Northern Iowa Veteran Leadership

(St. Louis, MO) – When you think of Northern Iowa basketball, you think of veteran leadership. It seems like there is always a fifth-year senior or two leading the way. Those leaders aren’t in abundance this season in Cedar Falls.

In Part One of our look at Panther basketball (Green Making a Difference), we looked at the ‘kids’ that are playing a prominent role for Ben Jacobson’s team. Today we look at those providing veteran leadership to this year’s team.

Wyatt Lohaus enters his fifth season with Northern Iowa and his pathway to being a senior leader hasn’t been very smooth. After being named Iowa’s high school ‘Mr. Basketball’ big things were expected of this son of an NBA player at Northern Iowa. During his freshman and sophomore seasons Lohaus was a significant contributor as a solid shooter and dependable bench player. He made 37 % of his shots from deep and 81 % of his free throws. He played in 71 Panther contests in those first two years.

Injuries ended his season after just six games in what would have been his junior season. Similar ankle injuries slowed the beginning of last season, but managed twelve double-digit scoring games in the 24 in which he participated. He averaged 9.3 points per game and was named the Missouri Valley Conference’s ‘all-bench’ team.

Lohaus is poised to be one of those classic UNI veteran leadership guys.

 

 

Jacobson relies on his senior leaders and believes Lohaus’ time has come. As a ‘program guy’ Lohaus knows the ins and outs of Panther basketball. Jacobson, now in his 13th season at the helm says he trusts his 6’2 sharp-shooting guard.

 

 

Defensive Stopper

Northern Iowa has always been known for its defense. Leading the defensive charge is junior guard Isaiah Brown. The 6’7 Texas native can be a lock down defender and is a capable scorer. Brown scored 20 points against Illinois State and reached double figures against both North Carolina and North Carolina State.

But it is his defensive prowess that sets him apart. Jacobson believes Brown can be one of the best defenders in the Valley and can be effective on the offensive end.

 

 

Brown’s veteran leadership on the defensive end will help post players like Austin Phyfe and Shandon Goldman protect the rim.

The younger players are collecting the preseason headlines, but for Northern Iowa to climb back into Valley contention, veteran leadership from players like Lohaus and Brown is a must.

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