CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa Panthers Poised for Strong Season

High expectations surround the Northern Iowa men’s basketball team as they get ready for the upcoming season. In the preseason poll, the Panthers were picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference, signaling that they have lofty goals for the year ahead. This comes despite the challenges of losing seven players while welcoming four new faces through the transfer portal.

During a recent media day, head coach Ben Jacobson highlighted the potential of these new players, saying, “They’re adding to our culture. In the spring, we look for players who fit our system, just like with high school recruits. We feel good about the four transfers we’ve brought in.” As Jacobson heads into his 19th season, he reflected on the Panthers’ eight-year absence from the NCAA tournament, stating, “Seems like longer. Seems like 80 years. We want to be in the tournament, and we’re committed to that as a staff.”

This year, the landscape of the MVC has shifted dramatically, with 14 of the top players from last season leaving via the transfer portal or graduation. This change places even more focus on returning starters like Tytan Anderson, Trey Campbell, and Jacob Hutson, all of whom have received preseason All-MVC honors.

With a solid returning core of nine players who contributed nearly half of the team’s scoring last year, Jacobson emphasized their importance. He stated, “These returning players, especially our seniors like Tytan and Jacob, form the foundation of our identity.”

Among the newcomers, Leon Bond, Ben Schwieger, Max Weisbrod, and Cael Schmitt have joined the team, each bringing unique skills. Bond is noted for his athleticism, while Schwieger has a noteworthy ability to create scoring opportunities. Weisbrod and Schmitt add depth to the point guard position, with both showing promising abilities on the court.

While Jacobson hasn’t finalized his starting lineup for the season opener against Dubuque, he hinted that Bond and RJ Taylor would likely join Hutson, Anderson, and Campbell. Additionally, he confirmed that freshmen Redek Born and Cade Courbat would redshirt this season, while Will Hornseth is set to play.

As the Panthers prepare for their opening game, the blend of experienced players and new talent makes for an exciting season ahead in Cedar Falls. Jacobson’s commitment to crafting a winning formula will be put to the test as they aim to break their tournament drought and compete for a Missouri Valley Conference championship.