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August 25th, 2006
By Joel
Welser
Broadcast Basketball
Northern
Iowa Panthers
Overall Rank:
#76
Conference
Rank: #5 MVC
2005-06:
23-10, 11-7, 5th (t)
2005-06
postseason: NCAA
 Northern Iowa has some big losses, but with a quality core of
returning players, new coach Ben Jacobson can continue the
success that Panther fans have become accustomed to seeing on
the court. Coach Jacobson, not to be confused with Ben Jacobson
the player, was the associate head coach under Greg McDermott
last season and should provide a smooth transition between UNI’s
leading men.
Who’s Out:
The
backcourt won’t look anything like it did a year ago with the
departures of Ben Jacobson, Erik Crawford and John Little. For
a team that practically played six players all year long, the
absence of three of those guys is painful. Jacobson, despite a
season plagued by streaky shooting, led the squad with 14.2
points per game. Crawford and Little split starting time during
the 2005-2006 campaign and averaged 9.6 and 7.3 points,
respectively. Michael Williams, who saw limited minutes in 19
contests and Mason Stewart, who redshirted last season, have
opted to transfer. Up front, backup center Atila Santos won’t
be returning to Cedar Falls. Santos averaged 1.6 points and 1.5
rebounds off the bench and was a decent option to fill some
minutes under the basket.
Who’s In:
The
backcourt has some newcomers that are ready to contribute, but
nobody who is ready to step in right away and replace the
departing players. Point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe is a good
distributor and has a decent shot. It will take the freshman a
little while to adjust to the level of play in the MVC, but the
sooner he can contribute the better for UNI. Kerwin Dunham has
loads of potential. The 6-4 shooting guard can make some shots
most have no business taking. With a little more strength,
he’ll be a good player. Stephen Jones is a quality combo guard
and an excellent shooter and, along with redshirt freshman Brian
Haak, will provide more options on the perimeter. Center Jordan
Eglseder highlights the group of newcomers up front. The 7-1
center has tons of potential and some talent, but it isn’t
likely that the Bellevue, Iowa product will make a huge impact
as a freshman. Adam Koch can battle inside and step outside and
hit the mid-range jumper. The 6-8 power forward has the size
and athleticism to cause major problems for the opposition.
Everette Pedescleaux will provide some emergency depth in the
paint. The 6-6, 275 pounder will join the team after playing
for the Panthers football team.
Who to Watch:
The
team strength will shift from the perimeter to the paint with
Grant Stout and Eric Coleman returning. Stout averaged 11.8
points and a team high 8.9 rebounds as a junior and is solid
shot blocker. The 6-8 forward will be looked to as a team
leader on and off the floor for his senior campaign. Stout is
recovering from a broken wrist, but is expected to be fully fit
in time for practice. Coleman is undersized at 6-6, but has a
huge wingspan. The junior averaged 11.5 points and 7.0 rebounds
last year and, along with Stout, creates the best frontcourt duo
in the MVC.
Final
Projection:
Brooks McKowen
is a solid, senior point guard, but who will do the scoring on
the wings? Travis Brown, Jared Josten and Adam Viet are the
only returning options. Brown, a 6-3 sophomore, averaged the
most minutes of any of the choices last year with 8.9 per game.
He can hit the long ball and has plenty of potential and room to
improve. Another option is moving McKowen back to the two
spot. He struggled with his shot at times last year, but has
proven in the past that he can be a big time scorer when he
doesn’t have to worry about running the point. However, it
should take a little while before anybody else will be ready to
take over the point guard duties.
Projected
Post-season Tournament:
NIT
Projected
Starting Five:
Brooks McKowen,
Senior, Guard, 5.6 points per game
Jared Josten,
Junior, Guard, 1.6 points per game
Travis Brown,
Sophomore, Guard, 3.5 points per game
Grant Stout,
Senior, Forward, 11.8 points per game
Eric Coleman,
Junior, Center, 11.5 points per game
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