Iowa City, Ia. - Talk about the mutual admiration society . . .
Northern Iowa basketball coach Greg McDermott Monday morning called the Iowa team he faces at 7:05 tonight at Carver-Hawkeye Arena potentially the best in Steve Alford's five seasons as the Hawkeyes' coach.
Monday afternoon, Alford called the team he will face tonight "the best Northern Iowa's been in the last five years."
No talkin' trash here.
Only respect.
"I think everybody has played against one another on the AAU circuit or during the summer league," Iowa guard Adam Haluska said. "There's a lot of respect out there for each other."
Northern Iowa used a 77-66 victory against the Hawkeyes in Cedar Falls last season as a springboard to becoming the state's only representative in the NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers' 3-1 record this season includes an easy 99-82 victory at home against Iowa State.
"Northern Iowa made the NCAA Tournament last season, and that's where we wanted to be," Hawkeye guard Jeff Horner said. "They beat us last year, too, so there's plenty of motivation . . . for us to do well."
As far as intimidation about coming into the arena of a big-time Big Ten Conference opponent - forget it, although Northern Iowa has never won a men's basketball game in Iowa City. The Panthers lost in double overtime at Cincinnati, 76-70, on Nov. 24.
"Playing in Cincinnati prepared us to play in Iowa City," McDermott said. "What we've been through during the last six or seven months - winning the conference final, then playing Georgia Tech on the NCAA stage - that in itself takes away some of the awe going into the arena at big-time programs. Our guys have been there, done that."
Tonight's game will feature guards - Horner, Pierre Pierce and Haluska of Iowa, against Brooks McKowen, Erik Crawford and Ben Jacobson of Northern Iowa.
"I've always liked their guards," Alford said. "Crawford is strong, McKowen is a fierce competitor, and Jacobson can really shoot it.
"There are three guards in the starting lineup who can handle it and shoot it. There's very good chemistry in their backcourt."
Northern Iowa's three starting guards provide 51.3 percent of the scoring. Iowa's three starting guards account for 54.6 percent of the points.
"They just don't have a lot of weaknesses," McDermott said. "They can shoot the perimeter shot, they've got guys who can take it to the basket, and they can provide an inside presence with Erek Hansen and Greg Brunner."
Northern Iowa has a 0-19 record in Iowa City. To end that drought, the Panthers must continue to score well from the perimeter.
"That's a big focus for us," Horner said. "We have to get in there and chase. Our guards are athletic enough to stay with their guards."
Northern Iowa outscored Iowa State, 36-15, from three-point range on eye-popping 12-of-22 shooting.
"That was surprising to everyone, even myself," Haluska said of the ease with which the Panthers handled his former team.
"Northern Iowa has great shooters."
The Panthers have made 53.4 percent of their shots, including 44.6 from three-point range.
"I hope we can shoot like that for about 27 more games," McDermott said. "We've got a lot of guys that can shoot it."
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