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March Madness: 12-seed UNI eyes upset vs. St. John's
16 Mar
Summary
- Northern Iowa boasts nation's best defense, allowing only 61.3 points per game.
- St. John's aims for consistency despite lacking a true point guard.
- History favors 12-seeds, with a .356 winning percentage against 5-seeds.
Northern Iowa, a sixth-seed from the Missouri Valley Conference, enters the NCAA Tournament with a formidable defense, leading the nation in points allowed at 61.3 per game. Opponents have struggled offensively against the Panthers, shooting a combined 40.7% from the field.
St. John's, the Big East champions, are a trendy upset pick despite being a 5-seed. Coach Rick Pitino's team has shown improvement throughout the season, though they still lack a traditional point guard. Their offensive consistency can be volatile.
The Panthers, coached by Ben Jacobson, have a history of success in the tournament and play a deliberate pace that can disrupt opponents. Despite a 12-loss record, eight of those losses came by six points or fewer, suggesting competitiveness.
Historically, 12-seeds have a strong chance against 5-seeds, with a .356 winning percentage. This matchup pits Northern Iowa's elite defense against St. John's offensive potential, making it a compelling early-round game.
