James’ stock risingas UNI Panthers surge

CEDAR FALLS - To an outsider, it may look like Anthony James came out of nowhere.

After all, the Northern Iowa sophomore averaged 1.7 points per game during the Panthers' magical 2009-10 season that ended during the NCAA Sweet 16. He played no more than 14 minutes in a game and didn't notch more than eight points in a game.

“Last year, I just knew I had to be prepared, because you never know when your number is going to be called,” James said. “You've just got to be ready.”

A year has gone by, and the Panthers have been calling on the St. Louis native quite a bit. He's averaging 11.9 points and has Missouri Valley Conference coaches scrambling to adjust their scouting reports. His rise to the top of the stat sheets, however, comes as no surprise to his coaches and teammates.

“He's incredibly consistent,” Coach Ben Jacobson said. “He's got a lot of versatility to his game. He can shoot the ball well, he can get fouled, he can pass. He just finds a way to get his five or six buckets each night.”

James missed his freshman season after battling mononucleosis, a virus that rendered him incapable of practicing or participating in games. That didn't keep him from learning the ropes of the college game with his older teammates.

“We put a lot of work in during his red-shirt year,” senior guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe said. “He's come a long way. I consider him family; he's like my little brother.”

Jacobson said that there has been a significant difference in James' demeanor since that red-shirt year.

“His freshman year, (James) would have one good day in practice, then a couple not so great days,” Jacobson said. “Two years later, he's had a good practice every day. He really brings it.”

Ahelegbe, the coach said, has had a lot to do with that change.

“Kwadzo deserves a lot of credit for the time and effort he's put in with A.J.,” he said. “That street goes both ways, though. A.J. has to accept that kind of leadership, and he has, and it's worked.”

James' scoring average is second on the team only to Ahelegbe's 13.3. James' best performances recently have come on the road. He scored 20 points in a Jan. 19 victory at Wichita State, then propelled the Panthers to a 60-59 win at Missouri State with 17 points Sunday.

“I like shutting up crowds,” James said. “As a team, we feed off other crowds. On the road, you've got a lot to prove.”

Ahelegbe said that James' emergence has also helped to take the bull's-eye off his back.

“It definitely makes things easier,” Ahelegbe said. “When other guys are playing great, it makes my job so much easier.”

Ahelegbe said he used a tough-love approach with James, and he said that won't stop anytime soon.

“I'm really hard on him because he has the ability that not many others have,” he said. “He's playing great, and he's making me proud every day.”

UNI has won seven straight game heading into a game with Illinois State tonight in Cedar Falls. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in the McLeod Center.

- By Mike Stout, Correspondent