Mid-majors 2020-21 predictions: Gonzaga transcends labels, can win title
As the countdown to the 2020-21 college basketball season continues, ESPN's predictions series focuses on the top leagues beyond ... the top leagues.
2021 ScheduleAll times ET
2021 Schedule
1st in MVC
Looking at the best potential college basketball nonconference matchups with a local flair
While keeping health and safety considerations at the forefront, here are the most entertaining local nonconference matchups we'd like to see this season.
Courtside: Greenberg and Dakich reflect on the end of the regular season. Plus, Joe Lundari
The madness is upon us. Seth Greenberg and Dan Dakich tip off the podcast discussing Utah State's upset of San Diego State, Bradley punching its ticket to the dance, Florida's meltdown against Kentucky and the incredible environment at Dayton. Then, Joe Lunardi joins the pod (19:37) to talk about the drama with Archie Miller, why the bubble is going to live in the Pac-12 and the American conference tournaments, rewarding winning over mediocrity, and East Tennessee possibly being this year's Belmont. Finally, the guys close by giving their thoughts on Penn State, Auburn, Seton Hall, Michigan State, Baylor, Michigan, Gonzaga, BYU and Villanova ahead of the postseason (43:57).
Penn, Drake light up MVP champ N Iowa in quarters 77-56
Roman Penn scored a career-high 26 points, including 12 straight to start a game-breaking 18-0 run midway through the second half, and eighth-seeded Drake shocked Missouri Valley Conference champion Northern Iowa 77-56 in a quarterfinal game on Friday.
How to get your Sweet 16 picks right when you fill out your bracket
How do you know which college basketball teams to trust to make the Sweet 16? It comes down to efficiency.
Phyfe leads Northern Iowa past Drake 70-43
Austin Phyfe scored 17 points and grabbed 18 rebounds and Northern Iowa rolled past Drake 70-43 on Saturday to capture the Missouri Valley Conference championship.
Green scores 21 to carry Northern Iowa past Evansville 84-64
AJ Green had 21 points as Northern Iowa extended its home winning streak to 16 games, beating Evansville 84-64 on Wednesday night.
Northern Iowa stays perfect at home with 64-52 win
Austin Phyfe had 17 points, 18 rebounds and five assists to help lift Northern Iowa to a 64-52 win over Southern Illinois on Sunday, the Panthers' 15th consecutive home victory.
LaRavia, Key lead Indiana State to 67-64 upset of UNI
Jake LaRavia had 18 points and seven rebounds and Tyreke Key had 18 points and six rebounds as Indiana State held off Northern Iowa 67-64 on Thursday night.
ESPN+ Week 16 guide: Mid-majors in the spotlight
An intriguing battle in the Southern Conference, three Atlantic 10 matchups and a clash of styles in the Atlantic Sun are among our top-10 games to stream this week.
Loyola Chicago outlasts Northern Iowa 82-73 in overtime
Keith Clemons tossed in 25 points, Cameron Krutwig scored 21 and Loyola Chicago clamped down in overtime to beat Northern Iowa 82-73 on Saturday.
Halftime shot contestant to get full $10K prize
A Northern Iowa student will now get the full $10,000 from a promotional halftime basketball shooting contest in the wake of a public outcry after officials had declared Dalton Hinsch hadn't gotten the last shot off in 24 seconds.
N. Iowa criticized after denying fan $10K prize
Northern Iowa is being met with criticism after the school and its business partner denied a $10,000 prize to a student who appeared to win a halftime shooting contest.
Green scores 27 to lead N. Iowa over Illinois St. 71-63
AJ Green had 27 points and surpassed the 1,000-point milestone and Northern Iowa topped Illinois State 71-63 on Wednesday night.
ESPN+ Week 15 guide: Catch two Top 25 showdowns
No. 3 Kansas at No. 13 West Virginia and the Mountaineers at No. 1 Baylor are among our top-10 games to stream this week.
Green sparks late flurry as N. Iowa turns back Drake 83-73
A.J. Green scored 34 points with six 3-pointers and sparked a late run as Northern Iowa rallied in the final minutes to turn aside Drake 83-73 in a key Missouri Valley Conference clash before a boisterous crowd at the McLeod Center on Saturday.
Phyfe carries N. Iowa past Valparaiso 63-51
Austin Phyfe had 10 points and 13 rebounds to lift Northern Iowa to a 63-51 win over Valparaiso on Wednesday night.
Who's the top Player of the Year candidate in every conference?
With a month to go (or less) in the regular season, here are the leaders in the clubhouse for Player of the Year honors.
Two keys to predicting a major college basketball upset
Now that it's officially bracket season, keep an eye on these stats as you get ready to make your March Madness picks.
Phyfe helps guide Northern Iowa to 80-68 win over Evansville
Austin Phyfe had 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting from the floor and Northern Iowa cruised past Evansville 80-68 on Saturday.
Green scores 27 to lift N. Iowa over Missouri St. 95-66
AJ Green had 27 points as Northern Iowa extended its home win streak to 12 games, rolling past Missouri State 95-66 on Wednesday night.
ESPN+ Week 13 guide: Big 12 takes center stage
Three Big 12 battles are among our top-10 games to stream this week, highlighted by West Virginia at Texas Tech and Texas at TCU.
Berhow helps Northern Iowa top Loyola Chicago 67-62 in OT
Trae Berhow scored the first five points of overtime, finishing with 11 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, and Northern Iowa defeated Loyola Chicago 67-62 on Sunday to pull even with the Ramblers atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings.
S. Illinois holds off N. Iowa for a 68-66 win
Lance Jones scored 20 points and Barret Benson scored 13 with six rebounds and Southern Illinois beat Northern Iowa 68-66 on Wednesday.
ESPN+ Week 12 guide: Obi Toppin, Atlantic 10 get top billing
Three A-10 battles are among our top-10 games to stream this week, led by 14th-ranked Dayton at Richmond.
2019-20 MVC Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Iowa | 14-4 | - | 25-6 |
| Loyola Chicago | 13-5 | 1 | 21-11 |
| Bradley | 11-7 | 3 | 23-11 |
| Indiana State | 11-7 | 3 | 18-12 |
| Southern Illinois | 10-8 | 4 | 16-16 |
| Valparaiso | 9-9 | 5 | 19-16 |
| Missouri State | 9-9 | 5 | 16-17 |
| Drake | 8-10 | 6 | 20-14 |
| Illinois State | 5-13 | 9 | 10-21 |
| Evansville | 0-18 | 14 | 9-23 |
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Team Stats
Points Per Game75.278th
Rebounds Per Game37.5110th
Assists Per Game12.2287th
Points Allowed64.7
Tournament History
| Final Fours | 0 |
| Tournament Record | 5-8 |
| Championship Seasons | None |
| Tournament Appearances | 8 |