Iowa winters are the worst. They are cold, snowy, and miserable. Nothing is worse than waking up in a cold house to put on cold clothes to walk in the cold to a cold classroom with a cold professor. Winter is not enjoyable, but this year several Panther sports are looking to change Iowa winters.
The first Panther sport is the women’s basketball team. After starting the year on a cold streak, the Panthers have been on a tear. They have won four of their last five games and are 7-2 in the last nine. Until their loss last Friday against instate rival, Drake University, the Panthers were undefeated in conference play. These ladies play tough defense with the third best in the Missouri Valley Conference allowing 62.3 points per game. On offense, they are led by sophomore Madison Weekly who is averaging 14.9 points per game. This is the most a Panther has averaged since Panther great Jacqui Kalin.
Panther wrestling is also warming up the cold Iowa winter. This wrestling team is receiving votes to be in the top 25. They also wrestle at one of the best venues in the country. The West Gym provides an up close and personal feel. The Panthers have multiple ranked wrestlers with Dylan Peters, Cooper Moore, and Blaize Cabell ranking in the top-25 in their respective weight classes.
The last Panther sport changing the Iowa winter is the men’s basketball team. Owners of a 16-2 record with a five game winning streak, this is the best Panther squad since the Jayhawk slayers. As long as they continue on this path, the Panthers will be a lock for the NCAA tournament with a RPI ranking of 20 and a BPI ranking of 18. Offensively, the Panthers are led by senior Seth Tuttle who averages 14.9 points per game while shooting over sixty percent. They are also twenty-fourth in the nation with a field goal percentage of .485. Defensively, the Panthers use length and smart defending to stifle opposing offenses. This is why they are fifth in the nation in points allowed per game and first in the MVC with 54.7 points.
These Panther teams deserve the support from Panther fans. While Iowa winters are not fun, the atmospheres surrounding these Panther teams are fun, amazing, and exciting. Be sure to brave the cold Iowa winter to go watch these squads in the McLeod Center and the UNI-Dome because I will be.
