CEDAR FALLS - Initially, Greg McDermott treated Bracket Buster Saturday as Northern Iowa's postseason.

Then, the mid-February clash between mid-major schools became a game to boost the team's Ratings Percentage Index and resume for the postseason.

Now, as the 25th-ranked Panthers appear on the way to a third straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, the head coach views the game in another light.

"It's a game that can definitely impact what happens on Selection Sunday," said McDermott, whose team will host Bucknell of the Patriot League in the fourth annual event Feb. 18. "If we both continue to play well, this is a big-time seeding game in my mind."

Currently, UNI sports a 19-3 record and an RPI of 12. Bucknell, which has won seven straight, is 16-3 and has an RPI of 21.

The Bison, who stepped onto the national stage a season ago when they upset third-seeded Kansas in the opening round of the Big Dance, have wins at DePaul and Syracuse this year. Bucknell also lost at No. 2 Duke by 34 points.

"They're not going to be intimidated coming into the UNI-Dome to play," McDermott said, "because they've played in places like that."

UNI athletics director Rick Hartzell said Monday the game is unofficially slated for 11 a.m. on ESPN2.

"It's a good game for us, it's a good game for Bucknell," Hartzell said, "and it's a good game nationally for TV."

The story lines between the two schools make for an intriguing matchup.

Hartzell served as A.D. at Bucknell for 11 years before coming to UNI, and hired both head coaches - McDermott and Pat Flannery.

UNI's pep band played for Bucknell in last year's NCAA Tournament because the school of 3,500 in Lewisburg, Pa., couldn't muster enough support to send its own pep band to Oklahoma City.

The two schools used the same practice facility in Oklahoma City last year, and had UNI beaten Wisconsin in the opening round, they would have met.

"It's two of the premier mid-major teams going at it," UNI's Ben Jacobson said. "A lot of eyes will be on this game."

As part of the contract, UNI, 6-0 in games associated with Bracket Buster, will travel to Lewisburg next season for a non-conference game.

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com