Busting Brackets
Fansided

Northern Iowa Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Panthers

By Harry Schroeder

ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Head coach Ben Jacobson of the Northern Iowa Panthers reacts to a play on the court against the Bradley Braves during the final game of the MVC Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 10: Head coach Ben Jacobson of the Northern Iowa Panthers reacts to a play on the court against the Bradley Braves during the final game of the MVC Basketball Tournament at the Enterprise Center on March 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Tywhon Pickford Northern Iowa Basketball (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Tywhon Pickford Northern Iowa Basketball (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Talented Bench Strength

Pickford, Nate Heise, Antwan Kimmons and James Betz are UNI veteran reserves. George Mason transfer Goanar Mar had transfer issues last season but averaged 10.9 points per game at George Mason two seasons ago. Highly touted freshman big man Chase Courbat could play a big role.

Pickford was named to the Valley’s all-freshman team (2018) and Heise landed on that team last season. Pickford is a dynamic defender and rebounder and at 6’4 can guard multiple positions. He started 11 games last season and averaged 4.9 points and four rebounds.

Heise can score (7.6 ppg) and defend (30 steals and 16 blocks). He reached double figures seven times with five of those coming during conference play. His three-point shooting should improve after a subpar 31% performance during his freshman season.

Kimmons is an adept ball-handler and Jacobson says last year’s team missed his ability to command the offense. He averaged over 21 points per game in high school but is looked upon as more of a distributor for UNI.

Betz showed flashes of the ability to be a pick and pop center or a stretch four. The 6’6 Betz converted .348 of his three-point attempts and had back-to-back 14-point performances early last season.

Freshman Tytan Anderson and Mar both started slowly and didn’t play until conference season, but both gave hints of what they can accomplish. Anderson is a 6’6 leaper who scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds, and collected five steals in a game against Southern Illinois. Mar played in just 15 games and Jacobson expects a much bigger contribution from the 6’7 wing.

The 6’9 Courbat is a three-star recruit that plays with passion, physicality, and skill.