Tweet
On the Prowl: The More Things Change...
6,731 fans watched one of the more inspired basketball games in recent memory, and the large majority of the crowd walked away ecstatic, having witnessed a 66-61 victory that was a big step towards keeping UNI in the NCAA tournament bid hunt.
UNI is now 13-2 after fifteen games. Last year's McDermott-led Panthers also boasted a 13-2 record. This year's team is at the top of the Valley after four games played. Last year's can say the same. Both teams are making coaches around the Valley spend a great deal of time preparing.
But other than that, these teams are completely different.
The 2006-07 Panthers are younger, and rely far more on a transition game to make the difference down the stretch. The freshmen have a tendency to not look at all like freshmen, and even down five poins against the Salukis in the second half, the team wasn't the slightest bit rattled. Greg McDermott's style can be compared and contrasted much more now that his protege and friend Ben Jacobson is in control. Many thought that UNI would continue to have the same kind of game since Jacobson came from McDermott's staff, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Some could argue that the Panthers are deeper this year as opposed to last, but the fact remains that the bench is seeing a lot more floor time this season. One of UNI's best-ever freshman classes coupled with many returning players who have developed their game considerably have added up to visible benefits. It's par for the course to see ten or more players get time in a game, many playing more than ten minutes regularly.
"The bench (was the factor in today's game)," said Saluki coach Chris Lowery after the hard-fought game on Saturday. "(Their bench) made plays like starters." Adam Koch had a coming out party of sorts with six points, a rebound and a block in fourteen minutes. Adam Viet was his usual dynamic self, getting ten points on 3-5 shooting and 2-4 from behind the arc. Lowery pointed out that the biggest factor in the game was UNI having a 20-4 advantage in bench points.
"They push in transition a lot more this year," Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery said in the press conference following the Panther win. He went on to talk about how it makes the Panthers a lot more difficult to defend since they've added another prong of attack. The results are the same, however. And while this year's team isn't a radical change from last year's, Coach Jake has made it clear that he isn't quite the same coach as Mac. Not better mind you, just different.
But don't fret, Panther fans: the same effective set plays are being seen on a regular basis. It's not a case of out with the old, in with the new. Just simply think of it as in with the new, making the old even better.
6,731 fans watched one of the more inspired basketball games in recent memory, and the large majority of the crowd walked away ecstatic, having witnessed a 66-61 victory that was a big step towards keeping UNI in the NCAA tournament bid hunt.
UNI is now 13-2 after fifteen games. Last year's McDermott-led Panthers also boasted a 13-2 record. This year's team is at the top of the Valley after four games played. Last year's can say the same. Both teams are making coaches around the Valley spend a great deal of time preparing.
But other than that, these teams are completely different.
The 2006-07 Panthers are younger, and rely far more on a transition game to make the difference down the stretch. The freshmen have a tendency to not look at all like freshmen, and even down five poins against the Salukis in the second half, the team wasn't the slightest bit rattled. Greg McDermott's style can be compared and contrasted much more now that his protege and friend Ben Jacobson is in control. Many thought that UNI would continue to have the same kind of game since Jacobson came from McDermott's staff, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Some could argue that the Panthers are deeper this year as opposed to last, but the fact remains that the bench is seeing a lot more floor time this season. One of UNI's best-ever freshman classes coupled with many returning players who have developed their game considerably have added up to visible benefits. It's par for the course to see ten or more players get time in a game, many playing more than ten minutes regularly.
"The bench (was the factor in today's game)," said Saluki coach Chris Lowery after the hard-fought game on Saturday. "(Their bench) made plays like starters." Adam Koch had a coming out party of sorts with six points, a rebound and a block in fourteen minutes. Adam Viet was his usual dynamic self, getting ten points on 3-5 shooting and 2-4 from behind the arc. Lowery pointed out that the biggest factor in the game was UNI having a 20-4 advantage in bench points.
"They push in transition a lot more this year," Southern Illinois coach Chris Lowery said in the press conference following the Panther win. He went on to talk about how it makes the Panthers a lot more difficult to defend since they've added another prong of attack. The results are the same, however. And while this year's team isn't a radical change from last year's, Coach Jake has made it clear that he isn't quite the same coach as Mac. Not better mind you, just different.
But don't fret, Panther fans: the same effective set plays are being seen on a regular basis. It's not a case of out with the old, in with the new. Just simply think of it as in with the new, making the old even better.
