CEDAR FALLS – UNI’s Ben Jacobson is one of 15 head coaches selected to the 2020 Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Wednesday.
Jacobson is the only Missouri Valley Conference coach to make the watch list and joins former UNI head coach Greg McDermott. Jacobson has led the Panthers to four NCAA Tournament including a Sweet 16 appearance in the 2009-10 tournament. Jacobson has also been named MVC Coach of the Year three separate times (2009, 2010, 2015).
The Panthers are 22-5 so far this season with an 11-4 record in conference play. UNI was picked to finish third in league play in the preseason poll and are currently tied for the top spot.
The Panthers’ non-conference slate includes wins over Old Dominion, South Carolina and No. 19 Colorado. UNI sits 47th in the net rankings with three regular-season games to play, including two at home.
UNI celebrates senior day Sunday against Southern Illinois at 1 p.m. before hosting Evansville Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the home finale for UNI.
| Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year Late 2020 Season Watch List |
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| First Name | Last Name | School | Conference |
| Patrick | Chambers | Penn State | Big Ten |
| Scott | Drew | Baylor | Big 12 |
| Brian | Dutcher | San Diego State | Mountain West |
| Mark | Few | Gonzaga | WCC |
| Anthony | Grant | Dayton | Atlantic 10 |
| Leonard | Hamilton | Florida State | ACC |
| Bob | Huggins | West Virginia | Big 12 |
| Ben | Jacobson | Northern Iowa | Missouri Valley |
| LaVall | Jordan | Butler | BIG EAST |
| Chris | Mack | Louisville | ACC |
| Greg | McDermott | Creighton | BIG EAST |
| Bruce | Pearl | Auburn | SEC |
| Steve | Pikiell | Rutgers | Big Ten |
| Brad | Underwood | Illinois | Big Ten |
| Kevin | Willard | Seton Hall | BIG EAST |
