The Northern Iowa men’s basketball team is glad to be back at home this week, following two road losses to Missouri State and Creighton. Coach Ben Jacobson’s squad fell to 14-10 overall and 6-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Jacobsen says Missouri State did a good job of denying the basketball to UNI’s front line.
"When we did get it to them, they did a good job of running guys at them and just taking away any space or giving them any time to make plays," Jacobson said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday. "Missouri State deserves a lot of credit for the way they defended." The Panthers host Wichita State tonight at 7:05 in the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls. The Shockers are coming off a 65-60 win over Indiana State.
Senior Matt Braeuer, making his first start since suffering a concussion on December 29th, led WSU with 15 points. Jacobson says Braeuer is clearly the team’s leader and the Shockers play much better with him in the lineup. Wichita State is 10-14 overall and just 3-10 in the MVC, but Jacobson says they’re playing better as of late.
"They had Creighton down 15 or so with eight or nine minutes left, went to Evansville and had the lead for the majority of that game…and then the win over Indiana State," Jacobson said. "So, I think they’re playing good basketball and Braeuer’s back in their lineup which certainly makes them a better basketball team." After the Wichita State game, UNI plays host to MVC leader Drake on Saturday.