Panthers prepare for Creighton

The UNI men will try to knock off their second, ranked opponent at home Wednesday night against a Creighton team that is unbeaten and ranked in both the Associated Press and coaches’ poll. The Panthers are 2-2 in the Valley and 7-5 overall. UNI coach Greg McDermott says one of Creighton’s strengths is its balance. McDermott says you can’t just single out one or two guys on Creighton’s team and stop their attack. After losing two straight on the road, McDermott says the Panthers could use a big win. McDermott’s hoping for a “good showing of Panther fans” in the UNI Dome because he says they need the extra boost. “We’re not in a bad situation,” McDermott says, citing UNI’s position in the conference. The Panthers are in a five-way tie for third place, and he says if his team intends to make a move, now’s the time with four out of their next five games at home. Creighton is 12-0 overall and coach Dana Altman expects a tough challenge. He says the UNI Dome is a tough place to play because of the “shooting backgrounds.” Altman says their national ranking will provide even more motivation for every opponent, including UNI. Back in early December, the Panthers beat an Iowa team that was ranked at the time.