(St. Louis, MO) – I’ve typed ‘Jake the Giant Killer‘ so many times this season, my autocorrect no longer questions it. Friday night the Panthers of Northern Iowa shocked the college basketball world one more time. For the fourth time this season, UNI defeated a top 25 team.
This time it was the University of Texas. This time it was in the NCAA Tournament. This time it was as an eleven seed against a six seed, and this time, it was pretty dramatic.
Texas and UNI put on a display of contrasting styles, but similar work ethic. These two matched passion, intelligence and teamwork. Make no mistake, as much as we respect Ben Jacobson, we have great admiration for UT coach Shaka Smart.
Battling back and forth all night, it looked as if the Panthers would defeat Texas 72 to 70, but outstanding Longhorn guard Isaiah Taylor, who finished with 22 points had other ideas. He tied the game and seemingly sending the contest into overtime, tied at 72 with three seconds left.
Our friend and play-by-play voice of the Panthers, Gary Rima will tell you the rest.
(Courtesy Fox Sports – College Basketball)
This is what March Madness is all about and why we love this game and love to follow the Missouri Valley Conference. Three times this NCAA Tournament season, MVC teams have knocked off teams from the so-called ‘power conferences’, they are called ‘high majors’. I prefer ‘money conference.’ This is meant with no disrespect. Those leagues and teams just have some built in advantages and they use them effectively.
We just appreciate and celebrate when the programs with less to work with, can scale the mountains of the mighty and compete at the highest level.
Congrats to Coach Jake and the Panthers. You knocked off a Big 12 team from Texas on Friday, and get to play a Southeastern Conference team from Texas (A&M) on Sunday.
Do Good
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ICYMI: Semifinal # 2 today at #ArchMadness will feature a contrast of styles as # 5 @UIC_MBB faces # 4 @RacersHoops in the 2:30 game.
It's final: @UNImbb 68 @UEAthletics_MBB 59. The Panthers get @Redbird_MBB on Friday night. Campbell finishes with 23 points. Smith with a double-double. AJ Casey was great with 23 & 10. Panthers with 16 assists.
4:05 left: @UNImbb 57 @UEAthletics_MBB 54. Aces' ball. UNI upside? Campbell with 21 points. Down side - Bond 0/6 from deep. UE upside? Casey with 20 & 9. Down Side? 2/11 from deep in the second half. Anybody's game at #ArchMadness
7:25 left: @UNImbb 55 @UEAthletics_MBB 52. Trey Campbell with 21 points for the Panthers and AJ Casey with 18 for the Aces. Tristan Smith is such a game changer. He has 8 pts & 9 rebounds, but that doesn't tell the story. #ArchMadness
