The Northern Iowa Panthers are used to being the underdogs. They made it to the Sweet 16 in 2010 as a No. 9 seed. But as a No. 5 seed, they're expected to hang tight with the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday. If they can, they'll be heading to the Sweet 16 for the second time in their program's history. If the Cardinals win, they'll be heading to the Sweet 16 for the 28th time.
Louisville vs. Northern Iowa, NCAA Tournament 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream
Is a mid-major power advancing, or will Louisville make its fourth straight trip to the Sweet 16?
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It hasn't been an easy season for Louisville. The team performed well in the ACC, but the loss of point guard Chris Jones amidst ugly rape accusations certainly affected the Cardinals. A win over Northern Iowa would send Louisville to its fourth consecutive Sweet 16 -- the Cardinals won the national title in 2013. They survived a scare from UC-Irvine in the Round of 64, winning 57-55.
Terry Rozier has done his best to fill in at point guard for Jones, and success throughout the rest of the tournament will depend on Rozier's play. Montrezl Harrell should be a hassle for Northern Iowa down low. Louisville's biggest asset is its defense. It plays the same suffocating defense that Coach Rick Pitino is known for and it could wreak havoc for Northern Iowa.
This is the first time Northern Iowa has made the tournament since 2010, a year the Panthers made the Sweet 16. They won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title and dismantled Wyoming in the Round of 64. Now, they’re facing a power conference team with more talent, but that has struggle to find consistency this season.
The success of Northern Iowa depends on their star point guard Seth Tuttle. The 6’8 senior leads the team in points, rebounds and assists. He had 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the win over Wyoming and is going to need a similar performance -- if not better -- against the strong Louisville defense.
The winner of Sunday’s game will take on NC State in Syracuse. A powerhouse is heading to the Sweet 16, whether it’s from a power conference or a mid-major is the question.
Time: 9:40 p.m. ET, on TBS
Place: Key Arena, Seattle
Online: March Madness On Demand
Odds: Northern Iowa -2.5
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