Loyola at UNI

[PantherSigEp]

UNI finally takes care of business with a dominating 80-58 win over Loyola.

Panthers shot 60% and actually out-rebounded someone (34-24). UNI steps up the defensive intensity and allows Doyle to score 2 pts. Turk led the Ramblers with 10 pts. Freshman Jeremy King looked really nice by adding in 8 pts.

Nate Buss scores 18 on 6-9 shooting with 6 rebs just 2 weeks after knee surgery...sure would've been nice to have that over the past few games. Bohannon and Singleton chip in 12, Mitchell with 11 and Tuttle scores 10 (all in the 2nd half).

Really liked seeing UNI slow things down and play the defense we've seen from past Jacobson teams. Part of it might've been Loyola, but they are the #1 shooting team in the MVC. Jacobson definitely put an emphasis on defense tonight and the boys responded. Hopefully it continues into Springfield but...not holding my breath.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Nate Buss gets 18pts 6rebs and only plays 18 minutes. It is nice to have a player like that.

We held Doyle to what I would have to assume is a season low at 2pts.

The Panthers finally appeared to play with some fire on the defensive end. They seemed like they wanted it more than they had in a while. It was nice to see the lineup of Morrison, Bohannon, Martino, Singleton, and Friedman were the ones that brought us back. They just seemed to have that intensity that sometimes we are missing. When we play defense like that we are tough to beat. If they keep this up we have a chance to win out our remaining games. However, we have struggled to do this consistently especially playing on the road.

Go Panthers!

[PantherSigEp]

It's just reassuring to see that the defensive abilities and the intensity are there. Consistency is something that can be worked on. If we ended the season and there were no signs that next year this team would be capable of playing the hard-nosed, intense defense that Panther fans are accustomed, then I would really question the notion that we have the capability of being a competitive team, nationally, next year before Tuttle, Mitchell and Buss depart. That's a big year and I'd prefer the off-season is used to develop that defense rather than trying to figure out if it even exists.

It's almost unthinkable that UNI fans are having to worry about defense. Say what you want about the tempo we instilled but adjusted for efficiency UNI has still been one of the nations top teams in terms of defense...until this year.

[Haha]

Whats the story on Buss?

I thought he was out for season and surgery? Is he back for rest of season? No surgery needed now?

If so glad to hear he is back, wish MSU wouldn't have lost Marshall. The league is better with Buss and Marshall playing (obviously).

[unifight789]

He partially tore his meniscus. Had surgery two weeks ago right after it happened. He's back now.