Looking at 2015-2016

[williebat]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

"Fact is"...umm...no. That's your opinion, far from fact.

15 years ago, compared to today? Duh. Yes. Exponentially better.

10 years ago? Coming off the second of what would be back-to-back-back NCAA tourney bids. Played competitively in each game but couldn't get over the hump.

5 years ago? Coming off back-to-back tourney bids and the (then) best all around team in school history punctuated by beating the (then) best team in basketball en route to the S16.

Now? Greatest team in school history for one season. With average to marginally-better-than-average teams in the past handful of years. So, yes, for ONE year, we are exponentially better than at any point in the program's history. But your opinion, as stated, doesn't hold a lot of water.

This said. There is an elephant in the room that can go a long way towards explaining that black hole of the last four seasons. What would this program have looked like if a certain son of a certain former UNI player and coach spent his four years here? I have to imagine we'd have had much more success. And the opportunity cost of not getting to layer success on top of said success is impossible to quantify.

But I do think we are passed that point, finally. And Jake can finally build off of this momentum and not be as cyclical or experience the drastic dropoff.

I think the year lucas o'rear got hurt (11-12?) we might have made a huge run in the tourney. We had the chemistry and that fight in us that year to make some noise.

That guy was one of a kind. Should get him on staff.

[SteinPizza]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

Wyatt seems to have "it". Think he's really going to be a special one.

I may be inclined to agree, but it's primarily because the coaches had him on the floor in significant portions of some games. Although he did knock down some threes and made some good defensive plays, it more so because the coaches had him out there than anything spectacular he actually did. Just like any other freshman, his game has nowhere to go but up, so I don't mean to sound negative. He seems to have good court awareness and savy, which are good traits. It's possible he could become a more athletic, better shooting version of McKowen if that's the case. Nothing wrong with that, assuming you have playmakers to compliment him.

[ubuntuCAT]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

I may be inclined to agree, but it's primarily because the coaches had him on the floor in significant portions of some games. Although he did knock down some threes and made some good defensive plays, it more so because the coaches had him out there than anything spectacular he actually did. Just like any other freshman, his game has nowhere to go but up, so I don't mean to sound negative. He seems to have good court awareness and savy, which are good traits. It's possible he could become a more athletic, better shooting version of McKowen if that's the case. Nothing wrong with that, assuming you have playmakers to compliment him.

Not sure I understand this comment at all. Not just any freshman comes in and performs at a high level just because coach put them on the floor.

[SteinPizza]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

Not sure I understand this comment at all. Not just any freshman comes in and performs at a high level just because coach put them on the floor.

It's that the coaches had him out there to begin with. In other words, he gets it, and has enough raw ability where he brings some value add on defense. That kind of stuff can be hard to quantify and see by the average fan, but the coaches must see it. Jake (and Mac before him) have shown in the past that if they only have 6-7 guys who can really play, then that's all they'll use. Even if that's a detriment to the team because guys get tired, wear down, etc. Lohaus would not be playing unless he "got it".

I just brought up the above because some posters seem to think he's going to transform into a big playmaker/penetrator next year. I don't really see it, but it could be because he didn't need to this year, not because of lack of ability.

[UNIdad]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

Wyatt seems to have "it". Think he's really going to be a special one.

Definitely agree. Very seldom did I watch Wyatt play and even think that about him being a true freshman. His confidence, but even more his execution at clutch moments and difficult situations, showed me that he is indeed special.

[Purrrrrfect]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

he played his role greatly this year and his role will be bigger next year...and will be expected to do those things. I think that's where you don't get what people are saying stein.

[PantherFanPeoria]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

Several thoughts. MVC as a conference has the potential for 3 bids next year? Absolutely. Everything has to fall right. baker and vanvleet back to WSU. Our Panthers find a go-to post player. Akoon-Purcell and Lynch turn elite at ISU. the potential is there.

Regarding the post about the program being exponentially better...yea, id say so. the athleticism, quickness, and true skills of Panther teams continues to be better. deon, wes, and morgan have more raw athletic ability than mckowen, ahelegbe, jacobson, moran and so on. that being said, we just need to keep on the same path and keep getting closer to the athletes of a louisville, UNC, etc.

[95UNIGRAD]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

but it could be because he didn't need to this year, not because of lack of ability.

You just figured it out...much more likely that he filled a role this year, and next year and beyond will be his time to shine.

[PantherFanPeoria]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

Looking at 2015-2016. we could have an 18-14 team or a 27-5 team. Lohaus has the pedigree and the game to possibly be the next big UNI star. If Morgan gets aggressive and assertive on offense, he could be an all-league performer. Bohannon shoots. and he's a leader. but i don't see him being the "floor general" type someone above mentioned. he doesn't get many assists, rebounds, or steals. wesley and jesperson both could have huge years. This is what i see could happen next year and need to happen to make a run for another NCAA

PG Washpun 10 PPG 4 APG 1.5 SPG
SG Bohannon 6PPG
SF Morgan 9 PPG 2 APG 4 RPG 2 SPG
PF Jesperson 14 PPG 5 RPG
C Koch 6 PPG 5 RPG
6 Lohaus 13 PPG 3 APG
7 Austin 6 PPG
8 Carlson 5 PPG 4 RPG
9 McDonnell ??

Rebounding will be a big key. At bare minimum, we need to find 1 post guy who is a beast on the glass. That man will play. We need to find 1 post guy that can be a post presence and score. That guy will also be in the rotation. Lastly, this team has plenty of guys that can score. They need to figure out who the go-to guy is. I think that might fall onto Lohaus. and he will be ready.

[otter]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

he played his role greatly this year and his role will be bigger next year...and will be expected to do those things. I think that's where you don't get what people are saying stein.

I agree. More will be expected of him next year, including attacking basket. He did have a couple times this year where he attacked from the sides, but he will need to taking it to the lanes next year. Get some more muscle on him and some more experience this summer and I think he will a big play maker has he has proved already from the outside this year.

[GonzoCat]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

As every one knows this year we had a point center. Tuttle ran the show and directed the offense from the 5 spot. We aren't going to have that next year, hopefully we can come close to replacing the scoring and rebounding we lose at the 5, but we won't replace the assists or the floor generalship he brought. So we are probably going to need a point guard to fill that role like almost every other team.

I'm not sure who that will be, but at least until I see the juco transfer I'm inclined to believe it may be Lohaus. Someone said somthing like he could be a more athletic version of McKowen, and that's just what I was thinking. If he can bring a better skill set along with the bb IQ and leadership Brooks had I'd be very happy with that. Don't forget we made 3 NCAAs with McKowen at the point.

[06panther10]

Apparently Wyoming's coach said recently that they will be playing Indiana State in their challenge game next year.

Anybody have any idea who we are getting for next year?

I was kind of looking forward to getting a program like UNLV or New Mexico in the McLeod Center, but looking at the MWC standings from last season it seems more likely that we will get Boise State or Colorado State. UNLV and UNM were only .500 type teams last year.

[BCPanther]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

Sign me up for Colorado State. They're loaded next year.

Wichita/San Diego State has to happen.
UNI/CSU
IlSU/Boise
Loyola/UNLV
Indiana State/WYO (obviously)
Drake/New Mexico
Evansville/Utah State
MSU/Fresno
SIU/Air Force
Bradley/Nevada

How does that look??

[UNIAlum95]

deon, wes, and morgan have more raw athletic ability than mckowen, ahelegbe, jacobson, moran and so on.

I'm ok with what you are saying in principle but Kwadzo was a one of a kind guard at UNI. I would put him on this team in a heartbeat. And as far as ability to create their own shot, Benny J cannot be duplicated. His pull up fade away could not be stopped. Both would have been starters this year and on next year's teams.

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[UNIdad]

Re: Looking at 2015-2016

I think 3 NCAA bids is unlikely . . . because if we have 3 teams that are that good, they will beat each other and end up with additional losses that diminishes the committee's view of all 3.

A more likely scenario for getting 3 NCAA picks is to have a year like this with 2 great teams . . . but a third not-so-good team that sneaks in through the tournament while the other two have standout years.

Unfortunately, the MVC is unlikely to get the favored treatment based on parity that the Big 12 got this year. However, after how it has gone for the Big 12 this year, maybe the committee is rethinking it. Nah, I doubt it.