NORTH LIBERTY - Marc Sonnen hasn't played a game or gone through an official basketball practice at the University of Northern Iowa, but the incoming freshman is already receiving rave reviews from his new teammates.

"The first day we played with him, he impressed me in all aspects," guard Ali Farokhmanesh said recently after a Prime Time League game. "He's not going to 'wow you' out there, but he does all the little things well.

"When we play 5-on-5 right now, he's always one of my first picks. He's definitely going to contribute this year."

Sonnen, the fourth player from Tartan High School in Oakdale, Minn., to play for the Panthers in the past five years, comes to UNI with a high basketball IQ. The 6-foot-3 guard can play any of the three backcourt positions.

His attention to detail, particularly on the defensive end, has been evident this summer. During Wednesday's PTL, he rotated and took a charge near the basket - something rarely seen in a summer league predicated on offense.

"The first open gym we played, you could really tell he had an aggressive mindset, especially on defense," senior Adam Koch said. "He made a couple plays on defense that you don't see very often out of people just starting here.

"He's got a good head on his shoulders, and his personality fits in nicely with our program."

Sonnen said that attitude of defense-first came from his high school program.

"I came from a high school like Northern Iowa where you put a lot of time into defense," he said. "We'd spend more than half of practice on defense."

He was also influenced by current UNI point guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe, who was a senior during Sonnen's freshman season at Tartan.

"He took me under his wing my freshman year, then I just kind of grew with my coach," he said. "It was more about learning and watching the game, not just playing. I think that helped me understand what was important to winning."

Sonnen is having to watch this summer, too. With several more experienced guards and incoming Iowa guard Cully Payne on his PTL team, he hasn't logged significant minutes during the first week of play.

"You're not always going to get the time you want," he said. "I've got to make the most of the time I do get on the court."

The three-star recruit by Rivals.com had scholarship offers from Colorado State and Wisconsin-Green Bay. Gonzaga, Iowa State, Wisconsin and San Diego also showed interest.

However, football is his favorite sport. Sonnen was Tartan's starting quarterback and was being pursued by several Division II and III programs, but elected to stick with his basketball commitment.

Now, he's trying to get acclimated to the college lifestyle.

Sonnen is taking two summer classes - the study of India and personal wellness. In addition to that, he is spending considerable time in the weight room and on the basketball court.

"It's been a little tiring," Sonnen said, "and difficult to balance everything, but the guys are really cool. You have to like it to do it."

At 180 pounds, Sonnen admits this summer in the weight room will be critical to his development and how much he contributes this season. UNI returns its starting three guards - Ahelegbe, Farokhmanesh and Johnny Moran - along with Kerwin Dunham, redshirt freshman Anthony James and juco transfer Antonio Jones.

"Strength and confidence in my game are the big things," Sonnen said. "You can be the best player, but if you're not confident in yourself, it doesn't really help when you're in the game.

"Hopefully, I'll come in there this year and help this team. I see myself playing a little bit this year, but we'll see."

Unlike most of UNI's backcourt, Sonnen and Jones give the Panthers height and athleticism to match up with the Missouri Valley Conference's taller guards like Illinois State's Osiris Eldridge, Creighton's P'Allen Stinnett and Wichita State's Toure Murry.

"People said last year Johnny had a high IQ, but I'd say Marc's is right up there," Farokhmanesh said. "Johnny was pretty hyped coming in here, and I think Marc deserves that same hype. He's going to be a good player."