We continue our recruit and return series with the Northern Iowa Panthers, whose season ended Sunday with a loss to Texas A&M in the second round. A look at what the 2016-17 season could hold:
Possible 2016-17 starting five (statistics reflect regular-season average)
G: Spencer Haldeman (redshirted in 2015-16)
G: Wyatt Lohaus (4.1 PPG, 1.1 APG)
F: Jeremy Morgan (10.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG)
F: Klint Carlson (6.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG)
C: Bennett Koch (7.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG)
Who is lost: Ben Jacobson and the Panthers were able to replace all-everything Seth Tuttle after last season and still make it back to the NCAA tournament -- and now they’ll have to go back to the drawing board in 2016-17. The team’s top three scorers will be gone from this year’s group, led by leading scorer and assist man Wes Washpun. The former Tennessee transfer was one of the Missouri Valley’s biggest breakout stars this season, and his jumper in the MVC title game pushed Northern Iowa into the NCAA tournament. Two more double-figure scorers are also departing: Matt Bohannon and Paul Jesperson. Bohannon is one of the best 3-point shooters in the conference, while Jesperson gave Northern Iowa a perimeter threat in the frontcourt that teams in the Valley couldn't match.
Who is added: Jacobson has always done a good job balancing his scholarship chart, so he’s never short on players even when the top three scorers are leaving at the same time. He redshirted four freshmen this past season, including guard Spencer Haldeman and frontcourt players Luke McDonnell, Justin Dahl and Lincoln Conrey. Haldeman could have a chance to start in the backcourt immediately; he was the Gatorade State Player of the Year in Iowa as a high school senior and could be the point guard Jacobson is looking for to replace Washpun. McDonnell could also see immediate minutes down low. There are also three true freshmen entering the program: guards Juwan McCloud and Isaiah Brown, and wing Tanner Lohaus. With the exodus from the perimeter, there’s a chance at least one of them sees a role right off the bat, most likely coming off the bench behind Haldeman.
What it means for next season: Jacobson used mostly a seven-man rotation this past season, and with three double-figure scorers leaving, there simply isn’t too much coming back for the Panthers. Jeremy Morgan is the leading scorer, rebounder and assist man returning; he consistently plays bigger than his 6-foot-5 size indicates and is a versatile defender. He will have to take on a bigger offensive role next season, but he showed this past season he can make shots from the perimeter or create for others. Bennett Koch is the other returning starter. He had a good stretch earlier this season with three straight double-figure games, and also showed flashes during Missouri Valley play. Expect Klint Carlson and Wyatt Lohaus to move into the starting lineup. Carlson saw a bigger role late in the season and scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds in the MVC title game. Meanwhile, Lohaus will likely assume the role of shot-maker from the perimeter, and he could also be a secondary ball handler.
Trending: Down. Once Northern Iowa lost Tuttle after 2014-15, it was deemed to be impossible to repeat what the Panthers did last season. And then they went out and beat North Carolina and Iowa State in non-conference play, and then reached the NCAA tournament after beating Wichita State in the semifinals for the second time. But with the top three scorers leaving, Jacobson and the Panthers will likely take a step back.