CEDAR FALLS - Matt Bohannon was not thrilled about taking a redshirt year with the University of Northern Iowa basketball team last season.

Not at first, anyway.

"To say I wasn't disappointed, I'd probably be lying to myself," he said.

Now the Linn-Mar grad is glad he did.

"Right now I think it was one of the best decisions I've ever made," he said in hindsight.

Bohannon, a 6-foot-4 guard, gained about 15 pounds during his redshirt year, growing from 195 to a sturdy 210, making him better able to withstand the rigors of major college basketball.

He also learned the intricate offensive schemes at UNI, worked diligently on his defense and impressed Coach Ben Jacobson with his dedication to the game.

He cracked the starting lineup for UNI's two exhibition games and figures to be an important member of the team this season, whether he stays in the starting lineup or not.

Jacobson has liked Bohannon for several years, and now more than ever.

"He's got a real feel for how to play," Jacobson remarked. "And because of that, he's in the right places defensively, he does the right things on offense.

"And then he shoots the ball very, very well from the 3-point line. He's also a guy that spends a tremendous amount of time on his game."

Bohannon dedicated himself to improving in practice last season and pushing the varsity as hard as he could. Jacobson noticed.

"He really cares about being good," the coach said. "He's highly motivated to be good. And those are the things that are paying off for him already.

"But long term, those are the things that are going to make him an even better player and allow him to have a real impact on our program, because he really cares. He spends a lot of time at it. He's got a bright future."

Bohannon was not shocked when Jacobson suggested he take a redshirt year and work on his game last season. Not shocked, but certainly a little disappointed.

"Going into college, I knew there was a good possibility that I'd be redshirting," he said. "It was a little different, to sit back and watch and not being able to play."

He grew accustomed to the situation and continued to work hard. "It kind of prepared me a little more for this season," he said.

Bohannon had a storied career at Linn-Mar. He helped the Lions win the Class 4A state title with a perfect 26-0 record as a senior in 2011, teaming with Marcus Paige on a formidable club. He was named the captain of the all-tournament team and made all-state.

Bohannon developed a good rapport with Jacobson during the recruiting process and felt confident he'd get a fair shake in college. He wanted a coach he could trust, and he also wanted a coach who would trust him to play the game the way it's supposed to be played.

"That's the best thing with Coach Jake. He trusts us a lot," Bohannon said. "Something I really wanted in a coach was somebody who would trust me."

Bohannon is the third member of his family to play Division I basketball. His oldest brother, Jason, had a fine career at the University of Wisconsin, where he scored 1,170 points and helped the Badgers make regular trips to the NCAA tournament. The next brother, Zach, is a junior at Wisconsin after transferring from the Air Force Academy.

All three Bohannon brothers won state titles at Linn-Mar. The fourth brother, Jordan, is a freshman at Linn-Mar and a promising player as well.

Bohannon averaged 5.5 points in UNI's two exhibition games. Jacobson will not commmit to a starting lineup for the season opener against Wartburg this Saturday, but it's clear Bohannon will be an important member of the club.

Anthony James, an experienced guard for the Panthers, has been suspended for the first three games of the regular season due to a violation of team rules, so Jacobson might have to decide if James becomes a starter or comes off the bench, like he did for much of the 2011-12 campaign.

In any case, Bohannon knows he'll have to earn his keep.

"You have to keep working and proving to Coach every day that you deserve that starting spot," he said. "It's not just something that is given to you."