Sunday, January 4, 2015 2:30 p.m.
McLeod Center, Cedar Falls, Iowa

The McLeod Center at Northern Iowa (and its predecessor, the UNI Dome) has been something of a Hall of Horrors for the Ramblers, who are 0-4 at the two venues, including an 80-58 loss last season. In the four contests the Ramblers have played in Cedar Falls since 1995, Loyola has been outscored by an average of nearly 15 points per game, and they’ve only once scored more than 58 points. Yet the distinctive UNI home court advantage is not unique to Loyola, as the #23 Panthers are 105-28 (.789) at the McLeod Center since it opened in 2006. The Panthers were picked to finish second in the MVC in 2014-15, as they brought back just about all their major contributors from their 15-15 team last year, but few expected Northern Iowa to be as much improved as they’ve shown so far this season. The Panthers have won all but two of their games, the exceptions being an overtime loss at VCU, and their last outing on New Year’s Day at Evansville.

All conference first team member Seth Tuttle, a 6’8” senior forward, is the marquee player for the Panthers, averaging 14.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game to lead the team in both categories. Tuttle also shoots over 60% from the field and leads the team in assists and blocks. Joining Tuttle in the starting lineup are 6’1” senior point guard Deon Mitchell, 6’4” junior shooting guard Matt Bohannon, 6’6” senior small forward Marvin Singleton, and 6’5” sophomore guard Jeremy Morgan. While this experienced and cohesive unit has started every game for the Panthers, the most dramatic improvement for Northern Iowa has come from their energetic and experienced group of bench players.

Wes Washpun is the back-up point guard for Northern Iowa, and he may be the most improved player in the MVC this season. The 6’1” junior guard is athletic, versatile, and energetic, and has cut down on his miscues dramatically from last season. Washpun provides a burst of energy and enthusiasm off the bench, and ranks second on the team in scoring with 11.7 ppg on over 60% shooting from both inside and outside the arc. He’s joined off the bench by 6’6” junior guard Paul Jesperson, a transfer from Virginia who averages 7.3 ppg while shooting over 40% from the field and behind the arc. Versatile 6’9” senior forward Nate Buss has the ability to post up or shoot the three, and 6’2” freshman guard Wyatt Lohaus is another solid player with a high basketball IQ who adds 4.8 points per game.

Although Northern Iowa is bigger, stronger and more experienced, they may be the most similar team in the league to the Ramblers in style, pace, and philosophy. They are very team oriented, thrive on controlling tempo and creating offense from their energetic defense, and they choose their shots carefully. Loyola and Northern Iowa are the top two teams in the league in scoring defense, and both are in the top three in field goal percentage, field goal defensive percentage, and three point defense. The Ramblers may have a slight edge on athleticism and quickness, but the two teams are very close in all major team statistical categories except rebounding.

Given Loyola’s history playing in Cedar Falls, the Ramblers would have to put together a nearly flawless effort to knock off the Panthers, with more than a little luck thrown in. UNI is coming off a tough loss at Evansville in which they blew a 10-point second half lead, and are likely anxious to flex their muscles at home. Controlling tempo to the Ramblers' liking alone won't be enough, as UNI has been playing that way for decades, and simply getting into a long-range shooting contest with UNI on their home floor is a futile exercise. Loyola's advantages are speed, quickness, and athleticism, and the best probability for an upset rests on using those tools along with doing everything possible to keep UNI out of synch. Above all, taking care of the ball and cherishing every possession is foremost to getting a win over a UNI team. Yet this is a Loyola team markedly different than others in recent memory with some improbable wins already under their belts, so an upset in a low scoring game is more conceivable than in years past. Even without a win, this game offers an opportunity to learn and improve for challenges later in the season.

Loyola game notes: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loy ... 102aaa.pdf

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

Television/Streaming Video: ESPN3 (http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/channel/espn3)

Vegas line: UNI by 12

Too bad UNI lost to Evansville on the road yesterday, after being up 10 at halftime. They now have extra incentive to win their home opener against the Ramblers, trying to avoid starting the conference season 0-2.

The best case scenario would have been a comfortable win for UNI at Evansville so they might have-- maybe a little bit-- taken us for granted. But at this point, I think the word is out that we're not the same team we were last year. Now they're going to want to lay a royal beatdown on us to re-establish their bona fides. Let's hope we're geared up to play with the same intensity we had at Kent State and against Texas Tech.

The key areas are going to be turnovers, free throws, and threes. UNI has only had one game where they got to the line less than 14 times, and only one game where they made fewer than 10 free throws: their loss at Evansville. During our 7-game winning streak, our margin on attempted free throws has been: 6, -1, -1, 14, 17, 12, -1, 14, so we've been basically even or better on free throw attempts each game. Also during the win streak, only one team has shot better than 27.3% against us on threes, and our combined opposition's three point fg pct. in that span is 20.4%. Stay even on turnovers, stay even or better on free throws, and keep UNI under 30% on threes, and we've got a reasonable chance-- even with a minor rebounding deficit.

I'm sure UNI still isn't to happy about us beating them at the Joe last year either!!!

OK,here we are playing a team that we USED to have trouble with. As I see it, two things could be a problem for us--1--They are the home team and 2--They are taller--Both could be a problem but we are able this go round to be able to handle both. If we play as we have, there is a fine chance we take them down. They most likely be the favorite but only by what I guess to be 5-9 points. Our defense should rise once again . If we win this game , look out above. This game will mark the second defining moment in this year's saga==The first being our fine OOC record

Nice preview JCT. You hit the nail on the head when you said defense and consistency are the keys. We need to continue playing great defense and give the same effort we've been giving all year. It's a big game for us to really start to earn some respect in the valley. But I think UNI wins by 7

What do you guys think about LU being 12 point dogs?

I'm comfortable with us covering that.

If the Ramblers win today, I will become a true believer.

I've got your "Rambler Renaissance" t-shirt ready to send to the printer.

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