Iowa and UNI set to meet in UNI-Dome

The UNI-Dome hosts an intrastate men’s basketball matchup as Iowa visits UNI. The Hawkeyes are 6-0 on the season and will look to avoid a similar fate as two years ago when the Panthers claimed a 78-76 win. Iowa coach Steve Alford says it is always a difficult game being an instate game. The Panthers have a good mix of veteran and young players. He says Schneiderman and Gruber inside prevent problems and the new players also make a big difference.Alford says good defense has been a key in their start to the season and it is a necessity when playing on the road. He says they have to guard each time out to play well in new surroundings, as he says the shooting may not always be there, but constant defense is important. UNI coach Greg McDermott says this may not be the most talented Iowa team, but he says it’s the best because they play together so well. McDermott says the Hawks are strong in a number of areas from their inside and outside scoring and their bend but don’t break defense. He says the Panthers need to limit easy baskets on the break. McDermott says Northern Illinois did that the other night. He says his team will have to make them play defense on the inside first to open up their outside shooters.