Making the Grade: UNI men's basketball Dec. 9-16

Let's all acknowledge one thing before this week's Making the Grade gets rolling: one game samples are not indicative of everything about a team. But one game can send out some red flags.

The Northern Iowa men's basketball team did not have a good trip to New Mexico. The game didn't go well, then heavy fog stranded the Panthers (6-3) in Albuquerque overnight before the team could fly back to Iowa. There's no rest for the weary, and after the Big Four Classic game Saturday, the team flies out to Hawaii Sunday morning. Adjusting on the fly is a high priority.

Each week of the season, we'll break down the Panthers' offensive and defensive performance and give them grades, as we'll as highlight each player who contributed significantly and his individual performance. This week's Making the Grade highlights Game 9, on the road against New Mexico

Schedule/Results

UNI at New Mexico; L, 76-57

Offense

B- Why: This grade is more about the process of the Panthers' offense at New Mexico than it is the final result. No, the Panthers did not shoot well. They were 44 percent overall, but of the 50 shots they took, half were from 3-point range. UNI shot 6 of 25 from deep. When that much of your offense relies on one thing, and that one thing isn't successful, losses almost exclusively follow.

At New Mexico, though, the Panthers got the looks they wanted. Ball movement was solid, players were patient — very much so, given the Lobos were in a 2-3 zone for long stretches — most of the time. Coach Ben Jacobson said Monday if UNI gets those looks, the players are shooting every time — and he's right. Paul Jesperson, Matt Bohannon and Jeremy Morgan each saw open shots, and that's the goal.

The issue becomes that when a team isn't hitting from outside and the inside presence isn't fruitful, missed outside shots are more glaring. New Mexico dared Bennett Koch to beat them one on one inside, and it didn't happen. Koch, Klint Carlson and Ted Friedman took a combined six shots — only four of which were attempted in the paint.

Taking care of the ball also was once again an issue. In 15 team turnovers, UNI showed some frustration and willingness to force things in tough spots. The Panthers were on the wrong side of the assist-to-turnover ratio with 12 team assists.

Defense

C Why: Given UNI's speed in transition on offense, transition defense normally isn't much of an issue. Jacobson's initiative to send Wes Washpun, Bennett Koch and others back as soon as a shot goes up is evidence of that. But for whatever reason, New Mexico was able to find success in transition that other teams haven't.

It wasn't glaring, either. Unlike at Richmond, where shooters were able to get wide open and make shots, New Mexico created chances late in transition. It was in that sort of no man's land where a defense is shifting from defending in transition and defending a half-court offense. The Lobos got a few dunks and open jump shots by pouncing in moments other teams might not.

That likely gives the Panthers something to think about given Iowa State's proclivity to run successfully. UNM got 18 points in fast break chances, and each of those was off turnovers.

But what also was clear out of the trip west — as well as the trip east, for that matter — was the Panthers' current struggle sending opponents to the foul line. The new freedom of movement rules have bit different players at different times, but particularly the three they can least afford. Paul Jesperson and Jeremy Morgan both fouled out, and Washpun had four at the end of the game. Not all were freedom of movement calls, but as a team it's been an issue. New Mexico shot 23 free throws, and though they only went 16 of 23, it could've been a much worse impact.

Players (in last two games)

* To view more data, click here.

Wyatt Lohaus, guard — It was the first time in Lohaus' career he led the Panthers in scoring, though that's not a stat he cares too much about given the final score. But it was the way he did it that was impressive. He didn't shoot well (2 of 7) from deep, but had success driving to the hoop. He had some defensive lapses in transition, but he certainly wasn't the only one who had that kind of night.

Paul Jesperson, guard — Some nights there's a lid on the rim. Jesperson took the shots he wanted and almost all of them — save one at the end of the shot clock in the first half — were in rhythm and within the offense. Not letting the frustration of that outcome set in will be as important as anything for a shooter of his caliber.

Wes Washpun, guard — Wes has faced some very talented point guards this year, and has typically taken very good care of the ball. But against the Lobos, he had a third of the Panthers' total turnovers with five. With the ball in his hands as much as it is, UNI can ill-afford that number to be very high and see success.

Matt Bohannon, guard — Like with Jesperson, it's hard to criticize a shot not going in when it's taken exactly like a coach or player wants it to be taken. Bohannon has been creative away from the ball this season, and that led to a couple layups — one of which in traffic for a tough finish — at New Mexico.

Jeremy Morgan, guard — His impact on this team is greater than some might realize. He's the best rebounder (regardless of stats), he's the best defender and apart from last week is the most efficient offensively. That means he has to stay out of foul trouble like he was at New Mexico. UNI needs him on the court.

Bennett Koch, forward — Jacobson clued everyone in on why Koch sometimes doesn't box out — it's been a mandate to get back — but he still struggles against size inside. He wasn't able to assert himself, fully, on either end against New Mexico, and the Lobos were able to hunker down in their zone because of that.

Klint Carlson, forward — Missed all three of his shots in just nine minutes. For whatever reason Jacobson had an even shorter bench than normal, Carlson wasn't able to have the same impact as he had in his first few games this season. His inside presence still needs improvement — which will keep him on the floor, if it happens.

Ted Friedman, forward — Speaking of which, Friedman only played six minutes against New Mexico, and it's a similar scenario to Carlson. He's a solid defender, but his rebounding has been of concern, and he didn't appear very close to one in the short action he saw Saturday night.

Upcoming Games

UNI vs Iowa State, 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines

UNI at Hawaii, 12:30 a.m. (CT) Wednesday, Dec. 23 at Stan Sherriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii

*Full disclosure on grades: First things first, that's by subjective view after covering and re-watching games. Second, grades are an aggregate of the week, based on an 11-point scale. A is worth 11, A- 10, and so on through F, which is 0. Offense and defense are given a grade for each game and then averaged for the week.

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