CEDAR FALLS - For most of his 21 years, Jordan Eglseder had towered over every peer. Then, last week, the 7-foot-1 Bellevue native found himself in a Bizarro World of sorts at the famed Pete Newell Big Man Camp.

For the first time ever, Eglseder, the Northern Iowa Panthers' prized center, found himself with a 7-foot tall roommate (Josh Lomers of Baylor). He got tutorials from coaches like 7-footer Alton Lister, a former 16-year NBA veteran. He toiled in a camp whose recent attendees included NBA champion big man Andrew Bynum.

Despite all that, Eglseder stood especially tall. Now, he hopes to reach the next rung on the ladder, taking his game to new heights in his senior season.

"It helped me out a lot," Eglseder said on Tuesday, just days after attending the prestigious camp near Honolulu, Hawaii. "A lot of the guys were from overseas, they play professional ball. They could play inside and outside.

"It was basically a footwork camp - they showed us probably 50 post moves. It helped me work on my defense and was just a good all-around camp to help me develop."

Eglseder had a solid season last winter, averaging 10.1 points per game to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and a 58.8 percent field goal percentage during UNI's 23-win run to the NCAA Tournament.

But the big man knows he still has untapped potential.

So, with the help of UNI's training staff this offseason, he altered his diet, hit the weight room harder than ever, and dropped nearly 20 pounds.

"Going into my senior year," said Eglseder, who now weighs 270, "I knew I needed to get my foot speed and endurance up to play more this year. And to go even farther (in the postseason) than last year is motivation."

By all accounts, the Panther star's stellar production down the stretch last year gave him the confidence to ratchet his play up another level. His eye-opening late-season performances may have also factored in gaining entrance to the invite-only Newell Big Man Camp.

Newell, a hall of fame coach at places like Califorinia and Michigan State in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away on Nov. 17, 2008, at the age of 93. But he didn't fade away before leaving a mark, courtesy of a camp that has helped turned pedestrian centers into some of the game's most revered giants.

Getting an invite to Pete Newell's camp is prestigious. Eglseder and those around him know it and plan to use it as a springboard to further success.

Said UNI coach Ben Jacobson: "We've known for a long time that (Jordan) is gonna play professionally. Obviously, the level is yet to be determined.

"The work he's put in has set him up to have a great senior year. That's what you hope - that guys are working at a different level when they're going into their senior year.

"What I've liked in our conversations is his approach," the coach concluded. "He's got his goals in mind, but he also has our team in mind as he's preparing for his senior year."

OFF THE COURT, WITH UNI'S JORDAN EGLSEDER: Reminiscing about the recent Pete Newell Big Man Camp in Hawaii …

WAS IT WEIRD BEING AROUND THAT MANY 7-FOOTERS AT ONCE?

"Definitely. There was a bunch of 7-footers there. That doesn't happen for me too often. The (7-foot-7) Kenny George guy from UNC-Asheville was there last year. And walking around Hawaii there were a lot of short people."

BEING ON A DIET THESE DAYS, WHAT'S ONE GUILTY-PLEASURE FOOD YOU MISS?

"I'd say pizza. Because that's something we eat a lot as a team on the road. So I'm gonna have to find something new now."

WHO'S ANOTHER PANTHER POISED FOR A BREAKOUT SEASON NEXT WINTER?

"(Adam) Koch. He stayed up there and worked out with me all summer. During the month of May, when most guys went home, we worked out and lifted. He got a lot stronger. He's about 240 and he came in around 210. He's looking real good right now."