The Northern Iowa men’s basketball team is heading to the 2026 NCAA Tournament after winning the Missouri Valley Conference. In the Missouri Valley Tournament, the Panthers defeated Evansville 68-59, Illinois State 74-52, Bradley 73-69, and UIC 84-69 in the championship game to clinch the auto-bid.
The Panthers are 23-12 overall entering the Big Dance and on a 5-game winning streak.
Northern Iowa NCAA Tournament Appearances
In 2026, Northern Iowa basketball will make its 9th appearance in the Division I NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers also reached the tourney in 1990, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2016.
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Northern Iowa Basketball NCAA Tournament Wins
Northern Iowa has won five games in the Division I NCAA Tournament, defeating Missouri in 1990, UNLV and Kansas in 2010, Wyoming in 2015, and Texas in 2016.
The Panthers have a 5-9 overall record in the Big Dance after losing in the 2026 First Round.
Northern Iowa Sweet 16 Appearances
UNI has reached the Sweet 16 once, appearing in 2010. The Panthers beat No. 8 UNLV and No. 1 Kansas in the bracket before losing to No. 5 Michigan State.
Northern Iowa Basketball Coach Ben Jacobson
Ben Jacobson has led UNI since the 2006-07 season. He first arrived in Cedar Falls as an assistant coach in 2001.
Entering the 2026 NCAA Tournament, he holds a 397-257 overall record and has won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament five times. The 2009-10 season saw a 30-5 overall record with a trip to the Sweet 16.
Jacobson is the program’s all-time wins leader, is a five-time MVC Coach of the Year, and is the league’s all-time winningest coach in conference wins.
He played college ball at the University of North Dakota from 1989 to 1993, ending his career as the school’s all-time assists leader.
