The UNI men’s basketball team has lived up to expectations so far this season. After making it to the NCAA Tournament this past season the pre-season Missouri Valley Conference favorite will take a 7-1 record on the road to North Dakota this weekend. Panther coach Ben Jacobsen says his team has made big strides the last two weeks.
Jacobsen says he didn’t feel like they were defending and rebounding the way they needed to, especially the first couple of weeks, and in practices leading up to the opening game. He says they have been rebounding better lately.
Jacobsen says the Panthers are gaining confidence as the last three wins have given them “a little bounce in their steps.” Jacobsen says the Panthers won some games early in the season without playing well. He says he didn’t feel like they had practiced at a really high level or played consistent solid basketball.
Jacobsen says their experienced allowed them to get some wins in those games where they did not play well, and now they are starting to play better.