University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Sunday, December 31
Peoria, Illinois
1 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
at
Bradley
Photo by: Mike Dunlop
UNI at Bradley Sunday, Rhodes Set for Homecoming
12/30/2017 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
UNI (8-5, 0-1) at Bradley (10-4, 0-1)
Sun., Dec. 31, 2017 • 1 p.m.
Peoria, Illinois (Carver Arena)
ESPN3Â | AUDIO | STATS
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Brian Bedo
Analyst: Andy Masur
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
www.sidearmstats.com/bradley/mbball/
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: UNI leads 30-29
Last Meeting: UNI 64, Bradley 61 (Feb. 15, 2017)
The Panthers have won 11 of the last 13 meetings against the Braves. The teams split the series last year with the home team winning each contest.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. BRADLEY
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (8-5 overall, 0-1 MVC) will travel to Peoria, Illinois, to take on the Bradley Braves (10-4 overall, 0-1 MVC). Tip is set on Sunday for 1 p.m.
• UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has recorded seven of UNI's eight wins all-time at Bradley. Jacobson has posted a mark of 7-4 at Carver Arena.
• UNI has played the fifth-toughest schedule in nation. UNI's opponents have combined for a record of 89-39 (.695).
• Senior Hunter Rhodes will play in front of plenty of family and friends on Sunday as he returns to his home area. Rhodes's hometown of Canton is 30 miles from Peoria.
• Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (14.3 ppg), field goal% (56.8%) and free throw% (81.1%) through their first 13 games.
• Freshman Tywhon Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder (8.9 rpg) under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation among all freshmen.Â
• Sophomore Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (30) and steals (18). McCloud has registered at least one steal in 12 consecutive games heading into the Sunday's game at Bradley.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. BRADLEY
BRADLEY BRAVES
The Bradley Braves (10-4 overall, 0-1 MVC) are under the direction of third-year head coach Brian Wardle.
   Bradley is led in scoring by sophomore guard Darrell Brown (13.6 ppg).
   The Braves lost their MVC opener on the road at Drake, 66-64.
   Bradley is 6-0 at home this season with wins over IUPUI (68-53), Delaware (61-53), Missouri S&T (79-47), Georgia Southern (62-57), Eastern Illinois (67-56) and Little Rock (86-46).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. BRADLEY
UNI owns a 30-29 lead over Bradley in the all-time series.
   UNI has won 11 of the last 13 matchups between the two schools.
   The Braves and Panthers split the season series a year ago with the home teams winning each contest.
   UNI is 8-19 all-time in games played in Peoria. UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has recorded seven of those wins. Jacobson has posted a mark of 7-4 at Carver Arena.
Â
JAKE'S MOST WINS VS. A FOE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a 21-6 record against Bradley - the most wins he has recorded against any opponent.
JACOBSON AGAINST THE LAND OF LINCOLN
Ben Jacobson has taken full advantage of the four schools representing the state of Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference in his 12 seasons as UNI's head coach.Â
   He has an overall mark of 62-29 vs. Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and Loyola.Â
Jake Overall vs. MVC's Illinois Schools
Bradley    21-6
Southern Illinois   18-8
Illinois State    17-10
Loyola    6-5
COACH JAKE AMONG THE MVC'S ALL-TIME BEST
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in MVC coaching victories with 242 triumphs heading into Sunday's game at Bradley.
   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)   257
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)    135
5.   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
IT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE
Since 1993-94, only one MVC team has won the league regular season title after losing its opening conference game - UNI in 2008-09.Â
HOMECOMING FOR RHODES
UNI senior guard Hunter Rhodes will play in front of plenty of family and friends on Sunday as he returns to his home area.
   Rhodes' hometown of Canton is 30 miles from Peoria.
   Rhodes has played in seven games this season and is shooting 6-of-11 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from three-point land. Rhodes scored five points in Thursday's MVC home opener vs. Southern Illinois.
KOCH GOES AT A HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (14.3 ppg), field goal% (56.8%) and free throw% (81.1%) through their first 13 games.
   Koch ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.5 rpg).
   Koch poured in 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 10-of-12 at the foul line vs. No. 9-ranked Xavier (12/22).
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (7)
Klint Carlson (3)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
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 9.3 rebounds per game.Â
   UMass Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 8.7 rebounds per contest.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.9 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Â Â Â Deandre Ayton (Arizona)Â Â Â 11.4
2.   Brandon McCoy (UNLV)   10.9
3.   Marvin Bagley III (Duke)   10.9
4.   Oshae Brissett (Syracuse)   10.0
5.   Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne)   9.9
6.   Mohamed Bamba (Texas)   9.8
7.   Tywhon Pickford (UNI)   8.9
8.   Romello White (Arizona St.)   8.6
9.   Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke)   8.4
10.   Omari Spellman (Villanova)   8.1
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
Pickford ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (8.9 rpg). He ranks fifth in the MVC in offensive rebounds (30).
   Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six times this season.
   Pickford ranks fifth on the team in scoring at 8.8 points per game.
MCCLOUD SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (30) and steals (18).Â
   McCloud has registered at least one steal in 12 consecutive games heading into the Sunday's game at Bradley
   McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 9.8 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 17 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
TWO SPARKS OFF THE BENCH
UNI is getting a pair of scoring bursts off the bench from junior Wyatt Lohaus and sophomore Spencer Haldeman.
   Lohaus is scoring 9.2 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 8.3 points per game.
   Lohaus ranks second and Haldeman ranks third among MVC players in scoring without making a start this season.
   Missouri State's Reggie Scurry is averaging 10.0 points per game and has not started a game this year.
HALDEMAN ZONES IN
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is draining 50 percent of his three-point shots this season.
   Haldeman has drained a 25-of-50 from three-point range.Â
Â
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 13 games, UNI has five players who have made at least 14 3-pointers this season.
   Spencer Haldeman (25), Juwan McCloud (17), Isaiah Brown (15), Klint Carlson (14) and Tywhon Pickford (14) have all made at least 14 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 574 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.
RESUME BUILDING
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.Â
   The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
FIFTH-TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
UNI has played the fifth-toughest schedule in nation during its non-conference play. UNI's opponents have combined for a record of 89-39 (.695).Â
Rk.   Team   W/L (Pct.)
1.   Texas Southern   115-37 (.757)
2.    Temple   96-39 (.711)
3.   Dayton   88-37 (.704)
4.   Tennessee   82-35 (.701)
5.   UNI   89-39 (.695)
6.   Savannah State   88-39 (.693)
7.   Duke   95-44 (.683)
8.   Buffalo   91-46 (.664)
   Alabama   91-46 (.664)
10.   Rhode Island   82-42 (.661)
UNI IN NCAA RPI LISTING
UNI was ranked No. 49 in Friday's NCAA RPI listing.
NO. 6 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 60.2 points per game.
   Bradley ranks No. 12 in the nation in scoring defense by giving up 61.3 points per game.
Rk.   Team   Pts Allowed/Game
1.   Virginia   52.3
2.   Texas Tech   58.7
3.   Miami (Fla.)   59.0
4.   Rutgers   59.5
5.   Cincinnati   60.0
6.   UNI   60.2
7.   SMU   60.4
8.   Texas   60.4
9.   Old Dominion   61.0
10.   Mississippi St.   61.1
NO. 7 IN FEWEST FOULS
UNI is ranked tied for No. 7 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (14.7).Â
   Fellow MVC squad Loyola is tied with UNI at No. 7 with 14.7 fouls per game.
Rk.   Team   Fouls/Game
1.   Elon   12.8
2.   Notre Dame   13.0
3.   George Washington   13.3
4.   Western Illinois   14.1
5.   Mississippi St.   14.3
6.   Michigan State   14.6
7.   UNI   14.7
   Loyola   14.7
9.   Kansas   14.8
10.   Virginia   14.8
NO. 13 IN FG% DEFENSE
UNI is ranked No. 13 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (37.8).
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 6-2
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 139-37 (.790) 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.
MVC OPENERS UNDER JAKE
UNI has posted a 5-7 mark, including a 3-4 record at home, in Missouri Valley Conference openers under 12th-year head coach Ben Jacobson.
UNI's MVC Openers for Coach Jacobson
2006-07Â Â Â W, 76-65 vs. Bradley
2007-08Â Â Â W, 59-46 at Bradley
2008-09Â Â Â L, 85-84 (2ot) vs. Indiana State
2009-10Â Â Â W, 60-52 at Creighton
2010-11Â Â Â L, 58-57 vs. Missouri State
2011-12Â Â Â L, 65-61 at Illinois State
2012-13Â Â Â L, 66-41 at Wichita State
2013-14Â Â Â W, 80-46 vs. Bradley
2014-15Â Â Â L, 52-49 at Evansville
2015-16Â Â Â W, 80-44 vs. Bradley
2016-17Â Â Â L, 68-64 vs. Missouri State
2017-18Â Â Â L, 56-53 vs. Southern Illinois
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
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.
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)
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
Â
UNI (8-5, 0-1) at Bradley (10-4, 0-1)
Sun., Dec. 31, 2017 • 1 p.m.
Peoria, Illinois (Carver Arena)
ESPN3Â | AUDIO | STATS
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Brian Bedo
Analyst: Andy Masur
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
www.sidearmstats.com/bradley/mbball/
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: UNI leads 30-29
Last Meeting: UNI 64, Bradley 61 (Feb. 15, 2017)
The Panthers have won 11 of the last 13 meetings against the Braves. The teams split the series last year with the home team winning each contest.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. BRADLEY
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (8-5 overall, 0-1 MVC) will travel to Peoria, Illinois, to take on the Bradley Braves (10-4 overall, 0-1 MVC). Tip is set on Sunday for 1 p.m.
• UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has recorded seven of UNI's eight wins all-time at Bradley. Jacobson has posted a mark of 7-4 at Carver Arena.
• UNI has played the fifth-toughest schedule in nation. UNI's opponents have combined for a record of 89-39 (.695).
• Senior Hunter Rhodes will play in front of plenty of family and friends on Sunday as he returns to his home area. Rhodes's hometown of Canton is 30 miles from Peoria.
• Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (14.3 ppg), field goal% (56.8%) and free throw% (81.1%) through their first 13 games.
• Freshman Tywhon Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder (8.9 rpg) under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation among all freshmen.Â
• Sophomore Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (30) and steals (18). McCloud has registered at least one steal in 12 consecutive games heading into the Sunday's game at Bradley.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. BRADLEY
BRADLEY BRAVES
The Bradley Braves (10-4 overall, 0-1 MVC) are under the direction of third-year head coach Brian Wardle.
   Bradley is led in scoring by sophomore guard Darrell Brown (13.6 ppg).
   The Braves lost their MVC opener on the road at Drake, 66-64.
   Bradley is 6-0 at home this season with wins over IUPUI (68-53), Delaware (61-53), Missouri S&T (79-47), Georgia Southern (62-57), Eastern Illinois (67-56) and Little Rock (86-46).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. BRADLEY
UNI owns a 30-29 lead over Bradley in the all-time series.
   UNI has won 11 of the last 13 matchups between the two schools.
   The Braves and Panthers split the season series a year ago with the home teams winning each contest.
   UNI is 8-19 all-time in games played in Peoria. UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has recorded seven of those wins. Jacobson has posted a mark of 7-4 at Carver Arena.
Â
JAKE'S MOST WINS VS. A FOE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a 21-6 record against Bradley - the most wins he has recorded against any opponent.
JACOBSON AGAINST THE LAND OF LINCOLN
Ben Jacobson has taken full advantage of the four schools representing the state of Illinois in the Missouri Valley Conference in his 12 seasons as UNI's head coach.Â
   He has an overall mark of 62-29 vs. Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and Loyola.Â
Jake Overall vs. MVC's Illinois Schools
Bradley    21-6
Southern Illinois   18-8
Illinois State    17-10
Loyola    6-5
COACH JAKE AMONG THE MVC'S ALL-TIME BEST
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in MVC coaching victories with 242 triumphs heading into Sunday's game at Bradley.
   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)   257
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)    135
5.   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
IT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE
Since 1993-94, only one MVC team has won the league regular season title after losing its opening conference game - UNI in 2008-09.Â
HOMECOMING FOR RHODES
UNI senior guard Hunter Rhodes will play in front of plenty of family and friends on Sunday as he returns to his home area.
   Rhodes' hometown of Canton is 30 miles from Peoria.
   Rhodes has played in seven games this season and is shooting 6-of-11 from the floor, including 3-of-5 from three-point land. Rhodes scored five points in Thursday's MVC home opener vs. Southern Illinois.
KOCH GOES AT A HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (14.3 ppg), field goal% (56.8%) and free throw% (81.1%) through their first 13 games.
   Koch ranks second on the squad in rebounding (7.5 rpg).
   Koch poured in 26 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field and 10-of-12 at the foul line vs. No. 9-ranked Xavier (12/22).
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (7)
Klint Carlson (3)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
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 9.3 rebounds per game.Â
   UMass Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 8.7 rebounds per contest.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 7 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.9 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Â Â Â Deandre Ayton (Arizona)Â Â Â 11.4
2.   Brandon McCoy (UNLV)   10.9
3.   Marvin Bagley III (Duke)   10.9
4.   Oshae Brissett (Syracuse)   10.0
5.   Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne)   9.9
6.   Mohamed Bamba (Texas)   9.8
7.   Tywhon Pickford (UNI)   8.9
8.   Romello White (Arizona St.)   8.6
9.   Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke)   8.4
10.   Omari Spellman (Villanova)   8.1
PICKFORD TO THE GLASS
Pickford ranks second in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (8.9 rpg). He ranks fifth in the MVC in offensive rebounds (30).
   Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds in six times this season.
   Pickford ranks fifth on the team in scoring at 8.8 points per game.
MCCLOUD SOARS
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud leads the squad in assists (30) and steals (18).Â
   McCloud has registered at least one steal in 12 consecutive games heading into the Sunday's game at Bradley
   McCloud ranks second on the team in scoring at 9.8 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 17 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
TWO SPARKS OFF THE BENCH
UNI is getting a pair of scoring bursts off the bench from junior Wyatt Lohaus and sophomore Spencer Haldeman.
   Lohaus is scoring 9.2 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 8.3 points per game.
   Lohaus ranks second and Haldeman ranks third among MVC players in scoring without making a start this season.
   Missouri State's Reggie Scurry is averaging 10.0 points per game and has not started a game this year.
HALDEMAN ZONES IN
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman is draining 50 percent of his three-point shots this season.
   Haldeman has drained a 25-of-50 from three-point range.Â
Â
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 13 games, UNI has five players who have made at least 14 3-pointers this season.
   Spencer Haldeman (25), Juwan McCloud (17), Isaiah Brown (15), Klint Carlson (14) and Tywhon Pickford (14) have all made at least 14 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 574 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.
RESUME BUILDING
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.Â
   The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
FIFTH-TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
UNI has played the fifth-toughest schedule in nation during its non-conference play. UNI's opponents have combined for a record of 89-39 (.695).Â
Rk.   Team   W/L (Pct.)
1.   Texas Southern   115-37 (.757)
2.    Temple   96-39 (.711)
3.   Dayton   88-37 (.704)
4.   Tennessee   82-35 (.701)
5.   UNI   89-39 (.695)
6.   Savannah State   88-39 (.693)
7.   Duke   95-44 (.683)
8.   Buffalo   91-46 (.664)
   Alabama   91-46 (.664)
10.   Rhode Island   82-42 (.661)
UNI IN NCAA RPI LISTING
UNI was ranked No. 49 in Friday's NCAA RPI listing.
NO. 6 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 6 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 60.2 points per game.
   Bradley ranks No. 12 in the nation in scoring defense by giving up 61.3 points per game.
Rk.   Team   Pts Allowed/Game
1.   Virginia   52.3
2.   Texas Tech   58.7
3.   Miami (Fla.)   59.0
4.   Rutgers   59.5
5.   Cincinnati   60.0
6.   UNI   60.2
7.   SMU   60.4
8.   Texas   60.4
9.   Old Dominion   61.0
10.   Mississippi St.   61.1
NO. 7 IN FEWEST FOULS
UNI is ranked tied for No. 7 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (14.7).Â
   Fellow MVC squad Loyola is tied with UNI at No. 7 with 14.7 fouls per game.
Rk.   Team   Fouls/Game
1.   Elon   12.8
2.   Notre Dame   13.0
3.   George Washington   13.3
4.   Western Illinois   14.1
5.   Mississippi St.   14.3
6.   Michigan State   14.6
7.   UNI   14.7
   Loyola   14.7
9.   Kansas   14.8
10.   Virginia   14.8
NO. 13 IN FG% DEFENSE
UNI is ranked No. 13 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (37.8).
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 6-2
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 139-37 (.790) 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.
MVC OPENERS UNDER JAKE
UNI has posted a 5-7 mark, including a 3-4 record at home, in Missouri Valley Conference openers under 12th-year head coach Ben Jacobson.
UNI's MVC Openers for Coach Jacobson
2006-07Â Â Â W, 76-65 vs. Bradley
2007-08Â Â Â W, 59-46 at Bradley
2008-09Â Â Â L, 85-84 (2ot) vs. Indiana State
2009-10Â Â Â W, 60-52 at Creighton
2010-11Â Â Â L, 58-57 vs. Missouri State
2011-12Â Â Â L, 65-61 at Illinois State
2012-13Â Â Â L, 66-41 at Wichita State
2013-14Â Â Â W, 80-46 vs. Bradley
2014-15Â Â Â L, 52-49 at Evansville
2015-16Â Â Â W, 80-44 vs. Bradley
2016-17Â Â Â L, 68-64 vs. Missouri State
2017-18Â Â Â L, 56-53 vs. Southern Illinois
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
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.
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)
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
Â
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballPanther basketball and wrestling bring skills to Main Street Madness 2025
Friday, September 26
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 5)
Wednesday, September 24
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 4)
Wednesday, September 17
UNI Football Highlights vs. Eastern Washington (Sept. 13, 2025)
Tuesday, September 16