UNI Secures the Top Seed

Panthers Own At Least a Share of the Title

(St. Louis, MO) – Northern Iowa’s Wednesday night win (84-64 over Evansville) gave them at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title. The Panthers (24-5, 13-4) could fall into a tie with Loyola, but their superior NET rating secures the top seed at Arch Madness.

Evansville (9-21, 0-17) is locked in tenth place and Illinois State (9-20, 4-13) is ninth. While those three spots are locked in, seeds two through eight are still wide open. Saturday’s games will determine the rest of the ‘Arch Madness 30‘ bracket.

Last Night

Bradley 74 – Illinois State 71 (overtime)

Bradley (20-10, 11-6) kept its second place hopes alive with a thrilling, overtime win at Illinois State. Four Braves reached double figures, with Nate Kennell leading the way with 19 points. Sophomore Ja’Shon Henry scored 11 points including all seven of BU’s in the extra session. Redbird senior Zach Copeland made three free-throws with nine seconds left, to send the game into overtime.

Illinois State finishes the regular season at Evansville and Bradley visits Loyola (20-10, 12-5). A Bradley win would produce a second place tie. The Valley’s tie-breaker system would determine the second seed at the league tournament. The NCAA Evaluation Tool would determine that spot. As of Monday, Loyola would have the edge with a NET rating of 98, while the Braves sat at 106.

Indiana State 77 – Southern Illinois 68

These two teams are heading in opposite directions. Indiana State (17-11, 10-7) and SIU (16-14, 10-7) are tied for fourth place, but the Sycamores have won three straight games and the Salukis have dropped four of their last five.

Senior Jordan Barnes led all scorers with 21 points while teammate Tyreke Key added 20. SIU senior Barrett Benson delivered 17 points and eight rebounds.

While the Sycamores host Valparaiso (16-14, 9-8), the Salukis finish the season at Missouri State (14-16, 8-9).

Northern Iowa 84 – Evansville 64

UNI secures the top spot by finishing the season undefeated at home. Their McLeod Center record (16-0) is the only unblemished Valley home mark. A.J. Green, the league’s leading scorer provided 21 points and four other Panthers reached double figures.

While the Panthers could share the title with Loyola if they lose at Drake and the Ramblers win at Bradley, a Northern Iowa win would give them sole possession of regular season championship. This is UNI’s first regular season title since winning two straight (2009 & 2010).

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo courtesy of unipanthers.com.