2009-2010 Team Preview: Northern Iowa

2008-2009 Record: 23-11, 14-4 MVC (t-1st)

Key Losses: Travis Brown (5.1 ppg)

Key Returners: Adam Koch (12.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg), Kwadzo Ahelegbe (11.8 ppg, 3.1 apg), Jordan Egsleder (10.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg)

Newcomers: Tyler Land, Matt Morrison, Marc Sonnen, Antonio Jones

Northern Iowa, the defending MVC champs, return their entire team.
(photo credit: Rush the Court)

Northern Iowa came into last season with tempered expectations. They had a young roster, starting three guys under 6'2". But they went on to earn a share of the MVC regular season title, win the league's conference tournament, and give Purdue everything they could handle in the first round of the dance. The best news? They return everyone from last year's team.

The Panther's strength is going to be on the interior. Seven foot senior Jordan Eglseder will anchor the front line. He only managed 19 mpg last season, but was so effective when he was on the court, averaging 10.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg. His biggest issue is conditioning (he is listed at 280 lb), as he got tired during last season (hence the limited number of minutes). Blessed with a soft touch around the rim, if Eglseder can get his body into shape, he should be able to hold his own against any center in the country. Joining him up front is 6'8" senior forward Adam Koch. Koch is your stereotypical MVC big man. He has a solid face-up game, can knock down a three, and despite being an under-whelming athlete, Koch is able to hold his own on the glass and in the post. Koch was the Panthers leading scorer last season, and given the mismatch he presents on the offensive end, there is no reason to suspect that will change.

The Panthers will have plenty of depth up front. Lucas O'Rear, a 6'6" junior forward built like a linebacker, is as tough as they come. The reigning MVC sixth man of the year, O'Rear provides Ben Jacobson's team with defense, hustle, and grit on the interior. Given the Panthers defensive and deliberate style of play, O'Rear is the perfect glue guy. Kerwin Dunham is another 6'6" junior. Dunham is mure of a perimeter player than O'Rear and can play either the three or the four spot. His versatility provides Jacobson with the ability to play small. When Dunham shares the front court with Koch, it creates match-up problems all over the court and a ton of spacing inside as both players are threats from deep. Against bigger teams, Dunham can join Koch and Eglseder on the court and slide out to the perimeter. Also expect 6'6" Tyler Lange (a true freshman), 6'10" Austin Pehl, and 6'9" Jake Koch (both redshirt freshmen) to see time as well.

With Illinois State and Creighton both losing their leading scorer from last season, UNI may now have the best back court in the conference. The reason? All three starters are able to score. Kwadzo Ahlegbe will be running the point for Jacobson. Ahlegbe is much more of a penetrator than either of his back court mates. The biggest issue with Ahlegbe at the point is he is not the best creator. When he does drive, he has a tendency to make some poor decisions passing the ball (3.1 apg vs. 2.7 t/o's). Joining Ahlegbe in the back court is 6'0" senior Ali Farokhmanesh and 6'1" sophomore Jonny Moran. Farokhmanesh is the team's best perimeter shooter, knocking down 37.9% of his three's last season. Moran is a shooter as well, but he struggled to consistently find his stroke as a freshman. I expect a pretty big season out of Moran. Where Faroknmanesh is mostly a spot-up shooter, Moran is a bit more of an all-around player. He hits the boards, he plays defense, he is a better passer. If Moran can find consistency with his perimeter stroke, he could end up being one of the best perimeter players in the league.

Jacobson will add three more guards to the rotation this season. Anthony James was expected to be a contributor last season, but after battling mono for the year, decided to sit out and redshirt. Matt Morrison is a tough kid (decorated high school football QB) that should be able to play a role for the Panthers. He will bring some defense and hustle to the back court. The best of the bunch, however, is probably Marc Sonnen. At 6'3", Sonnen is the biggest guard Jacobson will have at his disposal. A good athlete, Sonnen is the kind of point guard coaches love. He can get to the rim where he is big and strong enough to finish through contact, but he is at his best when he is running a team and creating for others. He should get some minutes behind Ahlegbe, giving the Panthers a nice change of pace.

Outlook: It would be tough to say that the Panthers are not the favorite in the MVC as they get their top six scorers back. What makes the Panthers so good is the style they play. It all starts on the defensive end, where they pressure the ball on the perimeter. Offensively, they are one of the best in the country at executing their offense. Jacobson has an experienced and smart group here. They set excellent screens, and their shooters know how to set up those screens and get open. What would normally be a detriment to a mid-major team - lacking a true go-to scorer - actually plays to UNI's advantage. You can't take a break on the defensive end against them, because everyone on the floor is going to be a threat to score and to knock down a three. In a nutshell, UNI is a poor man's Purdue.