CEDAR FALLS - Ali Farokhmanesh's weekend itinerary contains just two elements: soak in some sun, and school a few opponents on the basketball court.

The Northern Iowa guard said he eagerly awaits "getting away from the cold weather." But, Farokhmanesh added, "this is a great opportunity to play some good teams - and hopefully make some noise."

Farokhmanesh's weekend itinerary calls for a trip to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, as he and the Panthers vie with a loaded field in the Paradise Jam. UNI (1-0) opens with a noon contest against DePaul (1-0) on Friday. Possible clashes with Tennessee, Boston College or Purdue could follow.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is what they call "running a gauntlet."

"This is a huge tournament for us," said Panther big man Jordan Eglseder. "We had a great year last year, and this will be great for us to start off this year - and show everyone that we're ready to do it again."

UNI, of course, tied a school-record with 23 wins a year ago. But the Panthers also started 5-5, and Eglseder and Co. hope to avoid digging themselves a similar early-season hole by stumbling this weekend. It won't be easy.

DePaul boasts a 6-foot-10 NBA prospect in Mac Koshwal. Tenth-ranked Tennessee (2-0) features multiple senior stars, like 6-7 former Iowa Hawkeye Tyler Smith and 6-9 Wayne Chism. Boston College began the season 2-0 despite being without the services of three suspended players who will be available in the Virgin Islands.

And the Panthers, obviously, know all about No. 7 Purdue (1-0). One of the Boilermakers' 28 wins in the last 12 months was a 61-56 victory over UNI last March in the NCAA Tournament.

"When you look at the exempt (tournament) events we want to be a part of," said coach Ben Jacobson, "you're looking for the opportunity to play against good basketball teams - and we've got that opportunity with the Paradise Jam."

When asked if his Panthers would like another shot at Purdue, Jacobson chose his words carefully.

"You know, that (NCAA Tournament game) was a great experience for us," he said. "We learned a lot from the game against Purdue, but we're just going to get ready for DePaul."

Mainly, Jacobson said, this week's tournament is about testing his team early, and trying to improve. The Panthers have made it a point of emphasis this week to improve on the ball-handling and low-post mistakes that plagued them early in last Friday's narrow, season-opening win at Denver.

"We had a lot of flaws that showed up in that game," said Farokhmanesh.

"Offensively," said Jacobson, "there's some things we've got to work hard on to get sharpened up."

Because economics are always part of the decision-process when UNI formulates its schedules, Jacobson said his program can only afford trips to tournaments like the Paradise Jam every four years or so. Thus, the Panthers plan to make the most of this week's venture to the Virgin Islands.

"We're going to find out a lot about guys individually," said Jacobson.

And, basketball aside, UNI's student-athletes will have an invaluable experience. That can't be overstated.

"When I was the age of these guys, I certainly hadn't been anywhere like St. Thomas," noted Jacobson, who grew up in North Dakota. "So I know the guys are looking forward to the opportunity."

GAME TRACKER

UNI men's basketball

Northern Iowa (1-0) vs. DePaul (1-0), in the Paradise Jam

When: Noon, Fri.

Where: UVI Sports and Fitness Center (cap. 4,000)

TV: None on Friday; semis on Fox College Sports; Monday's title game on FSN

Radio: 1540 KXEL-AM or 1330 KWLO-AM

Internet: www.foxcollegesports.com

Last time out: UNI edged Denver, 71-65, as guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe posted 18 points. DePaul won its season-opener, 59-53 over Columbia, as Mac Koshwal rang up 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Need to know: If UNI fends off DePaul, it will vie with either No. 10 Tennessee (2-0) or East Carolina (0-2) in the second round at a time yet-to-be-determined. The event's final rounds are on Monday. UNI could play No. 7 Purdue (1-0) on the final day. ... The 6-foot-10 Koshwal, of DePaul, is predicted to be a mid-second round NBA draft pick. ... Tennessee, which features 6-7 former Iowa star Tyler Smith, pounded UNC-Asheville, 124-49 Tuesday. ... Purdue returns its top six players from last year's Sweet 16 squad.

Chalk talk: "DePaul has some very good players back (like) Koshwal, an NBA prospect that averaged fourteen points per game in the Big East last year. ... Tennessee, they've got an experienced group. East Carolina, they've got a good basketball team. On the other side of the bracket, with Purdue, South Dakota State, St. Joe's and Boston College, they're very good teams. But our focus is on getting better."

- UNI head coach Ben Jacobson

Starting lineups

Northern Iowa Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Eglseder 7-0 Sr. 12.0 12.0

A.Koch 6-9 Sr. 13.0 2.0

Moran 6-1 So. 4.0 3.0

Ahelegbe 6-2 Jr. 18.0 5.0

Farokhmanesh 6-0 Sr. 16.0 2.0

DePaul Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Koshwal 6-10 Jr. 19.0 12.0

Wallace 6-6 So. 10.0 3.0

Walker 6-0 Sr. 15.0 3.0

Kelly 6-1 So. 5.0 5.0

Stovall 6-5 Jr. 7.0 5.0

- Compiled by Courier Sports Writer Kelly Beaton