UNI breaks back into rankings in both polls

CEDAR FALLS - In the long run, a midseason poll doesn't carry a ton of weight in terms of postseason or quality of play. It's reflective of a snapshot of the season.

But when you're a mid-major program, breaking into those polls at any point is not something that happens with much regularity - unless you're a place like Gonzaga, VCU or more recently Wichita State.

So when the Northern Iowa men's basketball team made its way to No. 23 in the AP Top 25 and No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll for the first time since 2010, it carried a little more meaning that it would for a school in the power conferences.

'I think what that tells you is how difficult it is to get there,” said Coach Ben Jacobson. 'I've been a voting member of the coaches poll - I don't know if it's five or six years now - so I look at it every Sunday night and Monday morning and go through it. So I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of how hard it is to get in. There's 350-some teams, so when you find a way to get into that group and onto that list, it's a real accomplishment.

'It's great for our program, and I'm really happy and really proud of the guys on this team.”

Jacobson thought and hoped his team would be in a week ago, but the extra week waiting certainly didn't take any shine off the honor that bookends the time between now and Ali Farokhmanesh's famous shot to beat Kansas.

The ninth-year coach used words like 'proud” and 'terrific” a half-dozen times when talking about his team being ranked, but nearly always finished those sentences with some iteration of, 'but there's things left to do.”

He balanced the feeling of pride and satisfaction with knowing a number next to their name won't change preparation or play. Last time the Panthers (8-0) were ranked in the AP poll, Feb. 22, 2010, they lost the next day to Evansville and haven't been in the rankings since.

'I would tell you the obvious, and our guys know it - it isn't going to help us practice good today. It isn't going to help us win on Wednesday or have success Wednesday,” Jacobson said. 'But that's really a side note, that's not a part of this (moment). This is an accomplishment. I think it's terrific, and I'm really proud of our guys to put themselves in a position to be ranked in the top 25, no question.

'Our job, which I'm confident our guys will do, (is) they'll be excited about and be proud of it, (but) we'll practice the way we need to and then (we're) going to have to play the way we need to Wednesday. And I think we will.”

The only tangible effect being ranked now likely has on UNI is the shift from being the hunters to the hunted when playing big-name or other ranked teams.

Having a target on their backs may change how opposing teams prepare for them or pay attention going forward, but players like Seth Tuttle still don't see that changing their approach.

And it certainly doesn't give them any sense of entitlement or being extra special.

'This doesn't change us as individuals. My name's still Seth Tuttle, I'm still from Sheffield, Iowa. It's just now our team's recognized a little bit more,” Tuttle said. 'Obviously we don't really know what it's like - we haven't been ranked. But it won't change how we prepare for games. Obviously we might have a little red dot on our backs where people will want to come and knock us off. People are chasing for the same number beside our name now. Other than that it won't change much.

'We're going to play defense the same way, we're going to play Panther basketball the same as if we weren't ranked.”

WINNING UGLY HELPS

Jacobson had a wry smile on his face at Monday's weekly media luncheon in Cedar Falls when talking about Saturday night's 71-65 overtime win. He's well aware it wasn't the pretties victory he's ever helmed.

But that's OK. A win is a win, no matter how it comes, and the Panthers might have even learned a thing or two from it.

'I don't know what kind of value you could even put on it,” Jacobson said. 'To be able to win a game like we did on Saturday - where you've got it in complete control, then all of a sudden it all goes away and still win a game like that - I think says a lot.

'This one was different. A very slow game, kind of a hard game to play in some ways for both teams; kind of a hard game to watch. Those are the ones - there's going to be three or four of them each year - those are the ones you've got to find a way to win. The guys did that, and there's a lot of value in that.”

Being able to weather that storm against George Mason, as well as in the second half against Richmond on Nov. 30, is due to how well the Panthers are playing defensively.

If a team can rely on its defense that way, Jacobson said, it can almost be comfortable in the ugly games. He shares that sentiment with his players, who look at the same numbers he does when discussing offensive and defensive efficiency.

Doing the dirty work well carries as much pride as anything else.

'I could tell you numerous games I've watched on TV that have been pretty ugly, but those teams that win are still extremely happy,” Tuttle said. 'You feel good about yourself. We've been looking at OER numbers all year - which is offensive efficiency rating - and our last two games we haven't broken 1 point per possession on the offensive end.

'But on the defensive end, it's been down at 0.8, 0.88, 0.85. That's what coach is talking about. We might not be putting the points on the board like we wish we would, but as long as your defense can win you games, that's what's important.”

MITCHELL MAKING ADJUSTMENTS

The rough start to the season - statistically, at least - for Panthers' point guard Deon Mitchell continued Saturday night. The senior had three points on 1 of 2 shooting (1 of 1 from 3-point range), was 0 of 2 from the free throw line, and had one rebound, one steal, no assists and three turnovers.

It's not the start anyone really expected out of him, and as a result his minutes have diminished in favor of backup and Cedar Rapids Washington grad Wes Washpun.

Jacobson said Mitchell is practicing well, but just hasn't been able to put it together in a game.

'There's a lot more he can do for our team. Wes is playing so well right now, he's getting a lot of those minutes,” Jacobson said. 'We talked early last week about spending a lot of time in the gym, getting in a bunch of workouts.

'He's just trying to really stay sharp and stay on top of things. He's not playing quite as many minutes right now. He's going to have a big game here soon. We all know he's plenty capable, and he's working very hard.”

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