It?s not like the Northern Iowa men?s basketball team is going to be in awe of its surroundings this week.
But who could blame the Panthers if they were.
First of all, they?re traveling to the Bahamas, a vacation mecca known for its inviting beaches, clear water and coral reefs.
Then there?s the basketball talent that will surround Northern Iowa, starting with an 8:30 p.m. game today against No. 2 Louisville. Also in the eight-team field of the Battle 4 Atlantis: No. 5 Duke, No. 13 Missouri, No. 19 Memphis and Minnesota, one spot outside the Associated Press Top 25.
The Panthers are guaranteed three games against the most rugged competition found in any holiday tournament. And they can?t wait.
?It?s a business trip for us. But man, we?re really excited,? junior forward Chip Rank said. ?We?re very fortunate to be there. But we?re going to try to do some work down there.?
Northern Iowa (3-0) received two votes in this week?s AP poll and doesn?t have to look far back in its history for proof that it can compete with the elite. The Panthers are 9-13 against ranked teams since 2001, most notably an NCAA Tournament takedown of No. 1 Kansas in 2010.
?That was one of the reasons I came here was to play against these teams, and play against a tough schedule like this,? freshman guard Matt Bohannon said. ?And hopefully we come together as a group even more and try to bring the best game we can.?
Bohannon started the Panthers? first three games, but will be coming off the bench tonight as senior Anthony James returns from a three-game suspension for violating team rules.
?He?s been working his butt off in practice, and he?s going to be ready to go. He?s going to be fresh,? Rank vowed of James, who led Northern Iowa in scoring at 12.5 points per game last season.
Bohannon said he welcomes James back, and is happy to play whatever role he is assigned.
?We?re just going to be that much deeper,? he said.
The first test of that depth is the biggest to date. The Panthers and Cardinals (3-0) will each be playing their first game away from home.
?I know that they play a lot of up-tempo,? Bohannon said of Louisville, a Final Four participant last season. ?It?s going to be real aggressive. They?re one of the top teams in the country for a reason. We?re going to have to come out and play hard.?
But who could blame the Panthers if they were.
First of all, they?re traveling to the Bahamas, a vacation mecca known for its inviting beaches, clear water and coral reefs.
Then there?s the basketball talent that will surround Northern Iowa, starting with an 8:30 p.m. game today against No. 2 Louisville. Also in the eight-team field of the Battle 4 Atlantis: No. 5 Duke, No. 13 Missouri, No. 19 Memphis and Minnesota, one spot outside the Associated Press Top 25.
The Panthers are guaranteed three games against the most rugged competition found in any holiday tournament. And they can?t wait.
?It?s a business trip for us. But man, we?re really excited,? junior forward Chip Rank said. ?We?re very fortunate to be there. But we?re going to try to do some work down there.?
Northern Iowa (3-0) received two votes in this week?s AP poll and doesn?t have to look far back in its history for proof that it can compete with the elite. The Panthers are 9-13 against ranked teams since 2001, most notably an NCAA Tournament takedown of No. 1 Kansas in 2010.
?That was one of the reasons I came here was to play against these teams, and play against a tough schedule like this,? freshman guard Matt Bohannon said. ?And hopefully we come together as a group even more and try to bring the best game we can.?
Bohannon started the Panthers? first three games, but will be coming off the bench tonight as senior Anthony James returns from a three-game suspension for violating team rules.
?He?s been working his butt off in practice, and he?s going to be ready to go. He?s going to be fresh,? Rank vowed of James, who led Northern Iowa in scoring at 12.5 points per game last season.
Bohannon said he welcomes James back, and is happy to play whatever role he is assigned.
?We?re just going to be that much deeper,? he said.
The first test of that depth is the biggest to date. The Panthers and Cardinals (3-0) will each be playing their first game away from home.
?I know that they play a lot of up-tempo,? Bohannon said of Louisville, a Final Four participant last season. ?It?s going to be real aggressive. They?re one of the top teams in the country for a reason. We?re going to have to come out and play hard.?
