Jacobson Hopes Chemistry Sparks N. Iowa

Daily Reporter

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/b2604c63adc44a969f0ef0f7dcb7d117/BKC–N-Iowa-Media-Day

Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson sees three specific areas he wants his team to improve heading into the season.

But even Jacobson knows that chemistry will likely determine if the Panthers return to the NCAA tournament after a two-year absence.

Northern Iowa returns most of the players who helped it reach the 20-win plateau for the fourth year in a row in 2011-12.

Jacobson believes the Panthers need to rebound and defend better, and improve their conditioning. After that, it’s all about the elements that are tough to measure.

“It comes down to the intangible things, Jacobson said Tuesday at the team’s annual media day, six months after the Panthers’ season ended with a 65-63 loss to Drexel in the second round of the NIT. The leadership. The team chemistry, and something that I’ve talked to this group quite a bit about, the commitment to each other.”

On paper, Northern Iowa should have enough to challenge the likes of Creighton for the Missouri Valley crown.

The Panthers will be a veteran group led by senior guard Anthony James. He scored a team-high 12.5 points a game last season, cracked double figures 22 times and will be counted on for scoring and defense. Sophomore point guard Deon Mitchell has dropped around 10 pounds, a positive sign for Jacobson’s goal of a better conditioned team.

Sophomore center Seth Tuttle has added at least 30 pounds to his frame just a year after being named the Missouri Valley’s freshman of the year.

The Panthers have always built their team around defense under Jacobson, now entering his seventh season as the head coach. He would like to see them hold opponents to an even lower total than the 61.9 points per game of a year ago.

Jacobson Hopes Chemistry Sparks N. Iowa

Daily Reporter

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/b2604c63adc44a969f0ef0f7dcb7d117/BKC–N-Iowa-Media-Day

Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson sees three specific areas he wants his team to improve heading into the season.

But even Jacobson knows that chemistry will likely determine if the Panthers return to the NCAA tournament after a two-year absence.

Northern Iowa returns most of the players who helped it reach the 20-win plateau for the fourth year in a row in 2011-12.

Jacobson believes the Panthers need to rebound and defend better, and improve their conditioning. After that, it’s all about the elements that are tough to measure.

“It comes down to the intangible things, Jacobson said Tuesday at the team’s annual media day, six months after the Panthers’ season ended with a 65-63 loss to Drexel in the second round of the NIT. The leadership. The team chemistry, and something that I’ve talked to this group quite a bit about, the commitment to each other.”

On paper, Northern Iowa should have enough to challenge the likes of Creighton for the Missouri Valley crown.

The Panthers will be a veteran group led by senior guard Anthony James . He scored a team-high 12.5 points a game last season, cracked double figures 22 times and will be counted on for scoring and defense. Sophomore point guard Deon Mitchell has dropped around 10 pounds, a positive sign for Jacobson’s goal of a better conditioned team.

Sophomore center Seth Tuttle has added at least 30 pounds to his frame just a year after being named the Missouri Valley’s freshman of the year.

The Panthers have always built their team around defense under Jacobson, now entering his seventh season as the head coach. He would like to see them hold opponents to an even lower total than the 61.9 points per game of a year ago.