CEDAR FALLS - Southern Illinois has proven the blueprint for claiming a Missouri Valley Conference basketball title is defense and protecting your home court.

Northern Iowa seems to have the defense down, ranking as the league's top field-goal percentage defense last year and again so far this season.

Holding serve at the McLeod Center has been a chore.

Heading into tonight's Valley home opener against Evansville, UNI is 11-7 at home in conference play over the past two years. By contrast, it is 10-9 on the road, including Saturday's 59-46 win at Bradley.

"It's all about a toughness mentality," junior Travis Brown said. "Southern has that when they play at home, and the other team knows that when they play there. We've got to get that reputation for not losing at home."

The Salukis, who have won or shared five of the last six league titles, are 54-1 in conference home games since 2001-02. Creighton, also a fixture among the MVC's elite, is 46-9.

UNI started strong last year, winning its first four at home before dropping four of its last five. In 2005-06, it was 6-3 at the UNI-Dome as it finished tied for fifth.

Because of that, head coach Ben Jacobson made it a point of emphasis this summer.

"We've got to become a tougher, more hard-nosed basketball team," he said. "There are no secrets, no tricks. We've got to walk out here and be tougher.

"It's not going to happen for us if we're waiting for a night to make a bunch of shots. That's not what protecting your home court is about. It's about defending, rebounding and making tough, aggressive hustle plays on offense.

"We need to take a big step forward there."

Since joining the Valley in 1991-92, the Panthers' best conference finish was a tie for second in 2003-04. That year, UNI was 8-1 at home in conference action.

Recently, it hasn't been as easy.

While the Panthers have three straight wins at Wichita State and Missouri State, they have suffered three consecutive home setbacks to Creighton and two to Missouri State.

"It's more of a mindset, pride thing," senior Eric Coleman said. "By our record, we're more comfortable going on the road, and it should be vice versa. I can't explain why that happens."

UNI (9-3, 1-0 MVC) has had its difficulties at home this year in the non-conference, losing to Iowa and Nevada.

"In a way, we're still trying to find that homecourt edge," Brown said. "Our fans aren't the wildest, craziest fans, but in close games, it's proven it can get loud in here. The potential is there to have a huge homecourt advantage."

And with students on semester break, the Panthers will need to create their own energy against the Purple Aces (5-6, 0-1).

"This is a huge game for us," Jacobson said. "It's an opportunity for us to show more toughness at home, and we've got to do it."

Scouting Evansville

The Aces, picked to finish last in the league's preseason poll, are led by co-captains Jason Holsinger and Shy Ely.

Holsinger, a 5-foot-11 junior guard, is averaging a team-high 13.5 points per game and is fourth in the Valley in assists with 4.6 per contest. He's also among the league's top 3-point shooters at 47.5 percent.

"He's a guy that their offense needs to score," Jacobson said. "Still, as much attention as he draws, he's capable of putting up 20.

"When you've got a guy that handles it as well as he does and shoots close to 50 percent from the 3-point line, he's a hard matchup."

Ely is averaging 11.9 points a game, while Cedar Rapids Washington alum and juco transfer Nate Garner is registering 7.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in a starting role.

The Aces, led by former Wartburg coach Marty Simmons, are first in the league in 3-point shooting (40.6) but last in field goal defense (45.9).

"From the 3-point line and in, they are really physical and aggressive on defense," Jacobson said. "You've got to work for everything.

"Any time you do that, plus rebound like they have, you've got a chance to win home or away."

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

GAME TRACKER

Men's basketball

Evansville (5-6, 0-1) at

Northern Iowa (9-3, 1-0)

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

- Where: McLeod Center, Cedar Falls

- Radio: KXEL, 1540-AM

- Line: UNI favored by 15

- Series: The Purple Aces lead 17-13, but the Panthers have won the last five meetings.

- Last time out: Evansville shot a season-low 33.9 percent during a 70-56 loss at home to Indiana State. UNI held Bradley to nine first-half points in a 59-46 victory at Peoria, Ill.

- RPI: Evansville 263, UNI 108

- Next up: Evansville returns home to play Drake at 2 p.m. Sunday. UNI starts a two-game road swing at 7:05 p.m. Saturday against Indiana State.

Starting lineups

Evansville

Name Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Nate Garner 6-5 Jr. 7.5 5.7

Shy Ely 6-4 Jr. 11.9 5.5

P. van Tongeren 6-11 Fr. 7.8 6.2

Jay Couisnard 6-6 So. 5.6 1.7

Jason Holsinger 5-11 Jr. 13.5 2.9

Northern Iowa

Name Ht. Yr. Ppg. Rpg.

Adam Koch 6-8 So. 7.3 7.3

Kerwin Dunham 6-6 Fr. 5.1 0.8

Jordan Eglseder 7-1 So. 11.2 7.2

Travis Brown 6-3 Jr. 7.3 2.3

Jared Josten 5-10 Sr. 11.8 2.8

Missouri Valley standings

Conf. Overall

W L W L

Illinois State 2 0 10 3

Drake 1 0 10 1

Northern Iowa 1 0 9 3

Indiana State 1 0 6 5

Southern Ill. 1 0 6 6

Creighton 0 1 9 2

Bradley 0 1 7 6

Missouri State 0 1 7 6

Evansville 0 1 5 6

Wichita State 0 2 7 6

TUESDAY'S RESULT

Illinois State 49, Wichita State 46

GAMES TODAY

Evansville at Northern Iowa, 7:05 p.m.

Southern Illinois at Drake

Bradley at Missouri State

Creighton at Indiana State

GAMES SATURDAY

Northern Iowa at Indiana State, 7:05 p.m.

Southern Illinois at Illinois State

Creighton at Missouri State

Wichita State at Bradley

GAME SUNDAY

Drake at Evansville