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Northern Iowa Basketball: Northern Iowa Panthers 2015-16 Season Preview

By Doug Winkey

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Northern Iowa Panthers

2014-2015 Record:  31-4 (16-2 Missouri Valley)

Postseason:  NCAA Tournament, L 53-66 vs. Louisville

The UNI Panthers had a tremendous year in 2014-2015, finishing second in the Missouri Valley Conference. This season could start very differently, as the team lost it’s do everything player in Seth Tuttle to graduation.

Ben Jacobson does enter the year with multiple upperclassmen and some promising freshmen to try and continue to remain among America’s premier mid-major basketball schools.

Winning 31 games again is not going to happen in 2015-16, but being highly competitive and making the NCAA bracket is not out of the question.

Departures

G – Deon Mitchell

F – Seth Tuttle

F – Nate Buss

F – Marvin Singleton

Key Returners

G – Wes Washpun

G – Paul Jesperson

G – Matt Bohannon

G – Jeremy Morgan

More from MVC

Newcomers

G – Spencer Haldeman

G – Aarias Austin (Transfer from Des Moines [IA] CC)

F – Lincoln Conrey

F – Luke McDonnell

C – Justin Dahl (#47 C 247Sports)

Projected Starters

G – Wes Washpun

G – Matt Bohannon

G – Paul Jesperson

F – Luke McDonnell

C – Justin Dahl

Key Reserves

G – Spencer Haldeman

G – Aarias Austin

G – Jeremy Morgan

F – Lincoln Conrey

F – Ted Friedman

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov. 21 vs. North Carolina – The Panthers will face one of American’s projected best just one week into the season when the Tar Heels visit Cedar Falls. I’m actually high on UNI’s chances to pull off an upset given that it is a home game and they have a knack for putting the fear into top opponents.  Look for a close contest that I think could go either way.

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    • Dec. 19 vs. Iowa State (Neutral Site) – The classic in-state matchup pits Iowa’s scrappy third school against the highly-touted Cyclones in Des Moines. Iowa State won the last meeting in 2013-2014 and I predict the same outcome this year. Northern Iowa is definitely talented and will make it competitive, but I believe ISU has too much experience and versatility to lose this game.

    Key Players:

    Wes Washpun – Washpun enters this season as Northern Iowa’s leading returning scorer and assist man with averages of 7.7 and 2.6 respectively. His definitely has to increase his playmaking and provide excellent back court leadership as a senior.

    Justin Dahl – The 6’11” freshman will likely not become an offensive center piece over night with several experienced shooters back.  However, he will be asked to be an interior force that can rebound and get tough in the middle while his more seasoned comrades handle the bulk of scoring.

    Season Outlook – I expect a season much like the previous one for UNI.  The graduation of Seth Tuttle, the literal do-everything last season, is no small obstacle to overcome, but the team is solid enough to stay competitive. One of the biggest challenges for the team will be how to adjust to the shortened shot clock; as they were very good at slowing teams down and shooting high percentages. Those will be be tougher this year.  I look for a top-3 MVC finish and a second round NCAA exit.

    Next: Michigan Receives Commitment From Jordan Poole

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