CEDAR FALLS - Granted, there are seldom any gimmes on the road in the Missouri Valley Conference.

That said, Northern Iowa's basketball program would have picked two other venues to start its league road schedule than what the Valley spit out of its computers Monday afternoon.

After opening the MVC slate at home against Indiana State on Dec. 28, UNI travels to Southern Illinois on New Year's Eve and to Creighton on Jan. 6.

The Panthers haven't won at SIU Arena or Qwest Center Omaha since the 1996-97 season.

"Our young guys are going to get quite a taste early of what the league is like on the road," said UNI head coach Ben Jacobson, whose program released its schedule for the 2008-09 season. "Those are two places that are tough to play, and two teams that are going to be very good this year.

"That will be a fun test for our guys."

Like a year ago, UNI's Valley schedule is well-balanced. The Panthers never play more than two straight road games and never have more than two games in a six-day span.

Unlike a season ago, the Panther schedule is filled with Sunday matinees. UNI plays five Sunday contests, including the league opener against the Sycamores and Feb. 8 at home versus Creighton.

In all, UNI has six opponents that qualified for the postseason last year on its schedule. The Panthers will play in the Chicago Invitational Challenge, a four-game exempt event.

After facing Texas Southern and Chicago State at home, UNI will clash with Marquette (Nov. 28) - predicted to be a preseason top 15 team - and Auburn (Nov. 29) of the Southeastern Conference at Hoffman Estates near Chicago.

Jacobson's club also has non-conference road games at Illinois-Chicago, Iowa and versus Wyoming in Casper. It opens the regular season at the McLeod Center against the University of Denver on Nov. 15.

"It's a really challenging schedule," said Jacobson, whose team was 18-14 last year, "and that's good. That's the way our non-conference schedule should look. We want to challenge our guys and we're able to do that this year."

KOCH BREAKS ANKLE: Jacobson said incoming freshman Jake Koch had surgery Monday for a broken ankle. Koch injured the ankle this past spring, but figured it was just a sprain. A week ago, X-rays revealed a fracture.

"It's a pretty extensive deal," Jacobson said. "He'll be out for a while."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com

2008-09 schedule

Nov. 4 - Dubuque (exhibition)

Nov. 10 - Wayne State (exhibition)

Nov. 15 - Denver

Nov. 19 - at Illinois-Chicago

Nov. 23 - Texas Southern

Nov. 25 - Chicago State

Nov. 28 - vs. Marquette at Chicago Invitational

Nov. 29 - vs. Auburn at Chicago Invitational

Dec. 3 - Iowa State

Dec. 6 - North Dakota

Dec. 9 - at Iowa

Dec. 13 - vs. Wyoming at Casper, Wyo.

Dec. 21 - South Dakota State

Dec. 28 - Indiana State

Dec. 31 - at Southern Illinois

Jan. 3 - Wichita State

Jan. 6 - at Creighton

Jan. 10 - Missouri State

Jan. 13 - at Evansville

Jan. 17 - at Drake

Jan. 21 - Bradley

Jan. 25 - at Missouri State

Jan. 28 - Illinois State

Jan. 31 - at Indiana State

Feb. 3 - at Bradley

Feb. 8 - Creighton

Feb. 11 - Southern Illinois

Feb. 14 - at Wichita State

Feb. 18 - Drake

Feb. 21 - at ESPNU BracketBusters

Feb. 24 - at Illinois State

Feb. 28 - Evansville

March 5-8 - at MVC Tournament (St. Louis)

Note: Game times and TV schedule will be announced at later date.