Making the Grade: UNI men's basketball Jan. 6-12

Northern Iowa gave up a whopping 79 points last week…in two games. The No. 22 Panthers (14-2, 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference) continue to stifle opponents, and are impressing people across the country – both in the stands and among national pundits.

UNI took care of business against two teams it absolutely should've, and that is set up to continue this week on the road against Bradley (6-11, 1-3) and at home against Missouri State (8-8, 2-2).

The starters have taken over as the bread winners in terms of production in the last few games, owing to their experience in league play according to Coach Ben Jacobson. If that continues and a few of the bench guys were so big in non-conference can regain that form, the Panthers will be very tough to beat.

Schedule/Results

UNI vs Southern Illinois; W, 55-39

UNI at Drake; W, 64-40

Offense

B+ Why: This offense isn't really designed to light teams up, but when they're running in transition, getting tough shots at the rim to fall and running designed plays as effectively as they did last week – particularly against Drake – it's more than enough to run away from opponents.

The guard play was inconsistent across both games, with guys like Deon Mitchell and Jeremy Morgan having poor shooting days and just average days overall on the offensive end against Southern Illinois, then shooting lights out in Des Moines. When they were good, though, the guards were almost unstoppable at Drake. Twice, the Panthers ran an alley-oop designed play with four different players. Both were essentially the same, but from different sides. The offense would overload to one side, leaving the receiver of the pass alone on the opposite wing. As soon as his defender sagged to the middle, the pass went to the rim for the finish. The first was ran from Matt Bohannon to Seth Tuttle (for a lay-in), the second from Mitchell to Morgan for an emphatic dunk.

The UNI big men were the consistently solid group last week. Tuttle was primarily back-to-the-basket against Southern Illinois – not the norm, as he's usually receiving the ball in the high post after a ball screen, and attacking off the dribble or passing. He made the Salukis pay with his best game of the season. Marvin Singleton had a really good week as well, returning to that consistent form they've needed.

Defense

A- Why: To be honest, it's hard to find new superlatives to describe how good UNI has been defending opponents in the half court. The 32-2 run against Drake is evidence enough to show what can happen when – as Jacobson puts it – every player on the floor for the Panthers defends as hard as they can all the time. The Bulldogs missed some good shots, but it was primarily what UNI was denying them that led to the run.

It wasn't anything fancy or new, either. UNI did run some zone in both games, but for the most part it was the same hedge on the high screen, quick switches (and back again), lots of talking and in-your-shorts perimeter defending against some good guards. They held widely-regarded SIU guard Anthony Beane to 1 point with a combination of Deon Mitchell, Wes Washpun and Jeremy Morgan defending – and it wasn't anything special or specific to stop him.

The biggest issue remains rebounding – UNI tied SIU 31-31, and gave up 12 offensive boards – but it was significantly better in Des Moines, where the Panthers outrebounded the Bulldogs, 29-16. A lot of that had to do with how well UNI shot (59.5 percent) and how poorly Drake shot (35 percent), but the Bulldogs managed only three offensive boards, and 7-foot center Jacob Enevold had didn't have a single rebound in the game.

It seems crazy, but Jacobson still thinks the defense can be better. MVC opponents must shudder at that thought.

Players (in last two games)

Seth Tuttle, forward

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 18.0 points, 70.0 FG (14 of 20), 40.0 3FG (2 of 5), 60.0 FT (6 of 10), 6.0 reb, 2.5 ast.

There are two nitpicks on Tuttle's performance last week. No. 1: free throws. Six of 10 may not seem terrible, but if that doesn't improve, it could hurt UNI in a close game if he's on the floor. No. 2: he struggled – albeit briefly – against Enevold's size at Drake. But, to repeat: those are minor nitpicks. Tuttle showed everyone how great he can be against SIU going 9 of 12 and grabbing eight rebounds. He's coming up big in the biggest time of the year.

Jeremy Morgan, guard

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 7.5 points, 62.5 FG (5 of 8), 50.0 3FG (3 of 6), 100.0 FT (2 of 2), 5.0 reb, 0.5 ast.

As stated above, an inconsistent week offensively, but remained as good as ever on the defensive end. Against Drake, when he wanted to he couldn't be stopped on offense – that dunk was something – and he rebounding extremely well in addition to on-ball defending at the other end.

Nate Buss, forward

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 7.5 points, 54.5 FG (6 of 11), 60.0 3FG (3 of 5), 0.0 FT (0 of 0), 2.0 reb, 0.0 ast.

Didn't see a ton of time (like the rest of the bench) at Drake, but along with Tuttle was integral against SIU. He's shooting consistently from outside, and his shot selection improved last week from the week before.

Deon Mitchell, guard

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 7.0 points, 50.0 FG (6 of 12), 66.7 3FG (2 of 3), 0.0 FT (0 of 0), 2.0 reb, 2.5 ast.

He spoke to the frustration of the inconsistency shooting after the Drake game, but that's two of his last three games in which he's shot well and come up big offensively. He was as important to the 32-2 run as any player, hence his not being subbed out until well after the run was over. Good to see that happen with how much he struggled earlier in the season.

Marvin Singleton, forward

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 5.5 points, 71.4 FG (5 of 7), 0.0 3FG (0 of 1), 50.0 FT (1 of 2), 6.5 reb, 2.5 ast.

If the Panthers want to do anything in March, Singleton's unsung workmanship will be as important as anything Tuttle, Mitchell, Washpun or anyone else does. His toughness on the boards (returned to the form from early in the season) was as good as ever, and he was efficient on offense.

Wyatt Lohaus, guard

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 5.0 points, 50.0 FG (4 of 8), 100.0 3FG (2 of 2), 0.0 FT (0 of 0), 0.5 reb, 1.5 ast.

Was among the bench players who didn't see much time in Des Moines, but was the most effective bench player offensively in that game with his five points. He continues to get comfortable in league play, and is gaining more minutes because of it.

Matt Bohannon, guard

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 3.0 points, 22.2 FG (2 of 9), 22.2 3FG (2 of 9), 0.0 FT (0 of 0), 2.5 reb, 1.5 ast.

Had a forgettable game against SIU, but was really good against Drake despite shooting just 2 of 6 – all from 3-point range. He passed well – though the Tuttle alley-oop could've been just a touch better to net a dunk (jokes) – and defended as good as he has all season.

Wes Washpun, guard

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 2.5 points, 20.0 FG (1 of 5), 0.0 3FG (0 of 2), 75.0 FT (3 of 4), 2.0 reb, 2.0 ast.

Not a great week offensively, but much of that had to do with how limited he was in Des Moines in the second half. He hasn't had the same impact on the offensive end in conference play in terms of scoring, but he's not going anywhere for his impact in transition and on defense (where he was at his best last week).

Paul Jesperson, guard

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 0.0 points, 0.0 FG (0 of 2), 0.0 3FG (0 of 1), 0.0 FT (0 of 0), 1.5 reb, 0.0 ast.

Normally wouldn't include a player with so few minutes (seven against Drake, five against SIU), but he's SUPPOSED to be a key contributor. Jacobson is mum on exactly why his minutes have been limited, instead touting Morgan's play. But there's something there, and Jesperson hasn't looked at all comfortable since coming back from winter break.

Upcoming Week

UNI at Bradley, 7 p.m. Tuesday at Carver Arena in Peoria, Ill.

UNI vs Missouri State, 3 p.m. Sunday at McLeod Center in Cedar Falls

Past weeks: Nov. 15-22; Nov. 23-30; Dec. 1-8; Dec. 8-15; Dec. 16-23; Dec. 23-30; Dec. 30-Jan. 6

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com