Northern Iowa 71, Wyoming 54

You can’t win 2-on-5. It’s just not possible.

That’s what Wyoming learned vs. Northern Iowa. Larry Nance Jr. scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Charles Hankerson added 15 points, but the rest of the Cowboys gave Wyoming little, and the Panthers rolled into the round of 32. UNI did it by playing the kind of tough defense it is known for, and the fact that the two teams are basically on the same level helped Northern Iowa avoid any sort of drama. It was a methodical win for Northern Iowa, who forced a pile of turnovers and took control early.

The easy win sets up a possible battle for UNI vs. Louisville, and that game will be all about Northern Iowa’s ability to set the tempo.