Newest Bracetology: Iowa Down To An 8 Seed

[trj]

Iowa will add their names to the list of teams like: '83 NC state, '85 Villonova or '88 Kansas. Teams with double digit loses that won national titles.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

I don't know about that. In 2001 Iowa entered the BTT as a bubble team (18-11, 7-9) as a 6th seed ironically, needing a win over 11th seeded Northwestern, to secure a 10 or 11 seed in the NCAAs

They won the whole beating the 11, 3, 7, & 4 BTT seeds and ended up with a 7 seed in the big dance. Evidence is there that a team can jump a few seed lines during their conference tournament. Particularly if their conference is loaded with good teams. NCAA committee loves neutral court wins.

IMO a loss to Northwestern = 10/11 seed
Win over Northwestern = 8/9 seed, doesn't really matter
Wins over Northwestern & MSU = 7 seed
Wins over Northwestern, MSU, & Wisconsin = 6 seed
Wins over Northwestern, MSU, Wisconsin, & Michigan = 5 seed, IMO that's Iowa's ceiling as far as seed goes.

Certainly upsets happen. Wisconsin may not get to the semis, Michigan may not get to the finals. But as Buster said, the opportunity is there for Iowa to get a good seed. They just have to take advantage of it.

True, the selection committee traditionally goes bananas over teams that win their conference tournaments. I saw Syracuse (2004 or 2005 I think) go from a bubble team to a 5 seed (yes, a 5) after winning the Big East tournament. So winning the Big Ten tournament would certainly help our cause. But, that's a 4 games in 4 days scenario, which isn't likely to happen.

Looks like Iowa has pretty much sealed its own fate by having a whopper of a draw in the round of 32, no matter how you slice it.

Might almost be best if Iowa lost to NW and dropped to a 10 or 11 seed.. Seems weird to think of that, but I wonder.

 

[Xerxes]

True, the selection committee traditionally goes bananas over teams that win their conference tournaments. I saw Syracuse (2004 or 2005 I think) go from a bubble team to a 5 seed (yes, a 5) after winning the Big East tournament. So winning the Big Ten tournament would certainly help our cause. But, that's a 4 games in 4 days scenario, which isn't likely to happen.

Looks like Iowa has pretty much sealed its own fate by having a whopper of a draw in the round of 32, no matter how you slice it.

Might almost be best if Iowa lost to NW and dropped to a 10 or 11 seed.. Seems weird to think of that, but I wonder.

Very good point. I'd rather Iowa be an 11 seed than a 7, 8, 9, or 10 seed. 7-10 seeds rarely get to take advantage of early round upsets because 1's never lose and 2's rarely lose (it did happen last year though).

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Very good point. I'd rather Iowa be an 11 seed than a 7, 8, 9, or 10 seed. 7-10 seeds rarely get to take advantage of early round upsets because 1's never lose and 2's rarely lose (it did happen last year though).

That, plus I think there's a pretty big difference between playing a 3 seed in the second round as opposed to a 1 or 2. Especially if you draw one of those 2 seeds that just missed the 1 line.

EDIT: Just saw that Iowa's RPI on NCAA.com is now 49... I take it back that maybe a loss to NW wouldn't be such a bad thing.

 

[JHHawk]

I think at this point its very hard to move up seeds as the NCAA committee is already starting to meet to decide seedings. Every team can only lose 1 game between now and Sunday so its very hard to change the committee's mind based on one loss here or there. Especially since most of those losses will be to other top teams.

I think making the BTT championship game would get Iowa a 7 seed. Beating MSU would get them an 8 seed, losing to MSU or NW would get them a 9 seed. Winning the BTT could get them a 6 but I doubt it. I'm pretty sure all of the seeds will be mostly solidified by Saturday so moving up 2 seeds (jumping 5-8 teams) would be highly unlikely

Decourcey was talking last Sunday (3/2/14) about how last year on that date OSU was a #8 seed, then went on a tear and ended up as a #2 seed. So, yes, seeds can change a lot in the last week or two.

 

[MiniMoeHawk]

Too bad Iowa can't beat the 16 seed and take down the Shocker's.....Would be nice to make history

 

[atomicblue224]

Iowa will add their names to the list of teams like: '83 NC state, '85 Villonova or '88 Kansas. Teams with double digit loses that won national titles.

I never forget NC STATE Winning the whole thing Jimmy V ran around with shock face

 

[jo12208]

I say bring on Wichita in the second round. At least it would be an opportunity for a great memory in knocking off an undefeated team. If the Hawks lose, it was expected anyway.

I like that idea. That would be great. Good idea.

 

[jo12208]

I agree. I have always thought that. 8 or 9 is bad. 10 or 11 much better.

 

[Igothawked]

For all of you who think the Hawks would handle Wichita St you really need to reconsider that. They are exactly the kind of team that gives the Hawks fits. Very very physical on D and lots of 3 point shooters. Not to mention no Hawkeye would match up well with Cleanthony Early.
The Hawks would struggle mightily with the Shockers. People also seem to forget the Shockers were in the Final 4 last year and played Louisville really tough.....and havent lost since. Not to mention the handled the Hawks relatively easily in Mexico last year.

 

[cf84]

For all of you who think the Hawks would handle Wichita St you really need to reconsider that. They are exactly the kind of team that gives the Hawks fits. Very very physical on D and lots of 3 point shooters. Not to mention no Hawkeye would match up well with Cleanthony Early.
The Hawks would struggle mightily with the Shockers. People also seem to forget the Shockers were in the Final 4 last year and played Louisville really tough.....and havent lost since. Not to mention the handled the Hawks relatively easily in Mexico last year.

Eh, Iowa shot 26% and lost by 12 to a Final Four team. I'd take my chances and obviously you have to shoot a LOT better than that.

It was an odd game last year. Hawks actually made 8-15 3's but 4 of 31 2's! Made 31 of 39 FT's. Made 7/8 3's in first half and 1/14 2's! 4/24 overall in 2nd half. Weird. I want a rematch!

Just an AWFUL shooting 2nd half:

Team summary: FG 3FG FT

1st Half: 8-22 7-8 12-15
36.4% 87.5% 80.0%
2nd Half: 4-24 1-7 19-24
16.7% 14.3% 79.2%