The NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament is here, and the Northern Iowa Panthers will take on the St. John’s Red Storm. This first-round game in the East Region will be held at Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA. The game is set for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 7:10 PM ET and will be broadcast on CBS.
Northern Iowa enters the tournament as the 12th seed. They finished the regular season with a 23-12 record and a 15-9 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. In their recent games, they secured wins against UIC Flames, Bradley Braves, and Illinois State Redbirds. Last postseason, they lost to SMU with a score of 73-63.
St. John’s is the 5th seed and ranked #10 in the AP poll. They ended their regular season with a 28-6 record and a 21-2 record in the Big East Conference. Recently, they won against Connecticut Huskies, Seton Hall Pirates, and Providence Friars. In the 2025 postseason, they defeated Omaha but fell to Arkansas in the second round.
St. John’s Preview
St. John’s Red Storm is ranked #10 in the AP poll. They play in the Big East Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they won against Omaha in the first round with a score of 83-53. However, they lost to Arkansas in the second round, 66-75.
During the 2026 regular season, St. John’s had an overall record of 28-6. In conference play, they recorded a 21-2 record. Their recent games show strong performances, including a win against Connecticut with a score of 72-52. Zuby Ejiofor scored 18 points in that game.
The team averages 81.6 points per game, ranking 68th. They attempt 61.6 field goals per game, with a shooting percentage of 45.4. Their free throw shooting is at 72.7%, and they make 18.8 free throws per game. They also grab 38.6 rebounds per game.
Zuby Ejiofor is a key player, averaging 16.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Bryce Hopkins contributes with 13.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Dillon Mitchell adds 8.2 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. The team has a strong record as favorites, winning 28 out of 30 games.
Northern Iowa Preview
The Northern Iowa Panthers play in the Missouri Valley Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they played against SMU. The Panthers lost that game with a score of 63-73. This game marked the end of their postseason run.
During the 2026 regular season, the Panthers had an overall record of 23-12. In conference play, they recorded a 15-9 record. This shows they had a solid performance in both conference and non-conference games.
In recent games, the Panthers secured a win against UIC Flames with a score of 84-69. Trey Campbell was a standout player in this game, scoring 23 points. Another key player, Ben Schwieger, contributed 18 points to the victory.
The Panthers also won against Bradley Braves with a score of 73-69. Leon Bond III was a top performer in this game, scoring 19 points. The Panthers’ strong shooting helped them win these games, with a field goal percentage of 65.9% against Bradley.
Statistical Breakdown for St. John’s vs Northern Iowa
Key stats will play a big role in this game. St. John’s Red Storm scores more points per game and rebounds better than Northern Iowa Panthers. However, Northern Iowa has a higher field goal percentage. Free throw shooting and turnovers could also impact the outcome.
- St. John’s Points Per Game: 81.6 (68th)
- Northern Iowa Points Per Game: 69.9 (363rd)
- St. John’s Field Goal Percentage: 45.4 (179th)
- Northern Iowa Field Goal Percentage: 47.7 (44th)
- St. John’s Rebounds Per Game: 38.6 (57th)
- Northern Iowa Rebounds Per Game: 31.9 (442nd)
- St. John’s Free Throw Percentage: 72.7 (236th)
- Northern Iowa Free Throw Percentage: 69.9 (341st)
- St. John’s Turnovers Per Game: 10.3 (349th)
- Northern Iowa Turnovers Per Game: 9.1 (273rd)
Betting Insights
The Northern Iowa Panthers and St. John’s Red Storm have different betting trends from last season. Northern Iowa had a solid record against the spread when favored, while St. John’s showed strong performance both straight up and against the spread. These trends can help guide betting decisions for their upcoming game. Here are the top five betting insights:
- Northern Iowa is 16-7 ATS as a favorite (69.6%).
- St. John’s is 3-0 ATS as an underdog (75.0%).
- Northern Iowa is 19-12-1 ATS in all games (59.4%).
- St. John’s is 21-11-2 ATS in all games (61.8%).
- Northern Iowa’s last 3 games went under the total (0-3 O/U).
Free Betting Prediction for St. John’s vs Northern Iowa
St. John’s Red Storm has a strong record and is ranked #10 in the AP poll. They have shown consistent performance in both regular season and postseason games. With key players like Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins, they have the ability to score and rebound effectively. Their recent win against Connecticut highlights their capability to dominate games.
Northern Iowa Panthers have also had a solid season, but they face a tough challenge against St. John’s. They have a better field goal percentage, which could help them stay competitive. Players like Trey Campbell and Ben Schwieger have been crucial in their recent victories. However, their lower points per game and rebounding numbers may be a disadvantage.
Given the strengths of St. John’s and their home advantage, they are likely to win this game. Northern Iowa may struggle to keep up with the scoring and rebounding of St. John’s. The spread of -10.5 for St. John’s seems reasonable, considering their strong performance as favorites.
- Our Free Prediction: St. John’s -10.5
