UNI Makes its Triumphant Return Tonight, 10 Years Later

Mar 8, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; University of Northern Iowa Panthers head coach Ben Jacobson cuts down a net after his team’s 84-69 win over the UIC Flames at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images The clips are everywhere this time of year, especially this year, now that it’s the 10-year anniversary of Northern Iowa’s most recent NCAA Tournament appearance.

There’s the most well-known one, Paul Jesperson hitting the half-court prayer to beat Texas in the first round that year. “JESPERSON… HALF-COURT HEAVE FOR THE WIN! ” On this day in 2016, Paul Jesperson created a moment in time for Northern Iowa 🤩 #MarchMadness pic.

twitter. com/RA24cuw0eb — NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 18, 2026 And then there’s the more painful one, blowing a 12-point lead to Texas A&M with about 30 seconds to play two nights later in the second round. 10 years ago from today, Texas A&M pulled off the craziest comeback in NCAA Tournament history and defeated Northern Iowa, 92-88, in Oklahoma City.

pic. twitter. com/teibyE9BQt — Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) March 20, 2026 “Yeah, yeah, that was one hell of a weekend,” Northern Iowa head coach Ben Jacobson said Friday.