University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Wednesday, November 29
Cedar Falls, Iowa
7 p.m.
University of Northern Iowa
vs
UNLV
UNI to Host UNLV Wednesday in McLeod Center
11/28/2017 10:40:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COMPLETE RELEASE (PDF)
UNLV (6-0) at UNI (5-2)
Wed., Nov. 29, 2017 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
ESPN3 | AUDIO | 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
The Valley on 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-Times Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: UNLV 73, UNI 59 (Dec. 19, 2012)
• UNI won the first meeting between the two schools in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. The Panthers scored a 69-66 first-round victory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. UNLV
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (5-2 overall) will take on the UNLV Runnin' Rebels (6-0 overall) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center. The contest will be a part of the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge.
• UNI will play its next six games in the state of Iowa beginning Wednesday.
• UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.0/game). Pickford put on a show against North Carolina State in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis when he went for 18 points and 18 rebounds.
• Pickford, who was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week, is averaging a double-double with 10.9 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per game.
• In its last six games, UNI is 5-1 and allowing only 52.3 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 33.5 percent shooting from the field and only 27.7 percent from three-point range in its last six contests. UNI is enjoying a plus 10.3 advantage (42.3 to 32.0) on the boards in its last half dozen games.
• Tywhon Pickford and Juwan McCloud were named to the Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament team.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. UNLV
UNI RETURNS HOME TO TAKE ON UNLV IN MCLEOD CENTER
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will return home after playing its last three games in the Bahamas at the Battle 4 Atlantis.
UNI (5-2 overall) will take on the UNLV Runnin' Rebels (6-0 overall) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center. The contest will be a part of the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday's game will be shown live on The Valley on ESPN3.
Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
UNLV RUNNIN' REBELS
UNLV is in its second year under head coach Marvin Menzies. Menzies guided UNLV to a mark of 11-21 last year but has opened the 2017-18 season by winning all six contests.
UNLV has posted victories over Florida A&M (108-66), Prairie View A&M (98-63), Eastern Washington (91-76), Rice (95-68), Utah (85-58) and Southern Utah (101-82).
The Runnin' Rebels are led by two of the nation's top rebounders in Brandon McCoy (13.0 rpg) and Shakur Juiston (13.0 rpg). McCoy is UNLV's top scorer at 20.2 points per game.
ALL-TIME SERIES
UNI and UNLV will be meeting for the third time, but this will mark the first matchup between the two in the McLeod Center.
UNI scored a 69-66 victory over UNLV in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ali Farokhmanesh buried a three-pointer with 4.9 seconds left to provide the margin of victory. Farokhmanesh scored 17 points, including three triples in the second half.
UNLV won the latest meeting between the two schools on Dec. 19, 2012, as a part of the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge. Anthony Bennett had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 21 UNLV to a 73-59 victory over UNI at the Thomas & Mack Center.
MOUNTAIN WEST/MISSOURI VALLEY CHALLENGE
The Mountain West and Missouri Valley conferences conduct a Challenge Series that features head-to-head competition between 10 Mountain West and 10 MVC teams annually, with each conference hosting five games apiece each season.
Annual matchups are based upon factors including the previous year's achievements, records and RPI rankings, as well as projected rankings/strength of teams in the upcoming season, based on composite sources. Each season is considered separately in terms of matchups, therefore, games from the previous year's Challenge Series may not be returned.
This Year's Matchups
Nov. 28 Loyola at Boise
Nov. 28 Utah State at Valparaiso
Nov. 28 Colorado State at Missouri State
Nov. 29 UNLV at UNI
Nov. 29 Air Force at Indiana State
Nov. 29 Illinois State at Nevada
Nov. 29 Evansville at New Mexico
Dec. 2 San Jose State at Southern Illinois
Dec. 2 Drake at Wyoming
Dec. 3 Bradley at San Diego State
UNI IN MWC/MVC CHALLENGE
UNI has tallied a 3-3 mark in the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge through the years.
UNI has scored Challenge wins over Wyoming (2009), TCU (2010) and Colorado State (2011).
UNI suffered Challenge losses at UNLV (2012), at home to Colorado State (2015) and at Wyoming (2016).
CONTRASTING STYLES
UNI enters Wednesday's game vs. UNLV ranked No. 8 in the nation in scoring defense (57.1 ppg).
UNLV ranks No. 3 in the nation in scoring offense (96.3 ppg).
LAST TWO NCAA CHAMPS
UNI's only two losses this season have come against the last two NCAA champions - North Carolina (2017) and Villanova (2016).
Both setbacks also came against top-10 ranked foes as North Carolina was ranked No. 9 and Villanova was No. 5 at the time of each matchup.
PICKFORD EARNS NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK HONORS FROM MVC
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford was honored as the MVC Newcomer of the Week (Nov. 27).
Pickford averaged 12.7 points and 12.7 rebounds as UNI took second place at the Battle 4 Atlantis.
DOUBLE-FIGURE REBOUNDER
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.0/game).
Pickford has posted at least nine rebounds in each of the last six games.
Pickford put on a show against North Carolina State in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis when he went for 18 points and 18 rebounds. It marked the first 18-rebound performance by a UNI Panthers since David Gruber went for 18 rebounds against Montana on Nov. 22, 2002.
RARE CLASS OF STATS
Pickford is looking to become the first UNI Panther to average double-figure rebounds for a season since Joe Breakenridge averaged 10.5 rebounds per game in the 2000-2001 season.
Prior to Breakenridge averaging double figures in rebounds you have to go all the way back to the 1975-1976 season which saw Mark Enright average 10.5 rebounds per game for the Panthers.
DEFENSE, REBOUNDING KEYED UNI'S 5-2 START TO SEASON
UNI's 5-2 start to the 2017-18 season has been built on thethe strength of its defense and ability to rebound.
The Panthers have limited the opposition to 57.1 points per game and 36.0 percent field goal shooting.
UNI is enjoying a +7.7 rebonding margin this season. UNI has outrebounded five of its seven opponents, including a +8.0 advantage over No. 5-ranked Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis title game.
RATCHETING UP THE DEFENSE
Since giving up 86 points in the season opener against North Carolina, UNI has ratcheted up the defensive effort.
In its last six games, UNI is 5-1 and allowing only 52.3 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 33.5 percent shooting from the field and only 27.7 percent from three-point range in its last six contests.
UNI is enjoying a plus 10.3 advantage (42.3 to 32.0) on the boards in its last half dozen games.
KEEP IT IN THE STATE OF IOWA
UNI will play its next six games in the state of Iowa beginning Wednesday vs. UNLV in the McLeod Center.
Five of UNI's next six games (Nov. 29 - UNLV: Dec. 7 - UT Arlington; Dec. 10 - Dubuque; Dec. 22 - Xavier; Dec. 28 - Southern Illinois) will be played in the McLeod Center - the only game away from Cedar Falls is Dec. 16 vs. Iowa State in Des Moines at The Hy-Vee Classic.
PICKFORD FROM DEEP
Tywhon Pickford is the only UNI Panther to have drained at least one 3-pointer in each of the team's first seven contests this season.
Pickford ranks second on the team with 11 made 3-pointers.
JUWAN FINDS THE ZONE
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud has scored in double figures in five games this season. McCloud posted double-figure scoring games four times all of last year.
McCloud ranks second on the team at 12.7 points per game. McCloud has also tallied a team-best 20 assists this year.
McCloud has drained 11 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
PICKFORD, MCCLOUD NAMED BATTLE4ATLANTIS TOURNEY TEAM
UNI's Tywhon Pickford and Juwan McCloud were named to the Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament team.
Pickford averaged 12.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in the three contests. He pulled down 10 offensive rebounds in the tournament. Pickford also went for 18 points and 18 rebounds vs. North Carolina State.
McCloud led the Panthers in scoring at 13.0 points per game. He also handed out a team-high 10 assists and tallied four steals.
SPENCE OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman sparked the Panther victory over SMU by draining four 3-pointers and scoring 15 points off the bench.
Haldeman has made 13-of-28 three-pointers this season and is averaging 7.6 points per game off the bench.
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (15.1 ppg), field goal% (67.3%) and free throw% (82.1%) through their first seven games.
Koch is the lone UNI Panther to have scored in double figuers in all seven contests.
He ranks second on the squads in rebounding (8.9 rpg).
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through seven games, UNI has five players who have made at least six 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (13), Juwan McCloud (11), Tywhon Pickford (11), Isaiah Brown (10) and Klint Carlson (6) have all made at least six shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 8.1 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 568 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
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.
22 POWER-FIVE VICTORIES
UNI reached the championship game of the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with victories over SMU and Atlantic Coast Conference's North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The triumph over N.C. State marked the 22nd victory for the Panthers over a Power-5 conference foe (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) since head coach Ben Jacobson took over the program in 2006-07.
Power 5 Victories (since 2006-07)
Iowa State (60-57 - 2006-07)
at Iowa (57-55 - 2006-07)
at Iowa State (61-48 - 2007-08)
vs. Auburn (67-61 - 2008-09)
vs. Boston College (81-69 - 2009-10)
at Iowa State (63-60) - 2009-10)
Iowa (67-50 - 2009-10)
vs. Kansas (69-67 - 2009-10)
Iowa State (60-54 - 2010-11)
vs. Indiana (67-61 - 2010-11)
at Iowa State (69-62 - 2011-12)
Iowa (80-60 - 2011-12)
vs. Virginia Tech (73-54 - 2014-15)
vs. Northwestern (61-42 - 2014-15)
vs. Iowa (56-44 - 2014-15)
North Carolina (71-67 - 2015-16)
vs. Iowa State (81-79 - 2015-16)
vs. Washington State (63-59 - 2015-16)
vs. Texas (75-72 - 2015-16)
vs. Arizona State (82-63 - 2016-17)
vs. Oklahoma (73-67 - 2016-17)
vs. North Carolina State (64-60 - 2017-18)
KOCH SNARES CAREER-HIGH
UNI senior Bennett Koch tallied a pair of 20-point scoring games this past week to give him five career 20-point scoring games.
He posted a career-high 25 points in a 72-43 win over Wartburg.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (5)
Klint Carlson (1)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
KOCH TIES MCLEOD RECORD
Bennett Koch tied his own McLeod Center record for field goal percentage in a game (1.000) as he went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Wartburg.
Last season, Koch went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Drake (Jan. 15, 2017).
50 REBOUNDS VS. WARTBURG
UNI posted 50 rebounds vs. Wartburg to equal the highest amount for a Panther team in the McLeod Center.
UNI also tallied 50 rebounds vs. Coe on Nov. 16, 2010.
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win Saturday in the McLeod Center.
It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests.
UNI has won 40 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date Opponent Result
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
11/15/17 Wartburg W, 72-43
11/13/17 Alcorn State W, 73-45
2/8/17 Southern Illinois W, 49-41
11/12/16 Coe W, 74-37
2/24/15 Indiana State W, 66-44
1/9/15 Drake W, 77-44
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
3/7/15 vs. Loyola W, 63-49
(MVC Tournament)
3/6/15 vs. Bradley W, 71-46
(MVC Tournament)
2/21/15 Bradley W, 56-39
2/18/15 at Loyola W, 58-39
1/18/15 Missouri State W, 60-46
1/10/15 at Drake W, 64-40
1/7/15 Southern Illinois W, 55-39
12/20/14 vs. Iowa W, 56-44
11/26/14 vs. Northwestern W, 61-42
11/22/14 North Florida W, 66-49
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
2/5/13 Missouri State W, 48-37
1/23/13 Southern Illinois W, 58-45
11/17/12 North Dakota W, 72-47
1/31/12 Southern Illinois W, 58-49
1/4/12 Indiana State W, 65-48
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
11/22/11 Western Carolina W, 59-39
11/12/11 Old Dominion W, 63-46
1/22/11 Drake W, 69-49
1/12/11 at Illinois State W, 46-44
12/19/10 SIU Edwardsville W, 68-47
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
3/6/10 vs. Bradley W, 57-40
(MVC Tournament)
3/5/10 vs. Drake W, 55-40
(MVC Tournament)
2/10/10 at Drake W, 57-48
1/16/10 vs. Indiana State W, 62-40
1/9/10 at Illinois State W, 59-44
1/6/10 at Southern Illinois W, 61-49
1/1/10 vs. Evansville W, 65-46
12/19/09 at North Dakota W, 64-41
11/28/09 vs. Northern Illinois W, 52-45
2/18/09 vs. Drake L, 47-46
12/6 /08 vs. North Dakota W, 69-49
3/7/08 vs. Southern Illinois W, 54-49
(MVC Tournament)
12/29/07 at Bradley W, 59-46
12/15/07 vs. Wartburg W, 99-48
11/27/07 at Iowa State W, 61-48
11/9/07 vs. Northern Illinois W, 75-45
12/2/06 at Bucknell W, 57-48
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 44-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date Opponent Results
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
12/7/16 South Dakota State W, 86-58
11/17/16 vs. Arizona State W, 82-63
3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M L, 92-88 (2OT)
2/10/15 Missouri State W, 83-69
2/6/15 at Drake W, 82-66
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
12/19/15 vs. Iowa State W, 81-79
11/30/15 North Texas W, 93-70
11/28/15 at North Dakota W, 97-51
11/25/15 Dubuque W, 83-63
2/11/15 Illinois State W, 83-64
12/13/14 at VCU L, 93-87 (2OT)
2/1/14 Indiana State L, 87-81
1/29/14 Evansville W, 95-81
1/25/14 at Loyola L, 93-87 (OT)
1/14/14 Missouri State W, 94-89
1/8/14 at Evansville W, 80-53
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
12/28/13 Iona W, 90-78
12/7/13 vs. Iowa State L, 91-82 (OT)
11/22/13 Loyola Marymount W, 90-81
11/11/13 Coe W, 86-52
3/26/13 Bradley W, 90-77
3/2/13 Illinois State W, 80-72
1/20/13 Drake W, 85-55
1/12/13 Bradley W, 84-53
12/23/12 Saint Mary's W, 82-75
12/8/12 at George Mason W, 82-77 (OT)
11/14/12 Toledo W, 84-81 (OT)
11/10/12 Wartburg W, 103-50
1/7/12 at Drake W, 83-68
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
12/6/11 Iowa W, 80-60
12/3/11 Colorado State W, 83-77
3/15/11 Rider W, 84-50
2/15/11 at Bradley W, 80-70
1/9/11 Bradley W, 83-77
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
1/3/10 Missouri State W, 84-76
12/12/09 Siena W, 82-65
11/23/09 vs. Boston College W, 81-69
2/11/09 Southern Illinois W, 81-55
1/17/09 at Drake W, 81-59
12/28/08 Indiana State L, 85-84 (2OT)
11/25/08 Chicago State W, 81-70
12/15/07 Wartburg W, 99-48
12/20/06 Wartburg W, 83-61
12/09/06 UMKC W, 85-53
11/13/06 vs. Pepperdine W, 83-58
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 136-35 (.795) 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.
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular seaso 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 3-0
PAIR OF DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Bennett Koch and Tywhon Pickford each posted double-doubles against Alcorn State.
Koch earned his third career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds vs. the Braves.
Pickford secured his first collegiate double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Braves.
The last time UNI had two players record double-doubles on the same night came back on March 2, 2013, when Jake Koch (18 pts./11 rbs.) and Seth Tuttle (15 pts./12 rbs.) did it against Illinois State.
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Bennett Koch (3)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
Tywhon Pickford (1)
FRESHMAN DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Tywhon Pickford's double-double vs. Alcorn State was UNI's first double-double by freshman since Seth Tuttle earned four of them during his 2011-12 season.
COACH JAKE IN HOME OPENERS
UNI is 11-1 in home openers under head coach Ben Jacobson after the Panthers scored a 73-45 win over the Alcorn State Braves on Monday.
Overall, UNI has won 16 of its last 17 home openers.
Home Opening Results Under Jake
2006-07 W, 69-58 vs. Milwaukee
2007-08 W, 75-45 vs. NIU
2008-09 W, 61-56 vs. Denver
2009-10 W, 52-45 vs. NIU
2010-11 W, 84-45 vs. Coe
2011-12 W, 78-69 vs. Northern Colorado
2012-13 W, 103-50 vs. Wartburg
2013-14 W, 86-52 vs. Coe
2014-15 W, 64-52 vs. North Dakota
2015-16 L, 84-78 vs. Colorado State
2016-17 W, 74-37 vs. Coe
2017-18 W, 73-45 vs. Alcorn State
UNI OPENED AT DEAN DOME
The Panthers opened the season last Friday at No. 9-ranked North Carolina. The Tar Heels scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
UNI had three players reach double-figure scoring at North Carolina, led by sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman's 15 points off the bench. UNI starters Bennett Koch (11 points) and Isaiah Brown (13 points) each scored in double figures.
BROWN SETS CAREER-HIGH
Sophomore guard Isaiah Brown scored a career-high 13 points against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
It is the second double-figure scoring game of Brown's career. He opened the season last year with 10 points in a 74-37 win over Coe.
13 TRIPLES ON THE ROAD
The Panthers made 13 3-pointers at North Carolina.
Last season, UNI made 13 or more three-pointers in two games.
The last time UNI made at least 13 3-pointers in a game came Dec. 7, 2016, when the Panthers buried 20 3-pointers against South Dakota State.
The last time UNI made 13 or more 3-pointers in a true road game came on Jan. 27, 2016, when the Panthers made 15 triples in an 68-50 victory at Bradley at Carver Arena.
UNI VS. RANKED TEAMS
UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
Since the 1979-80 season, UNI is 17-39 vs. ranked foes.
The Panthers have posted two road wins over ranked foes in program history and both times it came in Wichita, Kansas. UNI knocked off No. 25 Wichita State (53-50 - Feb. 13, 2016) and No. 16 Wichita State (63-59 (Dec. 30, 2006).
UNI has three neutral-court wins over ranked foes, with two of those coming in 1990 and 2010 NCAA tournaments.
UNI is 2-0 all-time against No. 1-ranked opponents. UNI secured a 71-67 win over North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015. The Panthers also recorded a 69-67 win over No. 1 Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI has posted a mark of 3-2 in its last five matchups against top-five ranked foes.
UNI vs. Ranked Opponents (since 1979-80)
#5 Villanova L, 64-50 (N) - 11/24/17
#9 North Carolina L, 86-69 (A) - 11/10/17
#8 North Carolina L, 85-42 (A) - 12/21/16
#9 Xavier L, 64-42 (A) - 11/26/16
#11 Xavier L, 67-59 (N) - 11/20/16
#15 Texas A&M L, 92-88 2ot (N) - 3/20/16
#25 Wichita State W, 53-50 (A) - 2/13/16
#5 Iowa State W, 81-79 (N) - 12/19/15
#1 North Carolina W, 71-67 (H) - 11/21/15
#17 Louisville L, 66-53 (N) - 3/22/15
#11 Wichita State L, 74-60 (A) - 2/28/15
#12 Wichita State W, 70-54 (H) - 1/31/15
#4 Wichita State L, 82-73 (H) - 2/8/14
#8 Wichita State L, 67-53 (A) - 1/5/14
#17 Iowa State L, 91-82 OT (N) - 12/7/13
#15 Wichita State W, 57-52 (H) - 2/2/13
#12 Creighton L, 79-68 (A) - 1/15/13
#21 UNLV L, 73-59 (A) - 12/19/12
#19 Memphis L, 52-47 (N) - 11/24/12
#2 Louisville L, 51-46 (N) - 11/22/12
#13 Creighton W, 65-62 (H) - 2/4/12
#23 Creighton L, 63-60 (A) - 1/10/12
#10 Syracuse L, 68-46 (A) - 11/12/10
#13 Michigan State L, 59-52 (N) - 3/26/10
#1 Kansas W, 69-67 (N) - 3/20/10
#15 Marquette L, 73-43 (N) - 11/28/08
#14 Drake L, 65-55 (H) - 2/16/08
#22 Drake L, 58-54 (A) - 1/26/08
#11 Nevada L, 79-64 (A) - 2/17/07
#16 Wichita State W, 63-59 (A) - 12/30/06
#17 Washington L, 70-61 (A) - 11/14/06
#23 Georgetown L, 54-49 (N) - 3/17/06
#24 Bucknell W, 65-61 (H) - 2/18/06
#12 Iowa W, 67-63 (H) - 12/6/05
#20 Wisconsin L, 57-52 (N) - 3/18/05
#17 Iowa L, 76-73 (A) - 12/7/05
#14 Georgia Tech L, 65-60 (N) - 3/19/04
#15 Southern Illinois W, 68-52 (H) - 3/1/04
#20 Creighton W, 82-73 (H) - 1/14/04
#24 Iowa W, 77-66 (H) - 12/9/03
#13 Creighton L, 84-75 (H) - 2/4/03
#11 Iowa W, 78-76 (H) - 12/4/01
#17 Alabama L, 64-56 (N) - 12/20/00
#10 Iowa W, 84-78 (H) - 12/9/97
#12 Iowa L, 78-73 (H) - 12/5/95
#11 Iowa State L, 81-62 (H) - 1/25/95
#8 Iowa L, 64-44 (A) - 12/8/92
#16 Iowa L, 108-85 (H) - 12/19/91
#20 Minnesota L, 81-78 (N) - 3/18/90
#11 Missouri W, 74-71 (N) - 3/16/90
#20 Iowa W, 77-74 (H) - 1/3/90
#3 Georgetown L, 83-49 (N) - 12/29/89
#5 Iowa L, 95-76 (A) - 12/6/88
#14 Missouri L, 91-62 (A) - 1/12/83
#6 Iowa L, 84-53 (A) - 12/21/81
#14 Iowa L, 86-52 (A) - 12/30/80
#20 Iowa L, 78-46 (A) - 12/6/79
NOTE: Associated Press poll used
UNI's Record vs. Ranked Opponents
Overall Home Away Neutral
17-40 12-6 2-19 3-15
JAKE RANKS AMONG MVC's ALL-TIME TOP COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Conference history in victories with 239.
Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only with 123 wins.
Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 252
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 239
7. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
8. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
9. Maury John (Drake) 211
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
MVC Coaching Wins (Conf. Games Only)
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 134
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
7. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 123
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
It is the longest active streak in the league.
Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
Wichita State has the second-longest active streak at eight.
UNI in the MVC Since 2003-04
2003-04 - 12-6 (T-2nd)
2004-05 - 11-7 (T-3rd)
2005-06 - 11-7 (T-5th)
2006-07 - 9-9 (5th)
2007-08 - 9-9 (T-5th)
2008-09 - 14-4 (T-1st)
2009-10 - 15-3 (1st)
2010-11 - 10-8 (T-4th)
2011-12 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
2012-13 - 11-7 (3rd)
2013-14 - 10-8 (3rd)
2014-15 - 16-2 (2nd)
2015-16 - 11-7 (T-4th)
2016-17 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. The Panthers are 5-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA APPEARANCE SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
Current MVC NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Valparaiso (3) - 2004, 2013, 2015
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
PANTHERS PICKED SECOND IN MVC PRESEASON POLL
UNI has been slotted to finish second in the preseason 2017-18 Missouri Valley Conference poll.
UNI received eight first-place votes in the preseason poll. It is the most preseason first-place votes in a year that the Panthers were not picked as the preseason favorites.
MVC Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) Total
1. Missouri State (30) 381
2. UNI (8) 337
3. Loyola (1) 321
4. Illinois State (1) 256
5. Southern Illinois 226
6. Valparaiso 214
7. Bradley 182
8. Indiana State 116
9. Evansville 88
10. Drake 79
KOCH, CARLSON EARN ALL-MVC PRESEASON HONORS
University of Northern Iowa seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson have been named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.
Koch earned first-team all-MVC honors, while Carlson was selected to the second team.
Koch is UNI's top returning scorer at 11.0 points per game. In his last 14 games last season, Koch averaged a team-best 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game.
Carlson averaged more points per game for the third consecutive season (8.3 ppg). He ranked No. 4 in the league at 36.6 minutes per game.
RADIO INFORMATION
This year's UNI men's basketball games can be heard on the UNI Sports Radio Network, with KXEL (1540 AM, Waterloo, Iowa) serving as flagship station. Affiliates include KBGG (1700 AM, Des Moines), KGYM (1600 AM, Cedar Rapids), KQCR (98.9 FM, Hampton), KILJ (105.5 FM, Mount Pleasant), KFXE (1160 AM, Decorah-Waukon) and KVFD (1400 AM, Fort Dodge).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning this week at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green has scored 1,120 points entering his senior season at Cedar Falls High School. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday beginning 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
UNLV (6-0) at UNI (5-2)
Wed., Nov. 29, 2017 • 7 p.m.
Cedar Falls, Iowa (McLeod Center)
ESPN3 | AUDIO | 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
The Valley on 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-Times Series: Tied 1-1
Last Meeting: UNLV 73, UNI 59 (Dec. 19, 2012)
• UNI won the first meeting between the two schools in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. The Panthers scored a 69-66 first-round victory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL STORYLINES VS. UNLV
• The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team (5-2 overall) will take on the UNLV Runnin' Rebels (6-0 overall) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center. The contest will be a part of the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge.
• UNI will play its next six games in the state of Iowa beginning Wednesday.
• UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.0/game). Pickford put on a show against North Carolina State in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis when he went for 18 points and 18 rebounds.
• Pickford, who was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week, is averaging a double-double with 10.9 points per game and 11.0 rebounds per game.
• In its last six games, UNI is 5-1 and allowing only 52.3 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 33.5 percent shooting from the field and only 27.7 percent from three-point range in its last six contests. UNI is enjoying a plus 10.3 advantage (42.3 to 32.0) on the boards in its last half dozen games.
• Tywhon Pickford and Juwan McCloud were named to the Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament team.
UNI MEN'S BASKETBALL NOTES VS. UNLV
UNI RETURNS HOME TO TAKE ON UNLV IN MCLEOD CENTER
The University of Northern Iowa men's basketball team will return home after playing its last three games in the Bahamas at the Battle 4 Atlantis.
UNI (5-2 overall) will take on the UNLV Runnin' Rebels (6-0 overall) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center. The contest will be a part of the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Wednesday's game will be shown live on The Valley on ESPN3.
Brad Wells (play-by-play) and Kevin Lehman (analyst) will call the contest.
UNLV RUNNIN' REBELS
UNLV is in its second year under head coach Marvin Menzies. Menzies guided UNLV to a mark of 11-21 last year but has opened the 2017-18 season by winning all six contests.
UNLV has posted victories over Florida A&M (108-66), Prairie View A&M (98-63), Eastern Washington (91-76), Rice (95-68), Utah (85-58) and Southern Utah (101-82).
The Runnin' Rebels are led by two of the nation's top rebounders in Brandon McCoy (13.0 rpg) and Shakur Juiston (13.0 rpg). McCoy is UNLV's top scorer at 20.2 points per game.
ALL-TIME SERIES
UNI and UNLV will be meeting for the third time, but this will mark the first matchup between the two in the McLeod Center.
UNI scored a 69-66 victory over UNLV in the first round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Ali Farokhmanesh buried a three-pointer with 4.9 seconds left to provide the margin of victory. Farokhmanesh scored 17 points, including three triples in the second half.
UNLV won the latest meeting between the two schools on Dec. 19, 2012, as a part of the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge. Anthony Bennett had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 21 UNLV to a 73-59 victory over UNI at the Thomas & Mack Center.
MOUNTAIN WEST/MISSOURI VALLEY CHALLENGE
The Mountain West and Missouri Valley conferences conduct a Challenge Series that features head-to-head competition between 10 Mountain West and 10 MVC teams annually, with each conference hosting five games apiece each season.
Annual matchups are based upon factors including the previous year's achievements, records and RPI rankings, as well as projected rankings/strength of teams in the upcoming season, based on composite sources. Each season is considered separately in terms of matchups, therefore, games from the previous year's Challenge Series may not be returned.
This Year's Matchups
Nov. 28 Loyola at Boise
Nov. 28 Utah State at Valparaiso
Nov. 28 Colorado State at Missouri State
Nov. 29 UNLV at UNI
Nov. 29 Air Force at Indiana State
Nov. 29 Illinois State at Nevada
Nov. 29 Evansville at New Mexico
Dec. 2 San Jose State at Southern Illinois
Dec. 2 Drake at Wyoming
Dec. 3 Bradley at San Diego State
UNI IN MWC/MVC CHALLENGE
UNI has tallied a 3-3 mark in the Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge through the years.
UNI has scored Challenge wins over Wyoming (2009), TCU (2010) and Colorado State (2011).
UNI suffered Challenge losses at UNLV (2012), at home to Colorado State (2015) and at Wyoming (2016).
CONTRASTING STYLES
UNI enters Wednesday's game vs. UNLV ranked No. 8 in the nation in scoring defense (57.1 ppg).
UNLV ranks No. 3 in the nation in scoring offense (96.3 ppg).
LAST TWO NCAA CHAMPS
UNI's only two losses this season have come against the last two NCAA champions - North Carolina (2017) and Villanova (2016).
Both setbacks also came against top-10 ranked foes as North Carolina was ranked No. 9 and Villanova was No. 5 at the time of each matchup.
PICKFORD EARNS NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK HONORS FROM MVC
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford was honored as the MVC Newcomer of the Week (Nov. 27).
Pickford averaged 12.7 points and 12.7 rebounds as UNI took second place at the Battle 4 Atlantis.
DOUBLE-FIGURE REBOUNDER
UNI freshman guard Tywhon Pickford ranks No. 14 in the nation and No. 1 in the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding (11.0/game).
Pickford has posted at least nine rebounds in each of the last six games.
Pickford put on a show against North Carolina State in the semifinals of the Battle 4 Atlantis when he went for 18 points and 18 rebounds. It marked the first 18-rebound performance by a UNI Panthers since David Gruber went for 18 rebounds against Montana on Nov. 22, 2002.
RARE CLASS OF STATS
Pickford is looking to become the first UNI Panther to average double-figure rebounds for a season since Joe Breakenridge averaged 10.5 rebounds per game in the 2000-2001 season.
Prior to Breakenridge averaging double figures in rebounds you have to go all the way back to the 1975-1976 season which saw Mark Enright average 10.5 rebounds per game for the Panthers.
DEFENSE, REBOUNDING KEYED UNI'S 5-2 START TO SEASON
UNI's 5-2 start to the 2017-18 season has been built on thethe strength of its defense and ability to rebound.
The Panthers have limited the opposition to 57.1 points per game and 36.0 percent field goal shooting.
UNI is enjoying a +7.7 rebonding margin this season. UNI has outrebounded five of its seven opponents, including a +8.0 advantage over No. 5-ranked Villanova in the Battle 4 Atlantis title game.
RATCHETING UP THE DEFENSE
Since giving up 86 points in the season opener against North Carolina, UNI has ratcheted up the defensive effort.
In its last six games, UNI is 5-1 and allowing only 52.3 points per game. UNI has limited the opposition to 33.5 percent shooting from the field and only 27.7 percent from three-point range in its last six contests.
UNI is enjoying a plus 10.3 advantage (42.3 to 32.0) on the boards in its last half dozen games.
KEEP IT IN THE STATE OF IOWA
UNI will play its next six games in the state of Iowa beginning Wednesday vs. UNLV in the McLeod Center.
Five of UNI's next six games (Nov. 29 - UNLV: Dec. 7 - UT Arlington; Dec. 10 - Dubuque; Dec. 22 - Xavier; Dec. 28 - Southern Illinois) will be played in the McLeod Center - the only game away from Cedar Falls is Dec. 16 vs. Iowa State in Des Moines at The Hy-Vee Classic.
PICKFORD FROM DEEP
Tywhon Pickford is the only UNI Panther to have drained at least one 3-pointer in each of the team's first seven contests this season.
Pickford ranks second on the team with 11 made 3-pointers.
JUWAN FINDS THE ZONE
UNI sophomore point guard Juwan McCloud has scored in double figures in five games this season. McCloud posted double-figure scoring games four times all of last year.
McCloud ranks second on the team at 12.7 points per game. McCloud has also tallied a team-best 20 assists this year.
McCloud has drained 11 three-pointers this season after making nine three-pointers during the 2016-17 season.
PICKFORD, MCCLOUD NAMED BATTLE4ATLANTIS TOURNEY TEAM
UNI's Tywhon Pickford and Juwan McCloud were named to the Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament team.
Pickford averaged 12.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game in the three contests. He pulled down 10 offensive rebounds in the tournament. Pickford also went for 18 points and 18 rebounds vs. North Carolina State.
McCloud led the Panthers in scoring at 13.0 points per game. He also handed out a team-high 10 assists and tallied four steals.
SPENCE OFF THE BENCH
UNI sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman sparked the Panther victory over SMU by draining four 3-pointers and scoring 15 points off the bench.
Haldeman has made 13-of-28 three-pointers this season and is averaging 7.6 points per game off the bench.
KOCH PERFORMS AT HIGH LEVEL
Senior Bennett Koch leads the Panthers in scoring (15.1 ppg), field goal% (67.3%) and free throw% (82.1%) through their first seven games.
Koch is the lone UNI Panther to have scored in double figuers in all seven contests.
He ranks second on the squads in rebounding (8.9 rpg).
COUNTLESS 3-POINT BOMBERS
Through seven games, UNI has five players who have made at least six 3-pointers this season.
Spencer Haldeman (13), Juwan McCloud (11), Tywhon Pickford (11), Isaiah Brown (10) and Klint Carlson (6) have all made at least six shots from 3-point land this season.
UNI is averaging 8.1 made 3-pointers per game.
UNI'S 3-POINT STREAK
UNI has made at least one 3-pointer in 568 straight games – the longest active streak in the Missouri Valley Conference.
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.
22 POWER-FIVE VICTORIES
UNI reached the championship game of the 2017 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament with victories over SMU and Atlantic Coast Conference's North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The triumph over N.C. State marked the 22nd victory for the Panthers over a Power-5 conference foe (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) since head coach Ben Jacobson took over the program in 2006-07.
Power 5 Victories (since 2006-07)
Iowa State (60-57 - 2006-07)
at Iowa (57-55 - 2006-07)
at Iowa State (61-48 - 2007-08)
vs. Auburn (67-61 - 2008-09)
vs. Boston College (81-69 - 2009-10)
at Iowa State (63-60) - 2009-10)
Iowa (67-50 - 2009-10)
vs. Kansas (69-67 - 2009-10)
Iowa State (60-54 - 2010-11)
vs. Indiana (67-61 - 2010-11)
at Iowa State (69-62 - 2011-12)
Iowa (80-60 - 2011-12)
vs. Virginia Tech (73-54 - 2014-15)
vs. Northwestern (61-42 - 2014-15)
vs. Iowa (56-44 - 2014-15)
North Carolina (71-67 - 2015-16)
vs. Iowa State (81-79 - 2015-16)
vs. Washington State (63-59 - 2015-16)
vs. Texas (75-72 - 2015-16)
vs. Arizona State (82-63 - 2016-17)
vs. Oklahoma (73-67 - 2016-17)
vs. North Carolina State (64-60 - 2017-18)
KOCH SNARES CAREER-HIGH
UNI senior Bennett Koch tallied a pair of 20-point scoring games this past week to give him five career 20-point scoring games.
He posted a career-high 25 points in a 72-43 win over Wartburg.
Active 20-Plus Point Scoring Games
Bennett Koch (5)
Klint Carlson (1)
Hunter Rhodes (1)
KOCH TIES MCLEOD RECORD
Bennett Koch tied his own McLeod Center record for field goal percentage in a game (1.000) as he went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Wartburg.
Last season, Koch went 8-for-8 from the field vs. Drake (Jan. 15, 2017).
50 REBOUNDS VS. WARTBURG
UNI posted 50 rebounds vs. Wartburg to equal the highest amount for a Panther team in the McLeod Center.
UNI also tallied 50 rebounds vs. Coe on Nov. 16, 2010.
THE UNDER 50 CLUB
UNI held Chicago State to 44 points in its win Saturday in the McLeod Center.
It marks the 48th time in the Ben Jacobson coaching era that the Panthers have held a team to under 50 points. UNI is 47-1 in those contests.
UNI has won 40 straight games when holding the opposition to less than 50 points.
OPP. HELD UNDER 50 PTS IN JACOBSON COACHING ERA
Date Opponent Result
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
11/15/17 Wartburg W, 72-43
11/13/17 Alcorn State W, 73-45
2/8/17 Southern Illinois W, 49-41
11/12/16 Coe W, 74-37
2/24/15 Indiana State W, 66-44
1/9/15 Drake W, 77-44
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
3/7/15 vs. Loyola W, 63-49
(MVC Tournament)
3/6/15 vs. Bradley W, 71-46
(MVC Tournament)
2/21/15 Bradley W, 56-39
2/18/15 at Loyola W, 58-39
1/18/15 Missouri State W, 60-46
1/10/15 at Drake W, 64-40
1/7/15 Southern Illinois W, 55-39
12/20/14 vs. Iowa W, 56-44
11/26/14 vs. Northwestern W, 61-42
11/22/14 North Florida W, 66-49
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
2/5/13 Missouri State W, 48-37
1/23/13 Southern Illinois W, 58-45
11/17/12 North Dakota W, 72-47
1/31/12 Southern Illinois W, 58-49
1/4/12 Indiana State W, 65-48
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
11/22/11 Western Carolina W, 59-39
11/12/11 Old Dominion W, 63-46
1/22/11 Drake W, 69-49
1/12/11 at Illinois State W, 46-44
12/19/10 SIU Edwardsville W, 68-47
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
3/6/10 vs. Bradley W, 57-40
(MVC Tournament)
3/5/10 vs. Drake W, 55-40
(MVC Tournament)
2/10/10 at Drake W, 57-48
1/16/10 vs. Indiana State W, 62-40
1/9/10 at Illinois State W, 59-44
1/6/10 at Southern Illinois W, 61-49
1/1/10 vs. Evansville W, 65-46
12/19/09 at North Dakota W, 64-41
11/28/09 vs. Northern Illinois W, 52-45
2/18/09 vs. Drake L, 47-46
12/6 /08 vs. North Dakota W, 69-49
3/7/08 vs. Southern Illinois W, 54-49
(MVC Tournament)
12/29/07 at Bradley W, 59-46
12/15/07 vs. Wartburg W, 99-48
11/27/07 at Iowa State W, 61-48
11/9/07 vs. Northern Illinois W, 75-45
12/2/06 at Bucknell W, 57-48
80 OR MORE IS A GOOD SIGN
UNI is 44-6 when scoring 80 or more points in the Ben Jacobson coaching era.
UNI SCORING 80+IN JACOBSON ERA
Date Opponent Results
11/18/17 Chicago State W, 82-44
12/7/16 South Dakota State W, 86-58
11/17/16 vs. Arizona State W, 82-63
3/20/16 vs. Texas A&M L, 92-88 (2OT)
2/10/15 Missouri State W, 83-69
2/6/15 at Drake W, 82-66
12/30/15 Bradley W, 80-44
12/19/15 vs. Iowa State W, 81-79
11/30/15 North Texas W, 93-70
11/28/15 at North Dakota W, 97-51
11/25/15 Dubuque W, 83-63
2/11/15 Illinois State W, 83-64
12/13/14 at VCU L, 93-87 (2OT)
2/1/14 Indiana State L, 87-81
1/29/14 Evansville W, 95-81
1/25/14 at Loyola L, 93-87 (OT)
1/14/14 Missouri State W, 94-89
1/8/14 at Evansville W, 80-53
1/1/14 Bradley W, 80-46
12/28/13 Iona W, 90-78
12/7/13 vs. Iowa State L, 91-82 (OT)
11/22/13 Loyola Marymount W, 90-81
11/11/13 Coe W, 86-52
3/26/13 Bradley W, 90-77
3/2/13 Illinois State W, 80-72
1/20/13 Drake W, 85-55
1/12/13 Bradley W, 84-53
12/23/12 Saint Mary's W, 82-75
12/8/12 at George Mason W, 82-77 (OT)
11/14/12 Toledo W, 84-81 (OT)
11/10/12 Wartburg W, 103-50
1/7/12 at Drake W, 83-68
12/19/11 Loras W, 84-48
12/6/11 Iowa W, 80-60
12/3/11 Colorado State W, 83-77
3/15/11 Rider W, 84-50
2/15/11 at Bradley W, 80-70
1/9/11 Bradley W, 83-77
11/16/10 Coe W, 84-45
1/3/10 Missouri State W, 84-76
12/12/09 Siena W, 82-65
11/23/09 vs. Boston College W, 81-69
2/11/09 Southern Illinois W, 81-55
1/17/09 at Drake W, 81-59
12/28/08 Indiana State L, 85-84 (2OT)
11/25/08 Chicago State W, 81-70
12/15/07 Wartburg W, 99-48
12/20/06 Wartburg W, 83-61
12/09/06 UMKC W, 85-53
11/13/06 vs. Pepperdine W, 83-58
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 136-35 (.795) 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.
9 HOME WINS IN 11 STRAIGHT YRS
UNI has won nine or more home games in the McLeod Center in 11 consecutive seasons.
UNI will play 16 home games during the 2017-18 season - the most regular seaso 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 3-0
PAIR OF DOUBLE-DOUBLES
Bennett Koch and Tywhon Pickford each posted double-doubles against Alcorn State.
Koch earned his third career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds vs. the Braves.
Pickford secured his first collegiate double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds vs. the Braves.
The last time UNI had two players record double-doubles on the same night came back on March 2, 2013, when Jake Koch (18 pts./11 rbs.) and Seth Tuttle (15 pts./12 rbs.) did it against Illinois State.
UNI's Active Double-Double List
Bennett Koch (3)
Klint Carlson (1)
Luke McDonnell (1)
Tywhon Pickford (1)
FRESHMAN DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Tywhon Pickford's double-double vs. Alcorn State was UNI's first double-double by freshman since Seth Tuttle earned four of them during his 2011-12 season.
COACH JAKE IN HOME OPENERS
UNI is 11-1 in home openers under head coach Ben Jacobson after the Panthers scored a 73-45 win over the Alcorn State Braves on Monday.
Overall, UNI has won 16 of its last 17 home openers.
Home Opening Results Under Jake
2006-07 W, 69-58 vs. Milwaukee
2007-08 W, 75-45 vs. NIU
2008-09 W, 61-56 vs. Denver
2009-10 W, 52-45 vs. NIU
2010-11 W, 84-45 vs. Coe
2011-12 W, 78-69 vs. Northern Colorado
2012-13 W, 103-50 vs. Wartburg
2013-14 W, 86-52 vs. Coe
2014-15 W, 64-52 vs. North Dakota
2015-16 L, 84-78 vs. Colorado State
2016-17 W, 74-37 vs. Coe
2017-18 W, 73-45 vs. Alcorn State
UNI OPENED AT DEAN DOME
The Panthers opened the season last Friday at No. 9-ranked North Carolina. The Tar Heels scored an 86-69 victory over the Panthers at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
UNI had three players reach double-figure scoring at North Carolina, led by sophomore guard Spencer Haldeman's 15 points off the bench. UNI starters Bennett Koch (11 points) and Isaiah Brown (13 points) each scored in double figures.
BROWN SETS CAREER-HIGH
Sophomore guard Isaiah Brown scored a career-high 13 points against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
It is the second double-figure scoring game of Brown's career. He opened the season last year with 10 points in a 74-37 win over Coe.
13 TRIPLES ON THE ROAD
The Panthers made 13 3-pointers at North Carolina.
Last season, UNI made 13 or more three-pointers in two games.
The last time UNI made at least 13 3-pointers in a game came Dec. 7, 2016, when the Panthers buried 20 3-pointers against South Dakota State.
The last time UNI made 13 or more 3-pointers in a true road game came on Jan. 27, 2016, when the Panthers made 15 triples in an 68-50 victory at Bradley at Carver Arena.
UNI VS. RANKED TEAMS
UNI has registered 17 wins over ranked Division I opponents and 14 of those wins have come since Ben Jacobson joined the UNI coaching staff in the 2001-02 season.
Since the 1979-80 season, UNI is 17-39 vs. ranked foes.
The Panthers have posted two road wins over ranked foes in program history and both times it came in Wichita, Kansas. UNI knocked off No. 25 Wichita State (53-50 - Feb. 13, 2016) and No. 16 Wichita State (63-59 (Dec. 30, 2006).
UNI has three neutral-court wins over ranked foes, with two of those coming in 1990 and 2010 NCAA tournaments.
UNI is 2-0 all-time against No. 1-ranked opponents. UNI secured a 71-67 win over North Carolina in the McLeod Center on Nov. 21, 2015. The Panthers also recorded a 69-67 win over No. 1 Kansas in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.
UNI has posted a mark of 3-2 in its last five matchups against top-five ranked foes.
UNI vs. Ranked Opponents (since 1979-80)
#5 Villanova L, 64-50 (N) - 11/24/17
#9 North Carolina L, 86-69 (A) - 11/10/17
#8 North Carolina L, 85-42 (A) - 12/21/16
#9 Xavier L, 64-42 (A) - 11/26/16
#11 Xavier L, 67-59 (N) - 11/20/16
#15 Texas A&M L, 92-88 2ot (N) - 3/20/16
#25 Wichita State W, 53-50 (A) - 2/13/16
#5 Iowa State W, 81-79 (N) - 12/19/15
#1 North Carolina W, 71-67 (H) - 11/21/15
#17 Louisville L, 66-53 (N) - 3/22/15
#11 Wichita State L, 74-60 (A) - 2/28/15
#12 Wichita State W, 70-54 (H) - 1/31/15
#4 Wichita State L, 82-73 (H) - 2/8/14
#8 Wichita State L, 67-53 (A) - 1/5/14
#17 Iowa State L, 91-82 OT (N) - 12/7/13
#15 Wichita State W, 57-52 (H) - 2/2/13
#12 Creighton L, 79-68 (A) - 1/15/13
#21 UNLV L, 73-59 (A) - 12/19/12
#19 Memphis L, 52-47 (N) - 11/24/12
#2 Louisville L, 51-46 (N) - 11/22/12
#13 Creighton W, 65-62 (H) - 2/4/12
#23 Creighton L, 63-60 (A) - 1/10/12
#10 Syracuse L, 68-46 (A) - 11/12/10
#13 Michigan State L, 59-52 (N) - 3/26/10
#1 Kansas W, 69-67 (N) - 3/20/10
#15 Marquette L, 73-43 (N) - 11/28/08
#14 Drake L, 65-55 (H) - 2/16/08
#22 Drake L, 58-54 (A) - 1/26/08
#11 Nevada L, 79-64 (A) - 2/17/07
#16 Wichita State W, 63-59 (A) - 12/30/06
#17 Washington L, 70-61 (A) - 11/14/06
#23 Georgetown L, 54-49 (N) - 3/17/06
#24 Bucknell W, 65-61 (H) - 2/18/06
#12 Iowa W, 67-63 (H) - 12/6/05
#20 Wisconsin L, 57-52 (N) - 3/18/05
#17 Iowa L, 76-73 (A) - 12/7/05
#14 Georgia Tech L, 65-60 (N) - 3/19/04
#15 Southern Illinois W, 68-52 (H) - 3/1/04
#20 Creighton W, 82-73 (H) - 1/14/04
#24 Iowa W, 77-66 (H) - 12/9/03
#13 Creighton L, 84-75 (H) - 2/4/03
#11 Iowa W, 78-76 (H) - 12/4/01
#17 Alabama L, 64-56 (N) - 12/20/00
#10 Iowa W, 84-78 (H) - 12/9/97
#12 Iowa L, 78-73 (H) - 12/5/95
#11 Iowa State L, 81-62 (H) - 1/25/95
#8 Iowa L, 64-44 (A) - 12/8/92
#16 Iowa L, 108-85 (H) - 12/19/91
#20 Minnesota L, 81-78 (N) - 3/18/90
#11 Missouri W, 74-71 (N) - 3/16/90
#20 Iowa W, 77-74 (H) - 1/3/90
#3 Georgetown L, 83-49 (N) - 12/29/89
#5 Iowa L, 95-76 (A) - 12/6/88
#14 Missouri L, 91-62 (A) - 1/12/83
#6 Iowa L, 84-53 (A) - 12/21/81
#14 Iowa L, 86-52 (A) - 12/30/80
#20 Iowa L, 78-46 (A) - 12/6/79
NOTE: Associated Press poll used
UNI's Record vs. Ranked Opponents
Overall Home Away Neutral
17-40 12-6 2-19 3-15
JAKE RANKS AMONG MVC's ALL-TIME TOP COACHES
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson ranks No. 6 in the Missouri Valley Conference history in victories with 239.
Jacobson ranks No. 7 in league history in MVC games only with 123 wins.
Henry Iba tops both lists with 486 total wins and 187 league wins.
MVC Coaching Victories
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 486
2. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 337
3. Dana Altman (Creighton) 327
4. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 261
5. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 252
6. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 239
7. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 225
8. Ralph Miller (Wichita State) 220
9. Maury John (Drake) 211
10. Joe Stowell (Bradley) 197
MVC Coaching Wins (Conf. Games Only)
1. Henry P. Iba (Oklahoma State) 187
2. Dana Altman (Creighton) 182
3. Eddie Hickey (Creighton/St. Louis) 163
4. Barry Hinson (Missouri State/SIU) 134
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State) 134
6. Dr. F.C. Allen (Kansas) 126
7. Ben Jacobson (UNI) 123
8. Rich Herrin (Southern Illinois) 111
9. Jim Molinari (Bradley) 110
10. Maurice John (Drake) 95
TOP-FOUR FINISHES IN MVC
UNI extended its streak of top-four finishes in the Missouri Valley Conference to a ninth straight season with its third-place finish in 2016-17.
IN THE UPPER HALF
UNI recorded its 14th straight upper-half finish Missouri Valley Conference.
It is the longest active streak in the league.
Prior to the 2003-04 season, when the current streak began, UNI had finished in the top half of the MVC on two occasions (1993-94 - 5th, 1996-97 - 4th) since joining the league in 1991-92.
14 STRAIGHT YEARS OF 9 OR MORE MVC WINS
UNI also extended its streak of nine or more MVC victories in a season to 14 straight years. It is the longest active streak in the league.
Wichita State has the second-longest active streak at eight.
UNI in the MVC Since 2003-04
2003-04 - 12-6 (T-2nd)
2004-05 - 11-7 (T-3rd)
2005-06 - 11-7 (T-5th)
2006-07 - 9-9 (5th)
2007-08 - 9-9 (T-5th)
2008-09 - 14-4 (T-1st)
2009-10 - 15-3 (1st)
2010-11 - 10-8 (T-4th)
2011-12 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
2012-13 - 11-7 (3rd)
2013-14 - 10-8 (3rd)
2014-15 - 16-2 (2nd)
2015-16 - 11-7 (T-4th)
2016-17 - 9-9 (T-3rd)
EIGHT NCAA TRIPS FOR UNI
UNI made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2016. The Panthers are 5-8 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
UNI's All-Time NCAA Tourney Results
1990 - W, 74-71 vs. #3 Missouri
1990 - L, 84-81 vs. #6 Minnesota
2004 - L, 65-60 vs. #3 Georgia Tech
2005 - L, 57-52 vs. #6 Wisconsin
2006 - L, 54-49 vs. #7 Georgetown
2009 - L, 61-56 vs. #5 Purdue
2010 - W, 69-66 vs. #8 UNLV
2010 - W, 69-67 vs. #1 Kansas
2010 - L, 59-52 vs. #5 Michigan State
2015 - W, 71-54 vs. #12 Wyoming
2015 - L, 66-53 vs. #4 Louisville
2016 - W, 75-72 vs. #6 Texas
2016 - L, 92-88 (2OT) vs. #3 Texas A&M
7TH NCAA APPEARANCE SINCE 2004
The Panthers have made seven NCAA appearances since the 2004 season. Only 27 other teams have made more than seven NCAA Tournament appearances since 2004.
That is the most NCAA Tournament apperance since 2004 for any current member of the MVC. New MVC member Valparaiso has made three NCAA Tournaments in that same time frame (2004, 2013, 2015).
Current MVC NCAA Appearances Since 2004
UNI (7) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016
Southern Illinois (4) - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Valparaiso (3) - 2004, 2013, 2015
Indiana State (1) - 2011
Drake (1) - 2008
Bradley (1) - 2006
PANTHERS PICKED SECOND IN MVC PRESEASON POLL
UNI has been slotted to finish second in the preseason 2017-18 Missouri Valley Conference poll.
UNI received eight first-place votes in the preseason poll. It is the most preseason first-place votes in a year that the Panthers were not picked as the preseason favorites.
MVC Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) Total
1. Missouri State (30) 381
2. UNI (8) 337
3. Loyola (1) 321
4. Illinois State (1) 256
5. Southern Illinois 226
6. Valparaiso 214
7. Bradley 182
8. Indiana State 116
9. Evansville 88
10. Drake 79
KOCH, CARLSON EARN ALL-MVC PRESEASON HONORS
University of Northern Iowa seniors Bennett Koch and Klint Carlson have been named to the Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference teams.
Koch earned first-team all-MVC honors, while Carlson was selected to the second team.
Koch is UNI's top returning scorer at 11.0 points per game. In his last 14 games last season, Koch averaged a team-best 14.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game.
Carlson averaged more points per game for the third consecutive season (8.3 ppg). He ranked No. 4 in the league at 36.6 minutes per game.
RADIO INFORMATION
This year's UNI men's basketball games can be heard on the UNI Sports Radio Network, with KXEL (1540 AM, Waterloo, Iowa) serving as flagship station. Affiliates include KBGG (1700 AM, Des Moines), KGYM (1600 AM, Cedar Rapids), KQCR (98.9 FM, Hampton), KILJ (105.5 FM, Mount Pleasant), KFXE (1160 AM, Decorah-Waukon) and KVFD (1400 AM, Fort Dodge).
Long-time Panthers announcer Gary Rima handles play-by-play duties, while Kevin Boyle serves as analyst. Head coach Ben Jacobson's weekly radio call-in show will air on Thursdays, beginning this week at 6 p.m., live from The Other Place in Cedar Falls.
UNI INKS TOP-100 RECRUIT GREEN
University of Northern Iowa head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson has announced the signing of consensus top-100 recruit A.J. Green to a National Letter-of-Intent to play for the Panthers beginning in the 2018-19 season.
Green (6'4", 175 lbs., Guard – Cedar Falls, Iowa/Cedar Falls HS) is ranked among the top-100 recruits by ESPN (No. 74), 247 (No. 77), Scout (No. 77) and Rivals (No. 88). He is a four-star recruit and a first-team all-state pick by the Iowa Newspaper Association in both 2016 and 2017.
"A.J. has a tremendous work ethic and drive to be the absolute best. It has been a lot of fun watching him work and grow as player over the course of all these years," Jacobson said. "In A.J., we are getting a player who knows our program, comes in with lofty goals and has made himself one of the best players in the country. Most importantly we are getting a terrific young guy. This is an exciting day for our basketball family and for Panther Nation as A.J. officially becomes a Panther."
Green has scored 1,120 points entering his senior season at Cedar Falls High School. Green averaged 21.5 points per game and grabbed 4.2 rebounds per game, while he shot 47.4 percent from the floor (43.4 – 3-point range) as a junior. He averaged 17.8 points per game and made 44 percent of his three-point shots as a sophomore. Green scored 186 points and averaged 8.0 points per game as a freshman.
Green played AAU basketball for the Iowa Barnstormers. He is the son of Kyle and Michele Green.
WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE
UNI head coach Ben Jacobson or a member of his coaching staff will be available at the weekly press conference held each Monday beginning 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
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/ Men's BasketballPST: Ben Jacobson - Dec. 5, 2025 (Part 1 of 3)
Friday, December 05
PST: Ben Jacobson - Dec. 5, 2025 (Part 2 of 3)
Friday, December 05
PST: Ben Jacobson - Dec. 5, 2025 (Part 3 of 3)
Friday, December 05
Ben Jacobson Postgame Interview - Dec. 1, 2025.
Tuesday, December 02