University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Heads to Seattle to Take on Wyoming in NCAA Tournament
3/16/2015 1:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
#5 UNI (30-3) vs. #12 Wyoming (25-9 overall)
Fri., March 20, 2015 • 12:40 p.m. (CT)
Seattle, Wash. • KeyArena (17,459)
BROADCAST INFO
Television
TBS
Play-by-Play: Spero Dedes
Analyst: Mike Gminski
Sideline: Jaime Maggio
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship - 1540 AM (KXEL)
Sirius - Ch. 93; XM - Ch. 203
Westwood One Radio: More than 500 terrestrial radio stations across the country will air games from the 2015 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. To find a station, visit:
www.westwoodonesports.com/stations
Satellite Radio:
All of Westwood One's game broadcasts of the NCAA Tournament will also be transmitted on SiriusXM. There are multiple channels airing the games, but each venue's broadcasts will air on a specific channel. All of the Friday games in Seattle will be on Sirius channel 93 and XM Channel 203. Channel location for the Sunday games will be determined the day before the games.
Online:
A free online stream of all individual Westwood One game broadcasts is available at:
1) www.ncaa.com/marchmadnesslive (locate audio by individual game)
2) www.westwoodonesports.com/Seattle (all games played in Seattle)
Mobile:
1) via the free NCAA March Madness Live app (locate audio by individual game)
2) via the free Tune-In Radio app (search for Westwood One's channels, then select the channel for the proper site)
OPENING TIP
• No. 5-seeded UNI (30-3 overall) will match up against No. 12-seeded Wyoming (25-9 overall) in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament on Fri., March 20, at KeyArena in Seattle, Wash.
• UNI is making its seventh overall trip to the NCAA Tournament (1990, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015).
• Since 2004, UNI is making its sixth NCAA appearance - the most of any school in the MVC in that time frame.
• UNI senior forward Seth Tuttle was named the 2015 Larry Bird MVC Player of the Year and the MVC Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Tuttle leads the Panthers in scoring, rebounding, assists and blocks.
• UNI is one of nine teams to reach 30 wins in the history of the MVC.
• UNI ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense (54.3 ppg).
LAST TIME OUT
• No. 11-ranked UNI captured its fourth MVC Tournament title with a 69-60 comeback win over Illinois State.
• The Panthers trailed the Redbirds by 18 (33-15) with 2:44 left in the first half.
• UNI took its first lead of the game at 41-40 with 13:31 left in the second half.
• Overall, UNI used a 27-4 run to take a 47-40 advantage with 11:06 remaining in the title game.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. WYOMING
TV INFO FOR UNI-WYOMING
TBS will broadcast Friday's NCAA Tournament game between No. 5-seeded UNI and No. 12-seeded Wyoming. Tip is set for just after 12:40 p.m. (CT) at KeyArena in Seattle, Wash. Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Mike Gminski (analyst) and Jaime Maggio (sideline) will call the action.
UNI VS. WYOMING
Wyoming holds a 3-1 lead in the all-time series vs. UNI. The Panthers won the last matchup between the two schools with a 72-54 win over the Cowboys in the McLeod Center on Dec. 23, 2009.
UNI-Wyoming Series
Dec. 14, 1990 - Wyoming 99, UNI 65 (Laramie, Wyo.)
Dec. 22, 1991 - Wyoming 66, UNI 50 (Cedar Falls)
Dec. 13, 2008 - Wyoming 74, UNI 65 (Cheyenne, Wyo.)
Dec. 23, 2009 - UNI 72, Wyoming 54 (Cedar Falls)
7TH OVERALL NCAA APPEARANCE FOR UNI PANTHERS
UNI is making its seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers are 3-6 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
All nine of UNI's previous NCAA games have been decided by seven points or less.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri (Richmond, Va.)
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota (Richmond, Va.)
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech (Milwaukee, Wis.)
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin (Okla. City, Okla.)
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown (Dayton, Ohio)
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue (Portland, Ore.)
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV (Okla. City, Okla.)
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas (Okla. City, Okla.)
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State (St. Louis, Mo.)
PANTHERS EARN HIGHEST SEED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
UNI earned its highest seed ever in the NCAA Tournament with a No. 5 seed.
UNI's previous high was No. 9 in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI SEEDS IN THE NCAA TOURNEY
1990 - #14 vs. #3 Missouri
2004 - #14 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - #11 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - #10 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - #12 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - #9 vs. #8 UNLV
2014 - #5 vs. #12 Wyoming
6TH NCAA APPEARANCE SINCE 2004
The Panthers are making their sixth NCAA appearance since the 2004 season. The six appearances since 2004 is the most of any member of the Missouri Valley Conference in that time frame.
Wichita State has appeared in five NCAA Tournaments since 2004, to rank second in the MVC behind the Panthers.
MVC'S NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (6) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015
Wichita St. (5) - 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Creighton (4) - 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
AUTOMATIC
UNI earned the MVC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after capturing the tournament title with wins over Bradley (71-46), Loyola (63-49) and Illinois State (69-60).
It's the fifth time in seven appearances that UNI will use an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
UNI used automatic bids to reach the NCAA Tournament in 1990 (Mid-Continent Tournament Champions), 2004 (MVC Tournament Champions), 2009 (MVC Tournament Champions), 2010 (MVC Tournament Champions) and 2015 (MVC Tournament Champions).
The Panthers were an at-large selection in both the 2005 and 2006 NCAA Tournaments.
18-POINT RALLY TO WIN MVC TITLE
UNI rallied from an 18-point first-half deficit vs. Illinois State to capture the MVC Tournament title, 69-60.
Illinois State enjoyed a 33-15 first-half lead before UNI used a 32-7 run to take a 47-40 lead in the second half.
The 18-point comeback win was the largest deficit UNI has overcome to win a game in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.
+51 IN 2ND HALF AT MVC TOURNEY
UNI enjoyed a +51 scoring margin in the second half of its three MVC Tournament wins in St. Louis.
UNI outscored Bradley in the second half, 44-21.
UNI outscored Loyola in the second half, 31-21.
UNI outscored Illinois State in the second half, 47-24.
UNI VS. TEAMS IN THE FIELD OF 68
UNI has recorded four wins this season over teams in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. The Panthers picked up wins over Stephen F. Austin (W, 79-77 OT), North Florida (W, 66-49), Iowa (W, 56-44) and Wichita State (W, 70-54).
UNI also lost a pair of games to teams in the field 68 - at VCU (L, 93-87 2OT) and at Wichita State (L, 74-60).
COACH JAKE IN NCAA TOURNAMENT
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 2-2 in the NCAA Tournament in his four NCAA tournament games with the Panthers
Under Jacobson, the Panthers are 1-1 when leading at halftime and 1-1 when trailing at halftime. The Panthers have led at halftime in UNI's last two NCAA Tournament game.
Jacobson's teams have never allowed more than 70 points or scored more than 70 points in an NCAA Tournament game.
The Panthers are 2-0 when scoring over 60 points under Jacobson in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers scored 69 points in its two NCAA Tournament wins in 2010 over UNLV and Kansas.
UNI TIES SINGLE-SEASON WIN MARK
UNI has eqalled its school record for wins in a season with 30 heading into the NCAA Tournament.
UNI went 30-5 in the 2009-10 season - which saw the Panthers reach the Sweet 16 of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI's Top Single-Season Wins Chart
1. 30-5 (2009-10)
30-3 (2014-15)
3. 23-9 (1963-64)
23-10 (2005-06)
23-11 (2008-09)
6. 21-10 (2003-04)
21-11 (2004-05)
21-15 (2012-13)
UNI AMONG THE MVC's ELITE ALL-TIME TEAMS
UNI is one of nine teams in Missouri Valley Conference history to reach 30 wins
or more in a season.
MVC Teams with 30+ Wins
Wichita State 35-1 (2013-14)
Indiana State 33-1 (1978-79)
Bradley 32-3 (1985-86)
Bradley 32-5 (1949-50)
Bradley 32-6 (1950-51)
Oklahoma State 31-2 (1945-46)
UNI 30-3 (2014-15)
UNI 30-5 (2009-10)
Wichita State 30-9 (2012-13)
ONE OF SIX 30-WIN TEAMS
UNI is one of six 30-win teams entering the 2015 NCAA Tournament. UNI (30) is joined on the 30 or more wins list by Kentucky (34), Gonzaga (32), Villanova (32), Arizona (31) and Wisconsin (31).
EXPERIENCED STARTERS
UNI has used with the same starting lineup in all 33 games this season.
The Panther starting five has combined to start in 401 games heading into the NCAA Tournament.
EXTREMELY BALANCED
UNI has eight players averaging 5.0 points per game or more with the minutes of those eight players ranging from 17.0 - 30.1 per game.
Name Pts/Game Min./Game
Seth Tuttle 15.3 30.1
Wes W ashpun 7.7 21.9
Nate Buss 7.4 17.0
Deon Mitchell 7.4 20.8
Jeremy Morgan 6.0 23.8
Matt Bohannon 5.7 26.2
Paul Jesperson 5.4 17.8
Marvin Singleton 5.0 25.5
ONE OF THE BEST ROAD/NEUTRAL TEAMS IN THE NATION
UNI ranks third on the nation with 15 road/neutral victories this season - trailing only Gonzaga and Villanova, who each tallied 16 road/neutral wins.
Top Road/Neutral Wins in 2014-15
Wins Team
16 Gonzaga
16 Villanova
15 UNI
15 Wisconsin
15 Wofford
14 Arizona
14 Duke
14 Kentucky
14 Northeastern
14 North Carolina
14 Stephen F. Austin
14 Virginia
UNI IN TOP-10 PERCENT OF APR
The NCAA recognizes teams in the top-10 percent of the Academic Progress Report. For the second consecutive year, the UNI is the only Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball school to be listed in the top 10 percent.
UNI is also one of 10 schools to be in the top-10 percent of the APR and taking part in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. UNI is joined on both lists by Belmont, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Texas, Duke, Notre Dame, Lafayette and Davidson.
The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
UNI'S FIRST ALL-AMERICA SELECTION SINCE 1984-85
UNI senior forward Seth Tuttle is the school's first NCAA Division I All-America pick since 1984-85 when Randy Kraayenbrink earned honorable mention All-America status from the Associated Press.
Tuttle has earned second-team All-America honors from the United States Basketball Writers Association, The Sporting News, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated.
He has been named a third-team All-America selection by USA Today and NBCSports.com.
TUTTLE LISTED ON FINAL WOODEN WATCH BALLOT
UNI senior forward Seth Tuttle is one of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award presented by Wendy's.
Wooden Award Finalists
Ron Baker, Wichita State
Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
Rakeem Christmas, Syracuse
Jerian Grant, Notre Dame
Tyler Haws, BYU
Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
Georges Niang, Iowa State
Jahlil Okafor, Duke
Bobby Portis, Arkansas
D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State
Seth Tuttle, UNI
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
Delon Wright, Utah
JACOBSON, TUTTLE NAMED
NAISMITH TROPHY SEMIFINALISTS
UNI head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson and senior forward Seth Tuttle have each been named semifinalists for their respective Naismith Trophy awards.
Jacobson is one of 15 finalists for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award. Jacobson has guided UNI to a 30-3 record this season which has included a school-record 16-game winning streak, an MVC Tournament title and the school's first-ever top-10 national ranking.
Tuttle is one of 10 finalists for Naismith Player of the Year Award. Tuttle leads the Panthers in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. Earlier this week, Tuttle was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year.
Naismith Coach of the Year Semifinalists
Tony Bennett, Virginia
Mike Brey, Notre Dame
John Calipari, Kentucky
Scott Drew, Baylor
Mark Few, Gonzaga
Chris Holtmann, Butler
Ben Jacobson, UNI
Larry Krystkowiak, Utah
Archie Miller, Dayton
Steve Prohm, Murray State
Bo Ryan, Wisconsin
Bill Self, Kansas
Wayne Tinkle, Oregon State
Mark Turgeon, Maryland
Jay Wright, Villanova
Naismith Player of the Year Semifinalists
Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
Jerian Grant, Notre Dame
Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
Jahlil Okafor, Duke
Kevin Pangos, Gonzaga
Cameron Payne, Murray State
D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State
Seth Tuttle, UNI
Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga
Jelon Wright, Utah
JACOBSON EARNS FINALIST NOD FOR SKIP PROSSER MAN OF THE YEAR
The sixteen finalists have been announced for the 2015 Skip Prosser Man of the Year award and the list includes UNI head coach Ben Jacobson.
Named after the late Skip Prosser, who died suddenly in 2007 while the head coach at Wake Forest, the award is presented annually to those who not only achieve success on the basketball court but who also display moral integrity off of it as well.
Skip Prosser posted a career record of 291-146 in 14 seasons as a head coach at Loyola, Xavier and Wake Forest. During his time at Wake, Prosser's teams averaged 21 wins per season while playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Skip Prosser Man of Year Award Finalists
Dana Altman, Oregon
Tony Bennett, Virginia
Glenn Braica, Saint Francis Brooklyn
Mike Brey, Notre Dame
Tim Cluess, Iona
Keno Davis, Central Michigan
Fran Dunphy, Temple
Jim Engles, NJIT
Steve Fisher, San Diego State
Bill Herrion, New Hampshire
Ben Jacobson, UNI
James Jones, Yale
Scott Nagy, South Dakota State
Jeff Neubauer, Eastern Kentucky
Dave Paulsen, Bucknell
Tony Shaver, William & Mary
OSCAR ROBERTSON TROPHY FINALIST
UNI senior forward Seth Tuttle has been named as one of 14 finalists for the 2015 Oscar Robertson Trophy presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
TUTTLE NAMED TO KARL MALONE POWER FORWARD OF YEAR LIST
Seth Tuttle is one of 16 watch list members for the 2015 Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award.
Named after Hall of Famer and two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Karl Malone, the annual honor in its inaugural year recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 16 candidates.
TUTTLE NAMED LARRY BIRD MVC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
UNI senior forward Seth Tuttle has been named the Larry Bird MVC Player of the Year after helping lead the Panthers to a 16-2 league mark.
Tuttle leads the Panthers in scoring (15.3 ppg), rebounding (6.8 rpg), assists (3.3 apg) and blocks (0.6 bpg). Tuttle is shooting 61.6 percent from the field, which ranks No. 5 in the nation.
Tuttle is the third UNI Panther to earn the league's top honor.
UNI's MVC Players of the Year
Jason Daisy, 1997
Adam Koch, 2010
Seth Tuttle, 2015
TUTTLE EARNS FIRST-TEAM ALL-MVC ACCOLADES
Senior forward Seth Tuttle earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors for the second consecutive season. He is the fifth UNI Panther to earn first-team all-Valley accolades in back-to-back seasons.
Tuttle posted seven 20-point scoring games to go along with five double-doubles this season.
The Sheffield, Iowa, native poured in a career-high 29 points and was 9-of-13 from the field in a 70-54 win over No. 12 Wichita State on Jan. 31.
Tuttle was named the MVC Player of the Week four times as a senior.
Tuttle is the 16th Panther to earn first-team All-MVC honors since UNI joined the league in the 1991-92 season.
UNI's First-Team All-MVC Picks
Randy Blocker, 1993 & 1994
Cam Johnson, 1994
Jason Daisy, 1996 & 1997
Joe Breakenridge, 2001
Robbie Sieverding, 2002
David Gruber, 2004
Ben Jacobson, 2005 & 2006
Grant Stout, 2006
Adam Koch, 2009 & 2010
Kwadzo Ahelegbe, 2011
Seth Tuttle, 2014 & 2015
HONORABLE MENTION NODS TO MITCHELL, WASHPUN
UNI's Deon Mitchell and Wes Washpun were each named honorable mention All-MVC.
Mitchell led the league in three-point field goal percentage (57.5 percent) in MVC games only. He has started all 33 games for the Panthers and averages 7.4 ppg. He is second on the team with 33 steals.
Washpun came off the bench in all 33 games and ranks second on the team in scoring (7.7 ppg) and assists (2.6 apg). Washpun ranks third on the team in steals (32).
WASHPUN NAMED MVC'S SIXTH-MAN AWARD
The MVC also selects a “Sixth Man Award” recipient, and this season's honor goes to UNI junior guard Wes Washpun (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/C.R. Washington HS).
The honor is presented to the league's top reserve player (one who has started fewer than 25 percent of his team's games).
Washpun has played in all 33 of UNI's games, coming off the bench in all of them. Nonetheless, he ranks second in scoring for the team with his 7.7 points-per-game average. He also ranks second for the Panthers in assists (85) and blocks (17).
Washpun is the second UNI player to earn the Sixth Man Award, which was first chosen in 1997. Lucas O'Rear won it previously for UNI, in 2009 and in 2010.
UNI's Sixth-Man Award Winners
Lucas O'Rear, 2009 & 2010
Wes Washpun, 2015
JESPERSON LANDS ON MVC ALL-NEWCOMER SQUAD
Junior Paul Jesperson tallied a spot on the MVC's All-Newcomer Team.
Jesperson saw action in all 33 games, while averaging 5.4 ppg. Jesperson has drilled 47.7 percent of his field goal attempts and has also made 42.6 percent of his 3-point shots. Jesperson ranks second on the squad with 43 made 3-pointers.
Jesperson is the 11th UNI Panther to earn a spot on the MVC's All-Newcomer squad.
UNI's MVC All-Newcomer Picks
Randy Blocker, 1993
Sean Stackhouse, 1999
David Gruber, 2002
Matt Schneiderman, 2003
Ben Jacobson, 2003
Erik Crawford, 2004
Eric Coleman, 2005
Ali Farokhmanesh, 2009
Seth Tuttle, 2012
Wes Washpun, 2014
Paul Jesperson, 2015
BUSS HONORED AS MVC SCHOLAR-
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Nate Buss of UNI highlights a list of 14 student-athletes honored as part of the 2015 MVC Scholar-Athlete Teams.
The senior from Charles City, Iowa, is the league's Scholar-Athlete of the Year, marking the second time in the 15-year history of the award that a UNI student-athlete has been so honored (Adam Koch of UNI was honored as the recipient in 2010).
UNI also added two honorable-mention selections in Max Martino and Jeremy Morgan of UNI.
Nate Buss, UNI, Sr., Charles City, Iowa, 3.50, General Studies
Buss ranks third on the team in scoring at 7.4 points per game … ranks third on the team with 37 3-pointers made … shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range … 97th player in school history to score 500 or more points (633 career points) … has scored in double figures on 13 occasions off the bench this season … has been the Panthers top bench scorer 11 times this season.
Jeremy Morgan, UNI, So., Coralville, Iowa, 3.33, Undecided
Averaging 6.3 ppg in MVC play and 6.0 ppg in all 33 games … leads the team with 39 steals … has registered eight double-figure scoring games … scored a career-high 18 points in a 67-58 win over Loyola (Jan. 4).
Max Martino, UNI, Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 3.82, Economics & Psychology
Martino has seen action in 14 games this season ... drained both free throws attempts in his senior night finale vs. Evansville (Feb. 25) … a second team MVC Scholar-Athlete selection last season … nominated for the Allstate Good Works Team.
SINGLETON TO ALL-IMPROVED TEAM
UNI senior forward Marvin Singleton has been named to the MVC's All-Improved Team following a vote of the league's beat writers.
UNI is 35-6 with Singleton (Minneapolis, Minn./Hopkins HS) in the starting lineup over the last two seasons. He ranks second on the team in rebounding (5.1 rpg). Singleton has tallied a team-best 69 offensive rebounds. He has recorded 22 multi-offensive rebound games. Singleton buried his first three-pointer of the season at Illinois State in the closing minutes to give UNI a 49-48 lead and cap a 12-point second-half comeback (Jan. 25).
He averaged 2.3 ppg and 2.5 rpg as a junior – and has improved those numbers to 5.0 ppg and 5.1 rpg this season. Singleton scored a career-high 15 points in UNI's 79-77 overtime win at Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 18).
WASHPUN, BUSS EARN SPOTS ON MVC ALL-BENCH TEAM
Junior Wes Washpun and senior Nate Buss were named to the MVC's All-Bench Team following a vote of the league's beat writers. Washpun was named the captain of the squad.
Washpun (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/C.R. Washington HS/Univ. of Tennessee) was named the captain of the MVC's All-Bench Team. Washpun ranks second on the team in scoring (7.7 ppg), assists (2.6 apg), steals (1.0 spg) and blocks (0.5 bpg). Washpun has led the team in scoring off the bench 12 times this season. He has posted 12 double-figure scoring games off the bench. Washpun notched a career-high 27 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals at VCU (Dec. 13). Washpun was named to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament team after wins over Virginia Tech and Northwestern.
Buss (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City HS) ranks fourth on the team in scoring at 7.4 points per game. He ranks third on the team with 37 3-pointers made. Buss is shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range. He is the 97th player in school history to score 500 or more points (633 career points). He has scored in double figures on 12 occasions off the bench this season.
JACOBSON EARNS 3RD MVC COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD
UNI ninth-year head coach Ben Jacobson has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in his tenure with the Panthers.
Jacobson guided the Panthers to a 30-3 mark, an MVC Tournament title, a school-record 16-game winning streak and a top-10 national ranking this season. It is the sixth 20-win season for Jacobson, who also became UNI's all-time winningest coach in the season-opener against North Dakota. This year marks the 12th straight season that UNI has won nine or more league games and finished in the upper half of the MVC standings. It is the fourth straight season that UNI has finished in the top three of the final league standings.
Jacobson is tied with Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma A&M), Ken Hayes (Tulsa, New Mexico State) and Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) for the second-most MVC Coach of the Year Award honors. Only Maury John (Drake) has won more MVC Coach of the Year laurels with four.
The Mayville, N.D., native was also MVC Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2010 when he led UNI to the NCAA Tournament in both seasons.
UNI's MVC Coach of the Year Honorees
Eldon Miller - 1997
Ben Jacobson - 2009, 2010, 2015
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
There is a stark contrast in the defensive numbers UNI has put up this season compared to what the Panthers were doing in 2013-14.
Through its Missouri Valley Conference games this season, UNI went 16-2 and gave up 52.2 ppg, while limiting the opposition to a .387 field goal percentage.
Through its MVC games last season, UNI was 10-8 and gave up 69.2 ppg and allowed the opposition to shoot a .459 field goal percentage.
LONGEST WIN STREAK IN SCHOOL HISTORY
UNI set a school record with its 16-game winning streak from Jan. 4 - Feb. 25.
The 16-game streak was tied for the seventh-longest streak in Missouri Valley Conference history.
The previous school record winning streak of 15 games was set in the 2009-10 season.
UNI's Longest Win Streaks
16 - 2014-15
15 - 2009-10
14 - 1962-63/1963-64
13 - 1921-22/1922-23
11 - 2008-09
MITCH IS LOCKED IN
Senior guard Deon Mitchell led the league with a 57.3 3-point field goal percentage in MVC games only.
Mitchell has been especially locked in of late having made 14-of-24 (58.3 percent) 3-pointers in his last 11 games.
DEON STEPPED UP HIS MVC PLAY
Senior guard Deon Mitchell averaged 7.4 ppg in MVC games and drained a league-gest 57.5 percent of his 3-point shots in conference games.
Deon's Production (MVC vs. Overall)
League Games
7.4 ppg, 47.1 FG%, 57.5 3PT%
Overall Games
7.4 ppg, 41.0 FG%, 45.2 3PT%
WINNING WAYS WITH MARV IN THE STARTING LINEUP
Senior Marvin Singleton has started 41 games in his Panther career and UNI has posted a mark of 35-6 in those games.
Singleton was inserted into the starting lineup last year for the final eight games and he helped UNI to a 5-3 mark in 2013-14.
JESPERSON IN HIS LAST 13 GAMES
Junior transfer Paul Jesperson is shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from 3-point land while averaging 6.2 ppg over his last 13 games.
Jesperson has made his last 20-of-42 3-point shots.
TUTTLE IN HIS LAST 12 GAMES
Seth Tuttle has made 8-of-17 3-point field goals over the past 12 games. Tuttle is averaging 15.7 ppg over the last 12 contests.
Tuttle is shooting 62.7 percent from the floor and has handed out a team-best 45 assists in the last 12 games.
TUTTLE REACHES 500 POINTS IN A SEASON
Seth Tuttle become the first UNI Panther to score 500 points in a season since Ben Jacobson posted 572 points in the 2004-05 season.
Tuttle is just the 10th Panther to score 500 points in UNI's Division I era.
500-Point Scorers (UNI - Div. I)
645, Randy Blocker (1993-94)
638, Jason Reese (1989-90)
623, Jason Reese (1988-89)
603, Jason Daisy (1995-96)
593, Jason Daisy (1996-97)
592, Cam Johnson (1993-94)
572, Ben Jacobson (2004-05)
552, Randy Kraayenbrink (1984-85)
509, Randy Blocker (1992-93)
506, Seth Tuttle (2014-15)
EFFICIENT ON BOTH ENDS
UNI is one of five teams (Gonzaga, Utah, SMU, North Carolina Central) ranked in the top 25 of the NCAA statistics in both field percentage and field goal percentage defense.
The Panthers rank No. 16 in field goal percentage (.483) and No. 24 in field goal percentage defense (.391).
Team FG% FG% Def.
Gonzaga No. 1 (.524) No. 13 (.384)
NC-Central No. 10 (.486) No. 2 (.356)
Utah No. 13 (.485) No. 10 (.383)
UNI No. 16 (.483) No. 24 (.391)
SMU No. 22 (.479) No. 7 (.380)
SPEAKING OF EFFICIENCY
UNI and Wichita State are two of seven teams in the nation to rank in the top 20 of both offensive efficiency and defensive efficiency, according to 2015 Pomeroy College Basketball Ratings (KenPom.com) – Arizona, Gonzaga, Kentucky, UNI, Utah, Villanova and Wichita State.
UNI ranks No. 15 in offensive efficiency and No. 19 in defensive efficiency as of March 6. Wichita State ranks No. 20 in offensive efficiency and No. 16 in defensive efficiency.
ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENSE
UNI's defense is not only tops in the MVC, it is one of the nation's finest when it comes to scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.
The numbers are astonishing at this point in regard to Panther defense:
• No. 4 in nation in scoring defense (54.3 ppg)
1. Virginia (50.7 ppg)
2. San Diego State (53.1 ppg)
3. Kentucky (54.0 ppg)
4. UNI (54.3 ppg)
• UNI has held 25 opponents to 58 or less
• Allowed 52.2 ppg in MVC play
• MVC teams shot 38.7% vs. UNI
• UNI ranks No. 24 in FG% defense (39.1%)
• 19 opponents have shot less than 40%
Teams Under 40% Shooting vs. UNI
.275 - Iowa (W, 56-44)
.295 - Southern Illinois (W, 55-39)
.295 - Bradley (W, 63-52)
.302 - Northwestern (W, 61-42)
.327 - Evansville (L, 52-49)
.333 - Bradley (W, 71-46)
.339 - Morgan State (W, 73-53)
.344 - Illinois State (W, 54-53)
.348 - Bradley (W, 56-39)
.350 - Drake (W, 64-40)
.351 - George Mason (W, 71-65)
.354 - Wichita State (W, 70-54)
.356 - North Dakota (W, 64-52)
.368 - Missouri State (W, 60-46)
.372 - North Florida (W, 66-49)
.373 - Indiana State (W, 61-51)
.390 - Loyola (W, 58-39)
.392 - Richmond (W, 55-50)
.392 - Southern Illinois (W, 59-52)
IT'S NOT ALL DEFENSE
UNI shot 52.2 percent from the field in its 71-46 win over Bradley and followed that up by shooting 51.2 percent from the field in a 63-49 victory over Loyola in the MVC Tournament.
UNI has shot 50 percent or better from the field 13 times this season.
UNI Shooting 50 Percent or Better
.700 at Denver (W, 65-55)
.641 vs. Drake (W, 69-53)
.600 vs. Wichita State (W, 70-54)
.595 at Drake (W, 64-40)
.578 vs. South Dakota State (W, 74-63)
.553 vs. Morgan State (W, 73-53)
.526 at Southern Illinois (W, 59-52)
.523 vs. Evansville (W, 68-57)
.522 vs. Bradley (W, 71-46)
.512 vs. Loyola (W, 63-49)
.509 at Stephen F. Austin (W, 79-77 OT)
.500 vs. Virginia Tech (W, 73-54)
.500 at Missouri State (W, 68-57)
UNI SETS MVC WIN TOTAL MARK
For the first time in school history UNI has achieved 16 MVC wins in single season. UNI's previous best of 15 MVC wins was set in 2009-10.
16 STRAIGHT WINS IN THE MVC
UNI set its school record for most consecutive Missouri Valley Conference victories at 16 in a row. The 16 straight MVC victories for UNI this season tied for the 13th-longest streak in league history.
16 IS NOT ENOUGH THIS YEAR
Prior to the 2014-15 season, any MVC team winning 16 or more league games captured the regular season title.
However, this year UNI's 16 wins came up one victory short of MVC regular season champion Wichita State's 17 league victories.
The previous mark for best win total by a second-place MVC team came in the 2002-03 season when Creighton posted a 15-3 league mark. The Bluejays settled for second place behind MVC winner Southern Illinois (16-2).
UNI'S RESUME IS LOOKING GOOD
UNI is 30-3 on the season with all three losses coming on the road. UNI lost in double-overtime at VCU (No. 15 in NCAA RPI), suffered a three-point loss at Evansville (No. 119 in NCAA RPI) and dropped its regular season finale at Wichita State (No. 17 in NCAA RPI).
UNI has posted a 15-3 mark in road/neutral games. UNI has won at Stephen F. Austin, at Denver, at Drake, at Bradley, at Illinois State, at Southern Illinois, at Indiana State, at Missouri State and at Loyola. The Panthers have neutral court victories over Bradley, Loyola, Illinois State, Virginia Tech, Northwestern and Iowa.
UNI is ranked No. 14 in the latest NCAA RPI.
PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE
UNI returns 10 letterwinners and all five starters for the 2014-15 season.
UNI returns 91.2 percent of its scoring and 91.4 percent of its rebounding from last season - when factoring in only MVC games, UNI returns 94.1 percent of its MVC scoring from a year ago.
UNI possesses the oldest roster in the Missouri Valley Conference heading into the 2014-15 season. UNI's average age on Nov. 15 was 20.53 years. Bradley is second in the MVC at 20.47 years.
PANTHERS TIE ROAD RECORD
UNI tied a school record with its seventh consecutive road win on Feb. 18 at Loyola.
UNI also won seven straight road games combining the end of the 2008-09 season (1) and the start of the 2009-10 campaign (6).
NINE TRUE ROAD WINS
UNI also tied a school record with nine NCAA Division I road victories this season - equaling the mark it also set in the 2009-10 season.
UNI has road victories this season over Stephen F. Austin (79-77 OT), Denver (65-55), Drake (64-40), Bradley (63-52), Illinois State (54-53), Southern Illinois (59-52), at Indiana State (61-51) at Missouri State (68-57) and at Loyola (58-39).
UNI has won at least five road games in eight of head coach Ben Jacobson's first nine seasons as a head coach.
UNI's Road Mark Under Coach Jake
Year Road Record
2006-07 6-8
2007-08 6-7
2008-09 8-4
2009-10 9-3
2010-11 5-8
2011-12 5-10
2012-13 5-6
2013-14 3-10
2014-15 9-3
Totals 56-59 (.487)
COMPARING BEST ROAD MARKS IN UNI'S DIVISION I HISTORY
UNI has won nine true road games this season - tying the school record for the most road wins in a single season.
UNI also posted a program-best nine road wins in the 2009-10 season.
UNI's Best Road Records (Div. I)
9-3 - 2009-10
9-3 - 2014-15
8-4 - 2008-09
7-5 - 2005-06
7-5 - 1989-90
6-7 - 2007-08
6-7 - 2004-05
6-8 - 2006-07
20-WIN SEASONS
With its 70-54 win over Wichita State on Jan. 31, UNI earned the program's 11th 20-win season in the history of its basketball program.
Nine of those 20-win seasons have come since the 2003-04 season.
UNI's 20-Win Seasons
1963-64 - 23-4
1989-90 - 23-9
2003-04 - 21-10
2004-05 - 21-11
2005-06 - 23-10
2008-09 - 23-11
2009-10 - 30-5
2010-11 - 20-14
2011-12 - 20-14
2012-13 - 21-15
2014-15 - 30-3
12 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI has won nine or more MVC games in 12 consecutive seasons - the longest active streak in the league.
Wichita State has the second longest active streak at six.
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)
TOP-3 FINISH FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI has earned a top-three finish in the MVC standings for the fourth consecutive season.
UNI has also finished in the top-3 of the MVC standings in five of the last six seasons.
UNI's Top-3 MVC Finishes
T-2nd - 2003-04
T-3rd - 2004-05
T-1st - 2008-09
1st - 2009-10
T-3rd - 2011-12
3rd - 2012-13
3rd - 2013-14
2nd - 2014-15
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI has finished in the upper half of the Missouri Valley Conference's final standings in 12 straight seasons. 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.
PANTHERS WITH 1,500 PTS, 800 RBS
Seth Tuttle is one of two UNI Panthers to have accumulated 1,500 points and 800 rebounds in a career.
In the last 20 years, only five MVC players have accomplished the feat - Doug McDermott (Creighton), Jackie Carmichael (Illinois State), Kyle Weems (Missouri State), Eric Coleman (UNI) and Seth Tuttle (UNI).
Eric Coleman registered 1,522 points and 997 rebounds in his Panther career from 2004-2008.
Tuttle has tallied 1,719 points and 901 rebounds in 134 games.
REBOUNDING, ASSIST LEADER
Seth Tuttle could become the first Panther to lead the team in rebounding and assists since 5'9” guard Brent Carmichael completed that task in the 1982-83 season. Carmichael averaged 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists for Jim Berry's squad in 1982-83.
Tuttle is averaging 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game this season.
HIGH PERCENTAGE PLAYERS
UNI has five players shooting at 47.0 percent or better from the field through 33 games.
Senior Seth Tuttle, who ranks No. 5 in the nation in field goal percentage, is shooting a team-best 61.6 percent the from the floor and averaging 15.3 ppg.
Junior Wes Washpun is at 48.2 percent from the floor. Washpun is scoring 7.7 ppg.
Senior Marvin Singleton has a 54.0 field goal percentage (67-of-124) and is averaging 5.0 points per game.
Junior Paul Jesperson is making 47.7 percent of his field goals and is scoring at a 5.4 per game clip.
Senior Nate Buss has a 47.0 field goal percentage this season and is averaging 7.4 points per game.
TUTTLE IN RARE COMPANY
UNI's Seth Tuttle is the only active player in the nation with 1,700 career points, 900 career rebounds, and 250 career assists
TUTT RANKS NO. 37 AMONG ACTIVE NCAA SCORERS
Senior Seth Tuttle enters the game ranked No. 37 on the NCAA's Division I active career scoring chart with 1,719 pts.
TUTTLE, MITCHELL CLIMB UNI GAMES STARTED LIST
Senior forward Seth Tuttle has started all 134 games of his UNI career to rank No. 2 on the school's all-time starts list.
Tuttle could become the first UNI Panther to start every game the team has played over a four-year stretch.
Fellow senior Deon Mitchell ranks No. 6 on the games started list at 113.
Johnny Moran holds the UNI record for games started with 135 from 2008-2012. Moran started and played in 135 games but missed one game during his career.
UNI CAREER GAMES STARTED
1. Johnny Moran (2008-12) 135
2. Seth Tuttle (2011-present) 134
3. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 120
4. Brooks McKowen (2003-07) 117
5. Eric Coleman (2004-08) 114
6. Deon Mitchell (2011-present) 113
7. Cedrick McCullough (1988-92) 109
8. Randy Kraayenbrink (1982-86) 107
Dale Turner (1988-92) 107
Kwadzo Ahelegbe (2006-11) 107
TUTTLE, MITCHELL RISING GAMES PLAYED CHART AT UNI
Seniors Seth Tuttle and Deon Mitchell are steadily moving up the UNI games played list.
Tuttle ranks No. 5 all-time at UNI in games played at 134. Mitchell is T-No. 6 with 133 games played.
Marc Sonnen holds the UNI record for games started with 139 from 2009-2013.
UNI CAREER GAMES PLAYED
1. Marc Sonnen (2009-13) 139
2. Jake Koch (2008-13) 138
3. Johnny Moran (2008-12) 135
Chip Rank (2008-12) 135
5. Seth Tuttle (2011-present) 134
6. Kwadzo Ahlegbe (2006-11) 133
Deon Mitchell (2011-present) 133
7. Adam Koch (2006-10) 132
9. Eric Coleman (2004-08) 128
Anthony James (2008-13) 128
TUTTLE UP TO NO. 3 IN FREE THROWS MADE AS A PANTHER
UNI senior forward Seth Tuttle ranks No. 3 on the Panthers's all-time free throws made list with 497 career makes.
UNI CAREER FREE THROWS MADE
1. Bill McCoy (1970-73) 579
2. Jason Reese (1986-90) 504
3. Seth Tuttle (2011-present) 497
4. Adam Koch (2006-10) 446
5. Robbie Sieverding (1998-02) 423
6. Randy Kraayenbrink (1982-86) 410
7. Jason Daisy (1993-97) 407
8. Kwadzo Ahelegbe (2006-11) 393
9. Eric Coleman (2004-08) 350
10. Jake Koch (2009-13) 340
TUTTLE UP TO NO. 5 ON REBOUNDING CHART
Senior forward Seth Tuttle ranks No. 5 on UNI's all-time rebounding chart with 901 career caroms. Pete Spoden set the UNI all-time rebounding mark with 1,104 from 1961-64.
UNI CAREER REBOUNDS
1. Pete Spoden (1961-64) 1,104
2. Jim Jackson (1959-61) 1,097
3. Eric Coleman (2004-08) 997
4. Grant Stout (2003-07) 920
5. Seth Tuttle (2011-present) 901
6. Ken Huelman (1966-69) 818
7. Jason Reese (1986-90) 773
8. Joe Brekenridge (1998-2001) 766
9. Ron Lemons (1975-79) 760
10. Randy Beilke (1970-73) 752
TUTTLE ON UNI'S BLOCKS CHART
UNI senior forward Seth Tuttle ranks No. 6 on the Panthers's all-time blocked shots list with 94 career swats.
UNI CAREER BLOCKED SHOTS
1. Grant Stout (2004-07) 222
2. Jake Koch (2009-13) 123
3. Jordan Eglseder (2006-2010) 120
4. Sean Hawkins (1995-980 118
5. Eric Coleman (2004-08) 115
6. Seth Tuttle (2011-present) 94
7. Jason Sims (1993-96) 90
8. Scott Stafford (1984-85) 85
9. Steve Phyfe (1988-90) 66
10. Herb King (1981-84) 60
TUTTLE UP TO 6TH FGS MADE CHART
Senior forward Seth Tuttle ranks No. 5 on UNI's all-time field goals made chart. Tuttle has made 592 field goals in his UNI career.
Randy Kraayenbrink (1982-86) holds the UNI record for career made field goals with 794.
UNI CAREER FIELD GOALS MADE
1. Randy Kraayenbrink (1982-86) 794
2. Jason Reese (1986-90) 764
3. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 637
4. Ron Lemons (1975-79) 629
5. Seth Tuttle (2011-present) 592
6. Jason Daisy (1992-97) 589
7. Eric Coleman (2004-08) 586
8. Bill McCoy (1969-73) 567
9. Cedrick McCullough (1988-92) 505
10. Ken Huelman (1966-69) 476
MITCHELL RANKS 6TH ON ASSIST LIST
Senior guard Deon Mitchell ranks No. 6 at UNI on the Panthers' all-time assist chart with 367 career assists in 133 games.
UNI CAREER ASSISTS
1. Dale Turner (1988-92) 520
2. Brooks McKowen (2003-07) 425
3. Robbie Williams (1982-86) 418
4. Mark Long (1975-79) 387
5. Chris Foster (2000-05) 370
6. Deon Mitchell (2011-present) 367
7. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 357
8. Kwadzo Ahelegbe (2006-11) 342
9. Nick Nurse (1985-89) 340
10. Rod Underwood (1977-81) 291
BO MOVES TO 5TH ON 3-POINT CHART
Junior guard Matt Bohannon ranks No. 4 on UNI's all-time 3-pointers made list with 171.
UNI CAREER 3-POINTERS MADE
1. Ben Jacobson (2002-06) 203
2. Johnny Moran (2008-12) 201
Marc Sonnen (2009-13) 201
4. Matt Bohannon (2012-present) 171
5. Nick Nurse (1985-89) 170
6. Darian DeVries (1994-98) 166
7. Robbie Sieverding (1998-02) 157
8. Ali Farokhmanesh (2008-10) 152
9. Maurice Newby (1987-91) 146
10. Chris Foster (2000-05) 144
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 493 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basket came Feb. 3, 2000, vs. Southern Illinois in a 72-58 Panther victory in the UNI-Dome. UNI went 0-for-4 from 3-point land vs. the Salukis back in 2000.
UNI IN NATIONAL POLLS
The UNI men's basketball team set a new standard again this week in the USA Today Coaches poll with a No. 9 national ranking entering the 2015 NCAA Tournament.
UNI fell one spot to No. 11 in the final Associated Press Top 25 Poll for the 2015 season.
Prior to the 2014-15 season, UNI was ranked 10 times in the coaches poll and seven times in the AP poll. UNI has been ranked 14 times this season in the coaches poll and been ranked 13 times in the AP poll.
UNI is 17-0 in the McLeod Center as a ranked team in the Coaches poll. UNI is 13-0 in the McLeod Center as a ranked team in the AP poll.
UNI IN NATIONAL RANKINGS
Date of Poll Coaches AP
Nov. 7, 2005 RV RV
Nov. 22, 2005 RV RV
Nov. 29, 2005 RV RV
Dec. 6, 2005 -- RV
Dec. 13, 2005 RV RV
Dec. 20, 2005 RV RV
Dec. 27, 2005 RV RV
Jan. 3, 2006 RV RV
Jan. 10, 2006 RV RV
Jan. 17, 2006 RV RV
Jan. 24, 2006 RV RV
Jan. 31, 2006 24 25
Feb. 6, 2006 RV 25
Feb. 13, 2006 RV RV
Feb. 20, 2006 RV 25
Nov. 9, 2009 RV RV
Nov. 16, 2009 RV RV
Dec. 7, 2009 -- RV
Dec. 14, 2009 RV RV
Dec. 21, 2009 RV RV
Dec. 28, 2009 RV RV
Jan. 4, 2010 RV RV
Jan. 11, 2010 RV RV
Jan. 18, 2010 22 20
Jan. 25, 2010 25 RV
Feb. 1, 2010 22 24
Feb. 8, 2010 18 19
Feb. 15, 2010 24 RV
Feb. 22, 2010 22 25
March 1, 2010 RV RV
March 8, 2010 25 RV
March 15, 2010 24 RV
April 6, 2010 13 --
Jan. 31, 2011 RV RV
Dec. 5, 2011 RV RV
Dec. 12, 2011 RV RV
Dec. 19, 2011 -- RV
Oct. 26, 2012 -- RV
Nov. 12, 2012 -- RV
Nov. 19, 2012 -- RV
Nov. 17, 2014 -- RV
Nov. 24, 2014 RV RV
Dec. 1, 2014 RV RV
Dec. 8, 2014 24 23
Dec. 15, 2014 RV RV
Dec. 22, 2014 24 23
Dec. 29, 2014 23 23
Jan. 5, 2015 23 RV
Jan. 12, 2015 22 23
Jan. 19, 2015 19 20
Jan. 26, 2015 18 18
Feb. 2, 2015 15 14
Feb. 9, 2015 12 13
Feb. 16, 2015 11 11
Feb. 23, 2015 10 10
March 2, 2015 12 11
March 9, 2015 11 10
March 16, 2015 9 11
UNI's Record When Ranked
Poll Overall Home Away Neutral
AP 26-10 15-2 8-8 3-0
Coaches 33-8 18-0 10-7 5-1
VERY FEW 20-POINT SCORERS VS. UNI
The Panthers have allowed only four players to reach 20 points in a game this season and none of them have occurred in Missouri Valley Conference play.
In fact, UNI has not allowed a 20-point scorer in its last 20 MVC regular season games dating back to the 2013-14 season. Zach Lofton (Illinois State) was the last MVC player to reach 20 points against UNI when he poured in 24 points against the Panthers on Feb. 23, 2014.
Wichita State's Fred Van Vleet scored 18 points to record the highest MVC opponent's point total this year vs. UNI.
20-Point Scorers vs. UNI This Year
21, Traveon Graham (VCU), 12/13/14
20, Marquise Moore (George Mason), 12/6/14
20, Demetrius Floyd (SFA), 11/18/14
20, Thomas Walkup (SFA), 11/18/14
BIG RUNS FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI has posted 17 scoring runs this season of 13 or more points.
UNI used a 27-4 to turn a 36-20 deficit into a 47-40 lead vs. Illinois State in the championship game of the 2015 MVC Tournament at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
The Panthers used a 28-7 run in the second half to break open a 34-32 game into a 62-39 lead against the Bradley Braves in the quarterfinals of the 2015 MVC Tournament in St. Louis.
UNI's 13-Point Scoring Runs
21-4 vs. Morgan State (W, 73-53) - 11/20
18-0 vs. North Florida (W, 66-49) - 11/22
17-0 vs. Northwestern (W, 61-42) - 11/26
16-3 vs. Iowa (W, 56-44) - 12/20
13-0 vs. South Dakota State (W, 74-63) - 12/28
17-2 at Evansville (L, 52-49) - 1/1
32-2 at Drake (W, 64-40) - 1/10
26-4 at Bradley (W, 63-52) - 1/13
15-2 at Illinois State (W, 54-53) - 1/25
22-3 at Southern Illinois (W, 59-52) - 1/28
19-3 vs. Wichita State (W, 70-54) - 1/31
23-7 vs. Illinois State (W, 83-64) - 2/11
19-6 at Missouri State (W, 68-57) - 2/15
16-2 vs. Bradley (W, 56-39) - 2/21
16-2 at Wichita State (L, 74-60) - 2/28
28-7 vs. Bradley (W, 71-46) - 3/6
27-4 vs. Illinois State (W, 69-60) - 3/8
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
When UNI held the Loyola Ramblers to 49 points in the Panthers's win at the MVC Tournament on March 7, 2015, it marked the 40th time in the Ben Jacobson head coaching era that the Panthers had held a team under 50 points. UNI is 39-1 in those contests.
UNI has won 32 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date Opponent Results
3/7/15 vs. Loyola W, 63-49
(MVC Tournament)
3/6/15 vs. Bradley W, 71-46
(MVC Tournament)
2/21/15 Bradley W, 56-39
2/18/15 at Loyola W, 58-39
1/18/15 Missouri State W, 60-46
1/10/15 at Drake W, 64-40
1/7/15 Southern Illinois W, 55-39
12/20/14 vs. Iowa W, 56-44
11/26/14 vs. Northwestern W, 61-42
11/22/14 North Florida W, 66-49
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
2/5/13 Missouri State W, 48-37
1/23/13 Southern Illinois W, 58-45
11/17/12 North Dakota W, 72-47
1/31/12 Southern Illinois W, 58-49
1/4/12 Indiana State W, 65-48
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
11/22/11 Western Carolina W, 59-39
11/12/11 Old Dominion W, 63-46
1/22/11 Drake W, 69-49
1/12/11 at Illinois State W, 46-44
12/19/10 SIU Edwardsville W, 68-47
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
3/6/10 vs. Bradley W, 57-40
(MVC Tournament)
3/5/10 vs. Drake W, 55-40
(MVC Tournament)
2/10/10 at Drake W, 57-48
1/16/10 vs. Indiana State W, 62-40
1/9/10 at Illinois State W, 59-44
1/6/10 at Southern Illinois W, 61-49
1/1/10 vs. Evansville W, 65-46
12/19/09 at North Dakota W, 64-41
11/28/09 vs. Northern Illinois W, 52-45
2/18/09 vs. Drake L, 47-46
12/6 /08 vs. North Dakota W, 69-49
3/7/08 vs. Southern Illinois W, 54-49
(MVC Tournament)
12/29/07 at Bradley W, 59-46
12/15/07 vs. Wartburg W, 99-48
11/27/07 at Iowa State W, 61-48
11/9/07 vs. Northern Illinois W, 75-45
12/2/06 at Bucknell W, 57-48
COACH JAKE TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has taken full advantage of the four schools representing the state of Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference in his nine seasons as UNI's head coach.
He has an overall mark of 53-20 vs. Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and Loyola. His 18 wins over Bradley are the most vs. any Valley opponent he has faced.
Coach Jake is 30-1 all-time in the McLeod Center against Southern Illinois (9-0), Illinois State (9-0), Bradley (9-1) and Loyola (3-0).
Jake Overall vs. MVC's Illinois Schools
Bradley 18-5
Illinois State 16-7
Southern Illinois 14-6
Loyola 5-2
JAKE MOVES TO 3-0 IN MVC FINALS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson improved to 3-0 in MVC Tournament finals - matching the mark of former Creighton coach Dana Altman.
Altman eventually posted a 6-0 mark in MVC finals before leaving for Oregon.
MOST MVC TOURNAMENT TITLES BY COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson moved into a tie for second for most MVC Tournament titles by coaches with his third tourney crown.
Dana Altman holds the league record for MVC Tournament titles by a head coach with six.
Jacobson is now tied for second with Greg McDermott (UNI/Creighton) and Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) with three titles each.
COACH JAKE IN MVC TOURNEY
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a 10-6 mark in the MVC Tournament since taking over the head job in the 2006-07 season.
Overall 10-6
MVC Quarterfinals 4-5
MVC Semifinals 3-1
MVC Championship 3-0
UNI IN MVC TOURNEY SINCE '01
UNI has a 15-10 record (with four titles) at the MVC Tournament since Ben Jacobson arrived on staff in 2001-02.
Prior to that, UNI owned a 4-9 mark all-time (with no titles) at the Valley Tournament.
2ND-LARGEST MVC TOURNAMENT COMEBACK
UNI's 18-point comeback victory (trailed 33-15 with 2:44 left in the first half) was the second-largest margin for a team to overcome in an MVC Tournament game.
Missouri State trailed Southern Illinois by 23 points on March 6, 2005, and came back to defeat the Salukis, 65-61.
MVC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
UNI seniors Seth Tuttle and Nate Buss each earned a spot on the 2015 MVC All-Tournament team. Tuttle was named the Most Outstanding Player in the tournament.
Tuttle averaged 12.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and dished out a team-best tying 11 assists in the three games.
Buss averaged a team-high 15.7 points and shot 65.2 percent from the field, which included 54.5 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. Buss also drained 11-of-14 free throws in the tourney.
PANTHERS HAVE A PERFECT RECORD AS TWO SEED AT ARCH MADNESS
UNI is a perfect 6-0 as the No. 2 seed at the MVC Tournament.
In fact, the Panthers are 12-0 as either the No. 1 or No. 2 seed at the MVC Tournament.
UNI's Record as a Seed in MVC Tourney
#1 - 6-0
#2 - 6-0
#3 - 0-2
#4 - 1-4
#5 - 2-3
#6 - 2-2
#7 - 1-5
#8 - 0-1
#9 - 0-1
#10 - 1-1
UNI vs. MVC Tourney Opponents
vs. Bradley - 3-2
vs. Creighton - 0-2
vs. Drake - 2-2
vs. Evansville - 2-0
vs. Illinois State - 4-6
vs. Indiana State - 1-1
vs. Loyola - 1-0
vs. Missouri State - 2-1
vs. Southern Illinois - 1-4
vs. Tulsa - 1-0
vs. Wichita State - 2-1
UNI ALL-TIME IN MVC TOURNEY
UNI has posted a record of 19-19 all-time in the MVC Tournament.
UNI has captured four MVC Tournament titles since joining the league in the 1991-92 season. UNI has won the MVC Tournament in 2004, 2009, 2010 and 2015.
The Panthers have reached the MVC tournament championship on five occasions and has won the title in each of its last four title game appearances.
The Panthers's only MVC title game loss came in 1994 to Southern Illinois.
FOUR MVC TOURNAMENT TITLES
UNI has now captured four Missouri Valley Conference Tournament titles (2004, 2009, 2010, 2015). UNI is tied for the third-most MVC tourney titles in league history with Tulsa and Illinois State.
Creighton has won 12 MVC tourney titles, while Southern Illinois has the second-most with five tourney crowns.
UNI ENDS LOSING SKID IN STL
UNI snapped a four-game losing streak in the MVC Tournament with a 71-46 triumph over Bradley in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Entering the 2015 MVC Tournament, UNI was the only MVC squad to have not won a tourney game over the previous four seasons.
Last 5 Year's MVC Tourn. Records
Wichita State 8-4
Indiana State 7-4
Illinois State 5-5
Missouri State 4-5
Southern Illinois 3-5
UNI 3-4
Loyola 2-2
Drake 2-5
Bradley 2-5
Evansville 2-5
MITCHELL THRIVED IN ST. LOUIS
Senior guard Deon Mitchell averaged 9.7 points and 3.7 assists in helping lead UNI to the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title.
Mitchell scored 14 points (5-of-7 from the field), handed out five assists and tallied three steals in a 71-46 win over Bradley.
Mitchell posted five points and dished out four assists in UNI's 63-49 semifinal win over Loyola.
Mitchell added 10 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out two assists in UNI's 69-60 MVC title game win over Illinois State.
BUSS SCORES SEASON-HIGH 23 PTS IN MVC QUARTERFINAL VICTORY
UNI senior Nate Buss poured in a season-high 23 points in leading the Panthers to a 71-46 win over Bradley in the MVC Quarterfinals (March 6).
It was the fourth 20-point scoring game of Buss's career at UNI.
Active Career 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Seth Tuttle (20)
Deon Mitchell (8)
Nate Buss (4)
Matt Bohannon (1)
Wes Washpun (1)
100 MVC COACHING WINS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is one of nine coaches in the history of the Missouri Valley Conference to have captured 100 league coaching victories.
Jacobson has compiled a league mark of 103-59 in his nine seasons at UNI.
MOST COACHING WINS (MVC GAMES ONLY)
1. Henry Iba (1934-57) 187
2. Dana Altman (1994-2010) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (1935-43; 1946-58) 163
4. Dr. F.C. Allen (1907-90; 1919-28) 126
5. Barry Hinson (1999-2008; 2012-) 114
6. Rich Herrin (1985-97) 111
7. Jim Molinari (1991-2002) 110
8. Ben Jacobson (2006-) 103
9. Gregg Marshall (2007-) 101
10. Maury John (1958-71) 95
RANKED MVC FOES FACING OFF
UNI and Wichita State have met twice this season with both teams being ranked - the first time since 1972 that the MVC had a pair of ranked opponents meet up in the regular season.
The last time the MVC had two matchups of ranked teams in the same season came when Memphis and Louisville met in the 1972 campaign.
Most Recent MVC Top 25 (AP) Meetings
2/28/15 - #11 Wichita State 74, #10 UNI 60
1/31/15 - #18 UNI 70, #12 Wichita State 54
1/16/82 - #18 Tulsa 99, #16 Wichita State 88
3/11/72 - #4 Louisville 83, #11 Memphis 72
3/2/72 - #20 Memphis 80, #2 Louisville 65
3/8/69 - #11 Drake 77, #15 Louisville 73
UNI VS. RANKED FOES
UNI has recorded 14 victories over ranked foes since the start of the 1979-80 season.
UNI's only win over a ranked opponent on the road came in head coach Ben Jacobson's first year when the Panthers scored a 63-59 win over No. 16 Wichita State at Koch Arena on Dec. 30, 2006.
UNI's Record vs. Ranked Opponents (AP)
Overall Home Away Neutral
14-33 11-6 1-16 2-11
UNI has played 36 games as a ranked school in the Associated Press Top 25 poll and has posted 24 wins as a ranked school.
UNI's Record When Ranked in AP
Overall Home Away Neutral
26-10 15-2 8-8 3-0
The Panthers have played 41 games as a ranked school in the USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll and have tallied 31 victories.
UNI's Record When Ranked in Coaches
Overall Home Away Neutral
33-8 18-0 10-7 5-1
FOURTH-HIGHEST RANKED FOE TO GO DOWN TO THE PANTHERS
UNI's 70-54 win over No. 12 Wichita State (Jan. 31) tied for the fourth-highest ranked opponent to go down to defeat at the hands of the Panthers.
No. 1 Kansas (W, 69-67) - 3/20/10
No. 10 Iowa (W, 84-78) - 12/9/97
No. 11 Missouri (W, 74-71) - 3/16/90
No. 12 Iowa (W, 67-63) - 12/6/05
No. 12 Wichita State (W, 70-54) - 1/31/15
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), KCHA (1580 AM, Charles City), 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 BASKETBALL ALL-ACCESS
UNI Basketball All-Access will be shown each Friday for 10 weeks beginning on Fri., Jan. 2, at 4:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
The documentary is the story of the 2014-15 UNI men's basketball season and will feature a new 30-minute show each week. Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the nationally-ranked Panther basketball program as they progress through the 2014-15 season. The storylines include head coach Ben Jacobson becoming UNI's all-time wins leader vs. North Dakota, the Panthers traveling to Cancun Challenge in Mexico and the ups and downs of a college basketball season both on and off the floor.
“Our fans are really going to enjoy UNI Basketball All-Access,” Jacobson said. “The show will give them an inside look at what our program is all about and give viewers a chance to see our players in a way they are not accustomed to seeing them. We are excited to showcase not only our program but our entire University to viewers in the Midwest and throughout the nation that may not be familiar with the UNI Panthers.”
CFU Cable Channel 15 will also re-air each episode throughout its broadcast schedule following the debut on Jan. 2. Normal playbacks of UNI Men's Basketball All-Access on CFU will be Saturday (5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.), Sunday (5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.), Monday (8:30 p.m.), Tuesday (5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) and Thursday (5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.).
Episodes will also be available for viewing on www.UNIPanthers.com.
“UNI Basketball All-Access is ground-breaking for us in many ways,” Associate A.D. Steve Schofield said. “There is so much that goes into a successful basketball program and the show does a great job of capturing all the moments that are not always in the public view. I'm not sure if any of our peers are doing anything quite like this. The potential impact of this show is limitless.”
Around the Corner Productions, Inc., began filming footage in November for each 30-minute episode. The show is sponsored in part by Whiskey Road, a restaurant that opened in Cedar Falls this fall. Whiskey Road is located at 4th and Main in Cedar Falls.
Check your local listings to locate Comcast SportsNet Chicago in your viewing area.
WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEONS
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday beginning at noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub located on 18th Street in Cedar Falls.
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 about the Panthers on their computer or mobile device. 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.twitter.com/unimbb
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
Players Mentioned
