Thanks for the memories Benny, Crawford, and JLitt

[Newsbreaker]

Isn't that what I was saying? Don't judge...lest you be judged. News...I think sometimes (I'm judging here...ignoring my own advice) you jump on my posts to disagree with me...for the sake of disagreeing. When in reality...we're pretty close to the same line of thinking.

You're probably right. I'm a 'devils in the details' kind of person, so I have a tendency to pick on relatively minor descrepencies. While both of us agree (very much so) with the "judge not, lest ye be judged" line of thinking, what I read in your post wasn't that, but rather "be careful what you post here, becasue I'm going to judge you based upon it."

It tells us a lot, does it not, that minor differences in methods of communication can lead to much larger gaps of understanding.

[panther2317]

Great list NJ. Benny J will truly be missed. One of the things I liked most about this kid was that he was PASSIONATE about being a Panther!!! He loved putting on the purple and the gold. He represented myself and all of the rest of Panther Nation with class in his four seasons. If you don't believe me, his last comments as a Panther, "It's hard to believe that this is the last time I'll be putting on this uniform." He was such a big part of Panther basketball for the last 4 seasons. We will miss him (along with Erik Crawford and John Little!) but I hope he stays a vital part of Panther Nation. I hope he is a great alumni and helps prop up this program across the state and regionally as well. As long as fans (you know who you are) don't put a spur taste in his mouth, I think he'll be around for a long time as a great booster of the UNI program. GO PANTHERS!!!

[UNIAlum95]

Thanks Seniors!

Thanks to the three seniors. This does not diminish the impact that Gruber Schneiderman, and Foster had on the program, but these were the first Mac guys on the team. They came into the program with nothing but faith in Mac and his dream of turning around UNI basketball. The program that nobody wanted because "you cannot win at UNI".

John Little: Mr. Hustle, the spark plug, Mr. Defense, and this year the best three point option we have. Your intensity and passion for the game is evident every time you go on the court. I remember your freshman year watching you hound opposing players and calling "BALL... BALL... BALL". I love what Mac has always said about you that you practice the way you play and you won't let the team have a bad practice. That says a lot about your character and this team will miss you more than they could possibly know. This years most improved in my opinion. Always look for JLit on the wing and if open it's gone, if not it's a pump fake drive the baseline and swish...

Erik Crawford: A quiet leader and the most complete player on the team. Specialized in shutting down the best player from the opposing team. Had the ability to drive the basket and loved the set three point shot from the top of the key. Usually found banging around after rebounds you never should have been able to get from the bigger players. You always seemed to play 2 inches taller than your 6'4" frame...

Ben Jacobson: Mac's prized recruit. Showed that UNI would no longer let all of the quality Iowa boys head to Omaha. Your skills helped lift us to a second place MVC position (a UNI best ever) and a tournament title in 2004. Your prime time play in front of TV audiences helped us reach the tournament again in 2005 as an at-large (first in school history). Your offensive numbers from three point shooting to points, assists, and steals will remain in the record books for years to come. And while the scoring numbers dropped off this year, there were more options there too. Your defense was a night and day improvement over last year. The hustle to shut down the defender was evident while Erik was out of the lineup.

Three amazing players that have led UNI to places no one thought were possible. Three straight 20 win seasons (never done before at UNI). A 23 win season equaling a school best record. Three straight NCAA tournament appearances. Losses in those games to a national runner up, and elite eight team, and a TBD. A UNI best second place regular season finish in the MVC and a MVC tournament title. Three point records and scoring records broken almost yearly. As disappointing as the end of this season was, when you look back you have to be proud of these kids and what they have done for UNI. There is no shame in what has been accomplished here. Hold your heads high seniors, you have left UNI in a position that no one thought was possible. It is truly a great time to be a panther fan and you have made us all proud!

Hail our Panthers, we are ever loyal,
Showing our strength and unity.
As we rise, we firmly stand behind you,
Urge you on to victory.
Rah! Rah! Rah!
As you lead us on to fame and honor,
Fight! Fight! Fight! will be our cry.
So, give us a yell, Ho! the purple and the gold,
Victory for UNI!
U-N-I FIGHT! U-N-I FIGHT!

[panther2317]

Those seniors were the "X" factor in many of the 65 wins in the last 3 seasons. 65 wins in 3 seasons. When was the last time UNI saw that kind of production in a three year span? Not since they've been division 1.

The coaching staff and the players deserve all of the credit...and we, the fans were really lucky to get to be a part of it all! Thanks!

[pantherfan4ever]

Well said Panthersfan4ever. I agree with 100000%!!

That's a lot of Percents..lol... I'm glad you agree!

[FerociousCat]

Great posts by NJpanther & Alum95.
Last night while playing nerf hoop with my 3 yr old(wearing his ever-present white #12 UNI jersey), says to me,"I'll be Benny & you be Jacobsen!" Which is a switch from his usual of,"I'll be Grant Stout, you be Eric Coleman".
But last night he made me very sad and grateful at the same time. Sad that the run is over for this great group of seniors, and it didn't end the way we wanted. Yet grateful for the amazing things that these guys accomplished(not taking away anything from past seniors).
We took a trip to the Mall of America this week-end. Since I packed only UNI gear, I got numerous comments from people. A complete stranger walked up to me and said,"UNI, they deserved better..."
UNI did deserve better... but that's life.
Members of the 89-90 team our legends to me, but the players who have brought us so much joy these last few years are extremely special as well. I hope my son never forgets these guys, and I'll do my best that he doesn't.

[UNIAlum95]

Hate to nitpick Alum95, because that was a great post, but the 23 win record was set by the 1989-90 team, not a Div II, and remains the single greatest season of UNI basketball. These guys put together what has been and may very well remain forever the greatest three year run of seasons at UNI.

You are correct sir... Thanks for the polite correction.

[JayJ79]

that sound you just hear was Jay missing the point.

eh, that's not uncommon. my shooting percentage is only slightly worse than what the Panthers have been shooting this past month or so. lots of missed points

[UNIAlum95]

eh, that's not uncommon. my shooting percentage is only slightly worse than what the Panthers have been shooting this past month or so. lots of missed points

That's a beautiful quote. Got a nice laugh out. Felt good since I haven't been able to smile for about 8 hours now...