University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Friday, December 22
Cedar Falls, Iowa
8 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Xavier
UNI to Host No. 9 Xavier Friday in McLeod Center
12/20/2017 8:44:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
#9 Xavier (11-1) at UNI (8-3)
Fri., Dec. 22, 2017 • 8 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
AUDIO | STATS
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will complete its non-conference slate of games this Friday by playing host to the No. 9-ranked Xavier Musketeers. Tip is set for 8 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets to UNI men's basketball home games through UNITIX. Tickets are available for as low as $10 for Friday's game vs. Xavier. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.unipanthers.com/tickets (use promo code 'nofee' to take advantage of this online $10 ticket offer).
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Friday's Xavier-UNI game will be shown live on CBS Sports Network. The game can be streamed by going to to cbssports.com/watch/cbssportsnetwork and choosing your TV provider.
Television
CBS Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Ben Holden
Analyst: Steve Wolf
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
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Xavier leads, 2-0
Last Meeting: Xavier 64, UNI 42 (Nov. 26, 2016)
UNI and Xavier met in the title game of the 2016 Tire Pros Invitational in Orlando, Florida. Xavier scored a 67-59 win over the Panthers on Nov. 20, 2016.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. XAVIER
• It will mark only the fourth time in school history that the Panthers have played host to a top-10 ranked foe. UNI is 2-1 at home vs. top-10 teams.Â
• UNI is 12-6 all-time at home against ranked opponents.
• UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-3. 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 strength of schedule is ranked No. 12 in the latest NCAA stats report.
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• UNI ranks as the most-improved rebounding team (+9.8) 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. 5 in the nation in scoring defense (59.0 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (36.4). UNI is No. 6 in fewest fouls per game (14.3).
• Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation among all freshmen rebounders. Pickford is averaging 9.6 rebounds per game.Â
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. XAVIER
XAVIER MUSKETEERS
The Xavier Musketeers are under the direction of ninth-year head coach Chris Mack. Mack has guided Xavier to the NCAA Tournament in seven of his eight seasons at the helm, including the Elite Eight in 2016-17. Mack has led Xavier to four Sweet 16 appearances (2010, 2012, 2015, 2017).
   Xavier is a member of the BIG EAST and has made 27 NCAA Tournament appearances.Â
   Xavier has also made the Sweet 16 six times in the last 10 seasons.
   Xavier is ranked No. 9 in the latest Associated Press poll. The Musketeers are ranked No. 8 in the USAToday Coaches poll.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. XAVIER
Xavier holds a 2-0 lead over UNI in the all-time series.Â
   Both matchups took place last season. Xavier won the first contest in the championship game of the Tire Pros Invitational in Orlando, Florida, 67-59.
   The Musketeers then posted a 64-42 victory over the Panthers in Cincinnati, Ohio, six days following the Tire Pros Invitational on Nov. 26, 2017.
TOP-10 OPPONENT AT HOME
When UNI plays host to Xavier on Dec. 22, it will mark only the fourth time in school history that the Panthers have played host to a top-10 ranked opponent. UNI is 2-1 at home vs. top-10 foes.Â
   The Panthers notched an 84-78 win over No. 10-ranked Iowa on Dec. 9, 1997, in the UNI-Dome.Â
   The Panthers dropped an 82-73 decision to No. 4-ranked Wichita State on Feb. 8, 2014, in the McLeod Center.Â
   UNI knocked off No. 1-ranked North Carolina on Nov. 21, 2015, in the McLeod Center.
  Â
TOP-10 FOE AT MVC SCHOOL
Notably, it will mark just the sixth time in the past 20 seasons a league school has hosted a non-conference Top-10 foe.
   UNI has both of the league's home wins in that span against non-MVC Top-10 teams. Â
   There have been 11 occurrences in league play when an MVC team hosted a Top-10 MVC foe.  Evansville (vs. #10 Creighton in 2003) and Wichita State (vs. #10 UNI in 2015) have the lone wins, while Wichita State beat all league teams in 2014 during its historic 35-1 season.
Date   Non-Conference Games (W/L)
12/9/97Â Â Â #10 Iowa at UNI (W)
11/20/98Â Â Â #3 Stanford at Missouri State (L)
12/4/07Â Â Â #9 Michigan State at Bradley (L)
12/1/12Â Â Â #3 Michigan at Bradley (L)
11/21/15Â Â Â #1 North Carolina at UNI (W)
Date   Conference Games (W/L)
1/23/03Â Â Â #10 Creighton at Evansville (W)
1/2/14Â Â Â #8 Wichita State at S. Illinois (L)
1/11/14Â Â Â #6 Wichita State at Missouri St. (L)
1/22/14Â Â Â #5 Wichita State at Illinois St. (L)
1/25/14Â Â Â #5 Wichita State at Drake (L)
2/5/14 Â Â Â #4 Wichita State at Indiana St. (L)
2/8/14Â Â Â #4 Wichita State at UNI (L)
2/9/14Â Â Â #3 Wichita State at Loyola (L)
2/16/14Â Â Â #4 Wichita State at Evansville (L)
2/25/14Â Â Â #2 Wichita State at Bradley (L)
2/28/15Â Â Â #10 UNI at Wichita State (W)
TOP-10 WINS FOR JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has guided the Panthers to three wins over top-10 ranked foes.
   Jacobson's wins over top-10 ranked opponents have come against No. 1 Kansas (3/20/10), No. 1 North Carolina (11/21/15) and No. 5 Iowa State (12/19/15).
RESUME BUILDING
UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-3.Â
   The Panthers have posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
   UNI has played the 12th-toughest schedule in the nation, according the latest NCAA stats release.
   UNI's non-conference strength of schedule is ranked No. 15 in the latest NCAA RPI report.
MOST-IMPROVED REBOUNDING TEAM IN NATION
UNI ranks as the most-improved (+9.8) rebounding team in the nation through its first 11 games.
   UNI has improved its rebounding from 29.3 last season to 39.1 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   39.1   +9.8
2.    Duke   36.2   45.4   +9.2
3.   Liberty   28.3   37.3   +9.0
4.   Syracuse   34.8   42.3   +7.5
5.   Michigan State   36.4   43.8   +7.4
6.   Brown   31.1   38.4   +7.3
7.   Nicholls State   32.9   40.2   +7.3
8.   UNLV   37.8   44.6   +6.8
9.   Georgia Southern   34.7   41.3   +6.6
NO. 5 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 59.0 points per game.
Rk.   Team   Points Allowed/Game
1.   Virginia   53.3
2. Â Â Â Miami (Fla.)Â Â Â 56.3
3.   Rutgers   58.3
4.   Bradley   58.5
5.   UNI   59.0
NO. 5 IN FG PERCENTAGE DEFENSE
UNI is ranked No. 5 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (36.4).
Rk.   Team   Field Goal% Defense
1.   Michigan State   33.3
2.   Miami (Fla.)   34.7
3.   Texas A&M   35.9
4.   Rutgers   36.3
5. Â Â Â UNIÂ Â Â 36.4
NO. 6 IN FEWEST FOULS
UNI is ranked No. 6 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (14.3).
Rk.   Team   Personal Fouls/Game
1.   Elon   12.7
2.   Western Illinois   13.1
3.   George Washington   13.6
4   Notre Dame   13.7
5.   Mississippi St.   14.2
4.   UNI   14.3
PANTHERS IN THE NCAA RPI
The Panthers were ranked No. 23 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI release.Â
PLAYING WELL IN DECEMBER
UNI has won 10 consecutive home games in December vs. non-conference foes.
ONE OR LESS TRUE ROAD GAMES IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
UNI is one of 38 teams with zero or 1 true road game in non-conference schedule. The Panthers are 1 of 12 not in the Power 5 - a list that also includes St. John's, Butler, SMU, Marquette, Memphis, VCU, Georgetown, Hawaii, UTEP, Duquesne and East Carolina.
   UNI will have played only one true road game (at North Carolina) during the 2017-18 non-conference schedule.
   UNI will open Missouri Valley Conference play at home on Dec. 28 vs. Southern Illinois.
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 season 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 6-0
UNI VS. RANKED TEAMS
UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.Â
   The Panthers are 12-6 all-time at home against ranked opponents.
   Since the 1979-80 season, UNI is 17-39 vs. ranked foes.Â
   The Panthers have posted two road wins over ranked foes in program history and both times it came in Wichita, Kansas. UNI knocked off No. 25 Wichita State (53-50 - Feb. 13, 2016) and No. 16 Wichita State (63-59 (Dec. 30, 2006).
   UNI has three neutral-court wins over ranked foes, with two of those coming in 1990 and 2010 NCAA tournaments.
   UNI is 2-0 all-time against No. 1-ranked opponents. UNI secured a 71-67 win over North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015. The Panthers also recorded a 69-67 win over No. 1 Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI vs. Ranked Opponents (since 1979-80)
#5   Villanova   L, 64-50 (N) - 11/24/17
#9   North Carolina   L, 86-69 (A) - 11/10/17
#8   North Carolina   L, 85-42 (A) - 12/21/16
#9    Xavier   L, 64-42 (A) - 11/26/16
#11   Xavier   L, 67-59 (N) - 11/20/16
#15Â Â Â Texas A&MÂ Â Â L, 92-88 2ot (N) - 3/20/16
#25   Wichita State   W, 53-50 (A) - 2/13/16
#5   Iowa State   W, 81-79 (N) - 12/19/15
#1   North Carolina   W, 71-67 (H) - 11/21/15
#17   Louisville   L, 66-53 (N) - 3/22/15
#11   Wichita State   L, 74-60 (A) - 2/28/15
#12   Wichita State   W, 70-54 (H) - 1/31/15
#4   Wichita State   L, 82-73 (H) - 2/8/14
#8   Wichita State   L, 67-53 (A) - 1/5/14
#17   Iowa State   L, 91-82 OT (N) - 12/7/13
#15   Wichita State   W, 57-52 (H) - 2/2/13
#12   Creighton   L, 79-68 (A) - 1/15/13
#21Â Â Â UNLVÂ Â Â L, 73-59 (A) - 12/19/12
#19   Memphis   L, 52-47 (N) - 11/24/12
#2   Louisville   L, 51-46 (N) - 11/22/12
#13   Creighton   W, 65-62 (H) - 2/4/12
#23   Creighton   L, 63-60 (A) - 1/10/12
#10   Syracuse   L, 68-46 (A) - 11/12/10
#13   Michigan State   L, 59-52 (N) - 3/26/10
#1   Kansas   W, 69-67 (N) - 3/20/10
#15   Marquette   L, 73-43 (N) - 11/28/08
#14   Drake   L, 65-55 (H) - 2/16/08
#22   Drake   L, 58-54 (A) - 1/26/08
#11   Nevada   L, 79-64 (A) - 2/17/07
#16   Wichita State   W, 63-59 (A) - 12/30/06
#17   Washington   L, 70-61 (A) - 11/14/06
#23   Georgetown   L, 54-49 (N) - 3/17/06
#24   Bucknell   W, 65-61 (H) - 2/18/06
#12   Iowa   W, 67-63 (H) - 12/6/05
#20   Wisconsin   L, 57-52 (N) - 3/18/05
#17   Iowa   L, 76-73 (A) - 12/7/05
#14   Georgia Tech   L, 65-60 (N) - 3/19/04
#15   Southern Illinois   W, 68-52 (H) - 3/1/04
#20   Creighton   W, 82-73 (H) - 1/14/04
#24    Iowa   W, 77-66 (H) - 12/9/03
#13   Creighton   L, 84-75 (H) - 2/4/03
#11   Iowa   W, 78-76 (H) - 12/4/01
#17   Alabama   L, 64-56 (N) - 12/20/00
#10   Iowa   W, 84-78 (H) - 12/9/97
#12   Iowa   L, 78-73 (H) - 12/5/95
#11   Iowa State   L, 81-62 (H) - 1/25/95
#8   Iowa   L, 64-44 (A) - 12/8/92
#16   Iowa   L, 108-85 (H) - 12/19/91
#20   Minnesota   L, 81-78 (N) - 3/18/90
#11   Missouri   W, 74-71 (N) - 3/16/90
#20   Iowa   W, 77-74 (H) - 1/3/90
#3   Georgetown   L, 83-49 (N) - 12/29/89
#5   Iowa   L, 95-76 (A) - 12/6/88
#14   Missouri   L, 91-62 (A) - 1/12/83
#6   Iowa   L, 84-53 (A) - 12/21/81
#14   Iowa   L, 86-52 (A) - 12/30/80
#20   Iowa   L, 78-46 (A) - 12/6/79
NOTE: Associated Press poll used
UNI's Record vs. Ranked Opponents
Overall   Home   Away   Neutral
17-40Â Â Â 12-6Â Â Â 2-19Â Â Â 3-15
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 138-35 (.798) 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.
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDERÂ
UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 9.6 rebounds per game.Â
   Drexel's Tramaine Isabell (6'1") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Isabell is averaging 8.4 rebounds per contest.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 9.6 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Â Â Â Deandre Ayton (Arizona)Â Â Â 11.8
2.   Brandon McCoy (UNLV)   11.3
3.   Marvin Bagley III (Duke)   11.3
4.   Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne)   10.8
5.   Mohamed Bamba (Texas)   9.7
   Oshae Brissett (Syracuse)   9.7
7.   Tywhon Pickford (UNI)   9.6
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
Pickford ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (9.6 rpg). He is tied for fourth in the MVC in offensive rebounds (28).
   Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six times this season.
   Pickford ranks fourth on the team in scoring at 9.0 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 GOES AT A HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (14.1 ppg), field goal% (58.2%) and free throw% (80.3%) through their first 11 games.
   He ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.7 rpg).
MCCLOUD SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (27) and steals (14).Â
   McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.5 points per game.Â
   McCloud has reached double-figure scoring six times this season. Last year, McCloud had four double-figure scoring games as a true freshman.
   McCloud has drained 15 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
SPARK OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is the leading bench scorer for the Panthers.Â
   Haldeman has made 22-of-45 three-pointers this season and is averaging 8.3 points per game.
   Haldeman is the second leading scorer among MVC players who have not started a game this season.Â
   Missouri State's Reggie Scurry is averaging 10.0 points per game and has not started a game this year.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 11 games, UNI has five players who have made at least 12 3-pointers this season.
   Spencer Haldeman (22), Juwan McCloud (15), Tywhon Pickford (13), Isaiah Brown (13) and Klint Carlson (12) and have all made at least 12 shots from 3-point land this season.
   UNI is averaging 8.3 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 572 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference. It also ranks as the 32nd-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 Dec. 10 in the McLeod Center.Â
   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, 54-49Â
   (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 45-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.Â
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
3/20/16Â 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
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
6:56Â Â Â Brown 3-pointer (46-50)
6:25Â Â Â Haldeman layup (48-50)
5:44Â Â Â Pickford jumper (50-50)
4:58Â Â Â Brown jumper (52-50)
3:30Â Â Â 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.Â
   Koch made 10-of-19 field goals and was 10-of-13 from the free throw line against the previously undefeated Runnin' Rebels.Â
   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.Â
   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.Â
   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.Â
   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).Â
   Head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-8 all-time in overtime games.Â
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)Â
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)
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.Â
   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)
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.Â
   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)
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. 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)   254
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. 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 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).  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.  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 CONFERENCEÂ
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.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
#9 Xavier (11-1) at UNI (8-3)
Fri., Dec. 22, 2017 • 8 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
AUDIO | STATS
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will complete its non-conference slate of games this Friday by playing host to the No. 9-ranked Xavier Musketeers. Tip is set for 8 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets to UNI men's basketball home games through UNITIX. Tickets are available for as low as $10 for Friday's game vs. Xavier. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.unipanthers.com/tickets (use promo code 'nofee' to take advantage of this online $10 ticket offer).
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Friday's Xavier-UNI game will be shown live on CBS Sports Network. The game can be streamed by going to to cbssports.com/watch/cbssportsnetwork and choosing your TV provider.
Television
CBS Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Ben Holden
Analyst: Steve Wolf
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
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Xavier leads, 2-0
Last Meeting: Xavier 64, UNI 42 (Nov. 26, 2016)
UNI and Xavier met in the title game of the 2016 Tire Pros Invitational in Orlando, Florida. Xavier scored a 67-59 win over the Panthers on Nov. 20, 2016.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. XAVIER
• It will mark only the fourth time in school history that the Panthers have played host to a top-10 ranked foe. UNI is 2-1 at home vs. top-10 teams.Â
• UNI is 12-6 all-time at home against ranked opponents.
• UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-3. 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 strength of schedule is ranked No. 12 in the latest NCAA stats report.
Â
• UNI ranks as the most-improved rebounding team (+9.8) 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. 5 in the nation in scoring defense (59.0 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (36.4). UNI is No. 6 in fewest fouls per game (14.3).
• Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation among all freshmen rebounders. Pickford is averaging 9.6 rebounds per game.Â
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. XAVIER
XAVIER MUSKETEERS
The Xavier Musketeers are under the direction of ninth-year head coach Chris Mack. Mack has guided Xavier to the NCAA Tournament in seven of his eight seasons at the helm, including the Elite Eight in 2016-17. Mack has led Xavier to four Sweet 16 appearances (2010, 2012, 2015, 2017).
   Xavier is a member of the BIG EAST and has made 27 NCAA Tournament appearances.Â
   Xavier has also made the Sweet 16 six times in the last 10 seasons.
   Xavier is ranked No. 9 in the latest Associated Press poll. The Musketeers are ranked No. 8 in the USAToday Coaches poll.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. XAVIER
Xavier holds a 2-0 lead over UNI in the all-time series.Â
   Both matchups took place last season. Xavier won the first contest in the championship game of the Tire Pros Invitational in Orlando, Florida, 67-59.
   The Musketeers then posted a 64-42 victory over the Panthers in Cincinnati, Ohio, six days following the Tire Pros Invitational on Nov. 26, 2017.
TOP-10 OPPONENT AT HOME
When UNI plays host to Xavier on Dec. 22, it will mark only the fourth time in school history that the Panthers have played host to a top-10 ranked opponent. UNI is 2-1 at home vs. top-10 foes.Â
   The Panthers notched an 84-78 win over No. 10-ranked Iowa on Dec. 9, 1997, in the UNI-Dome.Â
   The Panthers dropped an 82-73 decision to No. 4-ranked Wichita State on Feb. 8, 2014, in the McLeod Center.Â
   UNI knocked off No. 1-ranked North Carolina on Nov. 21, 2015, in the McLeod Center.
  Â
TOP-10 FOE AT MVC SCHOOL
Notably, it will mark just the sixth time in the past 20 seasons a league school has hosted a non-conference Top-10 foe.
   UNI has both of the league's home wins in that span against non-MVC Top-10 teams. Â
   There have been 11 occurrences in league play when an MVC team hosted a Top-10 MVC foe.  Evansville (vs. #10 Creighton in 2003) and Wichita State (vs. #10 UNI in 2015) have the lone wins, while Wichita State beat all league teams in 2014 during its historic 35-1 season.
Date   Non-Conference Games (W/L)
12/9/97Â Â Â #10 Iowa at UNI (W)
11/20/98Â Â Â #3 Stanford at Missouri State (L)
12/4/07Â Â Â #9 Michigan State at Bradley (L)
12/1/12Â Â Â #3 Michigan at Bradley (L)
11/21/15Â Â Â #1 North Carolina at UNI (W)
Date   Conference Games (W/L)
1/23/03Â Â Â #10 Creighton at Evansville (W)
1/2/14Â Â Â #8 Wichita State at S. Illinois (L)
1/11/14Â Â Â #6 Wichita State at Missouri St. (L)
1/22/14Â Â Â #5 Wichita State at Illinois St. (L)
1/25/14Â Â Â #5 Wichita State at Drake (L)
2/5/14 Â Â Â #4 Wichita State at Indiana St. (L)
2/8/14Â Â Â #4 Wichita State at UNI (L)
2/9/14Â Â Â #3 Wichita State at Loyola (L)
2/16/14Â Â Â #4 Wichita State at Evansville (L)
2/25/14Â Â Â #2 Wichita State at Bradley (L)
2/28/15Â Â Â #10 UNI at Wichita State (W)
TOP-10 WINS FOR JAKE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has guided the Panthers to three wins over top-10 ranked foes.
   Jacobson's wins over top-10 ranked opponents have come against No. 1 Kansas (3/20/10), No. 1 North Carolina (11/21/15) and No. 5 Iowa State (12/19/15).
RESUME BUILDING
UNI is building a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-3.Â
   The Panthers have posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
   UNI has played the 12th-toughest schedule in the nation, according the latest NCAA stats release.
   UNI's non-conference strength of schedule is ranked No. 15 in the latest NCAA RPI report.
MOST-IMPROVED REBOUNDING TEAM IN NATION
UNI ranks as the most-improved (+9.8) rebounding team in the nation through its first 11 games.
   UNI has improved its rebounding from 29.3 last season to 39.1 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   39.1   +9.8
2.    Duke   36.2   45.4   +9.2
3.   Liberty   28.3   37.3   +9.0
4.   Syracuse   34.8   42.3   +7.5
5.   Michigan State   36.4   43.8   +7.4
6.   Brown   31.1   38.4   +7.3
7.   Nicholls State   32.9   40.2   +7.3
8.   UNLV   37.8   44.6   +6.8
9.   Georgia Southern   34.7   41.3   +6.6
NO. 5 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 5 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 59.0 points per game.
Rk.   Team   Points Allowed/Game
1.   Virginia   53.3
2. Â Â Â Miami (Fla.)Â Â Â 56.3
3.   Rutgers   58.3
4.   Bradley   58.5
5.   UNI   59.0
NO. 5 IN FG PERCENTAGE DEFENSE
UNI is ranked No. 5 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (36.4).
Rk.   Team   Field Goal% Defense
1.   Michigan State   33.3
2.   Miami (Fla.)   34.7
3.   Texas A&M   35.9
4.   Rutgers   36.3
5. Â Â Â UNIÂ Â Â 36.4
NO. 6 IN FEWEST FOULS
UNI is ranked No. 6 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (14.3).
Rk.   Team   Personal Fouls/Game
1.   Elon   12.7
2.   Western Illinois   13.1
3.   George Washington   13.6
4   Notre Dame   13.7
5.   Mississippi St.   14.2
4.   UNI   14.3
PANTHERS IN THE NCAA RPI
The Panthers were ranked No. 23 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI release.Â
PLAYING WELL IN DECEMBER
UNI has won 10 consecutive home games in December vs. non-conference foes.
ONE OR LESS TRUE ROAD GAMES IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
UNI is one of 38 teams with zero or 1 true road game in non-conference schedule. The Panthers are 1 of 12 not in the Power 5 - a list that also includes St. John's, Butler, SMU, Marquette, Memphis, VCU, Georgetown, Hawaii, UTEP, Duquesne and East Carolina.
   UNI will have played only one true road game (at North Carolina) during the 2017-18 non-conference schedule.
   UNI will open Missouri Valley Conference play at home on Dec. 28 vs. Southern Illinois.
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 season 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 6-0
UNI VS. RANKED TEAMS
UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.Â
   The Panthers are 12-6 all-time at home against ranked opponents.
   Since the 1979-80 season, UNI is 17-39 vs. ranked foes.Â
   The Panthers have posted two road wins over ranked foes in program history and both times it came in Wichita, Kansas. UNI knocked off No. 25 Wichita State (53-50 - Feb. 13, 2016) and No. 16 Wichita State (63-59 (Dec. 30, 2006).
   UNI has three neutral-court wins over ranked foes, with two of those coming in 1990 and 2010 NCAA tournaments.
   UNI is 2-0 all-time against No. 1-ranked opponents. UNI secured a 71-67 win over North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015. The Panthers also recorded a 69-67 win over No. 1 Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI vs. Ranked Opponents (since 1979-80)
#5   Villanova   L, 64-50 (N) - 11/24/17
#9   North Carolina   L, 86-69 (A) - 11/10/17
#8   North Carolina   L, 85-42 (A) - 12/21/16
#9    Xavier   L, 64-42 (A) - 11/26/16
#11   Xavier   L, 67-59 (N) - 11/20/16
#15Â Â Â Texas A&MÂ Â Â L, 92-88 2ot (N) - 3/20/16
#25   Wichita State   W, 53-50 (A) - 2/13/16
#5   Iowa State   W, 81-79 (N) - 12/19/15
#1   North Carolina   W, 71-67 (H) - 11/21/15
#17   Louisville   L, 66-53 (N) - 3/22/15
#11   Wichita State   L, 74-60 (A) - 2/28/15
#12   Wichita State   W, 70-54 (H) - 1/31/15
#4   Wichita State   L, 82-73 (H) - 2/8/14
#8   Wichita State   L, 67-53 (A) - 1/5/14
#17   Iowa State   L, 91-82 OT (N) - 12/7/13
#15   Wichita State   W, 57-52 (H) - 2/2/13
#12   Creighton   L, 79-68 (A) - 1/15/13
#21Â Â Â UNLVÂ Â Â L, 73-59 (A) - 12/19/12
#19   Memphis   L, 52-47 (N) - 11/24/12
#2   Louisville   L, 51-46 (N) - 11/22/12
#13   Creighton   W, 65-62 (H) - 2/4/12
#23   Creighton   L, 63-60 (A) - 1/10/12
#10   Syracuse   L, 68-46 (A) - 11/12/10
#13   Michigan State   L, 59-52 (N) - 3/26/10
#1   Kansas   W, 69-67 (N) - 3/20/10
#15   Marquette   L, 73-43 (N) - 11/28/08
#14   Drake   L, 65-55 (H) - 2/16/08
#22   Drake   L, 58-54 (A) - 1/26/08
#11   Nevada   L, 79-64 (A) - 2/17/07
#16   Wichita State   W, 63-59 (A) - 12/30/06
#17   Washington   L, 70-61 (A) - 11/14/06
#23   Georgetown   L, 54-49 (N) - 3/17/06
#24   Bucknell   W, 65-61 (H) - 2/18/06
#12   Iowa   W, 67-63 (H) - 12/6/05
#20   Wisconsin   L, 57-52 (N) - 3/18/05
#17   Iowa   L, 76-73 (A) - 12/7/05
#14   Georgia Tech   L, 65-60 (N) - 3/19/04
#15   Southern Illinois   W, 68-52 (H) - 3/1/04
#20   Creighton   W, 82-73 (H) - 1/14/04
#24    Iowa   W, 77-66 (H) - 12/9/03
#13   Creighton   L, 84-75 (H) - 2/4/03
#11   Iowa   W, 78-76 (H) - 12/4/01
#17   Alabama   L, 64-56 (N) - 12/20/00
#10   Iowa   W, 84-78 (H) - 12/9/97
#12   Iowa   L, 78-73 (H) - 12/5/95
#11   Iowa State   L, 81-62 (H) - 1/25/95
#8   Iowa   L, 64-44 (A) - 12/8/92
#16   Iowa   L, 108-85 (H) - 12/19/91
#20   Minnesota   L, 81-78 (N) - 3/18/90
#11   Missouri   W, 74-71 (N) - 3/16/90
#20   Iowa   W, 77-74 (H) - 1/3/90
#3   Georgetown   L, 83-49 (N) - 12/29/89
#5   Iowa   L, 95-76 (A) - 12/6/88
#14   Missouri   L, 91-62 (A) - 1/12/83
#6   Iowa   L, 84-53 (A) - 12/21/81
#14   Iowa   L, 86-52 (A) - 12/30/80
#20   Iowa   L, 78-46 (A) - 12/6/79
NOTE: Associated Press poll used
UNI's Record vs. Ranked Opponents
Overall   Home   Away   Neutral
17-40Â Â Â 12-6Â Â Â 2-19Â Â Â 3-15
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 138-35 (.798) 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.
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDERÂ
UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 9.6 rebounds per game.Â
   Drexel's Tramaine Isabell (6'1") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Isabell is averaging 8.4 rebounds per contest.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 9.6 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Â Â Â Deandre Ayton (Arizona)Â Â Â 11.8
2.   Brandon McCoy (UNLV)   11.3
3.   Marvin Bagley III (Duke)   11.3
4.   Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne)   10.8
5.   Mohamed Bamba (Texas)   9.7
   Oshae Brissett (Syracuse)   9.7
7.   Tywhon Pickford (UNI)   9.6
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
Pickford ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (9.6 rpg). He is tied for fourth in the MVC in offensive rebounds (28).
   Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six times this season.
   Pickford ranks fourth on the team in scoring at 9.0 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 GOES AT A HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (14.1 ppg), field goal% (58.2%) and free throw% (80.3%) through their first 11 games.
   He ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.7 rpg).
MCCLOUD SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (27) and steals (14).Â
   McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.5 points per game.Â
   McCloud has reached double-figure scoring six times this season. Last year, McCloud had four double-figure scoring games as a true freshman.
   McCloud has drained 15 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
SPARK OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is the leading bench scorer for the Panthers.Â
   Haldeman has made 22-of-45 three-pointers this season and is averaging 8.3 points per game.
   Haldeman is the second leading scorer among MVC players who have not started a game this season.Â
   Missouri State's Reggie Scurry is averaging 10.0 points per game and has not started a game this year.
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 11 games, UNI has five players who have made at least 12 3-pointers this season.
   Spencer Haldeman (22), Juwan McCloud (15), Tywhon Pickford (13), Isaiah Brown (13) and Klint Carlson (12) and have all made at least 12 shots from 3-point land this season.
   UNI is averaging 8.3 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 572 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference. It also ranks as the 32nd-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 Dec. 10 in the McLeod Center.Â
   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, 54-49Â
   (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 45-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.Â
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
3/20/16Â 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
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
6:56Â Â Â Brown 3-pointer (46-50)
6:25Â Â Â Haldeman layup (48-50)
5:44Â Â Â Pickford jumper (50-50)
4:58Â Â Â Brown jumper (52-50)
3:30Â Â Â 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.Â
   Koch made 10-of-19 field goals and was 10-of-13 from the free throw line against the previously undefeated Runnin' Rebels.Â
   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.Â
   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.Â
   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.Â
   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).Â
   Head coach Ben Jacobson is 12-8 all-time in overtime games.Â
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)Â
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)
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.Â
   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)
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.Â
   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)
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. 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)   254
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. 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 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).  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.  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 CONFERENCEÂ
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.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
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's BasketballPanther basketball and wrestling bring skills to Main Street Madness 2025
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UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 4)
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