Re: Up Next: North Carolina
Article about potential "Giant Killers", UNI is listed as the wild card with this write up.
The wild card
Northern Iowa Panthers
Last season: 31-4; 16-2 Missouri Valley Conference
On the heels of a dream season in which the Panthers won 31 games and played Giant in the NCAA tournament, they find themselves in a more familiar position this year as a potential Killer. Gone is MVC Player of the Year Seth Tuttle, along with fixtures Nate Buss, Deon Mitchell and Marvin Singleton. But coach Ben Jacobson still has enough talent to execute his methodical, efficient system: Last season the Panthers ranked 14th in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency while playing the 348th-fastest tempo in the country, six full possessions below the NCAA average of 64.8. Early this season, Jacobson's moves have included increasing the workload for guards*Wes Washpun*and*Jeremy Morgan, and JUCO transfer*Aarias Austinhas also provided an early spark with five 3-balls in the Panthers' first two games.
Without Tuttle around to clean up the defensive boards, UNI's defensive efficiency could slip, and the Panthers could relinquish a key weapon in their fight against Giants, the ability to win the possession battle. But if 6-foot-9*Bennett Koch*matures and 6-foot-6*Paul Jespersoncontinues to play bigger than his size, UNI will again be a serious threat come tourney time.
Upcoming test: vs. North Carolina, November 21.
Originally posted by pantherUNIverse
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The wild card
Northern Iowa Panthers
Last season: 31-4; 16-2 Missouri Valley Conference
On the heels of a dream season in which the Panthers won 31 games and played Giant in the NCAA tournament, they find themselves in a more familiar position this year as a potential Killer. Gone is MVC Player of the Year Seth Tuttle, along with fixtures Nate Buss, Deon Mitchell and Marvin Singleton. But coach Ben Jacobson still has enough talent to execute his methodical, efficient system: Last season the Panthers ranked 14th in offensive efficiency and 28th in defensive efficiency while playing the 348th-fastest tempo in the country, six full possessions below the NCAA average of 64.8. Early this season, Jacobson's moves have included increasing the workload for guards*Wes Washpun*and*Jeremy Morgan, and JUCO transfer*Aarias Austinhas also provided an early spark with five 3-balls in the Panthers' first two games.
Without Tuttle around to clean up the defensive boards, UNI's defensive efficiency could slip, and the Panthers could relinquish a key weapon in their fight against Giants, the ability to win the possession battle. But if 6-foot-9*Bennett Koch*matures and 6-foot-6*Paul Jespersoncontinues to play bigger than his size, UNI will again be a serious threat come tourney time.
Upcoming test: vs. North Carolina, November 21.
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