Making the Grade: UNI men's basketball Dec. 8-15

Northern Iowa very nearly kept its best start since the 1960s going this week, but the train stopped at nine straight wins. It was a week that saw a marked offensive improvement in several areas, solid defensive play for the majority – but a few lapses that proved costly.

The Panthers (9-1) fell out of the rankings in both polls as well, but if they're able to get back to their winning ways against Iowa that could be short-lived. And if Jacobson's answer to if there was a silver lining in the loss is any indication, they don't want it to continue.

This two-week stretch will go a long way to define who UNI is as a team, and the first 2/3 of that stretch gave some strong indications.

SCHEDULE/RESULTS

UNI at Denver; W, 65-55

UNI at VCU; L, 93-87 2OT

OFFENSE

Grade:

B+

Why:

You can't fake what the Panthers did against Denver last Wednesday, and you can't fake what they did in the final 6:15 of regulation against VCU to come back from down 11 to send it to overtime. The two games this week showed what UNI is capable of on offense when their scorers are scoring like their capable.

Against Denver, UNI was aided by the slow pace and methodical approach to running their offense. The high ball screens and movement away from the ball that they've been working to perfect peaked in a Missouri Valley Conference record 88.2 percent (15 of 17 FG) first half, and was still effective in the second half, even though they were only able to attempt 13 shots. In a game that slow, capitalizing on possessions becomes paramount, and the Panthers found a way to do that. UNI plays quicker than just seven of the 351 teams in the country (Denver being one) at 60.4 possessions per 40 minutes (KenPom), and their 21st-ranked KenPom adjusted offense made the difference.

Against VCU, UNI ran well in transition, but struggled to finish in those efforts. What worked well – in the early part of the first half and final six minutes in particular – was attacking the basket and either going to the rim (for a layup or drawn foul) or kicking out to an open shooter. With the way the Rams defended and used their size, the Panther bigs struggled to settle in and find any rhythm. Seth Tuttle and Marvin Singleton were basically non-factors for much of the game, and the second half especially on the offensive end. That's where Wes Washpun and Matt Bohannon picked up the slack in a necessary spot. Fearless attacks on the basket and confident shooting are traits the Panthers are going to need against Iowa, too. Conversely, even if the Panthers can attack the basket, finishing at the rim needs to improve, as well as execution in crucial situations – the final play of regulation being the biggest example.

The biggest struggle came against VCU's press – something UNI has seen repeatedly this season and likely will continue to see if they continue to struggle. The Panthers had several turnovers in those high-pressure situations and at least one 10-second call lead to a turnover. Likewise, they were only able to exploit the press for an easy basket on one or two occasions, something that would deter a press in a hurry.

DEFENSE

Grade:

B

Why:

The Panthers faced two distinct and categorically different challenges in Denver and VCU. As mentioned above, Denver has the 346th-ranked adjusted tempo according to KenPom at 59.7 possessions per 40 minutes. VCU is ranked 39th at 70.1. That's essentially going from 0 to 60 with basically no time to prepare in between because of travel.

UNI handled both well overall across the two games, the slower of the two much better, obviously. The Panthers didn't stifle the Denver shooters, but had a distinct edge on the boards. They won the rebounding battle 21-13, and though those seem like small numbers, in a game where one possession essentially equals three, each of those rebounds has a higher significance. Even when Denver made a push at the end, the Panthers were able to hold them off because of timely rebounds.

The issue at VCU came when Tuttle and Singleton were forced to leave the floor in favor of more skilled offensive players. A lineup of Washpun, Deon Mitchell, Bohannon, Paul Jesperson and Nate Buss is what got them back from down 11, but exposed them on the other end. Mental lapses late in regulation and the overtimes that led to easy baskets didn't help, either. And worst of all – at least according to Jacobson – was the lack of precision on the boards late in the game that could've sealed the win in regulation. A VCU offensive rebound and putback tied the game before the aforementioned final UNI possession.

Obviously the defense effort wasn't their best this season, but likely gave the Panthers a test they needed for later.

PLAYERS (last week's games)

Wes Washpun, guard

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 19.0 points, 61.1 FG (11 of 18), 50.0 3FG (1 of 2), 93.8 FT (15 of 16), 5.0 reb, 3.0 ast.

Flat out playing the best basketball on the team right now. The way he attacked the rim and finished against VCU was often the best option for an offense being hounded by the Rams' defense. Most importantly, all those attacks at the rim got him to the line – and he delivered in a big way. His 1 to 1 assist to turnover ratio could be better, but he made up for it defensively with six steals in the last two games combined.

Matt Bohannon, guard

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 12.5 points, 61.5 FG (8 of 13), 58.3 3FG (7 of 12), 60.0 FT (3 of 5), 2.5 reb, 0.5 ast.

Matt Bohannon has, basically, one job for the Panthers: make shots. He did that the best he's done all season in the last two games, and in some big-time situations. His 3-pointer to tie the game with 0:28 left in the first overtime was cold-blooded, and a make on the second-to last possession of regulation put them up two. He was humble in his reaction to coming through like this, but it had to feel great.

Deon Mitchell, guard

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 11.5 points, 50.0 FG (8 of 16), 0.0 3FG (0 of 2), 63.6 FT (7 of 11), 4.5 reb, 2.0 ast.

The good: his assists were up against VCU, he led the fast break really well and was able to find space to get to the rim repeatedly in both of the last two games. The bad: he failed to finish too many times and had five turnovers against VCU. Whether it's confidence or technique, his finishing ability at the rim is hurting how much he can contribute on offense.

Paul Jesperson, guard

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 9.0 points, 50.0 FG (6 of 12), 44.4 3FG (4 of 9), 100.0 FT (2 of 2), 3.5 reb, 1.0 ast.

After that three-game lull scoring-wise a couple weeks ago, Jesperson has been very important offensively the last two. He's consistently shown up in one area or another on the stat sheet in every game, and lately it's been scoring. He doesn't take a lot of shots, but makes them count when he does. If Washpun wasn't playing so well, Jesperson would likely be the most important man off the bench.

Seth Tuttle, forward

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 8.5 points, 54.5 FG (6 of 11), 100.0 3FG (1 of 1), 80.0 FT (4 of 5), 4.5 reb, 3.5 ast.

Every player is entitled to one off game, even a guy like Tuttle. His struggles against VCU could foreshadow some frustration this Saturday against Iowa, but if anyone can bounce back quickly and change that it's him. He struggled getting the ball where he wanted it against a bigger defender in Mo Alie-Cox, then sat most of the second half and both overtimes because of that. Expect this guy to be hungry Saturday.

Nate Buss, forward

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 4.0 points, 67.7 FG (4 of 6), 0.0 3FG (0 of 1), 0.0 FT (0 of 0), 3.5 reb, 0.0 ast.

Not lighting the world on fire as far as his numbers go, but provided a steady presence on offense when they needed him last week. And when Bohannon and Jesperson are shooting well from deep, his touch from there isn't as crucial – he can hold court at the elbows and either shoot or redistribute from there. He could play a huge factor against Iowa with that skillset.

Jeremy Morgan, guard

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 4.0 points, 37.5 FG (3 of 8), 25.0 3FG (1 of 4), 50.0 FT (1 of 2), 1.5 reb, 0.5 ast.

Continued to be omnipresent in loose ball situations and on hustle plays last week – something that's becoming a calling card this season. Having a player that's willing to clean up the mess and fight for the ugly plays while opening up his teammates to focus on the majority of scoring is invaluable. It's why he continues to get minutes despite the lack of obvious offensive production.

Marvin Singleton, forward

(2 GP, 2 GS) – 2.5 points, 50.0 FG (2 of 4), 0.0 3FG (0 of 0), 25.0 FT (1 of 4), 2.5 reb, 0.0 ast.

There's no doubt the last few games have been a struggle for Singleton. His rebounding prowess from earlier in the season took a hit last week, and he couldn't get anything going offensively in either game. The Panthers will need his strength in the paint against Iowa, which boasts some more-than-capable big men.

Wyatt Lohaus, guard

(2 GP, 0 GS) – 2.5 points, 67.7 FG (2 of 3), 100.0 3FG (1 of 1), 0.0 FT (0 of 0), 0.5 reb, 1.5 ast.

Only saw the floor for a handful of minutes against Denver, but got some significant run against VCU and came through. His two makes were timely, and he had a couple heady passes against VCU that led to important makes by his teammates. His playing time appears to be situational, but he's handling it well.

UPCOMING WEEK

UNI vs Iowa in Des Moines, Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Previous entires: Nov. 23-30, Dec. 1-8

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