ISU coach Greg McDermott doesn’t like playing the University of Northern Iowa Panthers.

The state of Iowa’s little brother school has become a powerful mid-major program since McDermott left Cedar Falls for Ames, and facing off against his alma mater — that holds many memories for him — won’t be the easiest of tasks. His son has signed on to join the Panthers in the fall of 2010, and to top it off, his Cyclone team is coming off of a tough loss to Northwestern on Saturday.

He doesn’t have to like playing Northern Iowa, but he sure as heck wants coach Ben Jacobson’s team to ride back to Cedar Falls disappointed.

“Ben’s a great friend of mine, that’s been well documented, that’s never going to change, but just like on the golf course, I want to beat his tail every time I play him,” McDermott said. “Wednesday night is no different, and I’m sure he feels the same about me.”

Sitting at 1–2 against his old team, Iowa State has already beaten Drake in an intrastate rivalry game, but just like McDermott’s personal struggle, many of the players know how important this game is to the once-beaten Cyclones.

“They’re a great team. They were a good team last year, and they didn’t lose anybody, so it’s going to be difficult; and for the new guys, it’s another rivalry game,” said forward Craig Brackins. “They saw how intense Drake was, and this is just as big or bigger. It’s going to take a lot for us over the next couple days to focus and for us older guys to lead the team and bring a positive attitude to practice.”

The Panthers return a bevy of talent from last year’s NCAA tournament team, including junior Kwadzo Ahelegbe, a 6-foot-2-inch shooting guard averaging 16.2 points per game, and 6-foot-8-inch senior forward Adam Koch, who is chipping in 15.2 points and 4.4 rebounds of his own.

“They were playing great basketball at the end of last season,” McDermott said. “Not many teams win the [Missouri Valley Conference] and the Valley Tournament, and they took a great Purdue team right to the wire in the NCAA tournament. They’re virtually all still intact and a year older, a year stronger, and have even a better understanding of the system.

“They have all the makings to have another great season. Without question, this is the best team we’ve played so far.”

UNI also boasts 7-footer Jordan Eglseder, a center that McDermott recruited to Cedar Falls during his time there, who is now doing more than just clogging the paint, averaging 10.8 points and 8.4 rebounds every contest.

The Cyclones will need production out of some successful big men of their own to beat the Panthers, a squad that took down ACC contender Boston College just over a week ago. Forward Marquis Gilstrap is providing more than capable assistance to Brackins in the paint, adding 8.3 rebounds per game with his 6-foot-7-inch frame, but as the action of LaRon Dendy remains doubtful, the Cyclones will need a team effort to dominate the boards as they have thus far this season.

Iowa State will receive a quick test whether it learned from its defeat in Chicago or not. Northern Iowa has played a tough schedule and doesn’t provide one player to key in on, but a quick look to Iowa State’s highlight reels and shot charts will reveal that the Cyclones do. Brackins knows it, too.

“I’m sure they’re going to double team me or something, so I have to be prepared for everything,” Brackins said. “It’s always a great battle when you play against UNI, just the atmosphere that it brings when we play at their court or at our court.”

The junior scored 32 points in a 71–65 overtime victory on the road last year, the only win the Cyclones had against in-state competition in 2008.

McDermott wants control of the basketball in Iowa again, but this time from his headquarters in Ames, and that means taking down a team and school that he cares about.

“I don’t know that it’s ever easy because there’s a connection there that I’ll have for the rest of my life,” McDermott said. “It’ll be even harder next year when my son goes to school there. This one will probably be easier than the next four, that’s for certain.”

Beating the Panthers won’t be easy either, but McDermott would be in better spirits if he can knock off his friend and alma mater rather than let him put out a road win.