University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Wednesday, February 8
Cedar Falls, Iowa
7 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Southern Illinois (prize for 1st 200 students)
Photo by: Mike Dunlop
UNI, SIU Ready for Wednesday Contest in McLeod
2/6/2017 1:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
Southern Illinois (14-11, 7-5) at UNI (11-12, 6-6) | VIDEO | AUDIO | STATS
Wed., Feb. 8, 2017 • 7 p.m. (CT)
Cedar Falls, Iowa • McLeod Center
TICKET INFORMATION
UNI is offering a ticket deal in the general admission area with $10 adult tickets and $5 youth (16-and-under) tickets for its remaining three home games. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNIPanthers.com/tickets to order.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Mitch Holthus
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - NewsTalk 1540 KXEL
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
TuneIn App
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Southern Illinois leads, 32-29
• Last Meeting: UNI 58, Southern Illinois 57 (Jan. 21, 2016)
• UNI has won four of the last five meetings
• SIU has not won in Cedar Falls since an 88-78 overtime win Jan. 22, 2003.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• UNI (11-12 overall, 6-6 MVC) will play host the Southern Illinois Salukis (14-11, 7-5 MVC) Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
• With a UNI victory Wednesday, the Panthers would move into a tie for third place in the MVC standings.
• UNI is offering a ticket deal in the general admission area with $10 adult tickets and $5 youth (16-and-under) tickets for its remaining three home games. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNIPanthers.com/tickets to order.
• UNI used a 16-3 run to close the game and score a 58-57 victory over the SIU Salukis when the teams met Jan. 21 in Carbondale, Ill.
• UNI is looking to become only the second school in the history of the MVC to lose its first five games and finish the conference season with an above .500 record. Only Oklahoma in 1924-25 lost its first five games and finished at 9-7 in MVC play.
• Freshman Juwan McCloud scored 10 points including the go-ahead layup with 1:13 left in a 65-60 win over Indiana State. McCloud made 4-of-6 shots from the field vs. the Sycamores. Earlier in the week, McCloud scored 11 points in the final 7:19 at Illinois State and did not miss a field goal. McCloud was 4-of-4 from the field, including 3-of-3 from three-point range vs. the Redbirds.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
PANTHERS PLAY HOST TO SIUÂ
SALUKIS WEDNESDAY IN MCLEOD
UNI (11-12 overall, 6-6 MVC) will play host the Southern Illinois Salukis (14-11, 7-5 MVC) Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
   With a UNI victory Wednesday, the Panthers would move into a tie for third place in the MVC standings.
TICKET INFORMATION
UNI is offering a ticket deal in the general admission area with $10 adult tickets and $5 youth (16-and-under) tickets for its remaining three home games.
   Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNIPanthers.com/tickets to order.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday's game will be available for viewing on ESPN3.
   Mitch Holthus (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS
SIU is led by fifth-year head coach Barry Hinson. Hinson ranks No. 5 in MVC coaching victories. Prior to taking over at SIU, he also led Missouri State to 169 wins in nine years with the Bears.
   The Salukis are in sole possession of third place in the league standings. SIU was projected to finish fifth in the league's preseason poll.
   SIU has won three straight games after going through a three-game losing skid that included a 58-57 loss to UNI in Carbondale.
   SIU is led in scoring by Mike Rodriguez (13.3 ppg), Armon Fletcher (13.1 ppg) and Sean O'Brien (12.2 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Southern Illinois holds a 32-29 lead in the all-time series vs. UNI.
   UNI has won four of the last five meetings between the two schools, including a 58-57 win in Carbondale, Ill., on Jan. 21.
   UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 17-7 against Southern Illinois. Jacobson is 10-0 vs. the Salukis in the McLeod Center.Â
TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY FOR SIU
Southern Illinois has suffered a defeat in 13 consecutive trips to Cedar Falls.
   SIU is 0-10 in the McLeod Center and has not posted a win in Cedar Falls since an 88-78 overtime win in the UNI-Dome on Jan. 22, 2003.
   SIU is 7-20 in 27 games that the Salukis have played in Cedar Falls. SIU's seven wins came in the 1965-66, 1968-69, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1997-98, 2000-01, 2002-03 seasons.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
UNI used a 16-3 run to close the game and score a 58-57 victory over the SIU Salukis when the teams met Jan. 21 in Carbondale, Ill.
   SIU led 54-42 with 8:22 left in the game before UNI went on its spurt. The Panthers limited SIU to only one made field goal in the final eight minutes - a dunk by Thik Bol with 1:21 left in the game that gave SIU a 57-54 lead.
   But a bucket by Klint Carlson with 50.8 seconds left and a pair of free throws from Jordan Ashton with 15.0 seconds left clinched the comeback win for the Panthers  Â
JAKE RANKS AMONG VALLEY'S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Confernce history in victories (231).
   Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only (120).
   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)   251
5.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)   245
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)   231
7.   Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois)   225
8.   Ralph Miller (Wichita State)   221
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. Â Â Â Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) Â Â Â 131
5.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)    128
6. Â Â Â Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) Â Â Â 126
7.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)    120
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
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 11 seasons as UNI's head coach.Â
   He has an overall mark of 60-27 vs. Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and Loyola.Â
Jake Overall vs. MVC's Illinois Schools
Bradley    20-6
Illinois State    17-9
Southern Illinois   17-7
Loyola    6-5
TURNING IT AROUND
UNI became only the third team in the history of the Missouri Valley Conference to begin league play at 0-5 and bounce back to win its next five games.
   Previously, only two teams in MVC history had lost their first five league games and rebounded to win their next five. Iowa State started 0-5 in 1915 and won its next five; Washburn started 0-5 in 1936 and won its next five.
   UNI is looking to become only the second school in the history of the MVC to lose its first five games and finish the conference season with an above .500 record. Only Oklahoma in 1924-25 lost its first five games and finished at 9-7 in MVC play.
FOR STARTERS
UNI has used eight different starting lineups this season in its 23 games.
   UNI has had nine different players draw starts this season.
UNI's 2016-17 Starting Lineups
Carlson-McCloud-Morgan-Koch-Ashton (10)
Carlson-McCloud-Morgan-Koch-Lohaus (4)
Carlson-McCloud-Morgan-Koch-Haldeman (2)
Carlson-Morgan-Ashton-Koch-Haldeman (2)
Friedman-McCloud-Morgan-Brown-Haldeman (2)
Carlson-McCloud-Ashton-Koch-Haldeman (1)
Carlson-Friedman-McCloud-Morgan-Ashton (1)
Carlson-Friedman-McCloud-Morgan-Haldeman (1)
WINNING TRADITION IN MCLEOD CENTER
UNI is playing its 11th 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 131-34 (.794) 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.
11 HOME WINS IN 9 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won 11 or more home games in the McLeod Center in nine consecutive seasons.
UNI's Home Record Since 2007-08
Year   Record
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 7-3
JUWAN TURNS IT ON
Freshman point guard Juwan McCloud is playing some of his finest basketball this season.
   McCloud scored 10 points including the go-ahead layup with 1:13 left in a 65-60 win over Indiana State (2/4). McCloud made 4-of-6 shots from the field vs. the Sycamores in the McLeod Center.
   Earlier in the week, McCloud scored 11 points in the final 7:19 at Illinois State and did not miss a field goal. McCloud was 4-of-4 from the field, including 3-of-3 from three-point range vs. the Redbirds.
   McCloud entered the week having made a total of six three-pointers this season.Â
NOT MANY MINUTES TO SPARE
Jordan Ashton and Klint Carlson have barely had time to catch their breath in UNI's last seven games.
   Ashton is averaging 39.7 minutes per game and has sat out a total of 12 minutes over the seven games. Ashton is scoring at 10.6 per game clip over the seven games and has buried a team-high 13 3-pointers.
   Carlson is averaging 39.4 minutes per game and has been on the bench for 14 minutes in the last seven games. Carlson logged a career-high 50 minutes in a double-overtime win over Loyola. Carlson is scoring 8.4 points per game and grabbing 6.0 rebounds per game in the last seven contests.
MORGAN RANKS AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
No NCAA player in the past 10 seasons has done the following for a season: 15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.5 blocks, 2.0 3FGM/g, and only one has done that stat line in the past 20 seasons (Shane Battier of Duke in 1999-00).
   Senior Jeremy Morgan, the preseason MVC player of the year, is averaging 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.0 made 3-pointers.
MORGAN NETS 1,000 POINTS
Jeremy Morgan became the 41st member of UNI's 1,000 point club at Evansville (1/1).
   Morgan has tallied 1,129 career points and ranks No. 25 on UNI's all-time scoring list.
UNI'S 1,000-POINT SCORERS SINCE 2001
Morgan became the 16th Panther to score 1,000 or more points since the start of the 2001 season – the first season that Ben Jacobson joined the coaching staff as an assistant. Jacobson took over the head job in the 2006-07 season.
1,000-Point Scorers Since 2001
Ben Jacobson (2003-06) 1,787 pts.
Seth Tuttle (2011-15) 1,747 pts.
Eric Coleman (2005-08) 1,522 pts.
Kwadzo Ahelegbe (2006-11) 1,329 pts.
Anthony James (2008-13) 1,305 pts.
Grant Stout (2004-07) 1,232 pts.
Deon Mitchell (2011-15) 1,200 pts.
Adam Koch (2006-10) 1,186 pts.
Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.) 1,129 pts.
David Gruber (2002-04) 1,116 pts.
Jake Koch (2009-2013) 1,113 pts.
Matt Bohannon (2011-16.) 1,092 pts.
Jordan Eglseder (2006-10) 1,066 pts.
Johnny Moran (2008-12) 1,048 pts.
Wes Washpun (2013-16.) 1,035 pts.
Chris Foster (2000-05) 1,027 pts.
MORGAN MOVING UPÂ THE DEFENSIVE CHARTS
Senior guard Jeremy Morgan, who earned a spot on last year's MVC All-Defensive squad, is making his way up the UNI defensive charts in regard to blocked shots and steals.
   Morgan ranks No. 2 at UNI in steals (173) and No. 7 in blocked shots (94).
   Morgan is looking to become only the second UNI player to tally 100 steals and 100 blocks in his career. The only previous Panther to achieve that feat was Jake Koch, who posted 118 steals and 123 blocks from 2009-2013.
STEALS - UNI (CAREER)
1.   Brent Carmichael (1981-83)   180
2.   Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)   173
3.   Nick Nurse (1986-89)   165
4.   Andy Woodley (1998-02)   159
5.   Ben Jacobson (2002-06)   154
6.   Johnny Moran (2008-12)   152
7.   Dale Turner (1988-92)   143
8.   Robbie Williams (1982-86)   140
9.   Brian Carpenter (1992-96)   138
10.   Darian DeVries (1994-98)   131
BLOCKED SHOTS - UNI (CAREER)
1.   Grant Stout (2004-0)   222
2.   Jake Koch (2009-13)   123
3.   Jordan Eglseder (2006-10)   120
4.   Sean Hawkins (1995-98)   118
5.   Eric Coleman (2004-08)   115
6.   Seth Tuttle (2011-15)   95
7.   Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)   94
8.   Jason Sims (1993-96)   90
9.   Scott Stafford (1984-85)   85
10.   Steve Phyfe (1988-90)   66
MORGAN KNOCKS DOWN TRIPLES TOO
Senior guard Jeremy Morgan can also knock down the three-point shot.Â
   Morgan has tallied 156 career three-pointers made to rank No. 8 all-time at UNI.Â
THREE-POINTERS MADE - UNI (CAREER)
1.   Matt Bohannon (2012-16)   268
2.   Ben Jacobson (2002-06)   203
3.   Johnny Moran (2008-12)   201
   Marc Sonnen (2009-13)   201
5.   Nick Nurse (1985-89)   170
6.   Darian DeVries (1994-98)   166
7.   Robbie Sieverding (1998-02)   157
8.   Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)   156
9.   Ali Farohkmanesh (2008-10)   152
10.   Maurice Newby (1987-91)   146
MORGAN JOINS 500/500 CLUB
Senior guard Jeremy Morgan became the 25th UNI men's basketball player to record at least 500 points and 500 rebounds in his career.
   Morgan has posted 513 rebounds in his Panther career to go along with 1,129 points.
UNI's 500 Points/500 Rebounds Club
Name (Years)Â Â Â Pts./Rbs.
Del Nicklaus (1954-57) Â Â Â 604/611
Ron La Frentz (1957-60) Â Â Â 723/551
Jim Jackson (1959-61) Â Â Â 891/1,097
Pete Spoden (1959-63) Â Â Â 1,239/1,104
Craig Kneppe (1963-66) Â Â Â 1,200/685
Ken Huelman (1966-69) Â Â Â 1,275/818
John Martin (1967-70) Â Â Â 1,027/571
Randy Beilke (1970-73) Â Â Â 729/752
Darrell Timion (1971-73) Â Â Â 722/586
Bill Runchey (1973-76) Â Â Â 830/534
Randy Podhaski (1974-77)Â Â Â 831/510
Ron Lemons (1975-79) Â Â Â 1,476/760
Bill Jones (1978-81) Â Â Â 915/574
Jason Reese (1986-90) Â Â Â 2,033/773
Troy Muilenburg (1987-91)Â Â Â 1,251/599
Joe Breakenridge (1997-01)Â Â Â 956/766
David Gruber (2001-04) Â Â Â 1,116/625
Grant Stout (2003-07) Â Â Â 1,232/920
Eric Coleman (2004-08) Â Â Â 1,522/997
Jordan Eglseder (2006-10)Â Â Â 1,066/656
Adam Koch (2006-10) Â Â Â 1,186/596
Lucas O'Rear (2007-11) Â Â Â 529/517
Jake Koch (2009-2013)Â Â Â 1,113/677
Seth Tuttle (2011-2015)Â Â Â 1,747/917
Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)Â Â Â 1,129/513
MCDONNELL OFF THE BENCH
Redshirt freshman Luke McDonnell registered his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in a 61-54 win over Evansville (1/25).
   McDonnell has played in 11 conference games and has scored 63 points (5.7 ppg).Â
   In the non-conference portion of the season, McDonnell played in five games and scored seven points.
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Jeremy Morgan (4)
Bennett Koch (2)
Jordan Ashton (1)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
HALDEMAN LOOKS TO JOIN LIST OF TOP UNI FRESHMAN SCORERS
Redshirt freshman Spencer Haldeman is averaging 8.6 points per game. He is looking to become only the 15th freshman in UNI's history average 9.0 ppg in a season.
UNI Freshman Scoring Leaders
Jason Reese (1986-87) - 14.1 ppg
Maurice Newby (1986-87) - 13.5 ppg
Chris Foster (2001-02) - 12.6 ppg
Randy Kraayenbrink (1982-83) - 12.4 ppg
Pete Spoden (1959-60) - 11.9 ppg
Dwayne Jackson (1979-80) - 11.4 ppg
Ben Jacobson (2002-03) - 11.3 ppg
Sredrick Robinson (1994-95) - 11.1 ppg
Eric Coleman (2004-05) - 10.7 ppg
Bill McCoy (1969-70) - 10.6 ppg
Seth Tuttle (2011-12) - 9.6 ppg
Randy Beilke (1969-70) - 9.3 ppg
Bill Jones (1977-78) - 9.1 ppg
Cedrick McCullough (1988-89) - 9.0 ppg
Spencer Haldeman (2016-17) - 8.6 ppg
SPENCER TRACKING DOWN UNI FRESHMAN 3-POINT MARK
Redshirt freshman guard Spencer Haldeman is tracking on the UNI freshman three-point record set by Chris Foster with 58 in the 2001-02 season.
   Haldeman leads the Panthers this season having drained 44 three-pointers.
UNI Freshman 3-Point FGs Made List
Chris Foster (2001-02) - 58
Johnny Moran (2008-09) - 50
Sredrick Robinson (1994-95) - 46
Spencer Haldeman (2016-17) - 44
AMONG THE ELITE
UNI is one of 13 teams to have won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament and accumulate 54 combined wins over the previous two seasons.
   The elite list of squads include UNI, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oregon, Villanova, Wichita State, Wisconsin and Virginia.
BOOK IT IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI's streak of 13 straight upper-half finishes in the MVC is the league's longest active streak.Â
NINE OR MORE MVC WINS
The Panthers have won nine or more MVC games in each of the past 13 seasons – also the MVC's longest active streak.Â
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI has finished in the top four of the MVC standings in eight consecutive seasons.Â
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI has finished in the upper half of the Missouri Valley Conference's final standings in 13 straight seasons. It is the longest active streak in the league.
   Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.Â
13 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI has won nine or more MVC games in 13 consecutive seasons - the longest active streak in the league.Â
   Wichita State has the second longest active streak at seven.Â
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)
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. 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
MVC's Dance Partners
Since the 2003-04 season, UNI and Wichita State have made the most appearances in the NCAA Tournament for the Missouri Valley Conference.
   The Panthers have made seven NCAA Tournament apperances since the 2003-04 season, while the Shockers have appeared in six NCAA tournaments in the same time frame.
MVC'S NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Wichita St. (6) - 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Creighton (4) - 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
20-WIN SEASONS
UNI has had 12 20-win seasons in program history – 10 of those 20-win seasons have come since 2003-04.Â
3-POINT TALK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 554 straight games – the longest active streak in the MVC.Â
   The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basket came Feb. 3, 2000, vs. Southern Illinois in a 72-58 Panther victory in the UNI-Dome. UNI went 0-for-4 from 3-point land vs. the Salukis in that contest.
  Â
UNI MBB IN APR TOP-10 PERCENTÂ
The UNI men's basketball, men's golf, women's golf, women's cross country and women's volleyball teams have been recognized by the NCAA for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports.
   The UNI men's basketball team has been recognized with a perfect APR score (1,000) in each of the last four seasons - the only MVC school to do that in each of the past three years.
   The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
UNI SIGNS PHYFE TO NLI
UNI head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson announced the signing of Austin Phyfe (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock HS) to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in 2017-18.
   Phyfe (6'9", 235 lbs., Forward) is the No. 2 recruit in the state of Iowa, according to IowaPreps.com. He earned second-team all-state honors from the Iowa Newspaper Association as a junior for head coach Nate Stegge. Phyfe notched third-team all-state accolades as a sophomore. Phyfe is a three-time all-Northeast Iowa Conference pick, including a pair of first-team honors the past two seasons. Phyfe averaged 14.5 points, grabbed 8.4 rebounds and shot 64 percent from the field in leading Waverly-Shell Rock to an 18-6 record in 2015-16. Phyfe scored 13.7 points and grabbed 7.9 rebounds as a sophomore in helping the GoHawks to a 22-3 record and a berth into the state tournament. As a freshman, he helped the GoHawks the state tournament and into the semifinals. Phyfe played AAU for the Iowa Barnstormers.
    He is the son of Steve and Lisa Phyfe. His father, Steve, played basketball for the Panthers from 1987-1990. His sister, Aftin, is a member of the UNI swimming and diving team.
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.
WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEONSÂ
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday beginning at noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub located on 18th Street in Cedar Falls.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER & YOUTUBE
Fans of UNI Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram will have access to updates, score recaps and special announcements.
  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
Southern Illinois (14-11, 7-5) at UNI (11-12, 6-6) | VIDEO | AUDIO | STATS
Wed., Feb. 8, 2017 • 7 p.m. (CT)
Cedar Falls, Iowa • McLeod Center
TICKET INFORMATION
UNI is offering a ticket deal in the general admission area with $10 adult tickets and $5 youth (16-and-under) tickets for its remaining three home games. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNIPanthers.com/tickets to order.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Mitch Holthus
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Radio
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - NewsTalk 1540 KXEL
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
TuneIn App
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Times Series: Southern Illinois leads, 32-29
• Last Meeting: UNI 58, Southern Illinois 57 (Jan. 21, 2016)
• UNI has won four of the last five meetings
• SIU has not won in Cedar Falls since an 88-78 overtime win Jan. 22, 2003.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES
• UNI (11-12 overall, 6-6 MVC) will play host the Southern Illinois Salukis (14-11, 7-5 MVC) Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
• With a UNI victory Wednesday, the Panthers would move into a tie for third place in the MVC standings.
• UNI is offering a ticket deal in the general admission area with $10 adult tickets and $5 youth (16-and-under) tickets for its remaining three home games. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNIPanthers.com/tickets to order.
• UNI used a 16-3 run to close the game and score a 58-57 victory over the SIU Salukis when the teams met Jan. 21 in Carbondale, Ill.
• UNI is looking to become only the second school in the history of the MVC to lose its first five games and finish the conference season with an above .500 record. Only Oklahoma in 1924-25 lost its first five games and finished at 9-7 in MVC play.
• Freshman Juwan McCloud scored 10 points including the go-ahead layup with 1:13 left in a 65-60 win over Indiana State. McCloud made 4-of-6 shots from the field vs. the Sycamores. Earlier in the week, McCloud scored 11 points in the final 7:19 at Illinois State and did not miss a field goal. McCloud was 4-of-4 from the field, including 3-of-3 from three-point range vs. the Redbirds.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
PANTHERS PLAY HOST TO SIUÂ
SALUKIS WEDNESDAY IN MCLEOD
UNI (11-12 overall, 6-6 MVC) will play host the Southern Illinois Salukis (14-11, 7-5 MVC) Wednesday. Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
   With a UNI victory Wednesday, the Panthers would move into a tie for third place in the MVC standings.
TICKET INFORMATION
UNI is offering a ticket deal in the general admission area with $10 adult tickets and $5 youth (16-and-under) tickets for its remaining three home games.
   Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.UNIPanthers.com/tickets to order.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday's game will be available for viewing on ESPN3.
   Mitch Holthus (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS SALUKIS
SIU is led by fifth-year head coach Barry Hinson. Hinson ranks No. 5 in MVC coaching victories. Prior to taking over at SIU, he also led Missouri State to 169 wins in nine years with the Bears.
   The Salukis are in sole possession of third place in the league standings. SIU was projected to finish fifth in the league's preseason poll.
   SIU has won three straight games after going through a three-game losing skid that included a 58-57 loss to UNI in Carbondale.
   SIU is led in scoring by Mike Rodriguez (13.3 ppg), Armon Fletcher (13.1 ppg) and Sean O'Brien (12.2 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES
Southern Illinois holds a 32-29 lead in the all-time series vs. UNI.
   UNI has won four of the last five meetings between the two schools, including a 58-57 win in Carbondale, Ill., on Jan. 21.
   UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is 17-7 against Southern Illinois. Jacobson is 10-0 vs. the Salukis in the McLeod Center.Â
TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY FOR SIU
Southern Illinois has suffered a defeat in 13 consecutive trips to Cedar Falls.
   SIU is 0-10 in the McLeod Center and has not posted a win in Cedar Falls since an 88-78 overtime win in the UNI-Dome on Jan. 22, 2003.
   SIU is 7-20 in 27 games that the Salukis have played in Cedar Falls. SIU's seven wins came in the 1965-66, 1968-69, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1997-98, 2000-01, 2002-03 seasons.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
UNI used a 16-3 run to close the game and score a 58-57 victory over the SIU Salukis when the teams met Jan. 21 in Carbondale, Ill.
   SIU led 54-42 with 8:22 left in the game before UNI went on its spurt. The Panthers limited SIU to only one made field goal in the final eight minutes - a dunk by Thik Bol with 1:21 left in the game that gave SIU a 57-54 lead.
   But a bucket by Klint Carlson with 50.8 seconds left and a pair of free throws from Jordan Ashton with 15.0 seconds left clinched the comeback win for the Panthers  Â
JAKE RANKS AMONG VALLEY'S ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Confernce history in victories (231).
   Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only (120).
   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)   251
5.   Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU)   245
6.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)   231
7.   Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois)   225
8.   Ralph Miller (Wichita State)   221
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. Â Â Â Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) Â Â Â 131
5.   Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)    128
6. Â Â Â Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) Â Â Â 126
7.   Ben Jacobson (UNI)    120
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
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 11 seasons as UNI's head coach.Â
   He has an overall mark of 60-27 vs. Southern Illinois, Illinois State, Bradley and Loyola.Â
Jake Overall vs. MVC's Illinois Schools
Bradley    20-6
Illinois State    17-9
Southern Illinois   17-7
Loyola    6-5
TURNING IT AROUND
UNI became only the third team in the history of the Missouri Valley Conference to begin league play at 0-5 and bounce back to win its next five games.
   Previously, only two teams in MVC history had lost their first five league games and rebounded to win their next five. Iowa State started 0-5 in 1915 and won its next five; Washburn started 0-5 in 1936 and won its next five.
   UNI is looking to become only the second school in the history of the MVC to lose its first five games and finish the conference season with an above .500 record. Only Oklahoma in 1924-25 lost its first five games and finished at 9-7 in MVC play.
FOR STARTERS
UNI has used eight different starting lineups this season in its 23 games.
   UNI has had nine different players draw starts this season.
UNI's 2016-17 Starting Lineups
Carlson-McCloud-Morgan-Koch-Ashton (10)
Carlson-McCloud-Morgan-Koch-Lohaus (4)
Carlson-McCloud-Morgan-Koch-Haldeman (2)
Carlson-Morgan-Ashton-Koch-Haldeman (2)
Friedman-McCloud-Morgan-Brown-Haldeman (2)
Carlson-McCloud-Ashton-Koch-Haldeman (1)
Carlson-Friedman-McCloud-Morgan-Ashton (1)
Carlson-Friedman-McCloud-Morgan-Haldeman (1)
WINNING TRADITION IN MCLEOD CENTER
UNI is playing its 11th 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 131-34 (.794) 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.
11 HOME WINS IN 9 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won 11 or more home games in the McLeod Center in nine consecutive seasons.
UNI's Home Record Since 2007-08
Year   Record
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 7-3
JUWAN TURNS IT ON
Freshman point guard Juwan McCloud is playing some of his finest basketball this season.
   McCloud scored 10 points including the go-ahead layup with 1:13 left in a 65-60 win over Indiana State (2/4). McCloud made 4-of-6 shots from the field vs. the Sycamores in the McLeod Center.
   Earlier in the week, McCloud scored 11 points in the final 7:19 at Illinois State and did not miss a field goal. McCloud was 4-of-4 from the field, including 3-of-3 from three-point range vs. the Redbirds.
   McCloud entered the week having made a total of six three-pointers this season.Â
NOT MANY MINUTES TO SPARE
Jordan Ashton and Klint Carlson have barely had time to catch their breath in UNI's last seven games.
   Ashton is averaging 39.7 minutes per game and has sat out a total of 12 minutes over the seven games. Ashton is scoring at 10.6 per game clip over the seven games and has buried a team-high 13 3-pointers.
   Carlson is averaging 39.4 minutes per game and has been on the bench for 14 minutes in the last seven games. Carlson logged a career-high 50 minutes in a double-overtime win over Loyola. Carlson is scoring 8.4 points per game and grabbing 6.0 rebounds per game in the last seven contests.
MORGAN RANKS AMONG THE NATION'S BEST
No NCAA player in the past 10 seasons has done the following for a season: 15.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.5 blocks, 2.0 3FGM/g, and only one has done that stat line in the past 20 seasons (Shane Battier of Duke in 1999-00).
   Senior Jeremy Morgan, the preseason MVC player of the year, is averaging 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.0 made 3-pointers.
MORGAN NETS 1,000 POINTS
Jeremy Morgan became the 41st member of UNI's 1,000 point club at Evansville (1/1).
   Morgan has tallied 1,129 career points and ranks No. 25 on UNI's all-time scoring list.
UNI'S 1,000-POINT SCORERS SINCE 2001
Morgan became the 16th Panther to score 1,000 or more points since the start of the 2001 season – the first season that Ben Jacobson joined the coaching staff as an assistant. Jacobson took over the head job in the 2006-07 season.
1,000-Point Scorers Since 2001
Ben Jacobson (2003-06) 1,787 pts.
Seth Tuttle (2011-15) 1,747 pts.
Eric Coleman (2005-08) 1,522 pts.
Kwadzo Ahelegbe (2006-11) 1,329 pts.
Anthony James (2008-13) 1,305 pts.
Grant Stout (2004-07) 1,232 pts.
Deon Mitchell (2011-15) 1,200 pts.
Adam Koch (2006-10) 1,186 pts.
Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.) 1,129 pts.
David Gruber (2002-04) 1,116 pts.
Jake Koch (2009-2013) 1,113 pts.
Matt Bohannon (2011-16.) 1,092 pts.
Jordan Eglseder (2006-10) 1,066 pts.
Johnny Moran (2008-12) 1,048 pts.
Wes Washpun (2013-16.) 1,035 pts.
Chris Foster (2000-05) 1,027 pts.
MORGAN MOVING UPÂ THE DEFENSIVE CHARTS
Senior guard Jeremy Morgan, who earned a spot on last year's MVC All-Defensive squad, is making his way up the UNI defensive charts in regard to blocked shots and steals.
   Morgan ranks No. 2 at UNI in steals (173) and No. 7 in blocked shots (94).
   Morgan is looking to become only the second UNI player to tally 100 steals and 100 blocks in his career. The only previous Panther to achieve that feat was Jake Koch, who posted 118 steals and 123 blocks from 2009-2013.
STEALS - UNI (CAREER)
1.   Brent Carmichael (1981-83)   180
2.   Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)   173
3.   Nick Nurse (1986-89)   165
4.   Andy Woodley (1998-02)   159
5.   Ben Jacobson (2002-06)   154
6.   Johnny Moran (2008-12)   152
7.   Dale Turner (1988-92)   143
8.   Robbie Williams (1982-86)   140
9.   Brian Carpenter (1992-96)   138
10.   Darian DeVries (1994-98)   131
BLOCKED SHOTS - UNI (CAREER)
1.   Grant Stout (2004-0)   222
2.   Jake Koch (2009-13)   123
3.   Jordan Eglseder (2006-10)   120
4.   Sean Hawkins (1995-98)   118
5.   Eric Coleman (2004-08)   115
6.   Seth Tuttle (2011-15)   95
7.   Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)   94
8.   Jason Sims (1993-96)   90
9.   Scott Stafford (1984-85)   85
10.   Steve Phyfe (1988-90)   66
MORGAN KNOCKS DOWN TRIPLES TOO
Senior guard Jeremy Morgan can also knock down the three-point shot.Â
   Morgan has tallied 156 career three-pointers made to rank No. 8 all-time at UNI.Â
THREE-POINTERS MADE - UNI (CAREER)
1.   Matt Bohannon (2012-16)   268
2.   Ben Jacobson (2002-06)   203
3.   Johnny Moran (2008-12)   201
   Marc Sonnen (2009-13)   201
5.   Nick Nurse (1985-89)   170
6.   Darian DeVries (1994-98)   166
7.   Robbie Sieverding (1998-02)   157
8.   Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)   156
9.   Ali Farohkmanesh (2008-10)   152
10.   Maurice Newby (1987-91)   146
MORGAN JOINS 500/500 CLUB
Senior guard Jeremy Morgan became the 25th UNI men's basketball player to record at least 500 points and 500 rebounds in his career.
   Morgan has posted 513 rebounds in his Panther career to go along with 1,129 points.
UNI's 500 Points/500 Rebounds Club
Name (Years)Â Â Â Pts./Rbs.
Del Nicklaus (1954-57) Â Â Â 604/611
Ron La Frentz (1957-60) Â Â Â 723/551
Jim Jackson (1959-61) Â Â Â 891/1,097
Pete Spoden (1959-63) Â Â Â 1,239/1,104
Craig Kneppe (1963-66) Â Â Â 1,200/685
Ken Huelman (1966-69) Â Â Â 1,275/818
John Martin (1967-70) Â Â Â 1,027/571
Randy Beilke (1970-73) Â Â Â 729/752
Darrell Timion (1971-73) Â Â Â 722/586
Bill Runchey (1973-76) Â Â Â 830/534
Randy Podhaski (1974-77)Â Â Â 831/510
Ron Lemons (1975-79) Â Â Â 1,476/760
Bill Jones (1978-81) Â Â Â 915/574
Jason Reese (1986-90) Â Â Â 2,033/773
Troy Muilenburg (1987-91)Â Â Â 1,251/599
Joe Breakenridge (1997-01)Â Â Â 956/766
David Gruber (2001-04) Â Â Â 1,116/625
Grant Stout (2003-07) Â Â Â 1,232/920
Eric Coleman (2004-08) Â Â Â 1,522/997
Jordan Eglseder (2006-10)Â Â Â 1,066/656
Adam Koch (2006-10) Â Â Â 1,186/596
Lucas O'Rear (2007-11) Â Â Â 529/517
Jake Koch (2009-2013)Â Â Â 1,113/677
Seth Tuttle (2011-2015)Â Â Â 1,747/917
Jeremy Morgan (2013-pres.)Â Â Â 1,129/513
MCDONNELL OFF THE BENCH
Redshirt freshman Luke McDonnell registered his first career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds in a 61-54 win over Evansville (1/25).
   McDonnell has played in 11 conference games and has scored 63 points (5.7 ppg).Â
   In the non-conference portion of the season, McDonnell played in five games and scored seven points.
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Jeremy Morgan (4)
Bennett Koch (2)
Jordan Ashton (1)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
HALDEMAN LOOKS TO JOIN LIST OF TOP UNI FRESHMAN SCORERS
Redshirt freshman Spencer Haldeman is averaging 8.6 points per game. He is looking to become only the 15th freshman in UNI's history average 9.0 ppg in a season.
UNI Freshman Scoring Leaders
Jason Reese (1986-87) - 14.1 ppg
Maurice Newby (1986-87) - 13.5 ppg
Chris Foster (2001-02) - 12.6 ppg
Randy Kraayenbrink (1982-83) - 12.4 ppg
Pete Spoden (1959-60) - 11.9 ppg
Dwayne Jackson (1979-80) - 11.4 ppg
Ben Jacobson (2002-03) - 11.3 ppg
Sredrick Robinson (1994-95) - 11.1 ppg
Eric Coleman (2004-05) - 10.7 ppg
Bill McCoy (1969-70) - 10.6 ppg
Seth Tuttle (2011-12) - 9.6 ppg
Randy Beilke (1969-70) - 9.3 ppg
Bill Jones (1977-78) - 9.1 ppg
Cedrick McCullough (1988-89) - 9.0 ppg
Spencer Haldeman (2016-17) - 8.6 ppg
SPENCER TRACKING DOWN UNI FRESHMAN 3-POINT MARK
Redshirt freshman guard Spencer Haldeman is tracking on the UNI freshman three-point record set by Chris Foster with 58 in the 2001-02 season.
   Haldeman leads the Panthers this season having drained 44 three-pointers.
UNI Freshman 3-Point FGs Made List
Chris Foster (2001-02) - 58
Johnny Moran (2008-09) - 50
Sredrick Robinson (1994-95) - 46
Spencer Haldeman (2016-17) - 44
AMONG THE ELITE
UNI is one of 13 teams to have won at least one game in the NCAA Tournament and accumulate 54 combined wins over the previous two seasons.
   The elite list of squads include UNI, Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oregon, Villanova, Wichita State, Wisconsin and Virginia.
BOOK IT IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI's streak of 13 straight upper-half finishes in the MVC is the league's longest active streak.Â
NINE OR MORE MVC WINS
The Panthers have won nine or more MVC games in each of the past 13 seasons – also the MVC's longest active streak.Â
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI has finished in the top four of the MVC standings in eight consecutive seasons.Â
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI has finished in the upper half of the Missouri Valley Conference's final standings in 13 straight seasons. It is the longest active streak in the league.
   Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.Â
13 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI has won nine or more MVC games in 13 consecutive seasons - the longest active streak in the league.Â
   Wichita State has the second longest active streak at seven.Â
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)
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. 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
MVC's Dance Partners
Since the 2003-04 season, UNI and Wichita State have made the most appearances in the NCAA Tournament for the Missouri Valley Conference.
   The Panthers have made seven NCAA Tournament apperances since the 2003-04 season, while the Shockers have appeared in six NCAA tournaments in the same time frame.
MVC'S NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Wichita St. (6) - 2006, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Creighton (4) - 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
20-WIN SEASONS
UNI has had 12 20-win seasons in program history – 10 of those 20-win seasons have come since 2003-04.Â
3-POINT TALK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 554 straight games – the longest active streak in the MVC.Â
   The last time UNI failed to make a 3-point basket came Feb. 3, 2000, vs. Southern Illinois in a 72-58 Panther victory in the UNI-Dome. UNI went 0-for-4 from 3-point land vs. the Salukis in that contest.
  Â
UNI MBB IN APR TOP-10 PERCENTÂ
The UNI men's basketball, men's golf, women's golf, women's cross country and women's volleyball teams have been recognized by the NCAA for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. These teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports.
   The UNI men's basketball team has been recognized with a perfect APR score (1,000) in each of the last four seasons - the only MVC school to do that in each of the past three years.
   The APR provides a real-time look at a team's academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team's academic performance.
UNI SIGNS PHYFE TO NLI
UNI head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson announced the signing of Austin Phyfe (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock HS) to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in 2017-18.
   Phyfe (6'9", 235 lbs., Forward) is the No. 2 recruit in the state of Iowa, according to IowaPreps.com. He earned second-team all-state honors from the Iowa Newspaper Association as a junior for head coach Nate Stegge. Phyfe notched third-team all-state accolades as a sophomore. Phyfe is a three-time all-Northeast Iowa Conference pick, including a pair of first-team honors the past two seasons. Phyfe averaged 14.5 points, grabbed 8.4 rebounds and shot 64 percent from the field in leading Waverly-Shell Rock to an 18-6 record in 2015-16. Phyfe scored 13.7 points and grabbed 7.9 rebounds as a sophomore in helping the GoHawks to a 22-3 record and a berth into the state tournament. As a freshman, he helped the GoHawks the state tournament and into the semifinals. Phyfe played AAU for the Iowa Barnstormers.
    He is the son of Steve and Lisa Phyfe. His father, Steve, played basketball for the Panthers from 1987-1990. His sister, Aftin, is a member of the UNI swimming and diving team.
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.
WEEKLY PRESS LUNCHEONSÂ
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly Press Luncheons held each Monday beginning at noon in the back room of Pepper's Grill and Sports Pub located on 18th Street in Cedar Falls.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER & YOUTUBE
Fans of UNI Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram will have access to updates, score recaps and special announcements.
  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
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballBen Jacobson - 2025-26 MVC Men's Basketball Media Day (Field of 68)
Monday, September 29
Panther 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