HawkForce
Well-Known Member
mhm Illinois is really looking like world-beaters
ESPN College Basketball Live Talks Iowa and the Bubble
- Thread starter storminspank
- Start date
mhm Illinois is really looking like world-beaters
Um, Iowa was a bad as we thought during Lick.
And Bryce, McCabe, White, Mel, Dev, and Josh were not guys Lick coached. Really Matt was the only guy who Lick coached that is making much of a contribution at this point.
So, really what we know is that Fran has been able to get new guys up to speed to overcome having to rely on Lick's players.
Herkyalert
Banned
Iowa's non conference resume will keep them out barring a BBT win. Chicago State and Northern Illinois have a combined 6 wins right now and the Campbell loss kills. Not to mention getting blown out at home to Clemson.
MiniMoeHawk
Well-Known Member
How you play at the end of the year outweighs early season losses. 4 wins vs the top 25 is a big deal, especially winning on the road. Also heard Jay Williams after the game talking about how Gatens has "bonafide" NBA talent and is the real deal. Take it for what it is worth.
burky247
Well-Known Member
That's what worries me more than anything. The fact that Illinois has been playing like **** for the last month pretty much makes it a certainty that they will come out on fire against Iowa. Iowa is going to have to play one of their best games of the year to win at Champaign.
HawkPrdatr40
Well-Known Member
Iowa is putting a resume together right now that has to be atleast looked at. If they keep winning, selection sunday could become interesting for the Hawkeyes.
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
Amen!
Stanzi
Well-Known Member
Not according to posters on CF. 80% of them are convinced that they are a lock for the NT even if they lose their last 3 regular season games (likely), and their first game in the Big 12 tourney.
bighawkeyedaddy
Well-Known Member
This times a million. It feels great to have a chance to be disappointed by Iowa basketball again, for too long I just had apathy toward the program.
Couldn't agree more. Regardless of what happens the rest of the way, the fact that Iowa has played themselves into the national conversation about teams to keep an eye on down the stretch is a huge credit to Fran and crew. It's been half a decade since Iowa and the NCAA tournament were mentioned in the same sentence (unless the conversation was about teams who stood no chance).
Personally, I think 19 wins gives them a 50/50 chance. 20 wins and they're in. That's a tall order and I think most agree, unlikely. But ask yourself this, do you think this team is capable of doing it (not that they will do it, but that they have the potential to do it)? If your immediate answer isn't "no", that alone indicates some pretty big steps for this program.
blkngldFRO
Well-Known Member
First off you can not look past Illinois no matter their recored right now. There is nothing worse then messing with a dog when their back is against the wall.
If Iowa plays the rest of their games like they did against Indiana, they WILL BE DANCING. That team Iowa team can easily win the rest of the season and at least 2-3 in the BTT. Everyone contributed in that game in every aspect.
What I am really hoping for is that NIT bid. If we pull up ol' post on this site alone, most were saying Iowa didn't have a chance in HE!! to make any post season. Anything beyond that is gravy!
Truth is that I thought Iowa could win 15 this year, so right now they have surpassed my expectations. Why? Because I didn't expect four of those wins to be against top 25 teams!
HawkForce
Well-Known Member
There ya go on a "Lil' Old Iowa" rant...come on...I want to be disappointed when we lose...and apathetic when we beats team like Wisconsin...because the Badgers are vastly inferior as a program to the Hawks. And order is about to be restored...we're back to take our rightful place at the head of the table.
In a few years Fran will be beating the Big Ten like a drum....
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
yeah yeah...but seriously our RPI is still in the 120's. They have never taken an at large team with an RPI over 75. I know this is the 2nd year with the expanded 68 team field so perhaps a team in the lower 80's could sneak in but it will take a ton of work to get the RPI down that far and they will need help.
bcl20
Well-Known Member
I wonder what a win over Michigan State or Ohio State would do for the RPI in the Big Ten tournament. I would think if Iowa wins out and the beats one of them (which would be in the second round if Iowa were to play them.) it would do wonders for it and that might be a tourney birth type win.
And I keep playing different scenarios out in my head and I'm getting excited.
there i only one Lick player and that is questionable in Gatens, with him committing as a sophamore to Alford, this is in reference to a poster on the first page, forget the RPI it is not the only thing they look at, 5th place in BT standings at 10-8, a overall record of 18-13, finishing the 2nd half 7-2, are all looked at. its nice to feel good about the big dance again, but it goes no where without a win against Illinois
ssckelley
Well-Known Member
So herby you think Iowa can win the last 3 games, end up with an RPI of over a 100 (yes this can happen), and get into the NCAA?
It may not be the only thing the committee looks at but it is one of the major stats they consider and no one over 75 RPI has ever been to the tournament as an at large.
It may not be the only thing the committee looks at but it is one of the major stats they consider and no one over 75 RPI has ever been to the tournament as an at large.
loesshillshawk
Well-Known Member
WHO CARES to even be in the conversation as an Iowa fan is unreal. I enjoy watching the games...but recently it is like watching when we were always dancing. It is just great to be relevant as a program again.
