I'd wager that Maryland's probably a better team than Iowa in terms of raw talent, but that's been true of most teams the Terps have played this year. Iowa, I have little doubt, is more well-drilled, more experienced, and right now I'd say probably playing slightly better basketball - for all the Terps' extra athleticism and talent, I doubt they'd be able to do what Iowa just did and go trample Virginia in Charlottesville.
Which is probably why, the more I think about it, the more sense it seems to make to think Iowa will pull this one out. Maryland's playing great but the Hawkeyes seem slightly more of a finished product at the moment, and they're rightfully favored. And yet...I keep getting a nagging little feeling that Maryland is simply made for postseason basketball. Single elimination tournaments tend to favor length, athleticism, depth, star players, and the ability to mix and match looks, and that's exactly what Maryland has. The pressure seems to loosen them up, strangely, and they have the advantage of having already played in a game similar to this one against Kentucky to open the year, an experience that won't have gone amiss.
If Iowa can shoot anywhere near the 56% eFG% they had against Virginia, this one's already decided. But my hunch is that was more of a one-off than a symbol of a structural improvement, and if that's the case Maryland's three premier scorers (Len, Faust, and Wells) and newfound ability to control the tempo of a game might be too much for the Hawkeyes. I wouldn't expect this game's margin to be any greater than two possessions either way, but even though my head says Iowa is probably the more sensible pick, I have a gut feeling Maryland pulls it out late. 68-65.
I'd wager that Maryland's probably a better team than Iowa in terms of raw talent, but that's been true of most teams the Terps have played this year. Iowa, I have little doubt, is more well-drilled, more experienced, and right now I'd say probably playing slightly better basketball - for all the Terps' extra athleticism and talent, I doubt they'd be able to do what Iowa just did and go trample Virginia in Charlottesville.
Which is probably why, the more I think about it, the more sense it seems to make to think Iowa will pull this one out. Maryland's playing great but the Hawkeyes seem slightly more of a finished product at the moment, and they're rightfully favored. And yet...I keep getting a nagging little feeling that Maryland is simply made for postseason basketball. Single elimination tournaments tend to favor length, athleticism, depth, star players, and the ability to mix and match looks, and that's exactly what Maryland has. The pressure seems to loosen them up, strangely, and they have the advantage of having already played in a game similar to this one against Kentucky to open the year, an experience that won't have gone amiss.
If Iowa can shoot anywhere near the 56% eFG% they had against Virginia, this one's already decided. But my hunch is that was more of a one-off than a symbol of a structural improvement, and if that's the case Maryland's three premier scorers (Len, Faust, and Wells) and newfound ability to control the tempo of a game might be too much for the Hawkeyes. I wouldn't expect this game's margin to be any greater than two possessions either way, but even though my head says Iowa is probably the more sensible pick, I have a gut feeling Maryland pulls it out late. 68-65.
He sure did, I think OoTHawk did the same. The analysis seems a little backwards to me. Iowa more experienced than its opponent? Length and depth favoring Iowa's opponent? I haven't seen much of Maryland this year, so it may be right for all I know, but it seems unlikely.
I get the feeling that this game will be close down the stretch, and given Iowa's difficulty in closing out close games, I say Iowa loses a heartbreaker and Testudo goes on to win the whole thing.
I think it's funny he says he doesn't think Iowa is athletic and long enough to compete with Maryland with raw talent..... except we are built specifically for fran's up-tempo, zone pressing style which requires length and athleticism. Also we were 2nd in the B1G in blocks sooo... yeah there's that too.
I know the feeling. I attended the Iowa - UVA game last week, and I was wound up from that one. And it wasn't close! But it did keep me awake as I took the 2.5 hour drive back home in Northern Virginia.
I'd wager that Maryland's probably a better team than Iowa in terms of raw talent, but that's been true of most teams the Terps have played this year. Iowa, I have little doubt, is more well-drilled, more experienced, and right now I'd say probably playing slightly better basketball - for all the Terps' extra athleticism and talent, I doubt they'd be able to do what Iowa just did and go trample Virginia in Charlottesville.
Which is probably why, the more I think about it, the more sense it seems to make to think Iowa will pull this one out. Maryland's playing great but the Hawkeyes seem slightly more of a finished product at the moment, and they're rightfully favored. And yet...I keep getting a nagging little feeling that Maryland is simply made for postseason basketball. Single elimination tournaments tend to favor length, athleticism, depth, star players, and the ability to mix and match looks, and that's exactly what Maryland has. The pressure seems to loosen them up, strangely, and they have the advantage of having already played in a game similar to this one against Kentucky to open the year, an experience that won't have gone amiss.
If Iowa can shoot anywhere near the 56% eFG% they had against Virginia, this one's already decided. But my hunch is that was more of a one-off than a symbol of a structural improvement, and if that's the case Maryland's three premier scorers (Len, Faust, and Wells) and newfound ability to control the tempo of a game might be too much for the Hawkeyes. I wouldn't expect this game's margin to be any greater than two possessions either way, but even though my head says Iowa is probably the more sensible pick, I have a gut feeling Maryland pulls it out late. 68-65.
Couldn't the same thing be said about the Hawkeyes team in the post-season? I wouldn't go overboard on the "star-player" comment but RDM has been filling it up in the post-season. Iowa has length, versatility, can mix & match, and has some athletic ability (May) combined with some basketball IQ.
Dudes a commitment phobe. He wrote awhole lot to pretty much admit what I think. It's a toss up. Depends how it goes. I wouldn't put money on either team. I wish he woulda mentioned if Iowa makes all their free throws again that they'd win
I'd wager that Maryland's probably a better team than Iowa in terms of raw talent, but that's been true of most teams the Terps have played this year. Iowa, I have little doubt, is more well-drilled, more experienced, and right now I'd say probably playing slightly better basketball - for all the Terps' extra athleticism and talent, I doubt they'd be able to do what Iowa just did and go trample Virginia in Charlottesville.
Which is probably why, the more I think about it, the more sense it seems to make to think Iowa will pull this one out. Maryland's playing great but the Hawkeyes seem slightly more of a finished product at the moment, and they're rightfully favored. And yet...I keep getting a nagging little feeling that Maryland is simply made for postseason basketball. Single elimination tournaments tend to favor length, athleticism, depth, star players, and the ability to mix and match looks, and that's exactly what Maryland has. The pressure seems to loosen them up, strangely, and they have the advantage of having already played in a game similar to this one against Kentucky to open the year, an experience that won't have gone amiss.
If Iowa can shoot anywhere near the 56% eFG% they had against Virginia, this one's already decided. But my hunch is that was more of a one-off than a symbol of a structural improvement, and if that's the case Maryland's three premier scorers (Len, Faust, and Wells) and newfound ability to control the tempo of a game might be too much for the Hawkeyes. I wouldn't expect this game's margin to be any greater than two possessions either way, but even though my head says Iowa is probably the more sensible pick, I have a gut feeling Maryland pulls it out late. 68-65.
I'd wager that Maryland's probably a better team than Iowa in terms of raw talent,....
...Single elimination tournaments tend to favor length, athleticism, depth, star players, and the ability to mix and match looks, and that's exactly what Maryland has.
Last night was the first chance I had to see Maryland other than a few highlight clips. I have the sneaking suspicion that this was also the case for the blogger with respect to Iowa. If the blogger saw a few complete Iowa games, there is no way he could feel that the Terps had more raw talent, athleticism and depth.
