It's been a bit of a disappointment this season for UNI but lately there have been some signs of progress with wins in 2 of 3, including a rousing success at home vs. high-flying Murray State on January 24. It's also now consecutive wins at Cedar Falls after last Saturday's 71-55 cruise past Evansville when hot-scoring 6-8 soph F Will Hornseth scored 21. Hornseth had now led Ben Jacobson's Panthers in scoring the past two games. Note the Braves have had three slip-ups on the Valley trail and needed a late surge to survive the first meeting 75-69 at Peoria on January 10. Play UNI

Two borderline NCAA Tournament-quality teams. KenPom ranks UNI 29 spots higher. One of my favorite things to wager in college hoops is a semi-evenly matched conference series where the home team won the first, which Bradley did. Don't have numbers in front of me (beef pot pie and a glass of Pinot), but I happen to know that statistically speaking conference teams don't sweep when somewhat equal. And I'm not sure UNI isn't better despite the first one. Obviously KenPom agrees. Go big or go home. I will be at a sushi-making class (Xmas present) tonight, so feel free to text me what's happening. And I don't like sushi, but what gonna do? ... I hope for Arby's on way home. #wegotthemeat