WICHITA, Kan. - Before each game, Northern Iowa basketball coach Ben Jacobson writes the word "REBOUND" in bold, capital letters on the board in the Panthers' locker room.

So when Missouri State's Deven Mitchell yanked down two offensive rebounds during the opening five minutes of Sunday's game, Jacobson quickly called timeout and chewed out his team.

UNI took Jacobson's message to heart, finishing with a 41-28 rebounding edge during the 70-55 win.

"I think we've got a chance to keep getting better and we're showing improvement, but if we don't compete and rebound with every possession, it doesn't matter what we do in the other areas," Jacobson said. "That is critical to what happens to our team."

The Panthers (11-7, 3-4 MVC) will encounter two of the Missouri Valley Conference's better rebounding teams this week, starting tonight against Wichita State.

Despite their offensive woes, the Shockers are first in rebounding margin (+6.3) and average a league-best 12.8 offensive rebounds per contest.

Six-foot-six junior Ramon Clemente is among the league leaders at 7.2 caroms per game.

"Rebounding can dictate a game," said UNI's Eric Coleman, who leads the Valley with 8.8 rebounds per game. "Even if you're not hitting shots, getting offensive rebounds can keep you alive."

UNI is 9-3 this season when it outrebounds its opponent. During its recent four-game losing streak, Jacobson's club was beaten on the boards twice, including by an undersized Bradley squad.

"It's a real concern for us going down there to Wichita," Jacobson said. "We've had games where we've rebounded very well and other games we haven't gotten the job done."

It becomes more critical on the road, especially at a sold-out Koch Arena.

"When you're on the road, you've got to step it up a level," Coleman said. "You can't give guys second or third opportunities. That's lighting a whole other fire.

"And when their crowd gets into it, it's kind of hard to shut them up."

UNI has silenced 10,478 fans at Koch Arena each of the past three seasons.

"It's the loudest place we've played in," Jacobson said. "It's different this time because we had experienced players when we've won down there before."

And with a trip looming to 22nd-ranked Drake, which has won 16 straight, on Saturday, UNI realizes the importance of tonight's game to remain in the middle of the Valley pack.

"This is huge," Coleman said. "It's going to be a battle, and we need this game. We'll be ready when it comes tipoff."

Scouting Wichita State

The Shockers have been decimated by injuries, losing point guard Matt Braeuer to a concussion six games ago. Guard Bret Michael and center Brett Burley are also sidelined with injuries, while leading scorer P.J. Couisnard is nursing an injured right shoulder.

"We finished the Southern Illinois game with seven scholarship players and a walk-on," first-year head coach Gregg Marshall said. "It would take me an hour to read everything the trainers sent me on the injury report Monday.

"This is a very, very physical league. Sometimes it's like rugby."

Marshall anticipates Couisnard will play tonight.

"He's a tough kid," Marshall said. "He was warming up and stretching that shoulder (Monday)."

Wichita State (8-10, 1-6) has lost four straight and six of seven. The Shockers are 0-3 at home in league play, rank last in the Valley in scoring offense (60.3 ppg.), last in field goal percentage (40.8) and last in 3-point percentage (30.0).

"They are not far off," Jacobson said. "(Marshall) is doing a good job with the guys he has. Does he have the guys that fit his system exactly? Probably not.

"Still, they were only a possession from beating Creighton and Illinois State - two things we haven't been able to do."

Short shots

- Coleman is the only player in the nation to lead his team in scoring (12.5 ppg.), rebounding (8.8 rpg.), assists (30), blocked shots (27) and steals (11).

- UNI is 10-1 this year when scoring at least 60 points, compared to 1-6 when it doesn't.

- Since being taken out of the starting lineup three games ago, UNI's Jordan Eglseder is averaging 10.3 points and nearly five rebounds a game. He has cracked double figures in three straight games.

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

GAME TRACKER

Men's basketball

Northern Iowa (11-7, 3-4)

at Wichita State (8-10, 1-6)

- When: Today, 7:05 p.m.

- Where: Wichita, Kan. (Koch Arena)

- Radio: KXEL, 1540-AM

- Line: Wichita State favored by 2 1/2

- Series: UNI leads 18-16, including three straight wins at Koch Arena.

- Last time out: UNI shot a season-high 57.5 percent and had five players in double figures during a 70-55 win over Missouri State. Wichita State dropped a 63-52 decision at Southern Illinois.

- RPIs: UNI 148, Wichita State 147

- Next up: UNI travels to Drake for a 5:05 p.m. tip Saturday. Wichita State hosts Bradley at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Starting lineups

Northern Iowa

Name Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Adam Koch 6-8 So. 8.4 6.9

Travis Brown 6-3 Jr. 7.0 2.1

Eric Coleman 6-6 Sr. 12.5 8.8

Adam Viet 6-3 Sr. 3.3 0.9

Jared Josten 5-11 Sr. 11.3 2.2

Wichita State

Name Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Mantas Griskenas 6-7 Jr. 5.2 2.5

Ramon Clemente 6-6 Jr. 6.4 7.2

Phillip Thomasson 6-7 Sr. 10.3 4.4

P.J. Couisnard 6-4 Sr. 11.2 5.7

Gal Mekel 6-3 So. 9.9 2.9