Missouri Tigers: 8 Teams to Root For In March

Mar 8, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Northern Iowa Panthers guard

(1) attempts a layup against the Illinois State Redbirds during second half in the championship game of the Missouri Valley Conference basketball tournament at Scotttrade Center. Northern Iowa Panthers won 60-69. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Mid-Major: Northern Iowa Panthers (5th Seed in East)

Missouri fans might be familiar with Northern Iowa, but this time is a little different.

Champions of the Missouri Valley Conference, Northern Iowa will be in a different position this year as the 5th seed. These Panthers have usually been a much lower seed. Northern Iowa gained recognition back in 2010 when Ali Farokhmanesh and Co. knocked off top-seeded Kansas to shock the nation.

Northern Iowa has been hot as of late, having lost only once since January 1st. Senior forward Seth Tuttle is a huge reason why they are in the position they are this year. Tuttle averages over 15 points per game, has a 63% field goal percentage and is a Naismith Award finalist.

Luckily for the Panthers, they appear to be in the ‘easiest’ region. Northern Iowa will have to face off against an underrated Wyoming squad in their first game, which could be trouble. But looking past that, they could face a potential mascot with 4th seed Louisville, a team that is probably not as good as their seed makes them out to be.

The last mid-major to win the championship was  the University of Nevada-Las Vegas back in 1991, but it’s just a matter of time before it happens again. While Northern Iowa may not have the most talent, talent doesn’t always win out in March. Luck has a role too. Anything can happen for this mid-major team.

Runner-Up: Wichita State Shockers

Next: The SEC Squad