Northern Iowa softball coach Ryan Jacobs is concerned the Panther’s NCAA bubble may burst if they don’t win the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in Springfield, Missouri. UNI is 31-13 after winning the Valley regular season title. The season included a school record 16 game winning streak.

UNI earned its first ever at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament a year ago and won a game in a regional at Missouri. Jacobs says there is more competition for the at-large spots this season.

Jacobs says the Panthers could have helped their own cause during non-conference play.

Jacobs says it may be tougher to get in with an at-large bid than it was a year ago.

The Panthers have a bye into Friday’s semifinal round and must wait to find out who their opponent will be.