The Panthers went from national obscurity to media overkill in a matter of days. Please don't misunderstand me, I love it, but they're blowing up like Tiger during Thanksgiving.
Ali Farokhmanesh has been on ESPN First Take, The Dan Patrick Show, The Scott Van Pelt Show, featured in The New York Times and USA Today, and now will be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It couldn't be happening to a more deserving guy, but, damn, that's a media circus.
Ben Jacobson was on The Jim Rome Show and the whole team has been on the front page of pretty much every paper in the country. This is what happens when you win games with dagger threes and take out the #1 overall seed.
The Panthers will be ready to play, despite the national media pumping them up to, presumably, watch them fall. All this hype can be distracting, but it's usually kids that are full of themselves that get caught up in the circus. The Panthers aren't full of themselves, but they're not robots. They've heard how great their run has been. This will be a true test for their focus and desire.
Some talking-heads are picking UNI to beat Michigan State. The Vegas line has MSU favored by a mere 1.5. Kalin Lucas is out. All these things make it easy for the Panthers to let-down slightly. But they can't and won't.
This game will be a battle. UNI FIGHT!
UNI 63 MSU 60
Showing posts with label UNI hoops. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UNI hoops. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
No Cinderella, Panthers are Real Deal
Don't call them Cinderella or David. Don't gush about it being the biggest upset in tournament history. They're the Northern Iowa Panthers. Things like this are expected, at least from this alumni. If you expect great, it improves the chances great things will happen. This team believes, expects and knows great.
There's no doubt Kansas had more talent. No doubt they were the better team on paper. But "that's why you play the game." That's why people love March Madness. The team that shows up and wants it more wins. UNI never doubted they could play with Kansas.
Even though UNI came into the tournament 28-4, they were still written off as a slouch. Their "weak" conference and loss to Evansville were harped on. They were overlooked by the committee, again. At least they were placed in the Midwest region. Playing another Midwestern school took the edge off. Kansas, Iowa - it's all the same.
Now they have the opportunity to play in St. Louis where they just won the Missouri Valley tournament. They'll play another team from the Midwest. Michigan State will be another tough challenge, but nothing they can't handle.
It's a great feeling to see an entire nation take notice. But it's long overdue. The ability and game plan has been there since they became regulars in the tournament in 2004. They just weren't able to get over the hump.
They played eventual runner-up Georgia Tech very close as a 13-seed in '04. They fought Wisconsin, Georgetown and Purdue to the brink in the following years. I mentioned earlier in the year how winning games in the tournament was the only thing they had left to prove. I wanted at least one win, but never doubted they could get more.
They won't be satisfied. They'll be back in Cedar Falls putting in work this week. The great thing about UNI is they're just "regular guys" and always have been. This is the reason I'm glad people have noticed across the country. Panthers everywhere take extreme pride in this school, this season, this team and want it to continue.
I didn't think there would be a Panther I would like more than Ben Jacobson (the guard from 2002-2006,) but Ali Farokhmanesh might have passed him. I love his demeanor and game. The confidence and big-shot ability is what every team needs. He's an underdog playing for an "underdog."
My buddy Drew and I went to every home game during our years at Northern Iowa. There was nothing we wanted more than tournament success and national recognition. The time has come, just a few years after our graduation. I envy everyone who was in Cedar Falls this weekend.
Big shout-out to coach Ben Jacobson. He's continued what Greg McDermott started and surpassed him. Keep up the great work. This should go without saying but....Don't even consider the Iowa job. Learn from McDermott. Hopefully they won't ask but have "no" ready.
Another shout-out to all the players this year. Adam Koch - Player of the Year in the Valley. Jordan Eglseder - the big man in the middle bouncing back from an embarrassing late-season DUI to play toe-to-toe with Cole Aldrich.
The work has just begun. Michigan State - Friday, 8:37 p.m. CST.
Panther Pride. UNI Fight!
There's no doubt Kansas had more talent. No doubt they were the better team on paper. But "that's why you play the game." That's why people love March Madness. The team that shows up and wants it more wins. UNI never doubted they could play with Kansas.
Even though UNI came into the tournament 28-4, they were still written off as a slouch. Their "weak" conference and loss to Evansville were harped on. They were overlooked by the committee, again. At least they were placed in the Midwest region. Playing another Midwestern school took the edge off. Kansas, Iowa - it's all the same.
Now they have the opportunity to play in St. Louis where they just won the Missouri Valley tournament. They'll play another team from the Midwest. Michigan State will be another tough challenge, but nothing they can't handle.
It's a great feeling to see an entire nation take notice. But it's long overdue. The ability and game plan has been there since they became regulars in the tournament in 2004. They just weren't able to get over the hump.
They played eventual runner-up Georgia Tech very close as a 13-seed in '04. They fought Wisconsin, Georgetown and Purdue to the brink in the following years. I mentioned earlier in the year how winning games in the tournament was the only thing they had left to prove. I wanted at least one win, but never doubted they could get more.
They won't be satisfied. They'll be back in Cedar Falls putting in work this week. The great thing about UNI is they're just "regular guys" and always have been. This is the reason I'm glad people have noticed across the country. Panthers everywhere take extreme pride in this school, this season, this team and want it to continue.
I didn't think there would be a Panther I would like more than Ben Jacobson (the guard from 2002-2006,) but Ali Farokhmanesh might have passed him. I love his demeanor and game. The confidence and big-shot ability is what every team needs. He's an underdog playing for an "underdog."
My buddy Drew and I went to every home game during our years at Northern Iowa. There was nothing we wanted more than tournament success and national recognition. The time has come, just a few years after our graduation. I envy everyone who was in Cedar Falls this weekend.
Big shout-out to coach Ben Jacobson. He's continued what Greg McDermott started and surpassed him. Keep up the great work. This should go without saying but....Don't even consider the Iowa job. Learn from McDermott. Hopefully they won't ask but have "no" ready.
Another shout-out to all the players this year. Adam Koch - Player of the Year in the Valley. Jordan Eglseder - the big man in the middle bouncing back from an embarrassing late-season DUI to play toe-to-toe with Cole Aldrich.
The work has just begun. Michigan State - Friday, 8:37 p.m. CST.
Panther Pride. UNI Fight!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Panthers Need Tourney Win
There's too much coverage of the Super Bowl to go over it here. I did write a Super Bowl column last week for The Simpsonian, which includes a prediction. I'm going with Colts 30, Saints 24.
Yesterday featured some solid college hoops for the schools I've given time and money. Simpson snapped a 6-game losing streak by beating Wartburg 75-73. It was the seventh home game I've been to this year, and the first win I've seen. Out of those seven games, they could have won at least four. It's nice to see the team hasn't quit.
After that game I went home to watch a typical MVC barn-burner on ESPN 2. Northern Iowa beat Southern Illinois at home 55-52. UNI will move up from its No. 22 ranking this week, which is great for national recognition. They're out to a 21-2 start, including 12-1 in the MVC.
UNI will surely make the tournament again this year, but that isn't good enough. We know they're good enough to get invited, they've proven that since 2004. With four NCAA tournament appearances in the last six, they must win the first round game. If they want to earn some respectability, get a tourney win.
NFL Playoff Record: 8-2
Yesterday featured some solid college hoops for the schools I've given time and money. Simpson snapped a 6-game losing streak by beating Wartburg 75-73. It was the seventh home game I've been to this year, and the first win I've seen. Out of those seven games, they could have won at least four. It's nice to see the team hasn't quit.
After that game I went home to watch a typical MVC barn-burner on ESPN 2. Northern Iowa beat Southern Illinois at home 55-52. UNI will move up from its No. 22 ranking this week, which is great for national recognition. They're out to a 21-2 start, including 12-1 in the MVC.
UNI will surely make the tournament again this year, but that isn't good enough. We know they're good enough to get invited, they've proven that since 2004. With four NCAA tournament appearances in the last six, they must win the first round game. If they want to earn some respectability, get a tourney win.
NFL Playoff Record: 8-2
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