University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Wednesday, February 7
Cedar Falls, Iowa
7 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
Bradley
UNI to Defend Home Floor vs Bradley
2/6/2018 6:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
Bradley (17-8, 7-5) at UNI (11-13, 3-9)
Wed., Feb. 7, 2018 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets to UNI men's basketball home games through UNITIX. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.unipanthers.com/tickets.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Brad Wells
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Time Series: Tied at 30-30
Last Meeting: Bradley 72, UNI 53 (Dec. 31, 2017)
UNI has won 10 home games in a row vs. Bradley.
Bradley's only win in the McLeod Center came on Jan. 12, 2008 when the Braves scored a 75-73 victory.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. BRADLEY
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (11-13 overall, 3-9 MVC) will look to snap a three-game losing skid Wednesday when the Panthers play host to the Bradley Braves (17-8 overall, 7-5 MVC). Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
• UNI ranks No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense (63.0 ppg), while Bradley ranks No. 15 (63.4 ppg).
• UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.1).
• UNI is averaging 66.8 points per game at home in six MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
• UNI is 8-1 this season when scoring 68 points or more in a game. The Panthers are 8-0 in the McLeod Center when scoring 68 or more points.
• Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman. Pickford has tallied 196 rebounds this season. Eric Coleman holds the UNI freshmen Division I rebounding record with 205 caroms in the 2004-05 season.
• Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder (8.2 rpg) under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among all freshmen.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES VS. BRADLEY
BRADLEY BRAVES
Bradley had its four-game win streak snapped Saturday night by the Drake Bulldogs. Drake scored a 78-68 road win in Carver Arena.
The Braves are in a three-way tie for third place with Illinois State and Drake in the MVC standings.
Bradley is 3-6 on the road this season with victories at Chicago State (84-58), at Southeast Missouri State (75-67) and at Indiana State (81-73). In contrast, Bradley is 12-1 at home this season.
The Braves are led in scoring by Darrell Brown (13.4 ppg) and Donte Thomas (10.6 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. BRADLEY
UNI and Bradley are tied 30-30 in the all-time series. Overall, UNI has won 11 of the last 14 matchups vs. Bradley.
The Braves are 1-11 in the McLeod Center with their lone victory coming Jan. 12, 2008.
UNI has won 10 games in a row over Bradley in the McLeod Center.
JAKE'S MOST WINS VS. A FOE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a 21-7 record against Bradley - the most wins he has recorded against any opponent.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
Bradley used a 22-3 run in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit and score a 72-53 victory over UNI on Dec. 31 in Carver Arena.
Bradley trailed UNI at the half, 33-32. The Braves had led by as many as seven points in the opening 20 minutes before the Panthers closed the half on a 9-2 run to take the one-point lead into intermission.
UNI opened up a 39-34 lead in the second half on a triple from sophomore guard Isaiah Brown with 16:54 left in the game.
But the Braves scored on nine straight possessions to turn the five-point deficit into a 56-42 advantage with 11:21 left in the game. The Panthers would get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
PICKFORD JOINS LIST OF TOP FRESHMEN MVC REBOUNDERS
UNI guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Pickford has tallied 196 rebounds this season and needs only four more to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Eric Coleman holds the UNI freshman record for rebounds in a season with 205 in the 2004-05 season. Seth Tuttle is No. 3 on UNI's freshman rebounding list with 190 in 2011-12. Both Coleman and Tuttle were named the MVC Freshman of the Year in their respective years.
MVC Freshman Rebound Leaders
1. Cliff Levingston - WSU (1979-80) - 294
2. Doug McDermott - CU (2010-11) - 280
3. Bob Harstad - CU (1986-87) - 272
4. Benoit Benjamin - CU (1982-83) - 259
5. Josh Cunningham - BU (2014-15) - 247
6. Ashraf Amaya - SIU (1989-90) - 245
7. Jamie Arnold - WSU (1993-94) - 242
8. Michael Ruffin - TULSA (1995-96) - 232
9. Cleo Littleton - WSU (1951-52) - 231
10. Danny Granger - BU (2001-02) - 207
11. Jordan Caroline - SIU (2014-15) - 206
12. Eric Coleman - UNI (2004-05) - 205
13. Patrick O'Bryant - BU (2004-05) - 201
-------------------------------------------------------
14. Tywhon Pickford - UNI (2017-18) - 196
15. Obediah Church - MSU (2015-16) - 195
16. Rick Shipley - SIU (1987-88) - 194
17. Carl Richard - INS (2008-09) - 192
18. Seth Tuttle - UNI (2011-12) - 190
19. Luke Jackson - BU (1986-87) - 188
20. Hersey Hawkins - BU (1984-85) - 182
KOCH CLOSES IN ON 1,000 POINTS
UNI senior forward Bennett Koch is closing in on becoming the 42nd member of the Panther 1,000 point scoring club.
Koch has tallied 936 points heading into this week's slate of games at home against Bradley on Wednesday and at Drake on Saturday.
Koch would become the third member of his family to score 1,000 points for the Panthers. His older brothers Adam (1,186 points - 2006-2010) and Jake (1,113 points - 2009-2013) each surpassed the 1,000-point mark in their careers.
NO. 11 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 63.0 points per game.
Bradley ranks No. 15 in the nation by giving up 63.4 points per contest.
Rk. Team W-L Points
1. Virginia 22-1 52.3
2. Cincinnati 21-2 56.8
3. UCF 14-8 60.6
4. New Mexico St. 20-3 62.1
5. Texas State 14-11 62.4
6. SMU 15-8 62.6
7. Syracuse 15-8 62.7
8. Texas Tech 19-4 62.9
9. Old Dominion 17-5 62.9
10. Grand Canyon 17-7 62.9
11. UNI 11-13 63.0
12. Liberty 15-10 63.1
13. UNC Greensboro 17-6 63.3
14. Loyola 19-5 63.3
15. Bradley 17-8 63.4
UNI RANKS NO. 8 IN THE NATION IN FEWEST FOULS PER GAME
UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.1).
Rk. Team Fouls/Game
1. Notre Dame 13.0
2. Virginia 13.7
3. George Washington 14.2
4 Loyola Chicago 14.4
5. Elon 14.6
6. Western Illinois 14.8
7. Presbyterian 14.9
8. UNI 15.1
9. UCF 15.1
10. Michigan 15.1
MAGIC NUMBER IS 68
UNI is 8-1 this season when scoring 68 points or more in a game. The Panthers are 8-0 in the McLeod Center when scoring 68 or more points.
UNI's only loss this season when scoring more than 68 points came in the season opener when North Carolina scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers in Chapel Hill.
The Panthers are 3-12 when scoring 67 points or less.
SCORE IT MORE AT HOME
UNI is scoring nearly 13 more points per game at home than on the road during Missouri Valley Conference play.
UNI is averaging 66.8 points per game at home in six MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
STRONG NON-CONFERENCE WINS
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.
The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
North Carolina St. was ranked No. 63 and SMU was ranked No. 70 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI.
NO 'BAD' LOSSES
UNI sits at 11-13 overall and 3-9 in the MVC but you have to search far and wide to find a 'bad' loss for the Panthers in 2017-18.
All 13 of UNI's losses have come against top-171 RPI opponents. UNI's RPI sits at No. 162 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI report.
RPI for UNI's Losses in 2017-18
No. 2 vs. Villanova - L, 64-50
No. 3 Xavier - L, 77-67
No. 11 at North Carolina - L, 86-69
No. 51 Loyola - L, 56-50
No. 51 at Loyola - L, 70-47
No. 91 at Southern Illinois - L, 64-53
No. 91 Southern Illinois - L, 56-53
No. 96 at Bradley - L, 72-53
No. 104 vs. Iowa State - L, 76-65
No. 116 at Evansville - L, 57-49
No. 117 at Missouri State - L, 62-55
No. 161 at Indiana State - L, 69-67
No. 161 Indiana State - L, 77-66
SECOND-HALF MVC IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI sits at 3-9 in MVC play as the Panthers are in the second half of the league slate.
UNI has been under .500 at the midway point six times under head coach Ben Jacobson. The Panthers have bounced back strong in the second half of each of the previous five seasons to continue UNI's streak of .500 or above finishes in the league for 14 straight years.
UNI has produced a winning record in the second half of 10 of the last 11 conference seasons. The Panthers have gone 65-37 (.637) in the second half of MVC seasons under Jacobson.
Halfway in MVC Under Jake
Season 1st Half 2nd Half
2006-07 6-3 5-4
2007-08 4-5 5-4
2008-09 8-1 6-3
2009-10 8-1 7-2
2010-11 6-3 4-5
2011-12 4-5 5-4
2012-13 4-5 7-2
2013-14 5-4 5-4
2014-15 8-1 8-1
2015-16 3-6 8-1
2016-17 4-5 5-4
2017-18 3-6 0-3
Totals 63-45 (.583) 65-37 (.637)
PHYFE FEASTING IN MVC PLAY
UNI freshmen forward Austin Phyfe is shooting 69.2 percent from the field (18-of-26 FGs) during Missouri Valley Conference play.
Phyfe made his first career start vs. Valparaiso on Jan. 13. Phyfe entered the Valpo game having scored 27 total points in the season - including only 11 points in MVC play.
Following his first start vs. Valpo, Phyfe has scored 40 points for the Panthers.
Phyfe had a streak of 14 consecutive free throw makes snapped against Indiana State.
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 ranks first and Haldeman ranks second among active MVC players in scoring without making a start this season.
Lohaus is scoring 7.8 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.3 points per game.
MVC Bench Scorers (no starts)
1. Wyatt Lohaus (UNI) 7.8 ppg
2. Spencer Haldeman (UNI) 6.3 ppg
3. Micah Bradford (Valpo) 5.3 ppg
4. Casey Schlatter (Drake) 4.4 ppg
5. Bruno Skokna (Loyola) 4.3 ppg
6. Rudy Stradnieks (SIU) 3.9 ppg
7. Isaac Gassman (Ill. St.) 3.4 ppg
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDER
UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 8.2 rebounds per game.
UMass-Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 8.0 rebounds per game.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.2 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Marvin Bagley III (Duke) 11.2
2. Deandre Ayton (Arizona) 10.8
3. Mohamed Bamba (Texas) 10.8
4. Brandon McCoy (UNLV) 10.0
5. Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke) 9.6
6. Loudon Love (Wright State) 9.4
7. Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne) 9.2
8. Oshae Brissett (Syracuse) 9.0
9. Terry Taylor (Austin Peay) 8.5
10. Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.2
TYWHON TAKES CHARGE IN MVC
UNI freshmen guard Tywhon Pickford is the squad's leading scorer through 12 games in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Pickford is averaging 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in league play.
FROSH GUARD DOUBLE-DOUBLES
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks tied for third among freshman guards who have recorded double-doubles this season. Pickford has posted five double-doubles in 2017-18.
Oklahoma's Trae Young (11) and Duquesne's Eric Williams Jr. (9) are the only freshman guards with more than five double-doubles this season.
MVC Frosh Double-Doubles (since '97)
9 -- Doug McDermott, Creighton (2010-11)
6 -- Danny Granger, Bradley (2001-02)
6 -- Patrick O'Bryant, Bradley (2004-05)
5 -- Jamar Howard, Wichita State (2001-02)
5 -- Tywhon Pickford, UNI (2017-18)
PICKFORD DOUBLES UP
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds nine times this season.
Pickford has registered a team-best five double-doubles. Pickford has recorded double-doubles against Alcorn State (16 pts., 10 rbs.), North Carolina State (18 pts., 18 rbs.), Missouri State (18 pts., 10 rbs.), Loyola (15 pts., 11 rbs.) and Drake (16 pts., 10 rbs.).
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Bennett Koch (4)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
UNI's Single-Season Double-Double Leaders (Since 2000)
Joe Breakenridge (17) - 2000-01
Eric Coleman (16) - 2007-08
Grant Stout (13) - 2005-06
Eric Coleman (13) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (12) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (8) - 2004-05
Seth Tuttle (7) - 2013-14
David Gruber (6) - 2001-02
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2008-09
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2009-10
Matt Schneiderman (5) - 2002-03
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2012-13
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2014-15
Tywhon Pickford (5) - 2017-18
UNI's Overall Double-Double Leaders
(Since 2000)
Eric Coleman (36)
Grant Stout (33)
Seth Tuttle (21)
Joe Breakenridge (17)
Jordan Eglseder (15)
David Gruber (13)
Matt Schneiderman (8)
Jeremy Morgan (5)
Adam Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Erik Crawford (4)
Jake Koch (4)
Bennett Koch (4)
FOUR UNDERCLASSMEN IN STARTING FIVE
UNI has gone young in its starting lineup over the past seven games by starting four underclassmen.
UNI's starting five consists of senior Klint Carlson, sophomores Isaiah Brown and Juwan McCloud to go along with true freshmen Tywhon Pickford and Austin Phyfe. The current starting five have combined to start 161 career games.
UNI's Starters (Played, Started)
Juwan McCloud (54, 52)
Isaiah Brown (50, 26)
Tywhon Pickford (24, 24)
Klint Carlson (106, 52)
Austin Phyfe (21, 7)
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 24 games, UNI has six players who have made at least 17 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (36), Isaiah Brown (32), Klint Carlson (29), Tywhon Pickford (28), Wyatt Lohaus (23) and Juwan McCloud (17) have all made at least 17 shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 7.5 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 585 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.
AMONG THE MVC'S ALL-TIME BEST
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is among the all-time leaders in Missouri Valley Conference victories for all games and league games only.
Jacobson ranks No. 6 in MVC coaching victories with 245.
Jacobson is tied for No. 6 with Kansas's Dr. F.C. (Phog) Allen in league history in MVC games only with 126 wins.
Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 264
5. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 245
7. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
8. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
9. Maury John (Drake) 211
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
MVC Coaching Wins (Conf. Games Only)
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 142
5. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
Ben Jacobson (UNI) 126
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
9 HOME WINS IN 12 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 12 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
2006-07 9-4
2007-08 11-6
2008-09 11-4
2009-10 14-0
2010-11 13-5
2011-12 13-3
2012-13 16-4
2013-14 11-2
2014-15 15-0
2015-16 11-3
2016-17 9-4
2017-18 9-3
MCLEOD CENTER
UNI is playing its 12th season in the McLeod Center and the Panthers have made winning a priority in their home venue.
UNI has posted an all-time mark of 142-39 (.785) in games played in the McLeod Center.
UNI secured a school-record 16 home wins in the 2012-13 season.
UNI has posted a trio of perfect home seasons since moving to NCAA Division I. UNI was a perfect 14-0 in both the 1983-84 and 2009-10 seasons and then UNI notched a 15-0 mark at home in 2014-15.
UNI set its home-court win streak of 21 consecutive victories between the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons.
The McLeod Center opened in November 2006.
MVC SWEEPS FOR COACH JAKE
UNI has swept an MVC opponent 37 times since the start of the 2006-07 season - Jacobson's first year as the Panther head coach.
MVC Season Sweeps Under Coach Jacobson
Bradley (6) - 06-07, 08-09, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16
Creighton (1) - 09-10
Drake (6) - 09-10, 11-12, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17
Evansville (5) - 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 13-14, 15-16
Illinois St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Indiana State (2) - 09-10, 14-15
Loyola (1) - 14-15
Missouri St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15
Southern Ill. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 11-12, 14-15, 16-17
Wichita State (1) - 07-08
PANTHERS ARE RARELY SWEPT
Since Ben Jacobson took over the head coaching duties in 2006-07, the UNI program has been swept in an MVC home-and-home series on only 16 occasions.
MVC Sweeps of UNI (since 2006-07)
Creighton - 06-07, 07-08
Drake - 06-07, 07-08
Evansville - 11-12, 12-13
Illinois State - 16-17
Indiana State - 10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Loyola - 15-16, 17-18
Southern Illinois - 17-18
Wichita State, 11-12, 13-14, 16-17
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. The Panthers are 5-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA TOURNEY SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
Current MVC NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Valparaiso (3) - 2004, 2013, 2015
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
It is the longest active streak in the league.
Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
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.
Koch is UNI's top returning scorer at 11.0 points per game. In his last 14 games last season, Koch averaged a team-best 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game.
Carlson averaged more points per game for the third consecutive season (8.3 ppg). He ranked No. 4 in the league at 36.6 minutes per game.
RADIO INFORMATION
This year's UNI men's basketball games can be heard on the UNI Sports Radio Network, with KXEL (1540 AM, Waterloo, Iowa) serving as flagship station. Affiliates include KBGG (1700 AM, Des Moines), KGYM (1600 AM, Cedar Rapids), KQCR (98.9 FM, Hampton), KILJ (105.5 FM, Mount Pleasant), KFXE (1160 AM, Decorah-Waukon) and KVFD (1400 AM, Fort Dodge).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning in December at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green set the Cedar Falls High School scoring mark Jan. 16, 2018, with 1,435 points. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday at noon in the McLeod Center's Alumni Suite.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER & YOUTUBE
Fans of UNI Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube will have access to updates, score recaps and special announcements.
UNI Athletics on Facebook will give fans the chance to connect with other Panther fans, as well as providing information on upcoming events. Followers on Twitter will be able to access news and scoring updates. Followers on YouTube will be able to access game highlights and press conference footage.
FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/UNIAthletics
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
TWITTER
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
INSTAGRAM
www.instagram.com/UNIAthletics
Bradley (17-8, 7-5) at UNI (11-13, 3-9)
Wed., Feb. 7, 2018 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
WATCH | LISTEN | STATS
TICKETS
Fans can purchase single-game tickets to UNI men's basketball home games through UNITIX. Call 319-273-4849 or visit www.unipanthers.com/tickets.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Brad Wells
Analyst: Kevin Lehman
Radio, TuneIn App
Panther Sports Network
Play-by-Play: Gary Rima
Analyst: Kevin Boyle
Flagship Station - KXEL 1540-AM
On the Web - www.UNIPanthers.com
Stats
UNI.Statbroadcast.com
SERIES NOTES
All-Time Series: Tied at 30-30
Last Meeting: Bradley 72, UNI 53 (Dec. 31, 2017)
UNI has won 10 home games in a row vs. Bradley.
Bradley's only win in the McLeod Center came on Jan. 12, 2008 when the Braves scored a 75-73 victory.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. BRADLEY
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (11-13 overall, 3-9 MVC) will look to snap a three-game losing skid Wednesday when the Panthers play host to the Bradley Braves (17-8 overall, 7-5 MVC). Tip is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.
• UNI ranks No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense (63.0 ppg), while Bradley ranks No. 15 (63.4 ppg).
• UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.1).
• UNI is averaging 66.8 points per game at home in six MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
• UNI is 8-1 this season when scoring 68 points or more in a game. The Panthers are 8-0 in the McLeod Center when scoring 68 or more points.
• Freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman. Pickford has tallied 196 rebounds this season. Eric Coleman holds the UNI freshmen Division I rebounding record with 205 caroms in the 2004-05 season.
• Pickford (6'4") is the nation's top rebounder (8.2 rpg) under 6'5". Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among all freshmen.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES VS. BRADLEY
BRADLEY BRAVES
Bradley had its four-game win streak snapped Saturday night by the Drake Bulldogs. Drake scored a 78-68 road win in Carver Arena.
The Braves are in a three-way tie for third place with Illinois State and Drake in the MVC standings.
Bradley is 3-6 on the road this season with victories at Chicago State (84-58), at Southeast Missouri State (75-67) and at Indiana State (81-73). In contrast, Bradley is 12-1 at home this season.
The Braves are led in scoring by Darrell Brown (13.4 ppg) and Donte Thomas (10.6 ppg).
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. BRADLEY
UNI and Bradley are tied 30-30 in the all-time series. Overall, UNI has won 11 of the last 14 matchups vs. Bradley.
The Braves are 1-11 in the McLeod Center with their lone victory coming Jan. 12, 2008.
UNI has won 10 games in a row over Bradley in the McLeod Center.
JAKE'S MOST WINS VS. A FOE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson has posted a 21-7 record against Bradley - the most wins he has recorded against any opponent.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
Bradley used a 22-3 run in the second half to overcome a halftime deficit and score a 72-53 victory over UNI on Dec. 31 in Carver Arena.
Bradley trailed UNI at the half, 33-32. The Braves had led by as many as seven points in the opening 20 minutes before the Panthers closed the half on a 9-2 run to take the one-point lead into intermission.
UNI opened up a 39-34 lead in the second half on a triple from sophomore guard Isaiah Brown with 16:54 left in the game.
But the Braves scored on nine straight possessions to turn the five-point deficit into a 56-42 advantage with 11:21 left in the game. The Panthers would get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
PICKFORD JOINS LIST OF TOP FRESHMEN MVC REBOUNDERS
UNI guard Tywhon Pickford is closing on becoming only the 14th MVC freshman to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Pickford has tallied 196 rebounds this season and needs only four more to reach 200 rebounds as a freshman.
Eric Coleman holds the UNI freshman record for rebounds in a season with 205 in the 2004-05 season. Seth Tuttle is No. 3 on UNI's freshman rebounding list with 190 in 2011-12. Both Coleman and Tuttle were named the MVC Freshman of the Year in their respective years.
MVC Freshman Rebound Leaders
1. Cliff Levingston - WSU (1979-80) - 294
2. Doug McDermott - CU (2010-11) - 280
3. Bob Harstad - CU (1986-87) - 272
4. Benoit Benjamin - CU (1982-83) - 259
5. Josh Cunningham - BU (2014-15) - 247
6. Ashraf Amaya - SIU (1989-90) - 245
7. Jamie Arnold - WSU (1993-94) - 242
8. Michael Ruffin - TULSA (1995-96) - 232
9. Cleo Littleton - WSU (1951-52) - 231
10. Danny Granger - BU (2001-02) - 207
11. Jordan Caroline - SIU (2014-15) - 206
12. Eric Coleman - UNI (2004-05) - 205
13. Patrick O'Bryant - BU (2004-05) - 201
-------------------------------------------------------
14. Tywhon Pickford - UNI (2017-18) - 196
15. Obediah Church - MSU (2015-16) - 195
16. Rick Shipley - SIU (1987-88) - 194
17. Carl Richard - INS (2008-09) - 192
18. Seth Tuttle - UNI (2011-12) - 190
19. Luke Jackson - BU (1986-87) - 188
20. Hersey Hawkins - BU (1984-85) - 182
KOCH CLOSES IN ON 1,000 POINTS
UNI senior forward Bennett Koch is closing in on becoming the 42nd member of the Panther 1,000 point scoring club.
Koch has tallied 936 points heading into this week's slate of games at home against Bradley on Wednesday and at Drake on Saturday.
Koch would become the third member of his family to score 1,000 points for the Panthers. His older brothers Adam (1,186 points - 2006-2010) and Jake (1,113 points - 2009-2013) each surpassed the 1,000-point mark in their careers.
NO. 11 IN SCORING DEFENSE
UNI ranks No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense. The Panthers are giving up 63.0 points per game.
Bradley ranks No. 15 in the nation by giving up 63.4 points per contest.
Rk. Team W-L Points
1. Virginia 22-1 52.3
2. Cincinnati 21-2 56.8
3. UCF 14-8 60.6
4. New Mexico St. 20-3 62.1
5. Texas State 14-11 62.4
6. SMU 15-8 62.6
7. Syracuse 15-8 62.7
8. Texas Tech 19-4 62.9
9. Old Dominion 17-5 62.9
10. Grand Canyon 17-7 62.9
11. UNI 11-13 63.0
12. Liberty 15-10 63.1
13. UNC Greensboro 17-6 63.3
14. Loyola 19-5 63.3
15. Bradley 17-8 63.4
UNI RANKS NO. 8 IN THE NATION IN FEWEST FOULS PER GAME
UNI ranks No. 8 in the nation in fewest fouls per game (15.1).
Rk. Team Fouls/Game
1. Notre Dame 13.0
2. Virginia 13.7
3. George Washington 14.2
4 Loyola Chicago 14.4
5. Elon 14.6
6. Western Illinois 14.8
7. Presbyterian 14.9
8. UNI 15.1
9. UCF 15.1
10. Michigan 15.1
MAGIC NUMBER IS 68
UNI is 8-1 this season when scoring 68 points or more in a game. The Panthers are 8-0 in the McLeod Center when scoring 68 or more points.
UNI's only loss this season when scoring more than 68 points came in the season opener when North Carolina scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers in Chapel Hill.
The Panthers are 3-12 when scoring 67 points or less.
SCORE IT MORE AT HOME
UNI is scoring nearly 13 more points per game at home than on the road during Missouri Valley Conference play.
UNI is averaging 66.8 points per game at home in six MVC games. The Panthers have posted 54.0 points per game in their six road league games.
STRONG NON-CONFERENCE WINS
UNI built a strong resume during its non-conference play with a mark of 8-4.
The Panthers posted wins over SMU (61-58), North Carolina State (64-60), UNLV (77-68 OT) and UT Arlington (62-58).
North Carolina St. was ranked No. 63 and SMU was ranked No. 70 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI.
NO 'BAD' LOSSES
UNI sits at 11-13 overall and 3-9 in the MVC but you have to search far and wide to find a 'bad' loss for the Panthers in 2017-18.
All 13 of UNI's losses have come against top-171 RPI opponents. UNI's RPI sits at No. 162 in Tuesday's NCAA RPI report.
RPI for UNI's Losses in 2017-18
No. 2 vs. Villanova - L, 64-50
No. 3 Xavier - L, 77-67
No. 11 at North Carolina - L, 86-69
No. 51 Loyola - L, 56-50
No. 51 at Loyola - L, 70-47
No. 91 at Southern Illinois - L, 64-53
No. 91 Southern Illinois - L, 56-53
No. 96 at Bradley - L, 72-53
No. 104 vs. Iowa State - L, 76-65
No. 116 at Evansville - L, 57-49
No. 117 at Missouri State - L, 62-55
No. 161 at Indiana State - L, 69-67
No. 161 Indiana State - L, 77-66
SECOND-HALF MVC IMPROVEMENT FOR THE PANTHERS
UNI sits at 3-9 in MVC play as the Panthers are in the second half of the league slate.
UNI has been under .500 at the midway point six times under head coach Ben Jacobson. The Panthers have bounced back strong in the second half of each of the previous five seasons to continue UNI's streak of .500 or above finishes in the league for 14 straight years.
UNI has produced a winning record in the second half of 10 of the last 11 conference seasons. The Panthers have gone 65-37 (.637) in the second half of MVC seasons under Jacobson.
Halfway in MVC Under Jake
Season 1st Half 2nd Half
2006-07 6-3 5-4
2007-08 4-5 5-4
2008-09 8-1 6-3
2009-10 8-1 7-2
2010-11 6-3 4-5
2011-12 4-5 5-4
2012-13 4-5 7-2
2013-14 5-4 5-4
2014-15 8-1 8-1
2015-16 3-6 8-1
2016-17 4-5 5-4
2017-18 3-6 0-3
Totals 63-45 (.583) 65-37 (.637)
PHYFE FEASTING IN MVC PLAY
UNI freshmen forward Austin Phyfe is shooting 69.2 percent from the field (18-of-26 FGs) during Missouri Valley Conference play.
Phyfe made his first career start vs. Valparaiso on Jan. 13. Phyfe entered the Valpo game having scored 27 total points in the season - including only 11 points in MVC play.
Following his first start vs. Valpo, Phyfe has scored 40 points for the Panthers.
Phyfe had a streak of 14 consecutive free throw makes snapped against Indiana State.
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 ranks first and Haldeman ranks second among active MVC players in scoring without making a start this season.
Lohaus is scoring 7.8 points per game, while Haldeman is averaging 6.3 points per game.
MVC Bench Scorers (no starts)
1. Wyatt Lohaus (UNI) 7.8 ppg
2. Spencer Haldeman (UNI) 6.3 ppg
3. Micah Bradford (Valpo) 5.3 ppg
4. Casey Schlatter (Drake) 4.4 ppg
5. Bruno Skokna (Loyola) 4.3 ppg
6. Rudy Stradnieks (SIU) 3.9 ppg
7. Isaac Gassman (Ill. St.) 3.4 ppg
NATION'S BEST REBOUNDER
UNDER 6'5"
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford is the nation's top rebounder under 6'5". Pickford (6'4") is averaging 8.2 rebounds per game.
UMass-Lowell's Jahad Thomas (6'2") is the nation's next best rebounder under 6'5". Thomas is averaging 8.0 rebounds per game.
FRESHMEN REBOUNDERS
UNI's Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 10 in the nation in rebounds among freshmen at 8.2 per game.
Freshman Rebounders
1. Marvin Bagley III (Duke) 11.2
2. Deandre Ayton (Arizona) 10.8
3. Mohamed Bamba (Texas) 10.8
4. Brandon McCoy (UNLV) 10.0
5. Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke) 9.6
6. Loudon Love (Wright State) 9.4
7. Eric Williams Jr. (Duquesne) 9.2
8. Oshae Brissett (Syracuse) 9.0
9. Terry Taylor (Austin Peay) 8.5
10. Tywhon Pickford (UNI) 8.2
TYWHON TAKES CHARGE IN MVC
UNI freshmen guard Tywhon Pickford is the squad's leading scorer through 12 games in Missouri Valley Conference play.
Pickford is averaging 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in league play.
FROSH GUARD DOUBLE-DOUBLES
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks tied for third among freshman guards who have recorded double-doubles this season. Pickford has posted five double-doubles in 2017-18.
Oklahoma's Trae Young (11) and Duquesne's Eric Williams Jr. (9) are the only freshman guards with more than five double-doubles this season.
MVC Frosh Double-Doubles (since '97)
9 -- Doug McDermott, Creighton (2010-11)
6 -- Danny Granger, Bradley (2001-02)
6 -- Patrick O'Bryant, Bradley (2004-05)
5 -- Jamar Howard, Wichita State (2001-02)
5 -- Tywhon Pickford, UNI (2017-18)
PICKFORD DOUBLES UP
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford has reached double figures in rebounds nine times this season.
Pickford has registered a team-best five double-doubles. Pickford has recorded double-doubles against Alcorn State (16 pts., 10 rbs.), North Carolina State (18 pts., 18 rbs.), Missouri State (18 pts., 10 rbs.), Loyola (15 pts., 11 rbs.) and Drake (16 pts., 10 rbs.).
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Bennett Koch (4)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
UNI's Single-Season Double-Double Leaders (Since 2000)
Joe Breakenridge (17) - 2000-01
Eric Coleman (16) - 2007-08
Grant Stout (13) - 2005-06
Eric Coleman (13) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (12) - 2006-07
Grant Stout (8) - 2004-05
Seth Tuttle (7) - 2013-14
David Gruber (6) - 2001-02
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2008-09
Jordan Eglseder (6) - 2009-10
Matt Schneiderman (5) - 2002-03
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2012-13
Seth Tuttle (5) - 2014-15
Tywhon Pickford (5) - 2017-18
UNI's Overall Double-Double Leaders
(Since 2000)
Eric Coleman (36)
Grant Stout (33)
Seth Tuttle (21)
Joe Breakenridge (17)
Jordan Eglseder (15)
David Gruber (13)
Matt Schneiderman (8)
Jeremy Morgan (5)
Adam Koch (5)
Tywhon Pickford (5)
Erik Crawford (4)
Jake Koch (4)
Bennett Koch (4)
FOUR UNDERCLASSMEN IN STARTING FIVE
UNI has gone young in its starting lineup over the past seven games by starting four underclassmen.
UNI's starting five consists of senior Klint Carlson, sophomores Isaiah Brown and Juwan McCloud to go along with true freshmen Tywhon Pickford and Austin Phyfe. The current starting five have combined to start 161 career games.
UNI's Starters (Played, Started)
Juwan McCloud (54, 52)
Isaiah Brown (50, 26)
Tywhon Pickford (24, 24)
Klint Carlson (106, 52)
Austin Phyfe (21, 7)
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through 24 games, UNI has six players who have made at least 17 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (36), Isaiah Brown (32), Klint Carlson (29), Tywhon Pickford (28), Wyatt Lohaus (23) and Juwan McCloud (17) have all made at least 17 shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 7.5 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 585 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.
AMONG THE MVC'S ALL-TIME BEST
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson is among the all-time leaders in Missouri Valley Conference victories for all games and league games only.
Jacobson ranks No. 6 in MVC coaching victories with 245.
Jacobson is tied for No. 6 with Kansas's Dr. F.C. (Phog) Allen in league history in MVC games only with 126 wins.
Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 264
5. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 245
7. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
8. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
9. Maury John (Drake) 211
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
MVC Coaching Wins (Conf. Games Only)
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 142
5. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
Ben Jacobson (UNI) 126
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
9 HOME WINS IN 12 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 12 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
2006-07 9-4
2007-08 11-6
2008-09 11-4
2009-10 14-0
2010-11 13-5
2011-12 13-3
2012-13 16-4
2013-14 11-2
2014-15 15-0
2015-16 11-3
2016-17 9-4
2017-18 9-3
MCLEOD CENTER
UNI is playing its 12th season in the McLeod Center and the Panthers have made winning a priority in their home venue.
UNI has posted an all-time mark of 142-39 (.785) in games played in the McLeod Center.
UNI secured a school-record 16 home wins in the 2012-13 season.
UNI has posted a trio of perfect home seasons since moving to NCAA Division I. UNI was a perfect 14-0 in both the 1983-84 and 2009-10 seasons and then UNI notched a 15-0 mark at home in 2014-15.
UNI set its home-court win streak of 21 consecutive victories between the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons.
The McLeod Center opened in November 2006.
MVC SWEEPS FOR COACH JAKE
UNI has swept an MVC opponent 37 times since the start of the 2006-07 season - Jacobson's first year as the Panther head coach.
MVC Season Sweeps Under Coach Jacobson
Bradley (6) - 06-07, 08-09, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16
Creighton (1) - 09-10
Drake (6) - 09-10, 11-12, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16, 16-17
Evansville (5) - 06-07, 07-08, 08-09, 13-14, 15-16
Illinois St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Indiana State (2) - 09-10, 14-15
Loyola (1) - 14-15
Missouri St. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15
Southern Ill. (5) - 08-09, 09-10, 11-12, 14-15, 16-17
Wichita State (1) - 07-08
PANTHERS ARE RARELY SWEPT
Since Ben Jacobson took over the head coaching duties in 2006-07, the UNI program has been swept in an MVC home-and-home series on only 16 occasions.
MVC Sweeps of UNI (since 2006-07)
Creighton - 06-07, 07-08
Drake - 06-07, 07-08
Evansville - 11-12, 12-13
Illinois State - 16-17
Indiana State - 10-11, 12-13, 17-18
Loyola - 15-16, 17-18
Southern Illinois - 17-18
Wichita State, 11-12, 13-14, 16-17
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. The Panthers are 5-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA TOURNEY SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
Current MVC NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Valparaiso (3) - 2004, 2013, 2015
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
It is the longest active streak in the league.
Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
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.
Koch is UNI's top returning scorer at 11.0 points per game. In his last 14 games last season, Koch averaged a team-best 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game.
Carlson averaged more points per game for the third consecutive season (8.3 ppg). He ranked No. 4 in the league at 36.6 minutes per game.
RADIO INFORMATION
This year's UNI men's basketball games can be heard on the UNI Sports Radio Network, with KXEL (1540 AM, Waterloo, Iowa) serving as flagship station. Affiliates include KBGG (1700 AM, Des Moines), KGYM (1600 AM, Cedar Rapids), KQCR (98.9 FM, Hampton), KILJ (105.5 FM, Mount Pleasant), KFXE (1160 AM, Decorah-Waukon) and KVFD (1400 AM, Fort Dodge).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning in December at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green set the Cedar Falls High School scoring mark Jan. 16, 2018, with 1,435 points. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday at noon in the McLeod Center's Alumni Suite.
FOLLOW THE PANTHERS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER & YOUTUBE
Fans of UNI Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube will have access to updates, score recaps and special announcements.
UNI Athletics on Facebook will give fans the chance to connect with other Panther fans, as well as providing information on upcoming events. Followers on Twitter will be able to access news and scoring updates. Followers on YouTube will be able to access game highlights and press conference footage.
www.facebook.com/UNIAthletics
www.facebook.com/UNIMensBasketball
www.twitter.com/UNIAthletics
www.twittercom/UNIMBB
YOUTUBE
www.youtube.com/UNIAthletics
www.instagram.com/UNIAthletics
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballBen Jacobson Press Conference - Nov. 17, 2025.
Tuesday, November 18
Ben Schwieger & Tristan Smith Postgame Interview - Nov. 14, 2025.
Friday, November 14
Ben Jacobson Postgame Interview - Nov. 14, 2025.
Friday, November 14
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 13)
Wednesday, November 12