The top of the Midwest Regional Semifinal bracket pits two teams who couldn't be farther apart in NCAA Tournament experience. Michigan State, a regular at this stage of the tournament, is attempting to get back to the Final Four for the second straight season after last year's run to the title game. On the other bench are the upstart Northern Iowa Panthers. Northern Iowa, the Missouri Valley Conference champion, enters the Sweet 16 fresh off the biggest win in program history after knocking off top-seeded Kansas. The biggest variable in this matchup is the loss of Michigan State star Kalin Lucas. Can the Spartans overcome his loss? Will his absence continue the Cindarella season for the Panthers? We will find out on Friday night.

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