Saturday, January 16, 2016 3:00 p.m.
McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa

Northern Iowa has perhaps the biggest gap in the MVC between their performance at home and on the road. At home this year, UNI beat #1 North Carolina, and their only loss was against Colorado State in the season opener. UNI also beat Iowa State at a neutral court in Des Moines. But when the Panthers put on the road uniforms, they’re 2-6, they’ve lost five in a row, and their only two wins are against North Dakota and George Mason. Unfortunately for the struggling Ramblers—0-5 to start the conference season-- Loyola is playing in Cedar Falls. The Ramblers have never won at UNI, and the Panthers are 119-29 at home since the building opened in 2006.

After losing two of the top frontcourt performers in the league to graduation, Seth Tuttle and Nate Buss, Coach Ben Jacobson has moved to a four guard, one forward starting lineup in 2015-16. The guard oriented scheme shoots a lot of three pointers, and UNI’s threes drop more often when they’re released with confidence… like at home.

Wes Washpun, the 6’1” senior guard, has been fantastic in leading the Panthers’ backcourt. He averages 15.1 ppg while collecting 4.3 rpg and shooting an astounding 52% from the field. He plays with phenomenal energy and has perhaps the best drive and finish in the MVC. Three point marksman Matt Bohannon, another senior guard at 6’4”, averages 12.6 ppg and has hit 53 threes at 42.4%. Paul Jesperson, a 6’6” senior guard, averages 11.8 points, leads the team in rebounding at 5.0, and has hit 40 three pointers. Jeremy Morgan, a 6’5” junior guard, adds 10.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and shoots 53.4% from the field.

Bennett Koch, a 6’9” sophomore, is the sole starting forward. He averages 7.4 points and 3.0 rebounds in 18 minutes per game. Koch is rotated out and back in often with 6’7” sophomore forward Klint Carlson and 6’9” sophomore center Ted Friedman. Wyatt Lohaus, a 6’2” sophomore guard, is the primary guard off the bench.

As a team, UNI shoots 48.1% from the field. Despite their prowess from behind the arc (29th most made threes in college hoops this year), they shoot 55.1% as a team inside the arc—the 25th best shooting percentage in men’s hoops. They’re not a very good rebounding team (partly because they make so many of their shots), but with so many experienced ball handlers they commit few turnovers. And all these assets are amplified to an even higher level when they play at home.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 115aaa.pdf

UNI game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... a_niwa.pdf

TV/Streaming video: Comcast SportsNet

Vegas odds: UNI by 13

I've thought about it over the last few days. It's been a rough, and disappointing year so far. This is the first year I've bought season tickets, and it hasn't gone as planned. Something needs to change. Some things need to change. But I still think there's something in there that could turn it around this season. I still want the best for these kids. They've shown flashes of hope last year. Something we haven't seen in a long time. So, I want them to succeed. I'm hoping they turn it around. And I'll still be rooting for them.

IMO we have seen what the Ramblers have and it is not a great mix particularly in the front court. Does not mean the Ramblers cant win they can but they will have to make few mistakes. Their defense should keep them in games and if they can shoot decently from 3 and not fall to far behind in rebounds (lof of ifs) they will pull some games out. At this point it will depend a lot on their effort and how they are dealing with what must be great disappointment.THis might be the real mark of PM is if he can keep this group motivated.
GOOOOO RAMBLERS

Based on how this season has went, I predict that we lose by one or two points

Think the Ramblers win by 9

Do you have some inside information that we don't have? Did UNI eat at Chipotle this morning?

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MBB Scholarship Chart

I want to believe the fellas have some pride in the tank. They need to play for themselves as a group and stop looking over at the bench. If that day is today I think we win.

or its all the cough syrup I drank this morning
hahahahahahahaha

I could see an upset today as well. That's a pissed off locker room. Time to make it happen.

Looks like I picked the wrong day to stop snuffing glue

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Cigarboy sucks!