With five returning starters from last year's NCAA tournament team, hopes are certainly high in Cedar Falls regarding Northern Iowa's men's basketball squad.
The Panthers will get their first shot this weekend to prove their mettle against BCS conference schools at the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas. They open play in the three-game tournament against Big East foe DePaul this afternoon at 12:05 p.m.
While a win against a team which has dropped 18 of its past 19 regular season contests may not grab the attention of the NCAA Selection Committee, a loss certainly would.
"They were very good in non-conference games a year ago. When they got into Big East play, when you're playing the likes of Syracuse and Villanova and Pitt night in and night out, playing against some of the best teams in the country, that road can get a little bit rough," said UNI head coach Ben Jacobson. "In non-conference, they beat some good teams and with a good group back ... we're going to have to get some things sharpened up."
The Blue Demons managed eight wins in non-conference action last season before dropping all 18 of their contests in Big East play.
Things should improve this year for DePaul head coach Jerry Wainwright's squad as they return two of their top-3 scorers from last year's debacle. Forward Mac Koshwal and guard Will Walker each averaged double figures a year ago.
"(Koshwal) averaged just about a double-double (last year), which is extremely impressive. (Walker) averaged 14 points a game. The two of them have been very successful in Big East play," noted Jacobson. "(They) showed in the Big East, at that level they can score and they can play."
The junior Koshwal had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Blue Demons' season-opening triumph over Columbia on Tuesday while Walker chipped in 15 and 3.
The Panthers will counter with a very balanced and efficient offensive attack. UNI had four players score in double figures in a win over Denver last Friday. Preseason all-Missouri Valley Conference selection Kwadzo Ahelegbe paced the Panthers with 18 points and fellow preseason all-conference teammate Adam Koch added 13. Ali Farokhmanesh had 16 and Jordan Eglseder 12.
Should the Panthers win against DePaul, they will be matched with the winner of Tennessee and East Carolina on Sunday. A loss would pit them against the loser of that contest on Saturday.
The bottom half of the Paradise Jam bracket is home to St. Joseph's, Boston College, South Dakota State and Purdue, the team the bounced the Panthers from the NCAA tournament last March.
The Boilermakers and the Panthers could be matched up in one of three games, depending on each team's path through the first two rounds. All the potential rematches would be played on Monday.