UNI Basketball Program Pauses All Team Activities

The past week has not been an easy one for UNI head men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson. The last two practices he's been working with roster of just seven scholarship players and two walk-ons. After a weekend practice that replaced a canceled game due to COVID-19, Jacobson decided to put a hold on all basketball team activities.

The WCF Courier reports that road games on Wednesday at Wisconsin and Saturday at Marshall have both been canceled. Players that have been living in isolation due to COVID restrictions can now have a change to see their families before the MVC play gets underway on December 27th as the Panthers host Missouri State.

It hasn't just been COVID that has hurt the Panthers so far this season. Injuries have robbed the team of depth and their best player. The Courier reports that guard AJ Green is set to have season ending hip surgery. Freshman Tytan Anderson has yet to make his Panther debut due to a knee injury. Star center Austin Phyfe suffered an ankle injury last week and is likely out for at least one week. Jacobsen says he's confident that Phyfe will be back for conference play.

The Courier also reports that sophomore Antwan Kimmons has returned home to help his family deal with the ongoing pandemic  Jacobson says that he hated canceling games that he had contracts for, but hopes that by the time conference play starts the Panthers will have 10 scholarship players to work with.