Northern Iowa beat Illinois State for the third time this season to advance to the NCAA tournament for the fifth time in school history and first time since 2004. The Panthers, who tied Creighton for the regular-season title, also tied a school record with its 23rd victory of the season. In 33 tournaments, only twice has a seed worse than No. 3 won the event. If Creighton was hoping for an at-large invitation to the NCAA tournament, it left a horrible final impression. The Bluejays, who had won 10 consecutive games heading the tournament, barely edged seventh-seeded Wichita State in the quarterfinals before being blown out by Illinois State in the semifinals. Creighton had won six of the previous 10 MVC titles.
