A running game — UNI believes it can against Iowa

CEDAR FALLS — Because of the well-documented statistically-backed recommitment to defense that Northern Iowa has shown this season, it would be easy to assume the Panthers (9-1) want to slow the ball down and work at a methodical pace.

That would contrast starkly with how their Big Four Classic opponent plays, as Iowa likes to run the floor with regularity.

But to ask Coach Ben Jacobson, that's an ability he believes his team possesses too, and is confident it'll serve them just as well on Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena.

'We've got a good transition-type of basketball team,' Jacobson said. 'We're good in the open floor, and we're going to push the ball at every opportunity and we're going to work hard to score before they can set their defense. It's got an opportunity to see both teams working hard to establish themselves with their transition offense.'

The numbers don't exactly add up to Jacobson's assertion, with the Panthers 345th out of 351 Division 1 teams in adjusted tempo at 60.1 possessions per 40 minutes according to the KenPom rankings.

But where the numbers land and the talent Jacobson's players take off are two distinctly different locations. With Deon Mitchell and Wes Washpun leading the break, UNI showed an ability to run with effectiveness at Virginia Commonwealth a week ago. It doesn't help, either, that UNI has played Denver (343rd in AdjT) and Richmond (339th) this season, which run variations of the Princeton offense — a set that purposefully slows the tempo.

In practice this week, Jacobson and his team spent a good portion working on that transition game because they believe they have the guys to run with the likes of Anthony Clemmons, Mike Gesell, Peter Jok and the rest.

'I think it benefits both teams. Running fast is what they like to do as well. It's just kind of the style of basketball both coaches have settled into at this point,' Washpun said. 'Those (guards) are talented, and they've come under some scrutiny, but me and Deon both know how talented they are. And we know we're going to have to bring our best game to the fight.'

If the Panthers are going to run with the Hawkeyes, the defense they've done so much work on is going to have to run, too.

It'll do UNI no good, Jacobson said, to run if they can't get back on defense. With the combination of size and speed Iowa possesses, not getting back and not protecting the boards is a death sentence.

'One of the keys for us will be our ability to get our defense back and set,' Jacobson said. 'Then we've got to find a way to keep them off the boards. They're really good at getting to the glass. They've got a lot of size and length up front.'

Rebounding becomes even more crucial on the defensive end when considering how many times the Panthers have faced full court pressure this season and the Hawkeyes' ability and desire to implement said pressure.

Grabbing the ball out of the bottom of the net after a second-chance opportunity allows the press to get set and takes UNI out of a chance to run like they say they want to do. Yes, the Panthers have exploited pressure at times, but not against teams of this physical ability.

'There's been some stretches where (the press) has bothered us, but I think there's been more stretches where we attacked it and got really good opportunities,' Jacobson said. 'We've seen a lot of it, and I would anticipate that Iowa is going to press us in some way, shape or form. We've seen the press from a couple different teams, so those experiences are going to need to help us.

'I think you want those experiences to help you in this game. My hope is facing other teams' (pressure) that we'll handle the full court pressure and do what we've done — attack the back end and see if we can get opportunities.'

UNI and Iowa tip off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in Des Moines.

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