UNI Gets Automatic Bid To The Big Dance

The University of Northern Iowa Panthers are bound for the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship.

UNI defeated Illinois State, who upset top seed Wichita State yesterday. The final score in St. Louis was UNI-69 Illinois State-60. The Panthers trailed 36-22 at halftime, but came roaring back at the start of the second half and outscored the Redbirds 47-24 in the second 20 minutes. The victory means UNI receives an automatic bid into the 2015 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The Panthers ranking (currently #11) says they should be a #3 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, but will they? We find out a week from today when UNI's first-round opponent will be announced. UNI's first round NCAA Tournament game will be either March 19th or 20th. The Panthers will enter the tourney with a 30-3 record.