UNI Begins Battle 4 Atlantis Against SMU
11/20/2017 2:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Complete Release (PDF)
UNI (3-1) vs. SMU (4-0)
Wed., Nov. 22, 2017 • 8:30 p.m.
Nassau, Bahamas (Paradise Island)
ESPN3Â | AUDIO
Bad Boys Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament
Wednesday, Nov. 22
Game 1 – Tennessee vs. Purdue, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
Game 2 – Western Kentucky vs. Villanova, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 3 – North Carolina State vs. Arizona, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Game 4 – UNI vs. SMU, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Thursday, Nov. 23
Game 5 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Game 6 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 7 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Game 8 – Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Friday, Nov. 24
Game 9 – Championship, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
Game 10 – 3rd/4th Place Game, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 11 – 5th/6th Place Game, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Game 12 – 7th/8th Place Game, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald
Analyst: Paul Biancardi
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Eric Braley
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: SMU leads 2-0
Last Meeting: SMU 57, UNI 50 (March 21, 2011)
• This will be the third meeting between UNI and SMU and first time on a neutral floor.
• SMU defeated UNI in the 2011 CIT postseason event.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, to take part in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis. The Panthers (3-1 overall) will take on SMU (4-0 overall) in the opening round on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
• The Panthers turned up their defense this past week in picking up three home victories. UNI held each of its opponents to 45 points or less and won the contests by an average of 31.7 points per game.
• UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win Saturday. It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests. UNI has won 39 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
• UNI has recorded three consecutive games of double-figure offensive rebounding totals (10 vs. Alcorn State; 14 vs. Wartburg; 13 vs. Chicago State). The last time UNI had put together three straight double-figure offensive rebounding games came near the end of the 2012-13 season when the Panthers did it against Denver (Feb. 23 - 12), Southern Illinois (Feb. 27 - 13) and Illinois State (March 2 - 19).
• Senior Bennett Koch leads UNI in scoring (17.0 ppg), FG% (70.6) and FT% (83.3). Freshman Tywhon Pickford is averaging a double-double (12.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg.).
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. SMU
UNI HEADS TO THE BATTLE 4Â
ATLANTIS FOR THANKSGIVING
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, to take part in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis.Â
   The Panthers (3-1 overall) will take on SMU (4-0 overall) in the opening round on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
   Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Paul Biancardi (analyst) will call the contest.
SMU MUSTANGS
The SMU Mustangs are the defending American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament champions.
   The Mustangs are off to a 4-0 start with double-digit wins over Maryland-Baltimore County (78-67), Louisiana-Monroe (83-65), Northwestern State (81-35) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (72-37).
   Shake Milton leads SMU in scoring at 21.3 points per game.
  Â
UNI-SMU SERIES RESULTS
SMU holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series vs. UNI.Â
   The squads first met in the 1988-89 when SMU posted a 90-73 win over UNI in Dallas.
   The latest meeting between the two came in the quarterfinals of the 2011 CollegeInsider.com Tournament. The Mustangs came into the the McLeod Center and scored a 57-50 victory over the Panthers. SMU's Papa Dia recorded a McLeod Center record (still standing) 21 rebounds to end UNI's 2010-11 season.
FAMILIAR FOES ON SIDELINE
UNI head coach and SMU head coach Tim Jankovich will meet for the 14th time on the sidelines.
   Jacobson holds a 9-4 advantage matchups against Jankovich, who served as the Illinois State Redbird head coach from 2007-2012.
TURN UP THE DEFENSE
The Panthers turned up their defense this past week in picking up three home victories.Â
   UNI held each of its opponents to 45 points or less and won the contests by an average of 31.7 points per game.
HITTING OFFENSIVE GLASS HARD
UNI has recorded three consecutive games of double-figure offensive rebounding totals (10 vs. Alcorn State; 14 vs. Wartburg; 13 vs. Chicago State).Â
   The last time UNI had put together three straight double-figure offensive rebounding games came near the end of the 2012-13 season when the Panthers did it against Denver (Feb. 23 - 12), Southern Illinois (Feb. 27 - 13) and Illinois State (March 2 - 19).
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGHEST LEVEL
Koch averaged 19.0 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 74.1 percent from the floor and 85.0 percent from the free throw line in leading UNI to three non-conference home triumphs.Â
   Koch registered a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in a 73-45 win over Alcorn State. Koch was 5-of-10 from the field against the Braves.Â
   Koch set his career scoring high with 25 points and tied his own McLeod Center field goal percentage record by making all eight of his field goal attempts in a 72-43 win over Wartburg Koch tallied eight rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block vs. the Knights.Â
   Koch notched his fifth 20-point scoring game of his career on Saturday with a 21-point effort in UNI's 82-44 win over Chicago State. Koch was 7-of-9 from the field with six rebounds and two blocks against the Cougars.
   On the season, Koch leads UNI in scoring (17.0 ppg), FG% (70.6) and FT% (83.3).Â
KOCH SNARES CAREER-HIGH
UNI senior Bennett Koch tallied a pair of 20-point scoring games this past week to give him five career 20-point scoring games.
   He posted a career-high 25 points in a 72-43 win over Wartburg.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (5)
Klint Carlson (1)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
KOCH TIES MCLEOD RECORD
Bennett Koch tied his own McLeod Center record for field goal percentage in a game (1.000) as he went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Wartburg.
   Last season, Koch went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Drake (Jan. 15, 2017).
AVERAGING A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is adjusting well to the collegiate game as he is averaging a double-double (12.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg.).
   Pickford also averaged a double-double this past week as UNI picked up three non-conference home victories.Â
   Pickford averaged 11.0 points and 12.3 rebounds as the Panthers moved to 3-1 on the year.Â
   Pickford tallied a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 73-45 win over Alcorn State. Pickford went 6-of-14 from the floor and drained two 3-pointers vs. the Braves.Â
   Pickford grabbed 13 rebounds (five offensive) and scored nine points in a 72-43 victory over Wartburg.Â
   Pickford finished off the week with a 14-rebound performance against Chicago State. Pickford also stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, two assists, two blocks and two steals in an 82-44 Panther victory.Â
   Over the three games, Pickford recorded 13 offensive rebounds.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through four games, UNI has six players who have made at least three 3-pointers this season.
   Isaiah Brown (8), Juwan McCloud (8), Spencer Haldeman (7), Tywhon Pickford (5), Klint Carlson (4) and Adam McDermott (3) have all made at least three shots from 3-point land this season.
   UNI is averaging 9.5 made 3-pointers per game.
MCCLOUD FINDS THE RANGE
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud is finding his groove from beyond the three-point arc.Â
   McCloud has made a team-best eight three-pointers this season after making only nine all of last season.
50 REBOUNDS VS. WARTBURG
UNI posted 50 rebounds vs. Wartburg to equal the highest amount for a Panther team in the McLeod Center.
   UNI also tallied 50 rebounds vs. Coe on Nov. 16, 2010.
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win Saturday in the McLeod Center.Â
   It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests.
   UNI has won 40 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date   Opponent   Result
11/18/17   Chicago State   W, 82-44
11/15/17   Wartburg   W, 72-43
11/13/17   Alcorn State   W, 73-45
2/8/17   Southern Illinois   W, 49-41
11/12/16   Coe   W, 74-37
2/24/15   Indiana State   W, 66-44
1/9/15   Drake   W, 77-44
12/30/15   Bradley   W, 80-44
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, 54-49Â
   (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
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 44-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.Â
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date   Opponent    Results
11/18/17   Chicago State   W, 82-44
12/7/16   South Dakota State   W, 86-58
11/17/16   vs. Arizona State   W, 82-63
3/20/16Â Â Â vs. Texas A&MÂ Â Â L, 92-88 (2OT)
2/10/15   Missouri State   W, 83-69
2/6/15   at Drake   W, 82-66
12/30/15   Bradley   W, 80-44
12/19/15   vs. Iowa State   W, 81-79
11/30/15   North Texas   W, 93-70
11/28/15   at North Dakota   W, 97-51
11/25/15   Dubuque   W, 83-63
2/11/15   Illinois State   W, 83-64
12/13/14Â Â Â at VCUÂ Â Â L, 93-87 (2OT)
2/1/14   Indiana State   L, 87-81
1/29/14   Evansville   W, 95-81
1/25/14   at Loyola   L, 93-87 (OT)
1/14/14   Missouri State   W, 94-89
1/8/14   at Evansville   W, 80-53
1/1/14   Bradley   W, 80-46
12/28/13   Iona   W, 90-78
12/7/13   vs. Iowa State   L, 91-82 (OT)
11/22/13   Loyola Marymount   W, 90-81
11/11/13   Coe   W, 86-52
3/26/13   Bradley   W, 90-77
3/2/13   Illinois State   W, 80-72
1/20/13   Drake   W, 85-55
1/12/13   Bradley   W, 84-53
12/23/12   Saint Mary's   W, 82-75
12/8/12   at George Mason   W, 82-77 (OT)
11/14/12   Toledo   W, 84-81 (OT)
11/10/12   Wartburg   W, 103-50
1/7/12   at Drake   W, 83-68
12/19/11   Loras   W, 84-48
12/6/11   Iowa   W, 80-60
12/3/11   Colorado State   W, 83-77
3/15/11   Rider      W, 84-50
2/15/11      at Bradley      W, 80-70
1/9/11      Bradley      W, 83-77
11/16/10   Coe      W, 84-45
1/3/10      Missouri State      W, 84-76
12/12/09   Siena      W, 82-65
11/23/09    vs. Boston College  W, 81-69
2/11/09     Southern Illinois      W, 81-55
1/17/09     at Drake      W, 81-59
12/28/08     Indiana State      L, 85-84 (2OT)
11/25/08     Chicago State      W, 81-70
12/15/07     Wartburg      W, 99-48
12/20/06     Wartburg      W, 83-61
12/09/06 Â Â Â Â UMKC Â Â Â Â Â W, 85-53
11/13/06    vs. Pepperdine      W, 83-58
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 565 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.Â
   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.
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 136-35 (.795) 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.
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
   UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular seaso 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 3-0
PAIR OF DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Bennett Koch and Tywhon Pickford each posted double-doubles against Alcorn State.Â
   Koch earned his third career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds vs. the Braves.Â
   Pickford secured his first collegiate double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Braves.
   The last time UNI had two players record double-doubles on the same night came back on March 2, 2013, when Jake Koch (18 pts./11 rbs.) and Seth Tuttle (15 pts./12 rbs.) did it against Illinois State.
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Bennett Koch (3)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
Tywhon Pickford (1)
FRESHMAN DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Tywhon Pickford's double-double vs. Alcorn State was UNI's first double-double by freshman since Seth Tuttle earned four of them during his 2011-12 season.
COACH JAKE IN HOME OPENERS
UNI is 11-1 in home openers under head coach Ben Jacobson after the Panthers scored a 73-45 win over the Alcorn State Braves on Monday.
   Overall, UNI has won 16 of its last 17 home openers.
Home Opening Results Under Jake
2006-07Â Â Â W, 69-58 vs. Milwaukee
2007-08Â Â Â W, 75-45 vs. NIU
2008-09Â Â Â W, 61-56 vs. Denver
2009-10Â Â Â W, 52-45 vs. NIU
2010-11Â Â Â W, 84-45 vs. Coe
2011-12Â Â Â W, 78-69 vs. Northern Colorado
2012-13Â Â Â W, 103-50 vs. Wartburg
2013-14Â Â Â W, 86-52 vs. Coe
2014-15Â Â Â W, 64-52 vs. North Dakota
2015-16Â Â Â L, 84-78 vs. Colorado State
2016-17Â Â Â W, 74-37 vs. Coe
2017-18Â Â Â W, 73-45 vs. Alcorn State
UNI OPENED AT DEAN DOME
The Panthers opened the season last Friday at No. 9-ranked North Carolina. The Tar Heels scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
   UNI had three players reach double-figure scoring at North Carolina, led by sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman's 15 points off the bench. UNI starters Bennett Koch (11 points) and Isaiah Brown (13 points) each scored in double figures.Â
JAKE RANKS AMONG MVC's ALL-TIME TOP COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Conference history in victories with 237.
   Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only with 123 wins.
   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.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)   261
5.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)   250
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)   237
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)    134
   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)    134
6. Â Â Â Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) Â Â Â 126
7.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)    123
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
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
   It is the longest active streak in the league.
   Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.Â
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
   Wichita State has the second-longest active streak at eight.
UNI in the MVC Since 2003-04
2003-04 - 12-6 (T-2nd)
2004-05 - 11-7 (T-3rd)
2005-06 - 11-7 (T-5th)
2006-07 - 9-9 (5th)
2007-08 - 9-9 (T-5th)
2008-09 - 14-4 (T-1st)
2009-10 - 15-3 (1st)
2010-11 - 10-8 (T-4th)
2011-12 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
2012-13 - 11-7 (3rd)
2013-14 - 10-8 (3rd)
2014-15 - 16-2 (2nd)
2015-16 - 11-7 (T-4th)
2016-17 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
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 APPEARANCE 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. Â
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
UNI (3-1) vs. SMU (4-0)
Wed., Nov. 22, 2017 • 8:30 p.m.
Nassau, Bahamas (Paradise Island)
ESPN3Â | AUDIO
Bad Boys Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament
Wednesday, Nov. 22
Game 1 – Tennessee vs. Purdue, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
Game 2 – Western Kentucky vs. Villanova, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 3 – North Carolina State vs. Arizona, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Game 4 – UNI vs. SMU, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Thursday, Nov. 23
Game 5 – Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 11:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Game 6 – Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 7 – Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Game 8 – Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Friday, Nov. 24
Game 9 – Championship, 11 a.m. (ESPN2)
Game 10 – 3rd/4th Place Game, 1:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game 11 – 5th/6th Place Game, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Game 12 – 7th/8th Place Game, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Kevin Fitzgerald
Analyst: Paul Biancardi
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Eric Braley
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: SMU leads 2-0
Last Meeting: SMU 57, UNI 50 (March 21, 2011)
• This will be the third meeting between UNI and SMU and first time on a neutral floor.
• SMU defeated UNI in the 2011 CIT postseason event.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, to take part in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis. The Panthers (3-1 overall) will take on SMU (4-0 overall) in the opening round on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
• The Panthers turned up their defense this past week in picking up three home victories. UNI held each of its opponents to 45 points or less and won the contests by an average of 31.7 points per game.
• UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win Saturday. It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests. UNI has won 39 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
• UNI has recorded three consecutive games of double-figure offensive rebounding totals (10 vs. Alcorn State; 14 vs. Wartburg; 13 vs. Chicago State). The last time UNI had put together three straight double-figure offensive rebounding games came near the end of the 2012-13 season when the Panthers did it against Denver (Feb. 23 - 12), Southern Illinois (Feb. 27 - 13) and Illinois State (March 2 - 19).
• Senior Bennett Koch leads UNI in scoring (17.0 ppg), FG% (70.6) and FT% (83.3). Freshman Tywhon Pickford is averaging a double-double (12.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg.).
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. SMU
UNI HEADS TO THE BATTLE 4Â
ATLANTIS FOR THANKSGIVING
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Nassau, Bahamas, to take part in the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis.Â
   The Panthers (3-1 overall) will take on SMU (4-0 overall) in the opening round on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
   Kevin Fitzgerald (play-by-play) and Paul Biancardi (analyst) will call the contest.
SMU MUSTANGS
The SMU Mustangs are the defending American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament champions.
   The Mustangs are off to a 4-0 start with double-digit wins over Maryland-Baltimore County (78-67), Louisiana-Monroe (83-65), Northwestern State (81-35) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (72-37).
   Shake Milton leads SMU in scoring at 21.3 points per game.
  Â
UNI-SMU SERIES RESULTS
SMU holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series vs. UNI.Â
   The squads first met in the 1988-89 when SMU posted a 90-73 win over UNI in Dallas.
   The latest meeting between the two came in the quarterfinals of the 2011 CollegeInsider.com Tournament. The Mustangs came into the the McLeod Center and scored a 57-50 victory over the Panthers. SMU's Papa Dia recorded a McLeod Center record (still standing) 21 rebounds to end UNI's 2010-11 season.
FAMILIAR FOES ON SIDELINE
UNI head coach and SMU head coach Tim Jankovich will meet for the 14th time on the sidelines.
   Jacobson holds a 9-4 advantage matchups against Jankovich, who served as the Illinois State Redbird head coach from 2007-2012.
TURN UP THE DEFENSE
The Panthers turned up their defense this past week in picking up three home victories.Â
   UNI held each of its opponents to 45 points or less and won the contests by an average of 31.7 points per game.
HITTING OFFENSIVE GLASS HARD
UNI has recorded three consecutive games of double-figure offensive rebounding totals (10 vs. Alcorn State; 14 vs. Wartburg; 13 vs. Chicago State).Â
   The last time UNI had put together three straight double-figure offensive rebounding games came near the end of the 2012-13 season when the Panthers did it against Denver (Feb. 23 - 12), Southern Illinois (Feb. 27 - 13) and Illinois State (March 2 - 19).
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGHEST LEVEL
Koch averaged 19.0 points per game, 9.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 74.1 percent from the floor and 85.0 percent from the free throw line in leading UNI to three non-conference home triumphs.Â
   Koch registered a double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in a 73-45 win over Alcorn State. Koch was 5-of-10 from the field against the Braves.Â
   Koch set his career scoring high with 25 points and tied his own McLeod Center field goal percentage record by making all eight of his field goal attempts in a 72-43 win over Wartburg Koch tallied eight rebounds, an assist, a steal and a block vs. the Knights.Â
   Koch notched his fifth 20-point scoring game of his career on Saturday with a 21-point effort in UNI's 82-44 win over Chicago State. Koch was 7-of-9 from the field with six rebounds and two blocks against the Cougars.
   On the season, Koch leads UNI in scoring (17.0 ppg), FG% (70.6) and FT% (83.3).Â
KOCH SNARES CAREER-HIGH
UNI senior Bennett Koch tallied a pair of 20-point scoring games this past week to give him five career 20-point scoring games.
   He posted a career-high 25 points in a 72-43 win over Wartburg.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (5)
Klint Carlson (1)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
KOCH TIES MCLEOD RECORD
Bennett Koch tied his own McLeod Center record for field goal percentage in a game (1.000) as he went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Wartburg.
   Last season, Koch went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Drake (Jan. 15, 2017).
AVERAGING A DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is adjusting well to the collegiate game as he is averaging a double-double (12.5 ppg, 10.0 rpg.).
   Pickford also averaged a double-double this past week as UNI picked up three non-conference home victories.Â
   Pickford averaged 11.0 points and 12.3 rebounds as the Panthers moved to 3-1 on the year.Â
   Pickford tallied a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in a 73-45 win over Alcorn State. Pickford went 6-of-14 from the floor and drained two 3-pointers vs. the Braves.Â
   Pickford grabbed 13 rebounds (five offensive) and scored nine points in a 72-43 victory over Wartburg.Â
   Pickford finished off the week with a 14-rebound performance against Chicago State. Pickford also stuffed the stat sheet with eight points, two assists, two blocks and two steals in an 82-44 Panther victory.Â
   Over the three games, Pickford recorded 13 offensive rebounds.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through four games, UNI has six players who have made at least three 3-pointers this season.
   Isaiah Brown (8), Juwan McCloud (8), Spencer Haldeman (7), Tywhon Pickford (5), Klint Carlson (4) and Adam McDermott (3) have all made at least three shots from 3-point land this season.
   UNI is averaging 9.5 made 3-pointers per game.
MCCLOUD FINDS THE RANGE
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud is finding his groove from beyond the three-point arc.Â
   McCloud has made a team-best eight three-pointers this season after making only nine all of last season.
50 REBOUNDS VS. WARTBURG
UNI posted 50 rebounds vs. Wartburg to equal the highest amount for a Panther team in the McLeod Center.
   UNI also tallied 50 rebounds vs. Coe on Nov. 16, 2010.
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win Saturday in the McLeod Center.Â
   It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests.
   UNI has won 40 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date   Opponent   Result
11/18/17   Chicago State   W, 82-44
11/15/17   Wartburg   W, 72-43
11/13/17   Alcorn State   W, 73-45
2/8/17   Southern Illinois   W, 49-41
11/12/16   Coe   W, 74-37
2/24/15   Indiana State   W, 66-44
1/9/15   Drake   W, 77-44
12/30/15   Bradley   W, 80-44
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, 54-49Â
   (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
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 44-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.Â
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date   Opponent    Results
11/18/17   Chicago State   W, 82-44
12/7/16   South Dakota State   W, 86-58
11/17/16   vs. Arizona State   W, 82-63
3/20/16Â Â Â vs. Texas A&MÂ Â Â L, 92-88 (2OT)
2/10/15   Missouri State   W, 83-69
2/6/15   at Drake   W, 82-66
12/30/15   Bradley   W, 80-44
12/19/15   vs. Iowa State   W, 81-79
11/30/15   North Texas   W, 93-70
11/28/15   at North Dakota   W, 97-51
11/25/15   Dubuque   W, 83-63
2/11/15   Illinois State   W, 83-64
12/13/14Â Â Â at VCUÂ Â Â L, 93-87 (2OT)
2/1/14   Indiana State   L, 87-81
1/29/14   Evansville   W, 95-81
1/25/14   at Loyola   L, 93-87 (OT)
1/14/14   Missouri State   W, 94-89
1/8/14   at Evansville   W, 80-53
1/1/14   Bradley   W, 80-46
12/28/13   Iona   W, 90-78
12/7/13   vs. Iowa State   L, 91-82 (OT)
11/22/13   Loyola Marymount   W, 90-81
11/11/13   Coe   W, 86-52
3/26/13   Bradley   W, 90-77
3/2/13   Illinois State   W, 80-72
1/20/13   Drake   W, 85-55
1/12/13   Bradley   W, 84-53
12/23/12   Saint Mary's   W, 82-75
12/8/12   at George Mason   W, 82-77 (OT)
11/14/12   Toledo   W, 84-81 (OT)
11/10/12   Wartburg   W, 103-50
1/7/12   at Drake   W, 83-68
12/19/11   Loras   W, 84-48
12/6/11   Iowa   W, 80-60
12/3/11   Colorado State   W, 83-77
3/15/11   Rider      W, 84-50
2/15/11      at Bradley      W, 80-70
1/9/11      Bradley      W, 83-77
11/16/10   Coe      W, 84-45
1/3/10      Missouri State      W, 84-76
12/12/09   Siena      W, 82-65
11/23/09    vs. Boston College  W, 81-69
2/11/09     Southern Illinois      W, 81-55
1/17/09     at Drake      W, 81-59
12/28/08     Indiana State      L, 85-84 (2OT)
11/25/08     Chicago State      W, 81-70
12/15/07     Wartburg      W, 99-48
12/20/06     Wartburg      W, 83-61
12/09/06 Â Â Â Â UMKC Â Â Â Â Â W, 85-53
11/13/06    vs. Pepperdine      W, 83-58
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 565 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.Â
   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.
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 136-35 (.795) 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.
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
   UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular seaso 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 3-0
PAIR OF DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Bennett Koch and Tywhon Pickford each posted double-doubles against Alcorn State.Â
   Koch earned his third career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds vs. the Braves.Â
   Pickford secured his first collegiate double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Braves.
   The last time UNI had two players record double-doubles on the same night came back on March 2, 2013, when Jake Koch (18 pts./11 rbs.) and Seth Tuttle (15 pts./12 rbs.) did it against Illinois State.
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Bennett Koch (3)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
Tywhon Pickford (1)
FRESHMAN DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Tywhon Pickford's double-double vs. Alcorn State was UNI's first double-double by freshman since Seth Tuttle earned four of them during his 2011-12 season.
COACH JAKE IN HOME OPENERS
UNI is 11-1 in home openers under head coach Ben Jacobson after the Panthers scored a 73-45 win over the Alcorn State Braves on Monday.
   Overall, UNI has won 16 of its last 17 home openers.
Home Opening Results Under Jake
2006-07Â Â Â W, 69-58 vs. Milwaukee
2007-08Â Â Â W, 75-45 vs. NIU
2008-09Â Â Â W, 61-56 vs. Denver
2009-10Â Â Â W, 52-45 vs. NIU
2010-11Â Â Â W, 84-45 vs. Coe
2011-12Â Â Â W, 78-69 vs. Northern Colorado
2012-13Â Â Â W, 103-50 vs. Wartburg
2013-14Â Â Â W, 86-52 vs. Coe
2014-15Â Â Â W, 64-52 vs. North Dakota
2015-16Â Â Â L, 84-78 vs. Colorado State
2016-17Â Â Â W, 74-37 vs. Coe
2017-18Â Â Â W, 73-45 vs. Alcorn State
UNI OPENED AT DEAN DOME
The Panthers opened the season last Friday at No. 9-ranked North Carolina. The Tar Heels scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
   UNI had three players reach double-figure scoring at North Carolina, led by sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman's 15 points off the bench. UNI starters Bennett Koch (11 points) and Isaiah Brown (13 points) each scored in double figures.Â
JAKE RANKS AMONG MVC's ALL-TIME TOP COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Conference history in victories with 237.
   Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only with 123 wins.
   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.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)   261
5.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)   250
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)   237
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)    134
   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)    134
6. Â Â Â Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) Â Â Â 126
7.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)    123
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
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
   It is the longest active streak in the league.
   Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.Â
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
   Wichita State has the second-longest active streak at eight.
UNI in the MVC Since 2003-04
2003-04 - 12-6 (T-2nd)
2004-05 - 11-7 (T-3rd)
2005-06 - 11-7 (T-5th)
2006-07 - 9-9 (5th)
2007-08 - 9-9 (T-5th)
2008-09 - 14-4 (T-1st)
2009-10 - 15-3 (1st)
2010-11 - 10-8 (T-4th)
2011-12 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
2012-13 - 11-7 (3rd)
2013-14 - 10-8 (3rd)
2014-15 - 16-2 (2nd)
2015-16 - 11-7 (T-4th)
2016-17 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
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 APPEARANCE 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. Â
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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