UNI Panthers Face St. John’s in NCAA Tournament Opener
The University of Northern Iowa Panthers (23-12) will battle the St. John’s Red Storm (28-6) in the first round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. CT and will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
Panthers Ride Momentum from Arch Madness Title
UNI secured its automatic berth into the tournament by winning the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament, becoming the first team in conference history to win four games in four days. The Panthers defeated Evansville, Illinois State, Bradley and UIC to claim their sixth MVC Tournament championship and fifth under head coach Ben Jacobson. This marks UNI’s ninth overall appearance in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
Red Storm Enter as Ranked Opponent
St. John’s arrives in San Diego as the regular season and tournament champions of the Considerable East Conference, currently ranked ninth in the Associated Press (AP) poll. They have won 19 of their last 20 games, including victories over Providence, Seton Hall, and Connecticut to secure their conference title.
First-Ever Matchup
Friday’s game will be the first all-time meeting between Northern Iowa and St. John’s. UNI holds an overall record of 5-8 in the NCAA Division I Tournament, having won at least one game in each of its last three appearances. Their first-round record stands at 4-5, with recent wins against UNLV (2010), Wyoming (2015), and Texas (2016).
Key Players to Watch
UNI will look to Trey Campbell, a Second Team All-MVC selection and the MVC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, to lead the offense. Campbell is the only player in team history to record 1,000 career points, 500 career rebounds, and 300 career assists. Will Hornseth, the MVC’s Most Improved Team honoree, and Max Weisbrod, a sharpshooter from beyond the arc, will also be crucial. For St. John’s, Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East Player and Defensive Player of the Year, leads the way with 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Defensive Prowess a UNI Strength
The Panthers boast the nation’s top scoring defense, allowing just 61.3 points per game. They also rank third in Division I in three-point percentage defense, holding opponents to 28.5% shooting from beyond the arc. UNI’s opponents have shot over 50% from the field only four times this season.
Broadcast and Fan Information
In addition to the CBS broadcast, the game can be heard on the Panther Sports Radio Network (93.5 The Mix) and the Varsity Network app. Westwood One will also provide national radio coverage. A pregame rally for UNI fans will be held at Novo Brazil Brewing Mission Valley in San Diego, starting at 1 p.m. PT. Attendees are reminded that Viejas Arena has a clear bag policy.
UNI’s NCAA Tournament History
- 1990 | UNI 74, Missouri 71 – First Round
- 1990 | Minnesota 81, UNI 78 – Second Round
- 2004 | Georgia Tech 65, UNI 60 – First Round
- 2005 | Wisconsin 57, UNI 52 – First Round
- 2006 | Georgetown 54, UNI 49 – First Round
- 2009 | Purdue 61, UNI 56 – First Round
- 2010 | UNI 69, UNLV 66 – First Round
- 2010 | UNI 69, Kansas 67 – Second Round
- 2010 | Michigan State 59, UNI 52 – Sweet Sixteen
- 2015 | UNI 71, Wyoming 54 – First Round
- 2015 | Louisville 66, UNI 53 – Second Round
- 2016 | UNI 75, Texas 72 – First Round
- 2016 | Texas A&M 92, UNI 88 (2OT) – Second Round
- 2026 | UNI vs. St. John’s – First Round
Did You Realize?
UNI is one of only six teams in this year’s NCAA Tournament to win their conference postseason title as a sixth seed or lower.
Pro Tip
Maintain an eye on UNI’s defensive performance. Their ability to limit opponents’ scoring and three-point shooting will be critical against a strong St. John’s team.
FAQ
- Where will the game be played? Viejas Arena in San Diego, California.
- What time does the game start? 6:10 p.m. CT on Friday, March 20, 2026.
- Where can I watch the game? The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
- Is this the first meeting between UNI and St. John’s? Yes, this is the first all-time matchup between the two programs.
Follow UNI men’s basketball on Facebook, X, and Instagram for updates throughout the tournament.
