GAME NOTES: The McLeod Center is the site of Saturday's season opener between familiar foes North Dakota and Northern Iowa.

North Dakota is set to begin its third season in the Big Sky Conference after coming over from the Great West. The first two seasons in the league have been rather mediocre for coach Brian Jones' squad, as it went 16-17 in 2012-13 and followed that up with a nearly identical 17-17 finish last season. For what it's worth, North Dakota did tie for second place in the league standings (12-8), while logging victories in six of their final nine games.

From 2008 to 2013, UNI was a 20-win machine, posting five straight seasons of 20 or more victories prior to last season when it finished just 16-15 overall. While that mark was far from impressive, the Panthers did manage to push their way toward the top of the Missouri Valley Conference standings. Wichita State was clearly the top team, winning all 18 of its league contests, but UNI finished third (10-8) behind the Shockers and Indiana State. The Panthers also closed out the season strong, winning five of their final seven contests.

There is actually a long history of competition between these two schools, with Saturday's duel being the 84th. North Dakota leads the all-time series, 48-35. The two squads last met during the 2003-04 season when North Dakota ran away with a 113-59 victory.

Last season, North Dakota did a fine job of putting the ball in the basket, the team ranking second in the Big Sky in scoring (74.3 ppg), while shooting a respectable 45.6 percent from the field. However, it kept itself from being more competitive because of its deficiencies on defense, allowing 74.6 ppg on 49 percent shooting. This season's squad features just two returning starters, highlighted by Jaron Nash (10.8 ppg), who is the top returning scorer and must make up for the losses of Troy Huff (19.2 ppg) and Aaron Anderson (11.1 ppg). Ryan Salmonson (2.4 ppg) started in 14 of the 26 games he played in. Terrel de Rouen and Estan Tyler are both transfers, who are now eligible.

Returning talent abounds for Northern Iowa, which has all five starters back from last season, as well as the added boost provided by Virginia transfer Paul Jesperson, who redshirted last season and is now eligible. The most important player is forward Seth Tuttle (15.4 ppg, 8 rpg, 2.3 apg), who is one of the best all-around players in the MVC. Deon Mitchell (12.1 ppg, 3.4 apg) and Wes Washpun (8.3 ppg, 3.8 apg) supplement Tuttle's work up front with their play in the backcourt. Matt Bohannon (9.9 ppg) is a solid 3-point shooter, connecting on 37.8 percent from long distance in his career. Meanwhile, Nate Buss was a double-digit scorer off the bench last season. With so many scorers, the Panthers should once again be a strong offensive team after finishing second in the MVC in scoring last season (72.8 ppg).

The Panthers' lineup is packed with scoring punch. The varied options they have on offense should overwhelm North Dakota, which may have been a solid offensive team last season, but will be trying to find its identity this time around.