Next Seasons Non Conference

Well, i have been told like a gazillion times that Butler and Gonzaga will play anybody, anywhere.
 
Just looking through the mid majors, a couple of games I would like to see in Carver:

Central Michigan - Keno Davis & Kevin Gamble should be able to improve this team and at least this team gives us a good story line. They had 4 freshman and a sophomore that played a lot of minutes this season. They do graduate their leading scorer but they have potential to improve in Keno's second season as coach.

UNI - I get the whole Big Four concept, but in the years Iowa does not play UNI can Barta talk them into coming here? Another good rivalry game and they do not have to go into McLeod to play it. (I know this will never happen)

Western Kentucky - They gave Iowa a good game this season and they return 3 of their top scorers. I would not be surprised to see them give Middle Tennessee State a run for the Sun Belt next season.
 
I too am super excited for next season and think we are going to have a chance to be good.

I would caution us to be realistic though as upward mobility in this conference is really, really challenging. Not saying we can't move up but a 4-5 place finish is what I am hopeful for.

I'm not sure how this is possible but Wisconsin has finished in the top 4 of this conference for 12 straight years (if I quoted this stat correctly) so you might as well pencil them in again even though the lose a couple of guys. So that leaves 4 spots to finish in the top 5 and you have long-time powers MSU & OSU. OSU recruits very well as we all know. You also have the re-emergence of long-time power Indiana that has a couple of juniors that may or may not go pro and they are recruiting very well. Michigan also continues to recruit well and also has some early entry decisions which could determine their fate next year. IL & Minny will probably not disappear and Purdue will most likely improve. Although many laugh Nebraska was not as horrible as I had hoped. Their starting 5 was ok, they red-shirted a number of guys who will hit the floor next year and they open in a brand new facility which I've heard is top of the line.

On top of that we have not yet garnered that 'B1G' respect card yet that MSU, OSU, Indiana & Wisconsin have. You know, that ability to get the extra whistles you need, when your team needs them the most in close games. Yes, those whistles or lack of whistles if you are playing defense that are just enough to get you over the top in a 1 or 2 posession game. The type of benefits that elevate those programs even when they are not significantly better than Iowa. So, it takes years to get that benefit and really underlies the damage that was done by previous coaches to this program. We once got some of those whistles as well. On top of that there is a nice little bias for the MSU, OSU, Indiana over a small market team like Iowa.

All I am saying, is be realistic... we have to be really, really, really good to probably finish in the top 4-5. I think we have a good chance to do it but I'm not going ballastic if we do not quite reach the top of the moutain. This is a long process in my mind that we are chipping away at one season at a time.

Fran's doing a great job and I cannot believe the progress in 3 years. As a fanbase we just have to keep bringing it also and not give up after a setback.
 
SpecialKHawk said:
I too am super excited for next season and think we are going to have a chance to be good.

I would caution us to be realistic though as upward mobility in this conference is really, really challenging. Not saying we can't move up but a 4-5 place finish is what I am hopeful for.

I'm not sure how this is possible but Wisconsin has finished in the top 4 of this conference for 12 straight years (if I quoted this stat correctly) so you might as well pencil them in again even though the lose a couple of guys. So that leaves 4 spots to finish in the top 5 and you have long-time powers MSU & OSU. OSU recruits very well as we all know. You also have the re-emergence of long-time power Indiana that has a couple of juniors that may or may not go pro and they are recruiting very well. Michigan also continues to recruit well and also has some early entry decisions which could determine their fate next year. IL & Minny will probably not disappear and Purdue will most likely improve. Although many laugh Nebraska was not as horrible as I had hoped. Their starting 5 was ok, they red-shirted a number of guys who will hit the floor next year and they open in a brand new facility which I've heard is top of the line.

On top of that we have not yet garnered that 'B1G' respect card yet that MSU, OSU, Indiana & Wisconsin have. You know, that ability to get the extra whistles you need, when your team needs them the most in close games. Yes, those whistles or lack of whistles if you are playing defense that are just enough to get you over the top in a 1 or 2 posession game. The type of benefits that elevate those programs even when they are not significantly better than Iowa. So, it takes years to get that benefit and really underlies the damage that was done by previous coaches to this program. We once got some of those whistles as well. On top of that there is a nice little bias for the MSU, OSU, Indiana over a small market team like Iowa.

All I am saying, is be realistic... we have to be really, really, really good to probably finish in the top 4-5. I think we have a good chance to do it but I'm not going ballastic if we do not quite reach the top of the moutain. This is a long process in my mind that we are chipping away at one season at a time.

Fran's doing a great job and I cannot believe the progress in 3 years. As a fanbase we just have to keep bringing it also and not give up after a setback.
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Point taken. And NW/PSU are supposedly getting some players back next year too, so they also should be improved. The Big Ten could actually be better, from top to bottom, next year than it was this year. Particularly if Indiana & Michigan don't lose anyone to the NBA draft. The conference schedule will be a meatgrinder, no doubt about it.

That said, Iowa could finish 6th or 7th in next year's league, and still probably get an NCAA bid just as long as the OOC schedule isn't 300+ SOS like it was this year. Heck Illinois/Minnesota tied for 7th, so you could say that the 7th and 8th place teams in the league got bids this year. So I'm not worried so much about exactly where Iowa places in the conference standings next year so much as I am whether or not it's in the NCAA Tournament.
 
SpecialKHawk, everything you mention is why we should care about the non conference next season. There is a good chance Iowa may not move up much if at all. The last thing we want to see happen is for Iowa to be in the exact same position next season. But there is room for Iowa to move up.

Wisconsin - I thought this was the year they would have to rebuild, found out otherwise. Cannot bet against Bo Ryan, I cannot stand the guy but he has my respect. Neutral

Michigan State - Like Wisconsin, I cannot bet against Izzo. Izzo always keeps MSU competitive, they could win the B1G next season. Up

Michigan - I am not a big fan of Beilein and thought they should have won the B1G this year. It all depends on who comes back and who leaves early for the NBA. Down

Indiana - Even if Zeller comes back they could slip to the middle of the pack if Oladipo leaves for the NBA draft. Plus they graduate Watford & Hulls, potentially 3 of their top 4 scorers gone. I know they have another good recruiting class coming in but that is a lot of scoring to replace. Down

Ohio State - It all depends on if Deshaun Thomas returns for his senior year, if he does expect Ohio State to be competing for the title, otherwise they could slip a little. Neutral

Nebraska will be improved, Miles is one heck of a coach but I do not think they have enough to pass Iowa. But you are right, I worry about Illinois next season as well. They are talented and could pass Iowa in the standings. Minnesota is sinking to the bottom, losing Mbakwe and Williams is huge and I am not a fan of Tubby Smith. Penn State should be improved next season depending on how healthy Frazier is but not enough to pass Iowa. Purdue could improve but I do not think they pass Iowa either. IMO, Northwestern will sink to the bottom.

Overall I think top 5 is a reasonable expectation for an improving Iowa team next season.
 
patmyne said:
I want to go back to playing a big name team again. I don't care if we lose
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Same here. I am kind of tired of the boring non-conference schedules.. I liked the days where Iowa played teams in the OOC schedule like Arizona, Duke, UNC, Kansas, UCLA, etc. Even if they lose, those are exciting games to anticipate. Coppin St., Chicago St., etc... Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

I know we play ISU every year, and get the ACC/Big Ten challenge, but we don't typically get a top notch ACC opponent unless we're expected to be good. Haven't been able to say that in a long time.. Maybe next year we'll get someone interesting.
 
I would love a home and home series with a quality team from the Big East, Pac 12, Atlantic 10, SEC or Mountain West. I'm suggesting a team like Pitt for 2 years then UCLA then Temple, etc.
 
I am sticking with my commitment to a top 4 finish in the Big 10 next year and Thursday bye in the BTT. Right now I have us at 14-4 and 2nd place...may have to tweak this a bit if Burke, Oladipo or Thomas comes back. I don't think we will lose a home game and have us at 5-4 on the road. My up or down is not related to the standings but rather the projected quality of the team on the floor.

Indiana (if no Oladipo) - Down
Ohio State (if no Thomas) - Down
Michigan State - Up (Conference Champs...only lose Nix)
Wisconsin - Down
Michigan (if no Burke) - Down
Iowa - Up...only lose May
Purdue - Up...only lose Byrd
Illinois - Down
Minnesota - Down
Nebraska - Up
Northwestern - Down...Carmody a bigger loss than any player on any team IMO
Penn State - Up
 
ssckelley said:
SpecialKHawk, everything you mention is why we should care about the non conference next season. There is a good chance Iowa may not move up much if at all. The last thing we want to see happen is for Iowa to be in the exact same position next season. But there is room for Iowa to move up.

Wisconsin - I thought this was the year they would have to rebuild, found out otherwise. Cannot bet against Bo Ryan, I cannot stand the guy but he has my respect. Neutral

Michigan State - Like Wisconsin, I cannot bet against Izzo. Izzo always keeps MSU competitive, they could win the B1G next season. Up

Michigan - I am not a big fan of Beilein and thought they should have won the B1G this year. It all depends on who comes back and who leaves early for the NBA. Down

Indiana - Even if Zeller comes back they could slip to the middle of the pack if Oladipo leaves for the NBA draft. Plus they graduate Watford & Hulls, potentially 3 of their top 4 scorers gone. I know they have another good recruiting class coming in but that is a lot of scoring to replace. Down

Ohio State - It all depends on if Deshaun Thomas returns for his senior year, if he does expect Ohio State to be competing for the title, otherwise they could slip a little. Neutral

Nebraska will be improved, Miles is one heck of a coach but I do not think they have enough to pass Iowa. But you are right, I worry about Illinois next season as well. They are talented and could pass Iowa in the standings. Minnesota is sinking to the bottom, losing Mbakwe and Williams is huge and I am not a fan of Tubby Smith. Penn State should be improved next season depending on how healthy Frazier is but not enough to pass Iowa. Purdue could improve but I do not think they pass Iowa either. IMO, Northwestern will sink to the bottom.

Overall I think top 5 is a reasonable expectation for an improving Iowa team next season.
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Let me know when I'm supposed to start making my case for a number 1 seed in the NCAA next year...not serious casual observers but in reference to another post by Kelley elsewhere.
 
WindsorHawk said:
I would love a home and home series with a quality team from the Big East, Pac 12, Atlantic 10, SEC or Mountain West. I'm suggesting a team like Pitt for 2 years then UCLA then Temple, etc.
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Agreed. Some people criticized Tom Davis for his soft non-conference schedules, but under his coaching, we did have the following games:

Arizona (home & home 1986 & 1987)
N. Carolina (home & home 1988 & 1989)
UCLA (1990)
Duke (home & home 1992 & 1993)
Missouri (home & home series from something like 1997 into the 2000's)
Kansas (home & home 1998 & 1999)

Plus Iowa would play in the Great Alaska Shootout every so often, pre-season NIT, Maui, etc.

After Alford was hired, it seemed like the non-conference schedules got pretty boring (and still are). Maybe that will change now that we're getting back to respectability.
 
imported_blkngldFRO said:
ENOUGH OF THE OOC crap no it did not help, but if the Hawks took care of business in B1G there would be a different ending to the year. I am sure Fran and Co. will put together a tougher OOC, but that ultimately is not what stopped the Hawks from getting in. It is the fact that there are at least 4 games that they choked in. That is what defined this year, and you will most likely see that happen in the NIT as well. No lead seems to be safe with this team.
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You're right. If they win more conference games, they're in. But that doesn't dismiss what was dragging the Hawks rpi down all year. If you took their 9-9 conference record and set it to the side and coupled that with a slightly tougher non con schedule, they're in this year. It doesn't guarantee anything, but if they take a higher rpi into conference play, it improves their chances.
 
ssckelley said:
You really think Iowa can win the B1G next season?
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I definitely think they can...but I'm picking Michigan State. Izzo and Sparty will be allowed to play their style of ball in the Big Ten and get the calls whether at home or on the road...and they only lose Nix from a very good team. I have Iowa 2nd if the early departures (Oladipo, Burke and Thomas) happen. If any of these guys return then their respective teams will be right up there with Iowa and Michigan State fighting for the championship. All will be good anyway but need those players to contend for the championship.

I think Iowa will have an extra edge to them after missing the NCAA and losing all of those tough games. Several Big 10 teams were not competitive on the road. We were so close with a young team and an (IMO) injured Marble. Next year I suspect we will have a winning record on the road...say 5-4. I don't think Iowa will lose in Carver next year.

I think we have great team chemistry...players and coaches. The chemistry aspect can never be ignored. We will have 3 seniors with a ton of experience. We will have 2 juniors with a ton of experience and a surging Olaseni. We will have 3 talented sophomores that represented themselves very well this year, will be physically stronger and will have a year of college basketball experience.

I would go to war with these 9 guys...3 in each class. Now we add the unknowns that will likely add even more...2 new guys with 3 years of body maturation and development between them and a true freshman that can at the very least add a shooter and make FTs.

I will wait until after the season and then start a thread comparing next year's team to the last Iowa team to make an Elite 8 run and just miss the Final Four. I made the same post in another thread a few weeks ago but will give it a thread of its own after the season.

I thought Iowa would go 12-6 this season and still think they would have if Marble had been healthy. I think next year's team will go 14-4. My only concern is how they will react to the NCAA stage for the 1st time in their careers. Will they want it too much, press too hard and exit earlier than they should or will they seize the moment and exceed most people's expectations? I think this team with this coach and these players will seize the moment and capitalize on their opportunity and their NCAA 4 seed...higher if we win the BTT.
 
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14-4 is pretty aggressive. I would take a tentative 12-6 next season and improvement on that is cake.
I agree that Indiana, MSU, Iowa, Ohio State, WI (hate to say it), and Mich will be right there. Illinois, Purdue not far behind. Nebraska and Penn State improved. Minnesota and Northwestern right down the toilet.
 
Do we know what the conference schedule will look like next season? This year we played all the bottom teams twice, does that mean next year we get Ohio State, Michigan, MSU, and Illinois twice?
 
HawksMN said:
14-4 is pretty aggressive. I would take a tentative 12-6 next season and improvement on that is cake.
I agree that Indiana, MSU, Iowa, Ohio State, WI (hate to say it), and Mich will be right there. Illinois, Purdue not far behind. Nebraska and Penn State improved. Minnesota and Northwestern right down the toilet.
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We lost 2 games at home this year. Both were close and Marble sat one of them. These teams are seeded 1 and 3 in the Dance. If we go 9-0 at home we only have to be 5-4 on the road. I think 12-6 is a great season next year and I won't complain or be disappointed. My prediction stands at 14-4...bet the team would say I'm being conservative.

I like our young guards. I think our 3 point shooting will be at least adequate and possibly pretty good. I don't think our defense will slip. I think our front court talent and depth will be the best in the Big Ten and the best I can remember. How many shot blockers? How many guys to sub in and out? How many hard fouls to give and put guys on the line?
 
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ssckelley said:
Do we know what the conference schedule will look like next season? This year we played all the bottom teams twice, does that mean next year we get Ohio State, Michigan, MSU, and Illinois twice?
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I hope we play Michigan State, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin twice. I don't care how many times we play the rest. I still predict we go undefeated at home and 14-4 in the conference.
 
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