University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Saturday, December 16
Des Moines, Iowa
3:30 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Iowa State
UNI Meets Iowa State at The Hy-Vee Classic
12/12/2017 10:18:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
UNI (8-2) vs. Iowa State (7-2)
Sat., Dec. 16, 2017 • 3:30 p.m.
Des Moines, Iowa (Wells Fargo Arena)
WATCH ($6.95 - 24-Hour Subscription) | AUDIO | STATS
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
Mediacom Connection Ch. 22
Play-by-Play: B.J. Schaben
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
http://sidearmstats.com/drake/mbball/
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Iowa State leads, 36-12
Last Meeting: UNI 81, Iowa State 79 (Dec. 19, 2015)
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 6-2 vs. Iowa State.
The teams have split their two previous meetings in The Hy-Vee Classic.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Des Moines to take part in The Hy-Vee Classic on Saturday in Wells Fargo Arena. UNI (8-2 overall) will take on the Iowa State Cyclones (7-2 overall) in the second game of the doubleheader slated to start at 3:30 p.m. Iowa and Drake will play in the first game set to begin at 1 p.m.
• UNI is receiving three votes in the Associated Press top 25 poll. UNI was ranked No. 16 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI release.
• UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-2. The Panthers have posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
• UNI ranks as the most-improved (+10.2) rebounding team in the nation from the 2016-17 season to the 2017-18 season. Duke is second in the nation by improving its rebounding by +9.2.
• UNI ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense (57.3 ppg), field goal percentage defense (35.7) and in fewest fouls per game (13.6).
• UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is one of six freshmen in the country to be averaging double figures in rebounds. Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds (10.1).
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. IOWA STATE
UNI, IOWA STATE SET TO PLAY SATURDAY IN DES MOINES
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Des Moines to take part in The Hy-Vee Classic on Saturday in Wells Fargo Arena.
UNI (8-2 overall) will take on the Iowa State Cyclones (7-2 overall) in the second game of the doubleheader slated to start at 3:30 p.m. Iowa and Drake will play in the first game set to begin at 1 p.m.
2012
Iowa 80, UNI 73
Iowa State 86, Drake 77
2013
Iowa State 91, UNI 82 (OT)
Iowa 83, Drake 66
2014
UNI 56, Iowa 44
Iowa State 83, Drake 54
2015
UNI 81, Iowa State 79
Iowa 70, Drake 64
2016
Iowa 69, UNI 46
Iowa State 97, Drake 80
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Saturday's UNI-Iowa State game will be shown live on Mediacom Connections Ch. 22. A live stream is available for purchase on the UNI site for $6.95 a 24-hour subscription.
Log on to: unipanthers.com/watch/purchase.aspx#register
B.J. Schaben (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Iowa State has won seven straight games after opening the season with losses at Missouri (74-59) and at home to Milwaukee (74-56).
Iowa State is led in scoring by Donovan Jackson (17.3 ppg), Lindell Wigginton (16.2 ppg) and Nick Weiler-Babb (12.8 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS IOWA STATE
Iowa State holds a 36-12 lead in the all-time series vs. UNI that dates back to the 1916-17 season.
UNI has won seven of the last 10 meetings between the Panthers and Cyclones.
JAKE'S SUCCESS VS. IOWA STATE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has recorded a 6-2 all-time mark against the Iowa State Cyclones.
His six victories over Iowa State are the second-most he has recorded against any non-conference opponent - he owns an 8-0 record against his alma mater North Dakota.
UNI and Iowa State last met on Dec. 19, 2015, when the Panthers knocked off the No. 5-ranked Cyclones in Wells Fargo Arena.
Both of Jacobson's losses to Iowa State have come in overtime.
UNI Under Ben Jacobson vs. Iowa State
W, 70-57 vs. Iowa State (11/29/06)
W, 61-48 at Iowa State (11/27/07)
L, 71-66 (OT) vs. Iowa State (12/3/08)
W, 63-60 at Iowa State (12/2/09)
W, 60-54 vs. Iowa State (12/1/10)
W, 69-62 at Iowa State (11/30/11)
L, 91-82 (OT) vs. Iowa State (12/7/13)
W, 81-79 vs. Iowa State (12/19/15)
RESUME BUILDING
UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-2.
The Panthers have posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
UNI's only two losses this season have come at No. 9 North Carolina and on a neutral floor to No. 5 Villanova in the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
In fact, both of those two teams are the last two NCAA champions with Villanova claiming the crown in 2016 and North Carolina raising the trophy in 2017.
MOST-IMPROVED REBOUNDING TEAM IN NATION
UNI ranks as the most-improved (+10.2) rebounding team in the nation through its first 10 games.
UNI has improved its rebounding from 29.3 last season to 39.5 this season.
Duke is second in the nation by improving its rebounding by +9.2.
Rk. Team 16-17 17-18 Margin
1. UNI 29.3 39.5 +10.2
2. Duke 36.2 45.4 +9.2
3. Liberty 28.3 36.0 +7.7
4. Georgia Southern 34.7 42.1 +7.4
5. UNLV 37.8 45.2 +7.4
6. Brown 31.1 38.4 +7.3
7. Michigan State 36.4 43.7 +7.3
8. Syracuse 34.8 41.9 +7.1
9. Charleston Southern 35.2 42.0 +6.8
10. Nicholls State 32.9 39.6 +6.7
NO. 4 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 57.3 points per game.
Rk. Team Points Allowed/Game
1. Virginia 52.6
2. Miami (Fla.) 57.1
3. Rutgers 57.3
4. UNI 57.3
5. Grand Canyon 59.0
UNC Greensboro 59.0
NO. 4 IN FEWEST FOULS
UNI is ranked No. 4 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (13.6).
Rk. Team Personal Fouls/Game
1. Elon 12.5
2 Notre Dame 13.0
3. Western Illinois 13.1
4. UNI 13.6
5. George Washington 13.8
NO. 4 IN FG PERCENTAGE DEFENSE
UNI is ranked No. 4 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (35.7).
Rk. Team Field Goal% Defense
1. Michigan State 33.1
2. Miami (Fla.) 35.3
3. Rutgers 35.6
4. UNI 35.7
5. Texas A&M 36.2
22 POWER-FIVE VICTORIES
UNI reached the championship game of the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with victories over SMU and Atlantic Coast Conference's North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The triumph over N.C. State marked the 22nd victory for the Panthers over a Power-5 conference foe (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) since head coach Ben Jacobson took over the program in 2006-07.
Power 5 Victories (since 2006-07)
Iowa State (60-57 - 2006-07)
at Iowa (57-55 - 2006-07)
at Iowa State (61-48 - 2007-08)
vs. Auburn (67-61 - 2008-09)
vs. Boston College (81-69 - 2009-10)
at Iowa State (63-60) - 2009-10)
Iowa (67-50 - 2009-10)
vs. Kansas (69-67 - 2009-10)
Iowa State (60-54 - 2010-11)
vs. Indiana (67-61 - 2010-11)
at Iowa State (69-62 - 2011-12)
Iowa (80-60 - 2011-12)
vs. Virginia Tech (73-54 - 2014-15)
vs. Northwestern (61-42 - 2014-15)
vs. Iowa (56-44 - 2014-15)
North Carolina (71-67 - 2015-16)
vs. Iowa State (81-79 - 2015-16)
vs. Washington State (63-59 - 2015-16)
vs. Texas (75-72 - 2015-16)
vs. Arizona State (82-63 - 2016-17)
vs. Oklahoma (73-67 - 2016-17)
vs. North Carolina State (64-60 - 2017-18)
CLIMBING IN THE NCAA RPI
The Panthers were ranked No. 16 Tuesday's NCAA RPI release.
THREE OR MORE QUADRANT 1&2 VICTORIES
UNI is one of 22 teams in the country to have posted three more victories in Quadrant 1 & Quadrant 2 of the RPI.
ELITE FRESHMAN REBOUNDER
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is one of six freshmen in the country to be averaging double figures in rebounds.
Freshman Rebounders 10.0/Game
1. Deandre Ayton (Arizona) 11.9
2. Marvin Bagley III (Duke) 11.3
3. Brandon McCoy (UNLV) 11.1
4. Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne) 10.4
5. Mohamed Bamba (Texas) 10.1
6. Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 10.1
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
UNI freshman Tywhon Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds per game (10.1).
He ranks tied for No. 21 in the country in rebounding among all NCAA Division I players.
He ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (10.1 rpg). He is third in the MVC in offensive rebounds (28).
Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six of UNI's 10 games this season.
Pickford ranks fourth on the team in scoring at 9.1 points per game.
RARE CLASS OF STATS
Pickford is looking to become the first UNI Panther to average double-figure rebounds for a season since Joe Breakenridge averaged 10.5 rebounds per game in the 2000-2001 season.
Prior to Breakenridge averaging double figures in rebounds you have to go all the way back to the 1975-1976 season which saw Mark Enright average 10.5 rebounds per game for the Panthers.
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (15.1 ppg), field goal% (60.7%) and free throw% (81.7%) through their first 10 games.
He ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.7 rpg).
MCCLOUD'S CONFIDENCE SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (24) and steals (13).
McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.5 points per game.
McCloud has reached double-figure scoring five times this season. Last year, McCloud had four double-figure scoring games as a true freshman.
McCloud has drained 14 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
SCORING SPARK OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is the leading bench scorer for the Panthers.
Haldeman has made 18-of-39 three-pointers this season and is averaging 7.9 points per game.
Haldeman drained the game-clinching three-pointer with :25.2 left vs. UT Arlington to give UNI a 62-58 lead.
DEFENSE, REBOUNDING KEYED UNI'S 8-2 START TO SEASON
UNI's 8-2 start to the 2017-18 season has been built on the strength of its defense and ability to rebound.
The Panthers have limited the opposition to 57.3 points per game and 35.7 percent field goal shooting.
UNI is enjoying a +5.5 rebonding margin this season. UNI has outrebounded six of its 10 opponents, including a +8.0 advantage over No. 5-ranked Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis title game.
RATCHETING UP THE DEFENSE
Since giving up 86 points in the season opener against North Carolina, UNI has ratcheted up the defensive effort.
In its last nine games, UNI is 8-1 and allowing only 54.1 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 34.1 percent shooting from the field and only 28.9 percent from three-point range in its last nine contests.
UNI is enjoying a plus 7.0 advantage (40.7 to 33.7) on the boards in its last nine games.
KEEP IT IN THE STATE OF IOWA
UNI will play its next three games in the state of Iowa including Saturday vs. Iowa State in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena.
UNI will have played only one true road game (at North Carolina) during the 2017-18 non-conference schedule.
The Panthers will close out the non-conference slate vs. No. 10-ranked Xavier in the McLeod Center on Fri., Dec. 22.
UNI will open Missouri Valley Conference play at home on Dec. 28 vs. Southern Illinois.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 10 games, UNI has five players who have made at least 11 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (18), Juwan McCloud (14), Isaiah Brown (13), Klint Carlson (12) and Tywhon Pickford (11) have all made at least 11 shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 8.2 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 571 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference. It also ranks as the 30th-longest active streak among all NCAA Division I teams.
The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basket came Feb. 3, 2000, vs. Southern Illinois in a 72-58 Panther victory in the UNI-Dome. UNI went 0-for-4 from 3-point land vs. the Salukis in that contest.
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Dubuque to 47 points in its win Sunday in the McLeod Center.
It marks the 49th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 48-1 in those contests.
UNI has won 41 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date Opponent Result
12/10/17 Dubuque W, 80-47
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, 54-49
(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
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 45-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date Opponent Results
12/10/17 Dubuque W, 80-47
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
3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M 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
12/13/14 at VCU 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 UMKC W, 85-53
11/13/06 vs. Pepperdine W, 83-58
UNI IN NATIONAL POLLS
The UNI men's basketball team is receiving three votes in the Associated Press top 25 poll (Dec. 11, 2017).
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
Nov. 23, 2015 RV RV
Nov. 30, 2015 RV RV
Dec. 21, 2015 RV RV
March 7, 2016 RV RV
March 14, 2016 RV RV
Nov. 21, 2016 RV --
Dec. 11, 2017 -- RV
UNI's Record When Ranked
Poll Overall Home Away Nuet.
AP 27-11 15-2 8-8 4-1
Coaches 34-9 18-0 10-7 6-2
PLAYING WELL IN DECEMBER
UNI has won 10 consecutive home games in December vs. non-conference foes.
SECOND STRAIGHT CAREER HIGH FOR CARLSON
UNI junior forward Klint Carlson scored his second consecutive career high with 24 points in a 62-58 win over UT Arlington.
Carlson had scored 23 points vs. UNLV (Nov. 29) to set his previous career high in points.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (6)
Klint Carlson (3)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
KLINT WAS IN THE ZONE
Klint Carlson buried six three-pointers against UT Arlington on Thursday night in the McLeod Center.
Carlson entered the game having made six three-pointers on the season.
Carlson was 6-of-8 from three-point range and bested his previous career high of four made triples vs. Oklahoma last season.
LATE SECOND-HALF SURGE LIFTS UNI PAST UT ARLINGTON
UNI trailed UT Arlington by seven points with eight minutes left in the second half, 50-43.
But the Panthers used a 16-2 run to take a 59-52 lead en route to a 62-58 victory. During the 16-2 surge, UNI made all six shots from the field.
16-2 Run UNI FGs Made vs. UTA
6:56 Brown 3-pointer (46-50)
6:25 Haldeman layup (48-50)
5:44 Pickford jumper (50-50)
4:58 Brown jumper (52-50)
3:30 McCloud jumper (56-52)
2:54 McCloud 3-pointer (59-52)
SPENCER CLINCHES UTA WIN
UNI's Spencer Haldeman clinced the Panther victory over UT Arlington when he buried a 3-pointer out of the corner with :25.2 left to give UNI a four-point lead at 62-58.
KOCH EARNS MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
UNI senior Bennett Koch has earned the Missouri Valley Conference's men's basketball player of the week honor.
Koch (Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin) scored a career-high 30 points and led UNI to a 77-68 overtime victory over UNLV.
Koch made 10-of-19 field goals and was 10-of-13 from the free throw line against the previously undefeated Runnin' Rebels.
UNI trailed by three points with under a minute to play in regulation, when Koch scored in the post with :49.7 left. Koch then sent the game to overtime by making a free throw with :18.4 remaining.
Koch's dunk with 1:49 left in overtime gave UNI a 68-63 lead. He buried two free throws with :11.5 left to close out the scoring.
Koch also grabbed seven rebounds and posted three steals.
TWO CAREER HIGHS FOR KOCH, CARLSON VS. UNLV
UNI seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson each tallied career scoring highs in a 77-68 overtime win over UNLV.
Koch went for 30 points, while Carlson notched 23 points against the Runnin' Rebels.
WORKIN' OVERTIME
UNI has won its last three overtime contests. The Panthers posted a 77-68 overtime win over previously unbeaten UNLV in the McLeod Center on Nov. 29.
Last season, UNI went 2-0 in overtime games with a 73-67 win over Oklahoma (Nov. 18, 2016) and a double-overtime triumph over Loyola (Jan. 18, 2017).
Head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-8 all-time in overtime games.
UNI's Overtime Games Since 2006
L, 67-64 at Illinois State (1/9/07)
W, 64-60 at UMKC (12/19/07)
W, 77-75 vs. Wichita State (2/13/08)
L, 71-66 vs. Iowa State (12/3/08)
L, 85-84 (2OT) vs. Indiana State (12/28/08)
W, 69-67 at Illinois State (2/24/09)
W, 60-57 vs. Illinois State (3/8/09)
W, 84-81 vs. Toledo (11/14/12)
W, 82-77 at George Mason (12/8/12)
L, 54-51 at Evansville (1/29/13)
L, 91-82 vs. Iowa State (12/7/13)
L, 93-87 at Loyola (1/25/14)
W, 79-77 at Stephen F. Austin (11/18/14)
W, 71-65 vs. George Mason (12/6/14)
L, 93-87 (2OT) at VCU (12/13/14)
W, 57-52 vs. Wichita State (3/5/16)
L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. Texas A&M (3/20/16)
W, 73-67 vs. Oklahoma (11/18/16)
W, 72-69 (2OT) vs. Loyola (1/18/17)
W, 77-68 vs. UNLV (11/29/17)
MCLEOD CENTER
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 138-35 (.798) in games played in the McLeod Center.
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.
THIRD KOCH BROTHER WITH 30-POINT GAME
Bennett Koch's 30-point scoring performance in UNI's 77-68 overtime win over UNLV was the third 30-point scoring game by a Koch brother in a UNI uniform.
Adam Koch went for 30 points at Missouri State (Jan. 25, 2009) and Jake Koch had a 34-point scoring night vs. Bradley (Jan. 9, 2011).
UNI's 30-Point Games Since 1980-81
40 - Cam Johnson (2/12/94 vs. Drake)
38 - Jeremy Morgan (12/10/16 vs. North Dakota)
38 - Jason Reese (3/1/90 at Missouri State)
38 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/4/84 at Cleveland St.)
37 - Jason Daisy (1/22/97 vs. Illinois State)
37 - Jason Reese (12/30/88 at SMU)
36 - Jeremy Morgan (3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M)
36 - Jason Daisy (12/16/95 vs. Nebraska)
35 - Jason Daisy (12/2/95 vs. UCF)
35 - Jason Reese (12/17/88 vs. Youngstown St.)
35 - James Parker (12/28/87 vs. LSU)
34 - Jake Koch (1/9/11 vs. Bradley)
34 - Jason Daisy (2/15/97 vs. Southern Illinois)
33 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/28/84 at Illinois-Chicago)
32 - Kwadzo Ahelegbe (11/23/09 vs. Boston College)
32 - Jason Daisy (2/18/95 vs. Loyola Chicago)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/30/85 at San Diego)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (11/30/85 vs. Prairie View A&M)
32 - Scott Stafford (1/21/85 vs. Valparaiso)
31 - Jordan Eglseder (12/13/08 vs. Wyoming)
31 - Ben Jacobson (2/9/05 vs. Creighton)
31 - Robbie Sieverding (2/22/99 vs. Drake)
31 - Tony Brus (2/17/99 vs. Illinois State)
31 - Jason Reese (1/7/89 at Stephen F. Austin)
31 - Jason Reese (2/14/89 vs. Missouri State)
31 - Jason Reese (2/25/89 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Maurice Newby (1/28/87 vs. Northern Illinois)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/18/86 at Cleveland St.)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/25/85 vs. Green Bay)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/14/84 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/26/83 vs. Wayne St.)
30 - Bennett Koch (11/29/17 vs. UNLV)
30 - Adam Koch (1/25/09 vs. Missouri State)
30 - Robbie Sieverding (12/4/01 vs. Iowa)
30 - Randy Blocker (3/5/94 vs. Illinois State)
30 - Randy Blocker (2/7/94 vs. Bradley)
30 - Randy Blocker (1/15/94 vs. Wichita State)
30 - Randy Blocker (12/21/93 vs. Long Island)
30 - Troy Muilenberg (12/8/90 vs. Morningside)
30 - Jason Reese (12/11/89 at Sam Houston St.)
30 - Jason Reese (1/28/89 at Illinois-Chicago)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (3/6/86 vs. Cleveland St.)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/21/85 vs. Elmhurst)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/12/85 at Eastern Illinois)
30 - Ray Storck (2/20/82 vs. UNC-Wilmington)
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 242.
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. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 252
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 242
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. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 134
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
7. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 123
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 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.
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.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA TOURNEY SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
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.
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.
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).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning in December at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green has scored 1,120 points entering his senior season at Cedar Falls High School. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday at noon in the McLeod Center's Alumni Suite.
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.
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/UNIAthletics
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
TWITTER
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
INSTAGRAM
www.instagram.com/UNIAthletics
UNI (8-2) vs. Iowa State (7-2)
Sat., Dec. 16, 2017 • 3:30 p.m.
Des Moines, Iowa (Wells Fargo Arena)
WATCH ($6.95 - 24-Hour Subscription) | AUDIO | STATS
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
Mediacom Connection Ch. 22
Play-by-Play: B.J. Schaben
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
http://sidearmstats.com/drake/mbball/
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Iowa State leads, 36-12
Last Meeting: UNI 81, Iowa State 79 (Dec. 19, 2015)
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 6-2 vs. Iowa State.
The teams have split their two previous meetings in The Hy-Vee Classic.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Des Moines to take part in The Hy-Vee Classic on Saturday in Wells Fargo Arena. UNI (8-2 overall) will take on the Iowa State Cyclones (7-2 overall) in the second game of the doubleheader slated to start at 3:30 p.m. Iowa and Drake will play in the first game set to begin at 1 p.m.
• UNI is receiving three votes in the Associated Press top 25 poll. UNI was ranked No. 16 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI release.
• UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-2. The Panthers have posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
• UNI ranks as the most-improved (+10.2) rebounding team in the nation from the 2016-17 season to the 2017-18 season. Duke is second in the nation by improving its rebounding by +9.2.
• UNI ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense (57.3 ppg), field goal percentage defense (35.7) and in fewest fouls per game (13.6).
• UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is one of six freshmen in the country to be averaging double figures in rebounds. Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds (10.1).
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. IOWA STATE
UNI, IOWA STATE SET TO PLAY SATURDAY IN DES MOINES
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will travel to Des Moines to take part in The Hy-Vee Classic on Saturday in Wells Fargo Arena.
UNI (8-2 overall) will take on the Iowa State Cyclones (7-2 overall) in the second game of the doubleheader slated to start at 3:30 p.m. Iowa and Drake will play in the first game set to begin at 1 p.m.
2012
Iowa 80, UNI 73
Iowa State 86, Drake 77
2013
Iowa State 91, UNI 82 (OT)
Iowa 83, Drake 66
2014
UNI 56, Iowa 44
Iowa State 83, Drake 54
2015
UNI 81, Iowa State 79
Iowa 70, Drake 64
2016
Iowa 69, UNI 46
Iowa State 97, Drake 80
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Saturday's UNI-Iowa State game will be shown live on Mediacom Connections Ch. 22. A live stream is available for purchase on the UNI site for $6.95 a 24-hour subscription.
Log on to: unipanthers.com/watch/purchase.aspx#register
B.J. Schaben (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Iowa State has won seven straight games after opening the season with losses at Missouri (74-59) and at home to Milwaukee (74-56).
Iowa State is led in scoring by Donovan Jackson (17.3 ppg), Lindell Wigginton (16.2 ppg) and Nick Weiler-Babb (12.8 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS IOWA STATE
Iowa State holds a 36-12 lead in the all-time series vs. UNI that dates back to the 1916-17 season.
UNI has won seven of the last 10 meetings between the Panthers and Cyclones.
JAKE'S SUCCESS VS. IOWA STATE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has recorded a 6-2 all-time mark against the Iowa State Cyclones.
His six victories over Iowa State are the second-most he has recorded against any non-conference opponent - he owns an 8-0 record against his alma mater North Dakota.
UNI and Iowa State last met on Dec. 19, 2015, when the Panthers knocked off the No. 5-ranked Cyclones in Wells Fargo Arena.
Both of Jacobson's losses to Iowa State have come in overtime.
UNI Under Ben Jacobson vs. Iowa State
W, 70-57 vs. Iowa State (11/29/06)
W, 61-48 at Iowa State (11/27/07)
L, 71-66 (OT) vs. Iowa State (12/3/08)
W, 63-60 at Iowa State (12/2/09)
W, 60-54 vs. Iowa State (12/1/10)
W, 69-62 at Iowa State (11/30/11)
L, 91-82 (OT) vs. Iowa State (12/7/13)
W, 81-79 vs. Iowa State (12/19/15)
RESUME BUILDING
UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-2.
The Panthers have posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
UNI's only two losses this season have come at No. 9 North Carolina and on a neutral floor to No. 5 Villanova in the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis.
In fact, both of those two teams are the last two NCAA champions with Villanova claiming the crown in 2016 and North Carolina raising the trophy in 2017.
MOST-IMPROVED REBOUNDING TEAM IN NATION
UNI ranks as the most-improved (+10.2) rebounding team in the nation through its first 10 games.
UNI has improved its rebounding from 29.3 last season to 39.5 this season.
Duke is second in the nation by improving its rebounding by +9.2.
Rk. Team 16-17 17-18 Margin
1. UNI 29.3 39.5 +10.2
2. Duke 36.2 45.4 +9.2
3. Liberty 28.3 36.0 +7.7
4. Georgia Southern 34.7 42.1 +7.4
5. UNLV 37.8 45.2 +7.4
6. Brown 31.1 38.4 +7.3
7. Michigan State 36.4 43.7 +7.3
8. Syracuse 34.8 41.9 +7.1
9. Charleston Southern 35.2 42.0 +6.8
10. Nicholls State 32.9 39.6 +6.7
NO. 4 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 57.3 points per game.
Rk. Team Points Allowed/Game
1. Virginia 52.6
2. Miami (Fla.) 57.1
3. Rutgers 57.3
4. UNI 57.3
5. Grand Canyon 59.0
UNC Greensboro 59.0
NO. 4 IN FEWEST FOULS
UNI is ranked No. 4 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (13.6).
Rk. Team Personal Fouls/Game
1. Elon 12.5
2 Notre Dame 13.0
3. Western Illinois 13.1
4. UNI 13.6
5. George Washington 13.8
NO. 4 IN FG PERCENTAGE DEFENSE
UNI is ranked No. 4 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (35.7).
Rk. Team Field Goal% Defense
1. Michigan State 33.1
2. Miami (Fla.) 35.3
3. Rutgers 35.6
4. UNI 35.7
5. Texas A&M 36.2
22 POWER-FIVE VICTORIES
UNI reached the championship game of the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with victories over SMU and Atlantic Coast Conference's North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The triumph over N.C. State marked the 22nd victory for the Panthers over a Power-5 conference foe (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) since head coach Ben Jacobson took over the program in 2006-07.
Power 5 Victories (since 2006-07)
Iowa State (60-57 - 2006-07)
at Iowa (57-55 - 2006-07)
at Iowa State (61-48 - 2007-08)
vs. Auburn (67-61 - 2008-09)
vs. Boston College (81-69 - 2009-10)
at Iowa State (63-60) - 2009-10)
Iowa (67-50 - 2009-10)
vs. Kansas (69-67 - 2009-10)
Iowa State (60-54 - 2010-11)
vs. Indiana (67-61 - 2010-11)
at Iowa State (69-62 - 2011-12)
Iowa (80-60 - 2011-12)
vs. Virginia Tech (73-54 - 2014-15)
vs. Northwestern (61-42 - 2014-15)
vs. Iowa (56-44 - 2014-15)
North Carolina (71-67 - 2015-16)
vs. Iowa State (81-79 - 2015-16)
vs. Washington State (63-59 - 2015-16)
vs. Texas (75-72 - 2015-16)
vs. Arizona State (82-63 - 2016-17)
vs. Oklahoma (73-67 - 2016-17)
vs. North Carolina State (64-60 - 2017-18)
CLIMBING IN THE NCAA RPI
The Panthers were ranked No. 16 Tuesday's NCAA RPI release.
THREE OR MORE QUADRANT 1&2 VICTORIES
UNI is one of 22 teams in the country to have posted three more victories in Quadrant 1 & Quadrant 2 of the RPI.
ELITE FRESHMAN REBOUNDER
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is one of six freshmen in the country to be averaging double figures in rebounds.
Freshman Rebounders 10.0/Game
1. Deandre Ayton (Arizona) 11.9
2. Marvin Bagley III (Duke) 11.3
3. Brandon McCoy (UNLV) 11.1
4. Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne) 10.4
5. Mohamed Bamba (Texas) 10.1
6. Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 10.1
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
UNI freshman Tywhon Pickford is the only player in the country under 6'5" averaging double-figures in rebounds per game (10.1).
He ranks tied for No. 21 in the country in rebounding among all NCAA Division I players.
He ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (10.1 rpg). He is third in the MVC in offensive rebounds (28).
Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six of UNI's 10 games this season.
Pickford ranks fourth on the team in scoring at 9.1 points per game.
RARE CLASS OF STATS
Pickford is looking to become the first UNI Panther to average double-figure rebounds for a season since Joe Breakenridge averaged 10.5 rebounds per game in the 2000-2001 season.
Prior to Breakenridge averaging double figures in rebounds you have to go all the way back to the 1975-1976 season which saw Mark Enright average 10.5 rebounds per game for the Panthers.
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (15.1 ppg), field goal% (60.7%) and free throw% (81.7%) through their first 10 games.
He ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.7 rpg).
MCCLOUD'S CONFIDENCE SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (24) and steals (13).
McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.5 points per game.
McCloud has reached double-figure scoring five times this season. Last year, McCloud had four double-figure scoring games as a true freshman.
McCloud has drained 14 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
SCORING SPARK OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is the leading bench scorer for the Panthers.
Haldeman has made 18-of-39 three-pointers this season and is averaging 7.9 points per game.
Haldeman drained the game-clinching three-pointer with :25.2 left vs. UT Arlington to give UNI a 62-58 lead.
DEFENSE, REBOUNDING KEYED UNI'S 8-2 START TO SEASON
UNI's 8-2 start to the 2017-18 season has been built on the strength of its defense and ability to rebound.
The Panthers have limited the opposition to 57.3 points per game and 35.7 percent field goal shooting.
UNI is enjoying a +5.5 rebonding margin this season. UNI has outrebounded six of its 10 opponents, including a +8.0 advantage over No. 5-ranked Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis title game.
RATCHETING UP THE DEFENSE
Since giving up 86 points in the season opener against North Carolina, UNI has ratcheted up the defensive effort.
In its last nine games, UNI is 8-1 and allowing only 54.1 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 34.1 percent shooting from the field and only 28.9 percent from three-point range in its last nine contests.
UNI is enjoying a plus 7.0 advantage (40.7 to 33.7) on the boards in its last nine games.
KEEP IT IN THE STATE OF IOWA
UNI will play its next three games in the state of Iowa including Saturday vs. Iowa State in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena.
UNI will have played only one true road game (at North Carolina) during the 2017-18 non-conference schedule.
The Panthers will close out the non-conference slate vs. No. 10-ranked Xavier in the McLeod Center on Fri., Dec. 22.
UNI will open Missouri Valley Conference play at home on Dec. 28 vs. Southern Illinois.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 10 games, UNI has five players who have made at least 11 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (18), Juwan McCloud (14), Isaiah Brown (13), Klint Carlson (12) and Tywhon Pickford (11) have all made at least 11 shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 8.2 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 571 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference. It also ranks as the 30th-longest active streak among all NCAA Division I teams.
The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basket came Feb. 3, 2000, vs. Southern Illinois in a 72-58 Panther victory in the UNI-Dome. UNI went 0-for-4 from 3-point land vs. the Salukis in that contest.
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Dubuque to 47 points in its win Sunday in the McLeod Center.
It marks the 49th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 48-1 in those contests.
UNI has won 41 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date Opponent Result
12/10/17 Dubuque W, 80-47
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, 54-49
(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
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 45-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date Opponent Results
12/10/17 Dubuque W, 80-47
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
3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M 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
12/13/14 at VCU 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 UMKC W, 85-53
11/13/06 vs. Pepperdine W, 83-58
UNI IN NATIONAL POLLS
The UNI men's basketball team is receiving three votes in the Associated Press top 25 poll (Dec. 11, 2017).
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
Nov. 23, 2015 RV RV
Nov. 30, 2015 RV RV
Dec. 21, 2015 RV RV
March 7, 2016 RV RV
March 14, 2016 RV RV
Nov. 21, 2016 RV --
Dec. 11, 2017 -- RV
UNI's Record When Ranked
Poll Overall Home Away Nuet.
AP 27-11 15-2 8-8 4-1
Coaches 34-9 18-0 10-7 6-2
PLAYING WELL IN DECEMBER
UNI has won 10 consecutive home games in December vs. non-conference foes.
SECOND STRAIGHT CAREER HIGH FOR CARLSON
UNI junior forward Klint Carlson scored his second consecutive career high with 24 points in a 62-58 win over UT Arlington.
Carlson had scored 23 points vs. UNLV (Nov. 29) to set his previous career high in points.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (6)
Klint Carlson (3)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
KLINT WAS IN THE ZONE
Klint Carlson buried six three-pointers against UT Arlington on Thursday night in the McLeod Center.
Carlson entered the game having made six three-pointers on the season.
Carlson was 6-of-8 from three-point range and bested his previous career high of four made triples vs. Oklahoma last season.
LATE SECOND-HALF SURGE LIFTS UNI PAST UT ARLINGTON
UNI trailed UT Arlington by seven points with eight minutes left in the second half, 50-43.
But the Panthers used a 16-2 run to take a 59-52 lead en route to a 62-58 victory. During the 16-2 surge, UNI made all six shots from the field.
16-2 Run UNI FGs Made vs. UTA
6:56 Brown 3-pointer (46-50)
6:25 Haldeman layup (48-50)
5:44 Pickford jumper (50-50)
4:58 Brown jumper (52-50)
3:30 McCloud jumper (56-52)
2:54 McCloud 3-pointer (59-52)
SPENCER CLINCHES UTA WIN
UNI's Spencer Haldeman clinced the Panther victory over UT Arlington when he buried a 3-pointer out of the corner with :25.2 left to give UNI a four-point lead at 62-58.
KOCH EARNS MVC PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
UNI senior Bennett Koch has earned the Missouri Valley Conference's men's basketball player of the week honor.
Koch (Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin) scored a career-high 30 points and led UNI to a 77-68 overtime victory over UNLV.
Koch made 10-of-19 field goals and was 10-of-13 from the free throw line against the previously undefeated Runnin' Rebels.
UNI trailed by three points with under a minute to play in regulation, when Koch scored in the post with :49.7 left. Koch then sent the game to overtime by making a free throw with :18.4 remaining.
Koch's dunk with 1:49 left in overtime gave UNI a 68-63 lead. He buried two free throws with :11.5 left to close out the scoring.
Koch also grabbed seven rebounds and posted three steals.
TWO CAREER HIGHS FOR KOCH, CARLSON VS. UNLV
UNI seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson each tallied career scoring highs in a 77-68 overtime win over UNLV.
Koch went for 30 points, while Carlson notched 23 points against the Runnin' Rebels.
WORKIN' OVERTIME
UNI has won its last three overtime contests. The Panthers posted a 77-68 overtime win over previously unbeaten UNLV in the McLeod Center on Nov. 29.
Last season, UNI went 2-0 in overtime games with a 73-67 win over Oklahoma (Nov. 18, 2016) and a double-overtime triumph over Loyola (Jan. 18, 2017).
Head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-8 all-time in overtime games.
UNI's Overtime Games Since 2006
L, 67-64 at Illinois State (1/9/07)
W, 64-60 at UMKC (12/19/07)
W, 77-75 vs. Wichita State (2/13/08)
L, 71-66 vs. Iowa State (12/3/08)
L, 85-84 (2OT) vs. Indiana State (12/28/08)
W, 69-67 at Illinois State (2/24/09)
W, 60-57 vs. Illinois State (3/8/09)
W, 84-81 vs. Toledo (11/14/12)
W, 82-77 at George Mason (12/8/12)
L, 54-51 at Evansville (1/29/13)
L, 91-82 vs. Iowa State (12/7/13)
L, 93-87 at Loyola (1/25/14)
W, 79-77 at Stephen F. Austin (11/18/14)
W, 71-65 vs. George Mason (12/6/14)
L, 93-87 (2OT) at VCU (12/13/14)
W, 57-52 vs. Wichita State (3/5/16)
L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. Texas A&M (3/20/16)
W, 73-67 vs. Oklahoma (11/18/16)
W, 72-69 (2OT) vs. Loyola (1/18/17)
W, 77-68 vs. UNLV (11/29/17)
MCLEOD CENTER
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 138-35 (.798) in games played in the McLeod Center.
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.
THIRD KOCH BROTHER WITH 30-POINT GAME
Bennett Koch's 30-point scoring performance in UNI's 77-68 overtime win over UNLV was the third 30-point scoring game by a Koch brother in a UNI uniform.
Adam Koch went for 30 points at Missouri State (Jan. 25, 2009) and Jake Koch had a 34-point scoring night vs. Bradley (Jan. 9, 2011).
UNI's 30-Point Games Since 1980-81
40 - Cam Johnson (2/12/94 vs. Drake)
38 - Jeremy Morgan (12/10/16 vs. North Dakota)
38 - Jason Reese (3/1/90 at Missouri State)
38 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/4/84 at Cleveland St.)
37 - Jason Daisy (1/22/97 vs. Illinois State)
37 - Jason Reese (12/30/88 at SMU)
36 - Jeremy Morgan (3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M)
36 - Jason Daisy (12/16/95 vs. Nebraska)
35 - Jason Daisy (12/2/95 vs. UCF)
35 - Jason Reese (12/17/88 vs. Youngstown St.)
35 - James Parker (12/28/87 vs. LSU)
34 - Jake Koch (1/9/11 vs. Bradley)
34 - Jason Daisy (2/15/97 vs. Southern Illinois)
33 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/28/84 at Illinois-Chicago)
32 - Kwadzo Ahelegbe (11/23/09 vs. Boston College)
32 - Jason Daisy (2/18/95 vs. Loyola Chicago)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/30/85 at San Diego)
32 - Randy Kraayenbrink (11/30/85 vs. Prairie View A&M)
32 - Scott Stafford (1/21/85 vs. Valparaiso)
31 - Jordan Eglseder (12/13/08 vs. Wyoming)
31 - Ben Jacobson (2/9/05 vs. Creighton)
31 - Robbie Sieverding (2/22/99 vs. Drake)
31 - Tony Brus (2/17/99 vs. Illinois State)
31 - Jason Reese (1/7/89 at Stephen F. Austin)
31 - Jason Reese (2/14/89 vs. Missouri State)
31 - Jason Reese (2/25/89 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Maurice Newby (1/28/87 vs. Northern Illinois)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/18/86 at Cleveland St.)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (2/25/85 vs. Green Bay)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/14/84 vs. Illinois-Chicago)
31 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/26/83 vs. Wayne St.)
30 - Bennett Koch (11/29/17 vs. UNLV)
30 - Adam Koch (1/25/09 vs. Missouri State)
30 - Robbie Sieverding (12/4/01 vs. Iowa)
30 - Randy Blocker (3/5/94 vs. Illinois State)
30 - Randy Blocker (2/7/94 vs. Bradley)
30 - Randy Blocker (1/15/94 vs. Wichita State)
30 - Randy Blocker (12/21/93 vs. Long Island)
30 - Troy Muilenberg (12/8/90 vs. Morningside)
30 - Jason Reese (12/11/89 at Sam Houston St.)
30 - Jason Reese (1/28/89 at Illinois-Chicago)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (3/6/86 vs. Cleveland St.)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (12/21/85 vs. Elmhurst)
30 - Randy Kraayenbrink (1/12/85 at Eastern Illinois)
30 - Ray Storck (2/20/82 vs. UNC-Wilmington)
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 242.
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. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 252
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 242
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. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 134
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
7. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 123
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 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.
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.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA TOURNEY SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
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.
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.
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).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning in December at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green has scored 1,120 points entering his senior season at Cedar Falls High School. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday at noon in the McLeod Center's Alumni Suite.
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.
www.facebook.com/UNIAthletics
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
www.instagram.com/UNIAthletics
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballKyle Green Press Conference - May 4th, 2026. (AUDIO ONLY)
Tuesday, May 05
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Offseason Episode 2)
Tuesday, April 21
Hoops and Family Podcast - Welcome Kyle Green
Friday, April 17
PST: Kyle Green - Apr. 10, 2026 (Part 1 of 3)
Friday, April 10