The UNI Panthers men’s basketball team opens the season on Tuesday night as they host the Colonels of Nicholls State. It’s the second meeting of the two schools, the first coming back in 2006, which was Ben Jacobsen’s first game as head coach at UNI.
The Panthers return star guard AJ Green from injury, as the Cedar Falls-native missed nearly the entire 2020-21 season. Upon his return, Green was named MVC Preseason Player of the Year, as well as 1st-team All-MVC. Junior forward Austin Phyfe was named 2nd-team All-MVC. The Panthers also return key contributors such as Trae Berhowm, Tywhon Pickford and Bowen Born.
Nicholls State were the regular season champions of the Southland Conference in 2020-21, although were upset by Abilene Christian in the Conference Tournament Championship. The Colonels return Southland Newcomer of the Year Ty Gordon and Preseason 1st-team All-Southland selection Ryghe Lyons. Gordon averaged just over 14.5 points per game in ’20-21, while Lyons averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds last season.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM at the McLeod Center in Cedar Falls.