CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa men’s basketball team is headed back to March Madness for the first time in a decade and will face a formidable opponent in the opening round.

UNI drew the No. 12 seed in the East Region and will meet No. 5 seed St. John’s on Friday at Viejas Arena in San Diego in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Panthers (23-12) secured their ticket by winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, defeating Illinois-Chicago 84-69 in the championship game to claim the league’s automatic bid.

It marks the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016 and another postseason milestone for head coach Ben Jacobson, who has led the Panthers since 2006.

Jacobson said the Panthers are excited for the opportunity to compete on the national stage.

“It’s a great opportunity for our guys and our program,” he said. “We know we’re playing a very good team, but that’s what the NCAA Tournament is about — the chance to compete against the best.”

St. John’s (28-6) enters the matchup with significant momentum. The Red Storm recently captured the Big East Conference Tournament title and have won 19 of their last 20 games.

Led by veteran head coach Rick Pitino, St. John’s has been one of the hottest teams in the country late in the season. The Red Storm are powered by senior forward Zuby Ejiofor, the Big East Player of the Year, who averages more than 16 points per game and anchors the team defensively.

Northern Iowa reached the NCAA field after an impressive four-day run through the MVC tournament in St. Louis, becoming the first team in conference history to win four games in four days to capture the title.

UNI has a history of memorable NCAA Tournament moments, including its run to the Sweet 16 in 2010 highlighted by an upset of top-seeded Kansas.

Now the Panthers will try to add another chapter when they face St. John’s in a classic 12-versus-5 matchup — a pairing that historically produces frequent upsets.

Jacobson said his team will focus on preparation and embracing the moment.

“Our guys earned this,” Jacobson said. “We’ll get ready, enjoy the experience and go compete.”