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Northern Iowa Panthers (Last Year: 30-5, 15-3 in MVC)
2010-11 Projected Depth Chart:
F/C: Lucas O’Rear (Sr)/Austin Pehl (So)
F: Jake Koch (So)/Nathan Buss (Fr)
G/F: Kerwin Dunham (Sr)/Chip Rank (Fr)/Max Martino (Fr)
G: Johnny Moran (Jr)/Mark Sonnen (So)/B.J. Ray (Fr)
PG: Kwadzo Ahelegbe (Sr)/Anthony James (So)/Matt Morrison (Fr)
Gone: F-Adam Koch, C-Jordan Eglseder, G-Ali Farokhmanesh
2010-11 Outlook:
While they are not yet in Butler-territory, the secret is out on Northern Iowa who captured their second straight Missouri Valley Conference title and won the hearts of many by pulling perhaps the biggest upset of the college basketball season when they knocked off Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Now Ben Jacobson faces the challenge of keeping that momentum going while having to replace three talented, veteran leaders.
In losing Ali Farokmanesh, Jordan Eglseder and Adam Koch, the Panthers lose 53.2 percent of their scoring and 44.8 percent of their rebounds. Point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe is back to run the show and will be joined in the backcourt by fellow returning starter Jonny Moran. Experienced reserve Kerwin Dunham will likely step into the starting five and will be asked to take on a larger role. Mark Sonnen and Anthony James both saw limited action last season and will compete with four freshmen for minutes off the bench.
Jacobson doesn’t have a lot of size up-front as only three players stand taller than 6-6. Jake Koch will slide into the spot that his older brother played last season while undersized, but physical Lucas O’Rear will provide the muscle down low. Austin Pehl is an unproven commodity and freshman Matt Morrison needs to add some meat to his skinny frame making the frontcourt depth an area of concern.
The MVC figures to be competitive this season but probably lacks the clear-cut favorite of recent years. Northern Iowa has a good chance to battle with Wichita State and Creighton for the top spot, but lacks the valuable experience they have had the past couple of years. Their November trip to the Carrier Dome will be a terrific early-season measuring stick to see if the Panthers have the potential to repeat the magic from a season ago.
Player to Watch: Kwadzo Ahelegbe, PG
The only returning player who averaged more than six points per game last season, Ahelegbe now becomes the go-to player after sharing that responsibility the past three seasons with the seniors who have left. While accepting that responsibility, Ahelegbe must also improve his decision-making as last season he had more turnovers than assists. With uncertainty about who else can fill in the lost scoring load, every Panther possession will need to be valued.
Key Non-Conference Games:
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