNI Panther career.
CHIP RANKS RIGHT UP THERE
Sophomore forward Chip Rank leads the team in 3-point field goal percentage (47.0 percent). He ranks No. 2 on the team in field goal percentage (51.4 percent).
Rank has tallied eight double-figure scoring efforts this season, including a career-high 15 points at Bradley (1/15). Rank buried a career-high four 3-pointers against the Braves.
Last season, Rank reached double-figure scoring only once as a true freshman - 14 points against Drake.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN W & L
UNI is 17-12 on the season with some stark contrasts in the numbers between the wins and the losses.
In UNI's 17 wins, the Panthers are averaging 70.7 points per game and giving up 57.5 points per game.
In UNI's 12 losses, the Panthers are averaging 59.4 points per game and giving up 69.2 points per game.
UNI is shooting 46.9 percent in its 17 wins, but that number drops to 40.0 percent in its 12 losses.
UNI has made 43.8 percent of its 3-point shots in its 17 wins, but only 34.6 percent of its 3-point shots in its 12 setbacks.
KOCH DRAINS 'EM FROM THE LINE
Junior Jake Koch currently ranks No. 6 on the Panthers' all-time free throw percentage list. Koch has made 204-of-251 career free throws for a mark of 81.3 percent.
Maurice Newby (1987-91) holds the UNI free throw percentage record at 85.6 percent (149-of-174).
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI enters Wednesday's game vs. Bradley having made at least one made three-pointer in 388 straight games.
The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basketball 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 back in 2000.
CLOSING IN ON VICTORY NO. 18
UNI currently sits at 17 wins on the season and with its next win would extend a streak of eight straight seasons with 18 or more wins.
Prior to the 2003-04 season, UNI had won 18 or more games only six times in the history of the men's basketball program.
18-Plus Wins Prior to 2003-04
1961-62 - 19-5
1963-64 - 23-4
1978-79 - 18-11
1983-84 - 18-10
1988-89 - 19-9
1989-90 - 23-9
18-Plus Wins Since 2003-04
2003-04 - 21-10
2004-05 - 21-11
2005-06 - 23-10
2006-07 - 18-13
2007-08 - 18-14
2008-09 - 23-11
2009-10 - 30-5
2010-11 - 20-14
WINNING TRADITION AT MCLEOD
UNI has posted an all-time mark of 70-22 (.761) in games played in the McLeod Center. The McLeod Center was finished in November 2006.
UNI is 12-3 at home this season in the McLeod Center. The Panthers have won 40 of their last 48 games in the McLeod Center.
UNI posted a perfect mark of 14-0 in home games in the 2009-10 season. UNI set its home win streak of 21 between the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons.
TOUGH LOSS AT EVANSVILLE
UNI rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit with a 13-0 run midway through the half to take a 52-49 lead. However, Evansville used a pair of 3-pointers from Denver Holmes in the final 18 seconds, including the game-winner that was banked in with 0.6 seconds left.
UNI's Johnny Moran drained a 3-pointer with 8.6 seconds left that gave UNI a 62-60 lead. Moran's shot came after Holmes had given the Purple Aces a one-point lead with 18 seconds left.
TICKET INFORMATION
Full-season ticket packages are available to see the Panther men's basketball team in action at the McLeod Center. A total of 18 home games are on tap in 2011-2012.
Single-game tickets for adults are $17, while youth single-game tickets are $13.
Contact UNITix at 319-273-4849 for more information.
UNI is running a special ticket promotion for Wednesday's game vs. Bradley. Fans can purchase four tickets for a total of $13 for the UNI vs. Bradley game in the McLeod Center.
2012 BATTLE FOR ATLANTIS
UNI will take part in the 2012 Battle for Atlantis Tournament on Thanksgiving weekend next season. The tournament will take place on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
UNI will be joined in the tournament by Duke, Louisville, Memphis, Minnesota, Missouri, Stanford and VCU.
ARCH MADNESS TICKETS ON SALE
All-session tickets to the 2012 Arch Madness State Farm Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis next March went on sale Dec. 15.
All-session tickets are $155 and $130 each in the lower bowl and $115 in the upper bowl at Scottrade Center and are good for all nine games of the tournament, slated for March 1-4. Tickets can be purchased at the Scottrade Center box office, at Ticketmaster outlets in the St. Louis region or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. There will be an additional service fee per ticket.
Fans and alumni of Valley schools can also contact their institution's ticket office to inquire about priority seating within that school's section.
This year's tournament marks the 22nd consecutive year that Arch Madness has been held in St. Louis. All 10 Valley teams will be competing for the MVC championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER
Fans of UNI Athletics on Facebook and Twitter will have access to in-game 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 up-to-the-minute score updates and news about the Panthers on their computer or mobile device.
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/UNIAthletics
TWITTER
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
