CEDAR FALLS — While all of college basketball is delighted to be on the other side of last season's COVID-dominated campaign, perhaps no program is more thrilled than Northern Iowa.
The Panthers had several regular-season games axed. Then their postseason ended on a technicality. Oh, and their best player watched all of it from the bench with a season-ending hip injury. The results on the floor — 10-15 overall, 7-11 in the Missouri Valley Conference — weren't pretty either.
All the more reason for excitement in turning the page.
As Ben Jacobson readies for his 16th season leading the Panthers, optimism oozes from every corner of McLeod Center and beyond.