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2009-2010 Northern Iowa Preview Picks, & Odds.
Northern Iowa 2008-2009 Record: 23-11, 14-4
Northern Iowa 2008-2009 Post Season: NCAA
Northern Iowa Coach: Ben Jacobson (59-38 at Northern Iowa, 59-38 overall)
Northern Iowa Projected Starters:
- Kwadzo Ahelegbe, Junior, Guard, 11.8 points per game
- Ali Farokmanesh, Seniro, Guard, 9.6 points per game
- Johnny Moran, Sophomore, Guard, 8.4 points per game
- Adam Koch, Senior, Forward, 12.1 points per game
- Jordan Eglseder, Senior, Center, 10.2 points per game
Northern Iowa Player to Watch: Adam Koch
Northern Iowa Key Losses: G Travis Brown
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2009-2010 Northern Iowa Season Preview
Ben Jacobson started last season as a coach with a slightly warm backside.
He ended it as the toast of Northern Iowa. Jacobson’s Panthers enjoyed a banner season, tying for the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship and winning the league tournament for the first time.
That put them in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006, which is a kind of thing that tends to gain support of the fan base.
The fact that Northern Iowa had failed to make the field of 65 the previous two seasons had started some whispering in Cedar Rapids about whether Jacobson was the guy to head the program. He had taken over when Greg McDermott left for Iowa State after leading the Panthers to the Big Dance in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
One couldn’t say Jacobson was on a hot seat when last season started. Just a slightly toasty one.
A team that started the year picked for a middle-of-the-pack conference finish opened a hardly confidence-inspiring 6-6, but then took control of the conference race by winning a school-record 11 games in a row. The Panthers stumbled slightly down the stretch, finishing tied with Creighton for the Valley title, but righted themselves with three consecutive wins in the league tournament to claim an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Purdue in the first round.
The good news for the Panthers is they lose just one key player from the team that finished 23-11 and won a school record eight Valley road games.
Farokhmanesh is one of five starters back. The only major contributor not returning is guard Travis Brown, a former starter who flourished as a senior in a backup role.
| 2009 Northern Iowa Basketball Schedule | Northern Iowa Sportsbooks | Missouri Valley Basketball Betting |
Northern Iowa Backcourt
Farokhmanesh and sophomore Johnny Moran are the perimeter gunners, but it’s point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe who puts the juice in the Panthers’ attack.
Solid at 6-2, 210 pounds, Ahelegbe is a top-notch defender with an improving offensive game. His greatest on-court attribute might be a hard-nosed attitude that inspires toughness in his teammates.
After missing the previous season with a shoulder injury, Ahelegbe earned second-team All-Valley honors last season. He also could have been named the most valuable player in the league tournament, shooting 50 percent from 3-point range and averaging 19.0 points in spearheading Northern Iowa’s Valley run.
Moran and Farokhmanesh combined to make 125 shots from beyond the are, and Kerwin Dunham is a capable backup. Redshirt freshman Anthony James and true freshman Marc Sonnen are among the candidates to replace Brown.
Northern Iowa Frontcourt
Adam Koch can be a nightmare for opponents – versatile enough to burn them from the perimeter and drive past them to the hoop. He led the team in scoring with a 12.1 average and earned first-team All-Valley honors a year ago.
At 7-1,290 pounds, Jordan Eglseder is truly a big man in a league not known for its inside players. Eglseder battled injuries last season, but still wound up averaging 10.2 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds. He also blocked 44 shots, giving him 90 for his career.
Northern Iowa’s decision to drop baseball left some doubt about Valley Sixth-man of the Year Lucas O’Rear’s return. O’Rear’s professional future might be as a pitcher, but he’s back to provide Eglseder and Koch with a dependable backup.
Adam Rodenberg and two redshirts – Jake Koch (Adam’s younger brother) and Austin Pehl – also figure in the mix for playing time.
2009-2010 Northern Iowa Predictions
The Panthers will start the season as everybody’s favorite, but even with all their talent and experience, they know they’ll have their work cut out for them.
Northern Iowa Finish in the Missouri Valley: 1st
Northern Iowa Projected Post-season Tournament: NCAA
Northern Iowa Betting Odds
Northern Iowa Odds to Win 2010 Mens NCAA Basketball Tournament: +20000
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Northern Iowa Basketball Handicapping Picks
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