UNI's mascot.

UNI’s mascot.

UNI basketball coach Ben Jacobson says some new faces on the front court will need to step up if the Panthers want to remain contenders in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Panthers must replace 27 points and 15 rebounds along the frontline from the graduated trio of Seth Tuttle, Nate Buss and Marvin Singleton.

Six-seven Klint Carlson, 6-9 Ted Friedman and 6-11 Bennett Koch are all entering their third year with the program. And then they have some younger players with size who have joined the team too.

Jacobson is expecting big things out of Carlson, Friedman and Koch. “All three of those guys have worked very hard, and they’ve been patient, they’ve waited their turn. They bring a lot of different things to the table between the three of them. I’m looking forward to that part,” Jacobson says.