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**merkpanthers** · 02-15-2006, 11:25 PM

Ben Jacobson is #2 on the Bracket Buster All-Star team with 28.1% of the votes while Nick Fazekas from Nevada has 43.2% of the votes.

**pantherfan4ever** · 02-16-2006, 10:59 AM

those polls really show how much ESPN has helped hype Bucknell! haha... they are 1st in everything...

**ColoradoPanther** · 02-16-2006, 11:23 AM

Maybe they're first in everything because that's what most people outside of Cedar Falls might believe. At least online, I definitely don't see Bucknell getting any more hype than UNI. Except for the ranking this week, the Valley and UNI has been well-hyped to say the least, over the last three months.

I think Bucknell created huge name-recognition by beating Kansas in last year's tourney. Every bracket player in the country knew their name. No hype needed after wins like that.

**NJ Panther** · 02-16-2006, 11:47 AM

Or maybe they're first because they are ranked. Just a possibility

**ColoradoPanther** · 02-16-2006, 02:06 PM

Transcript from Benny J chat

Nothing too startling in the big BracketBuster Blowout chat today, but ESPN usually does pretty good to filter out the trash talking. For those that missed it, here's are some MVC highlights and Benny J's entire transcript.

Ben Jacobson: (2:30 PM ET ) We're excited about the chance to play Bucknell on ESPN. They've had some big wins the last couple years and it's a good opportunity for us.

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Justin Dougherty ,Iowa: Ben Jacobson, How much of a difference does Eric Crawford make to the team, coming back from injury?

Ben Jacobson: (2:31 PM ET ) It's given us a good lift becauase he does so many things and is one of our most complete players. He's not 100 percent yet but we're glad to have him back and hopefully he can work back into game shape soon and be at full strength.

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Chris (Denver, CO): For Benny J: Congrats on the great season so far!! The Panthers are in the thick of one the most hotly contested conference races in the country, is it hard to step out of the Valley to play Bucknell right now, or is this a welcome change of pace?

Ben Jacobson: (2:33 PM ET ) We just take it one game at a time and over the last two games we've had some heartbreaking losses when we had the chance to win. It'll be good to get our minds off the conference for a little while, to get on national TV against a ranked Bucknell team.

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Todd (Springfield, MO): This is for Ben Jacobson, If you had to pick a team besides your own to win the MO-Valley conference tournament who would it be and why?

Ben Jacobson: (2:35 PM ET ) Wichita State has a very talented, balanced team with a quick point guard and some good shooters. Paul Miller is good inside, too. Creighton is well-coached and can take you out of what you want to do, and SIU plays with a lot of pride and intensity and have been able to win a bunch of games with defense. They all have a shot.

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Micah (Cedar Falls): Hey Ben, great season so far. The entire teams 3 point shooting has been down the past few games and is that due to tired legs from playing so many minutes this year or is everything feeling good and they just arent going in. Good Luck on Saturday! GO PANTHERS

Ben Jacobson: (2:37 PM ET ) It's hard to say exactly why that is. Guys have had to play extended minutes with Crawford out and we have a bit of a short bench anyway. We've had some other guys down, too, and we've fought through some adversity, so that might be part of it. We might also just be in a cold streak. But we've still been able to win some games and hopefully these tough losses will help us here down the road.

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TC (Cedar Falls, IA): Hey Benny, I was wondering what the mood is in the locker room after two straight losses?

Ben Jacobson: (2:38 PM ET ) We were pretty down after the last loss but we didn't let it sink in too far. We can't worry about what happened in the past and we're just excited about the game this weekend. And we still feel we have a good chance at the NCAA tourney so we're just looking at the next game and that's all.

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Benji (Cedar Falls, IA): Benny, as you approach the end of your collegiate career, what will you take greatest pride in about your time in CF?

Ben Jacobson: (2:40 PM ET ) A lot of things go into that. All of the firsts are huge: 3 straight 20-win seasons, hopefully three straight NCAAs, a conference tourney title. We've done a lot of things no one has here before and that sense of pride has come to a head this year with the first ranking in school history, the fans and the hoopla. There's a lot about my career I can be proud of.

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Nate (Hiawatha, KS): Ben, if you had to pick, what is the loudest place you have had to play in during your career? Also, where is your favorite place to play on the road? Or maybe the answer to both is the same.

Ben Jacobson: (2:41 PM ET ) In conference I'd say Wichita is as loud as it gets and I've played well there and we won there the last two years. Out of conference Iowa State is as rowdy a place as we've played.

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Trory (Waterloo, IA): Ben, of all the games you have participated in at UNI, what game has proved to be the most memorable?

Ben Jacobson: (2:43 PM ET ) The wins over the state schools are always good because they are such intense rivalries. But the most memorable and meaningful is winning the conference tourney title in St. Louis when I was a sophomore. We wouldn't have made the NCAAs that year without that win and maybe not even last year. It helped us build some momentum and gave us some idea of how good we could be.

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Nick (Topeka, KS): Ben, what are your plans after graduating from UNI? Have you been offered to attend the draft camp?

Ben Jacobson: (2:45 PM ET ) I'm going to pursue a basketball career as far as I can. I've been invited to a couple pre-draft camps and I'm excited about that, but I'm not thinking about that right now. We have some important things to do before this year is over but after that I'll give the NBA a shot, and if that doesn't work out I'll probably end up playing overseas.

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Mike(Carbondale): Good luck against Bucknell. In your career, who is the best guard you have plaed against in the MVC?

Ben Jacobson: (2:46 PM ET ) There has been a lot of good ones. One that really sticks out, though, is Kyle Korver from Creighton. And Kent Williams from SIU was a good one, as well as Nate Funk from Creighton, who is from my home town and who I know well.

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Jeff (Cedar Rapids, IA): Ben, Can you talk about how it feels to come on to the floor in the Dome now as opposed to when you got here.

Ben Jacobson: (2:48 PM ET ) It's unbelieveable how much the atmosphere has improved and that means a lot to me. The things we've been able to do the last couple of years are a reason for that and it's incredible to go from 2,000-2,500 fans my freshman year to 10,000 against Missouri State. It's incredible the way things have turned around for us.

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Cameron (Wichita): Ben, as a Wichita State fan I will be glad to see you graduate. You always seem to play your best against the Shocks. I just want to say it has been a pleasure watching you play and wish you good luck against Bucknell! My question would be this, how has the Valley changed in your four years at UNI as far as talent and perception from outsiders?

Ben Jacobson: (2:50 PM ET ) It's gained a lot of respect and I think the main difference is that we've gone from everyone trying to beat Creighton and SIU, but now we have five or six title hopefuls every year and it's incredible to see that kind of balance. And that's allowed teams to do so well in non-conference and that has helped us gain a lot more national attention and respect.

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Garrett (Normal, IL): Ben, Having made the tournament before and being a mid-major is there an added pressure matching up against more prestigious programs?

Ben Jacobson: (2:51 PM ET ) I don't know if there is added pressure. Maybe a sense of urgency on our part. We've been close to winning a tourney game the last two years and now we want to get back and win a game there. We're taking it one game at a time but we're excited and ready for the NCAA tournament.

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Brent (Boone, IA: Benny, what is the hardest part about being in the spotlight while having to maintain academic duties as well?

Ben Jacobson: (2:53 PM ET ) I think it's difficult for everyone, and I don't think all the increased attention makes it any different. It's hard for all players to balance games, practice, road trips and classwork. It's difficult and it takes a lot of effort.

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Schnebels (Omaha, NE): Ben, whats the feeling going to be like playing the last home game in the UNI dome and your final home game? Good luck the rest of the season.

Ben Jacobson: (2:54 PM ET ) It'll be an emotional night for me. It seems like my time here went so fast and we were as successful as any team that's been through here. It'll be special and I'll remember it for the rest of my life. And I think we'll send the Dome off on a good note.

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Nathan (Waterloo, Iowa): Ben- Who is the best defender in the MVC? Good luck on Saturday!

Ben Jacobson: (2:55 PM ET ) The best defenders I've faced are Little and Crawford every day in practice. They've pushed me hard to become the player I am and that's been big for me.

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Laura (Waverly, Iowa): Do you get a lot of attention for students on campus? Good luck against Bucknell!

Ben Jacobson: (2:57 PM ET ) It's neat at times. It's cool to know people are recognizing what we're doing here and taking note. Four years ago you wouldn't hear much about us and it's been great to see that change. You can really tell the students are excited about what's going on here.

Ben Jacobson: (2:58 PM ET ) Thanks to everyone who tuned in today and thanks to all our fans. We're going to be back after the close losses!

You can see the entire chat archive here of all the bbuster guests, although this might be a "members only" section, I'm not sure:

ESPN - Serving Sports Fans. Anytime. Anywhere.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=10839

Visit ESPN for live scores, highlights and sports news. Stream exclusive games on ESPN and play fantasy sports.

**bison63** · 02-16-2006, 02:07 PM

I was kind of surprised by those vote totals too. I gotta say though that while we may be overated it(not conceding we are,but maybe we are) it beats being underated. We have had 20+ win seasons where we lost in the tournament and had to watch a bunch of 15-12 teams go to the NIT, while we were not even considered.

**Newsbreaker** · 02-16-2006, 02:15 PM

Anyone else notice that none of Ben's answers matched the questions? Good stuff, just odd.

**panther2317** · 02-16-2006, 02:23 PM

that's not the way it read on the actual page. That's odd it got copied here that way.

**ColoradoPanther** · 02-16-2006, 02:24 PM

I muffed the copy/paste and answers got truncated weird. Correction made, should be okay now. Also, I hit the character limit on the post, so I pulled out the other players' comments and put them here:

Only one UNI related questions for Charles Lee at Bucknell:

Francis: Charles, what do you think about your matchup against Northern Iowa on Saturday?
Charles Lee: (12:10 PM ET ) We're very excited for our matchup with UNI. They're a great team in a great conference. And we're looking forward to going to their place and hopefully pick up a big win on a nationally-televised stage. This is definitely an opportunity we want to take advantage of.
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From Lamar Butler, George Mason, WSU Opponent:

Matt J: Fairfax, VA: How will the Witchita State half court defense affect our ability to shoot from the perimeter? Also, some students hear you give haircuts... is that true??
Lamar Butler: (12:44 PM ET ) Yeah, I do give haircuts, just give me a call. With any good perimeter defense, you won't be able to get a shot early, but we work until we get the shot we want. You just have to be patient.

Kurt: Vienna, VA: Lamar: Who will be the X Factor when we get the W in Kansas on Sat.
Lamar Butler: (12:50 PM ET ) Will Thomas. He doesn't get a lot of credit, because of Jai, but his defense in the post and rebound ability is excellent for a sophomore, but he doesn't get the credit he deserves...so I'm gonna give it to him now!
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From Paul Miller, WSU:

Chris (Denver, CO): Paul, Where's the toughest place to play in the Valley?
Paul Miller: (1:11 PM ET ) I'd say the place is Southern Illinois and a close second would be Creighton. You feel confident going in, but it seems like you look at the scoreboard and you're not winning.

Jeff (Chicago): Paul, Who are the best centers you've faced in the MVC?
Paul Miller: (1:24 PM ET ) The best centers are Grant Stout from Northern Iowa is a really good one. They have Erik Coleman, who's a good player. Anthony Tolliver of Creighton is an outstanding player. And Patrick O'Bryant of Bradley, being 7-feet tall is a tough matchup and a good player.

Bryan (Southern Illinois): Paul, as a Saluki alumni, congratulations on your outstanding games against the dawgs. With that being said, which team in the valley do you feel has the best defense?
Paul Miller: (1:30 PM ET ) I would say as far as the defense as a whole, you have to look at Southern Illinois as a team that can really shut it down. Their guards are relentless at pressuring you. I think that Northern Iowa has a great defensive team. They have a great game plan and execute well. It makes it hard for teams to do what they want.
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Randal Falker, SIU

Matt (Champaign, IL): Who is the toughest big man in the Valley that you go up against?
Randal Falker: (2:13 PM ET ) Has to be Paul Miller. He's big, strong and can shoot. He has the complete package and can dominate. We have a good big man but he gave us trouble.

___________________________

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