Belonging to the Missouri Valley Conference, NIU should be in the big dance, they won the conference but lost to Loyola Chicago in the finals. Loyola was ranked a good part of the year and deserved to dance.
Northern Iowa is always a good shooting team lead by #4 AJ Green, 6’4 guard, their version of our Barcello.
#34, 6’6 Carter is their best inside shooter.
#11 Sr. Barhow is a guard and their best rebounder and outside 3 threat.
NIU reminds me of a well coached WCC team, they are not tall, good shooters and don’t like to waste possessions (SMC).
On Offense, advantage…EVEN. NIU is #3, BYU #10 nationally.
On defense, advantage BYU
3 point shooting BYU is a better defender
Rebounding NIU is very good but poor on offensive boards. BYU’s Treore and Lohner waaay better inside. Advantage BYU
x factor, Lohner, if he has another strong game, BYU wins easily.
I say, close game with Foos and Lohner inside work getting the win.
BYU 77-73 NIU