Making the Grade: UNI men's basketball Nov. 25-Dec. 1

Given the way Ben Jacobson reignited the Northern Iowa men's basketball team on defense last season, it's easy to assume that level of play on the defensive end is just going to carry over without issue. Alas, that hasn't been the case this season.

No worries from Jacobson and Co., though, because it's still and emphasis and the Panthers (5-1) are still winning. The past week saw three wins by an average margin of 29.7 points, including a shellacking of Jacobson's alma mater at North Dakota.

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 Games 4 through 6, against Dubuque, North Dakota and North Texas.

Schedule/Results

UNI vs Dubuque; W, 83-63

UNI at North Dakota; W, 97-51

UNI vs North Texas; W, 93-70

Offense

A- Why: Even if the Panthers' focus is on defense and that remains the backbone of what they want to do, right now the offense is what's been the most impressive. UNI scored 90-plus for the first time since the 1993-94 season, when Eldon Miller was still in charge. The Panthers didn't hit 90 even once last season.

Over the last three games, what was most surprising about the 91 points per game is how they came. UNI runs when they have the opportunity to – that is, every turnover and select defensive rebounds – and the Panthers are smart in being selective about those opportunities. UNI averaged 12.3 points off turnovers in 10 forced turnovers per game in the last three. While they weren't super effective against Dubuque (the worst offensive performance of the three game), the rest of the offense picked up for it.

UNI got Klint Carlson back, which brought an added offensive weapon, and he joins an attack with four averaging double figures and six with 9 ppg or more. The guys were on fire this week – both from the floor and in their shot selection. The Panthers rank fourth in the nation in effective FG percentage according to KenPom at 60.4 percent.

The screen and roll, drive and kick and motion were all effective at various points in all three games, and even when things lacked – like the first halves against Dubuque and North Texas – they still were able to score consistently.

Defense

B Why: There's nothing wrong with 'a work in progress' – especially this time of year. The Panthers did not have great defensive performances against Dubuque or North Texas. One way to look at that is it's disconcerting, especially given the caliber of both those opponents. Another way to look at it is UNI was coming off the UNC upset in the former and can recognize what they did wrong in the latter.

UNI still has moments in which guarding the ball and passing lanes is an issue, which cropped up again against North Texas. The Mean Green shot 69.2 percent in the first half of that game, but they were getting good shots through ball movement and post moves inside. The Panthers are quick with the small lineup, and when they guard like they can at their peak – like against North Dakota – denying the ball and forcing turnovers are the result.

It's a high bar they've set in Cedar Falls, so it's telling when they're ranked 44th in the nation in defensive efficiency at 0.967 points per possession feels like a step back from last season. By the Panthers' own admission, North Texas wasn't a good defensive performance. But rebounding was good again, and they're still forcing turnovers.

How they guard the ball is the start of everything. How they guard in the post is going to rear its head if Bennett Koch, Ted Friedman and Klint Carlson don't keep improving.

Players (in last three games)

Wes Washpun, guard – Had a weird first half against North Texas. He didn't seem totally himself, and was absent for long stretches offensively. That can't happen in Missouri Valley Conference play, though no one should really be worried it will. He finished well again this week at the rim, and his assist-to-turnover ratio is 2.1 – and could very easily be better.

Bennett Koch, forward – What a trio of games for the Wisconsin native. He was a force inside in all three games, shot 69.6 percent from the field and rebounded well. Most important of all, he looked supremely comfortable in the North Dakota and North Texas games, which hadn't been the case before. The tougher he gets inside and more confident he gets overall, the more of this we'll see.

Jeremy Morgan, guard – Speaking of consistency, this guy is as consistent as it gets for UNI. Even when the collective has lapsed defensively, Morgan has not. When he was on the floor this week, he was causing trouble for opponents – which is what we've come to expect. Oh, and not to mention he shot 78 percent and averaged 7.7 rebounds.

Paul Jesperson, guard – If there are any lingering effects with his foot, it's not readily visible. He's moving well, picking his spots offensively and his body language says he's carrying a confidence he didn't early last season. He's got a quick trigger, but that's a positive. He also crashes the boards, which is very much a positive.

Matt Bohannon, guard – He's looked very determined so far in 2015-16, and that showed up again this week. He didn't score as much as the first three games this season, but it feels like every time he made one this week, it was in a big situation. His court presence was important for the Panthers when trailing to North Texas, proving once again his leadership qualities.

Aarias Austin, guard – There is no fear with this newcomer. He's within range from everywhere on his side of the court and any jitters from the early part of the season seemed to disappear completely this week. As his rapport on-court with his teammates improves, so will his game.

Klint Carlson, forward – He was a welcome return from suspension for UNI. He didn't see extended minutes last season, so the fact that he adapted so quickly to scoring this week is impressive. Shot selection can improve, and so can his off ball spacing, but otherwise he had a solid week.

Wyatt Lohaus, guard – Lohaus seems to be the king of driving into the lane and either getting tripped or fouled hard. It seemed like every time he went to the line this week was on a drive between defenders and him ending up on his stomach. Floating between the 1 and 2 guard spots is still iffy, but he's improving.

Ted Friedman, forward – Didn't have as good of a week as the first, but progress is the name of the game with Friedman. He's on the board in terms of scoring, and looked more confident with the ball. He has to improve quickly, though, because with Carlson back, his minutes will dwindle if he doesn't.

Upcoming Week

UNI at Richmond, 5 p.m. Saturday at Robins Center in Richmond, Va.

UNI at George Mason, 6 p.m. Tuesday at Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va.

*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