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Sports / College Basketball

Northern Iowa and St. John's Gear Up for March Madness Showdown in 2026

After a decade-long absence, Northern Iowa returns to March Madness, facing St. John's in the first round. This game marks a significant moment for Northern Iowa, who are still haunted by their painful 2016 tournament collapse. For St. John...

Northern Iowa, a decade after unfathomable collapse, returns to March Madness
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Northern Iowa and St. John's Gear Up for March Madness Showdown in 2026 Image via The New York Times

Key Insights

  • Northern Iowa is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since their devastating loss in 2016.
  • St. John's enters the tournament as a No. 5 seed after winning the Big East title.
  • The game is scheduled for Friday, March 20, at 7:10 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on CBS.
  • St. John's is favored to win by 9.5 points, with an over/under of 131.5 points according to BetMGM.
  • Why this matters: This game offers Northern Iowa a chance to move past their previous tournament trauma, while St. John's aims to make a deep run after an early exit last year.

In-Depth Analysis

### Northern Iowa's Road Back Northern Iowa's return to March Madness is a story of resilience. The team is coached by Ben Jacobson, who has led the program for 20 years. Their first decade included four NCAA Tournament appearances and wins, a notable achievement for a Missouri Valley program. However, the shadow of the 2016 collapse still lingers, where a 12-point lead evaporated in the final 40 seconds against Texas A&M.

### St. John's Tournament Hopes St. John's, led by coach Rick Pitino, aims to make a splash in the tournament. Pitino has instilled a championship mentality, encouraging his team to dream big. After a dominant 72-52 victory over UConn in the Big East championship game, the Red Storm are confident but wary of another early upset like the one they suffered against Arkansas in the 2025 tournament.

### Game Details and Betting Odds The game between No. 5 St. John's and No. 12 Northern Iowa is one of the most anticipated first-round matchups. According to BetMGM, St. John's is favored by 9.5 points, with a moneyline of St. John's (-550) and Northern Iowa (+400). The over/under is set at 131.5 points.

### How to Watch The game will be broadcast on CBS and can be streamed on the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo.

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FAQ

When and where is the St. John's vs. Northern Iowa game?

The game is on Friday, March 20, at 7:10 p.m. ET.

What channel is the game on?

CBS.

What are the betting odds?

St. John's is favored by 9.5 points, with an over/under of 131.5 points.

Takeaways

  • Northern Iowa seeks redemption after a painful tournament history.
  • St. John's looks to capitalize on their Big East title momentum.
  • The game promises to be a compelling contest between two teams with contrasting narratives.

Discussion

Do you think Northern Iowa can overcome their past tournament struggles? Will St. John's live up to their favorite status? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!

Sources

Disclaimer

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