By AP
ST. LOUIS – Northern Iowa has a big anchor in the middle, a tenacious point guard and a fearless shooter who has already taken down two teams in the NCAA tournament.
These Panthers aren't underdogs or Cinderellas. They're just good and a threat to beat Michigan State in the round of 16 on Friday in St. Louis.
Northern Iowa knocked off UNLV in the opening round on a last-second 3-pointer, then took down No. 1 overall seed Kansas on another late 3 by Ali Farokhmanesh.
Next up is the limping Spartans.
Michigan State lost Kalin Lucas, last year's Big Ten player of the year, to a ruptured Achilles' tendon against Maryland in the second round. Chris Allen and Delvon Roe are limited due to injuries.