5 Bold Predictions For No. 5 Northern Iowa vs. No. 12 Wyoming

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 5 Northern Iowa vs. No. 12 Wyoming

Northern Iowa Panthers vs Wyoming Cowboys NCAA Tournament second round — I believe this is the one true matchup of upset-minded teams that could roll into the Sweet 16. It’s truly a shame that both the Wyoming Cowboys and Northern Iowa Panthers won’t be dancing all the way to the second weekend. One team will win, one team will go home, and here are five predictions for how it will all go down.

5. Neither Team Will Reach 60 Points

Wyoming Cowboys Boise State Broncos Mountain West Tournament

5. Neither Team Will Reach 60 Points

Wyoming Cowboys Boise State Broncos Mountain West Tournament — Wyoming runs a “watching paint dry” offense and has held opponents to below 60 points in 20 games. Expect much of the same in what CBS announcers will repeatedly and implicitly refer to as a "defensive struggle."

4. Larry Nance Jr. Will Put Up 20 Points And 10 Rebounds

Larry Nance Jr Wyoming Cowboys Forward

4. Larry Nance Jr. Will Put Up 20 Points And 10 Rebounds

Larry Nance Jr Wyoming Cowboys Forward — Watch for Larry Nance to double-double through the tournament en route to what could be a magical run for the Cowboys. The 6-foot-8 forward became a known commodity during the Mountain West Conference tournament, but after the NCAA tourney, Nance will be a household name.

3. Northern Iowa Won’t Get An Offensive Rebound In The First Half

Northern Iowa Panthers NCAA Tournament offensive rebounding

3. Northern Iowa Won’t Get An Offensive Rebound In The First Half

Northern Iowa Panthers NCAA Tournament offensive rebounding — Northern Iowa was 320th in Division I basketball in offensive rebounding. That’s atrocious, especially for a No. 5 seed. Knowing that makes this matchup look even more one-sided, and not toward the higher seed.

2. This Game Will Go Into Overtime

Northern Iowa Panthers VCU Rams NCAA Tournament

2. This Game Will Go Into Overtime

Northern Iowa Panthers VCU Rams NCAA Tournament — Northern Iowa and Wyoming have played seven overtime contests this season combined. So why not one more? Wyoming could still hold Northern Iowa to less than 60 even after an overtime, that’s how pedestrian you can expect this game to be.

1. Wyoming Will Win

Larry Nance Jr. Wyoming Cowboys Tournament Win

1. Wyoming Will Win

Larry Nance Jr. Wyoming Cowboys Tournament Win — The 5/12 matchup in the NCAA tournament is a college basketball bear trap. Northern Iowa will be the next team to walk into the teeth of this snare. The score will be low, the pace will be slow and Wyoming will prevail.

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Wyoming Cowboys

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