The losses from last year were significant but the expectations remain the same for UNI basketball. Leading scorer AJ Green is in the pro ranks and second leading scorer Noah Carter transferred to Missouri. They were key parts of last year’s team that won the Missouri Valley regular season crown.

That’s UNI coach Ben Jacobson, who says expectations are nothing new for the Panthers. UNI has been in the NCAA Tournament four times since 2009 an won two of the last three Valley regular season titles.

Jacobson says the past success of the program has made UNI an attractive place to play.

UNI may regain the services of senior center Austin Phyfe later in the season. Hampered by long-term Covid last year, Phyfe is being treated for blood clots that developed in the offseason. He has not been cleared to play.