The 12th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes hope history does not repeat itself again tonight in Cedar Falls. The last two times Iowa has visited UNI they have been nationally ranked but came away with a loss and coach Steve Alford’s team hopes to break that string this evening. Alford says his team doesn’t have anyone in the lockerroom that has won in Cedar Falls.
Alford says his team understands that and he says it’s the last time for the juniors and seniors to play in the UNI-Dome. Alford says he thinks both sides will compete awfully hard against each other. Alford says the Panthers are an experienced team that knows what it takes to win. He says there’s nothing new to this experience for them and he says they’re better with their overall experience.
Alford says the Panthers combine talent and the experience of playing in two straight NCAA tournaments. He calls them tough competitors who have a lot of fun playing the game, who understand winning and what it takes to win. Alford says if his team is fortunate enough to win a game, they’ll have had to play well to do it. There will be plenty of local talent on display. Seven of the ten starters in the game are from Iowa.
U-N-I coach Greg McDermott says he has tremendous respect for Alford and the program he runs. McDermott says he also knows all the in-state players on Iowa’s team and this rivalry is based on respect. McDermott says, “We’ll compete our tails off and so will they.” McDermott says he hopes the Hawkeyes win all of their games, after tonight. He says he’s their biggest fan when his team is not playing against them.
The Panthers are 4-1. The Hawkeyes are 7-1.