NCAA Basketball: Oregon’s potential, Livers’ importance and more takeaways

6) Northern Iowa is a mid-major team worth monitoring

Speaking of Northern Iowa, they’re one of those mid-major teams worth paying attention to because they might pull an upset or two in the NCAA Tournament.

Beating Colorado was certainly an upset, but it validated UNI’s quality start to the season. They’re 10-1 with wins over South Carolina and the Buffs, and that only loss came by five points to a solid West Virginia team. After the Colorado victory, junior Trae Berhow discussed their readiness to face quality opponents.

"“We’re so comfortable with big games right now. A lot of these games have been close, so we’re ready for the moment. Everyone is ready to make big shots.”"

The Panthers are obviously the current favorites to win the Missouri Valley but, should they stumble in the MVC tournament, wins like these over power conference opponents could put them in position for an at-large bid.

There’s reason to think they can keep this going, too.

Northern Iowa is a quality shooting team, making 35.9 percent of their threes and ranking 33rd in the country in adjusted field goal percentage. While they don’t have overwhelming size or athleticism, everyone can shoot, allowing them to space the floor and exploit the weaknesses of opposing defenses with their high level of execution.

The Panthers are an experienced team as well with six upperclassmen in their rotation, and that doesn’t count a legitimate go-to guy in sophomore AJ Green (15.9 points per game).

Expect Northern Iowa to remain one of the country’s top mid-majors all season long and, should the make the NCAA Tournament, I can guarantee no higher seed is going to want to see the Panthers pop up against them on Selection Sunday.