The Northern Iowa Panthers head west for a late Saturday showdown at UC Irvine, marking the first big challenge for Ben Jacobson’s squad.
A Road Trip That Comes at the Perfect Time
Northern Iowa is off to a 4-0 start, even while averaging just 72.8 points per game. The path they’ve taken has been built on defense, not pace.
A Start Defined by Defense and Consistency
While many teams have shifted toward faster tempos this season, the Panthers are winning by slowing opponents down. Northern Iowa is allowing only 56.5 points per game, and they have yet to give up more than 58 in any contest. That kind of reliability will matter in what looks like a wide-open Missouri Valley Conference race.
Belmont is the only other undefeated Valley team at 5-0, and a Northern Iowa win on Saturday would keep the Panthers right alongside them. This trip also marks the first true road game of the season for Jacobson’s group.
A California Swing with Old Rivals
After facing UC Irvine, the Panthers stay in California for a Tuesday matchup with Loyola. It offers a nostalgic twist, as the Ramblers were once a familiar MVC opponent.
Once the holiday stretch hits, Northern Iowa returns home for Coe College before meeting former conference rival Wichita State and later Oakland. The biggest nonconference stage comes just before Christmas when the Panthers visit Saint Mary’s, a test that should measure exactly where this team stands.
The Players Driving Northern Iowa’s Early Momentum
Leon Bond III has been the go-to scorer through four games, averaging 14.8 points while shooting nearly 58% from the floor in heavy minutes. Trey Campbell has taken control of the offense, adding 13.3 points per game and 3.8 assists as the primary decision-maker.
What Awaits: A Fast-Paced UC Irvine Team
UC Irvine enters at 3-2, with some uneven early results that include a surprising loss to California Baptist and a more recent defeat at Utah Valley. While the Anteaters are scoring 93.4 points per game, the number is inflated by a 125-point outing against Bethesda and a 130-point win over Lincoln University. In their loss at Utah Valley, they managed 72.
The key matchup will be Northern Iowa’s disciplined defense against Irvine guard Jurian Dixon, who is averaging 19.2 points per game on nearly 53% shooting. Derin Saran adds 12 points and 5.2 assists, giving Irvine a capable backcourt.
A Milestone Season for Ben Jacobson
Jacobson begins this season just 26 wins shy of 400 for his career. Northern Iowa remains the only head coaching job he has held since taking over in 2006, a tenure that includes four regular season titles, four MVC tournament crowns, and a 4-4 NCAA Tournament record highlighted by a 2009 Sweet 16 run.
This trip offers another checkpoint in what could be another special season. With a win Saturday, the Panthers can prove their unbeaten record is more than just a soft opening stretch.