Andrew Logue

alogue@dmreg.com

A couple of roses were tossed Northern Iowa's way.

ESPN's Dick Vitale and CBS' Seth Davis gave the 7-0 Panthers a nod last weekend. But in order to snag the whole bouquet — a spot in the Associated Press men's basketball poll — coach Ben Jacobson and his players need a win Saturday night against George Mason.

"It isn't something that I think about," Jacobson said of rankings. "And it's not something I talked about with our guys.

"But I do hope we get there at some point this year, and obviously the sooner the better."

When the latest AP poll was released Monday, Northern Iowa narrowly missed the cut.

The Panthers, who swept Virginia Tech and Northwestern at last week's Cancun Challenge then held on to beat Richmond at home, ended up 26th in voting with 83 total points.

No. 25 Utah (5-1) checked in with 88.

"We knew there was a chance we'd get there this week," Jacobson said.

Disappointing? Sure, until you realize the fawning of November and December fades quickly amid the fickleness of March.

Northern Iowa has spent a total of seven weeks in the AP poll, all during the 2005-06 and 2009-10 seasons.

The Panthers advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 1990, 2004, 2005 and 2009 without ever getting a whiff of the top 25.

And remember, they were unranked that crazy day in 2010 when Ali Farokhmanesh broke the heart of No. 1 Kansas.

So, yeah, being ranked is pretty sexy. But it's not a deal breaker.

According to Sports-Reference.com, Northern Iowa has played 1,024 games since transitioning to NCAA Division I in 1980.

They've been ranked in 14 of those games, posting a 7-7 record.

"Most of what that says is, our team is playing well," Jacobson said. "And so our guys have had to earn it.

"Beyond that, it isn't going to mean much."

Vitale showed respect when he tweeted: "Any doubt that these R the best 4 in hoops # 1 UK -2 DUKE 3 WISCONSIN 4 ARIZONA Oh yes Northern IOWA 7-0 made my top 25"

Davis did the same when he listed the Panthers among his top 25.

"All of those things are positive for our program," Jacobson said. "I don't think there is any question that type of recognition, that type of publicity is good."

It's also good for the Missouri Valley Conference, which is in danger of being dismissed as a one-bid league.

Eighth-ranked Wichita State (4-0) began dominating the Valley after Creighton departed two years ago.

"Any of the national exposure and publicity that our program can get or another program in our league can get is positive," Jacobson said. "I don't think there is any two ways around that."

As it turns out, Wichita State can give the Panthers an assist.

The Shockers visit, you guessed it, Utah for a 10 p.m. contest Wednesday. If the Utes are beaten, Northern Iowa will have a clear path to the top 25.

And who wouldn't love that?

Andrew Logue covers Northern Iowa athletics for the Register. Follow him on Twitter: @AndrewMLogue.