Iowa's peak vs. Final Four teams

[99topdawg]

As I was watching the games last night, I was watching how hard the teams play on both ends of the floor, etc. and was remembering how hard/well Iowa played when they were a projected 1 seed and ranked in the top 4 as they went through December and January with one loss in each month (close games at #4 ISU and at #8 Maryland).

I started to think how that Iowa team would match up with these teams and other teams that nearly made it, such as Kansas. I really think Iowa could have defended and scored with these teams and would have been in games to the end. They really remind me of what Villanova is doing. Iowa came to play every night and won basically every half, with the exception of the game at Purdue. In Iowa's first 10 conference games, they won 9 of them, all by 7 or more points, 8 of which were double-digit wins.

I think they would have at least been in a game with any of these teams. If only we could have found out...

 

[uihawk82]

Very good post but looking back I think the one thing I noticed about Iowa this year, even during December and January, was the missing of free throws and not having overly consistent 'good shooters', consistently good jump shooters.

When Fran can consistently have teams that almost always have 3 to 4 good shooters on the court at any time the hawks will be above avg but not elite.

 

[PCHawk]

We could have hung with anyone if Fran would call a timeout.

 

[SheagleHawk]

The sun, moon and stars aligned perfectly for Iowa for about a month. The team we saw the rest of the year was really who we were. Uthoff, Jok and the entire bench played out of their minds. The guard play and just generall overall speed and athleticism would've run Iowa out of the gym. Nova did just that. And so would other teams like KU, UNC, UVA etc.

 

[Seth53]

[video]https://youtu.be/cawk2cMTnGo[/video]

As NY so perfectly croons, it's better to burn out than to fade away.... oh, wait, never mind....

 

[trj]

I think of UNC by today's standards they are an old school team. They play inside out instead of outside in. Just imagine if a team like Purdue had consistent average guard play. I think Iowa could be competitive with UNC just because of style of play. If Iowa and UNC played 10 times UNC probably wins 8 of 10 just based on shear talent, but 7 of the 10 games are competitive.

 

[1hawkeye1]

I was thinking the same thing. When Iowa was at its peak, it was Villanova level. When at its low..........Kirkwood. With no disrespect to Kirkwood.

 

[mrolympia]

bad Iowa could have given OU a game the way they played

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

I think of UNC by today's standards they are an old school team. They play inside out instead of outside in. Just imagine if a team like Purdue had consistent average guard play. I think Iowa could be competitive with UNC just because of style of play. If Iowa and UNC played 10 times UNC probably wins 8 of 10 just based on shear talent, but 7 of the 10 games are competitive.

Only way Iowa would beat UNC is if they didn't want to show up. No way in hell Iowa matches up with UNC!!