This was supposed to be the week everyone in the Missouri Valley Conference was looking forward to.
Wichita State vs. Northern Iowa, Round I.
When the tested and proven kings of the Valley from Wichita were heading to Cedar Falls, to play the giant-killers from Northern Iowa on Wednesday night.
The Panthers turned in the most impressive nonconference slate in Valley history, with wins over then-No. 1 North Carolina, and then-No. 4 Iowa State.
But something happened on the way to the opening chapter of this Clash of the Titans.
Northern Iowa fell back to earth.