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'86-'87 the last time we had a real bball team with any national relevance.

The 86-87 team was the team that made me a fan. Iowa has never really come all that close to matching that since, unfortunately.

The 1992-93 team was also pretty tough, but we all know what happened there.

Since then.. There have been solid teams but it's been a little soft, especially since TD was let go.
 
That team was one for the memories. I was in middle school and can remember how fun they were to watch.
I would also argue the 88-89 team was just as good...they unfortunately got beat in the second round by NC State...double OT. UGH!
I'm not sure the 88-89 team had the depth that the 86-87 team had, but their starting 5 could play with anyone. I'll never forget that team winning @UNC on national TV.

That loss to NCST.. UGH indeed! Darn you, Rodney Monroe! I remember that guy making tough shots to keep forcing OT's. Other than UNLV in '87, that game may have been the toughest loss in my lifetime. It officially meant the end of BJ, Roy and Ed. :(
 
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Almost 40 years boys...2 Sweet 16's in that time?? Anyone complaining about an empty quiet arena only needs to look at the product that has been put out there over the past few decades.
Couple of things here. While I was in college in the 80's at Iowa and that was certainly an incredible time to be there in both football and basketball, especially the 86-87 team, Fran has actually gotten us in a pretty good place w/Luka and Keegan and we've even been a top 5-10 team for awhile in the polls. And both of those guys were All American players. So it hasn't been a wasteland. You are right however about the NCAA tournament being an absolute wasteland for us over the last 40 years. And that is where you're reputation is earned, fairly or unfairly.
 
Couple of things here. While I was in college in the 80's at Iowa and that was certainly an incredible time to be there in both football and basketball, especially the 86-87 team, Fran has actually gotten us in a pretty good place w/Luka and Keegan and we've even been a top 5-10 team for awhile in the polls. And both of those guys were All American players. So it hasn't been a wasteland. You are right however about the NCAA tournament being an absolute wasteland for us over the last 40 years. And that is where you're reputation is earned, fairly or unfairly.
spot on - amazing that we have not had a deep run in decades, yet a program/school like Butler has played in back to back NC title games in that same time span...
 
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As the decades go by without a decent tourney run or a serious regular season title threat you begin to wonder if it can happen at Iowa. The Hawks have been able to assemble some really good teams from time to time, just good enough to get to the hump, but not able to get over it.

You can blame coaching, recruiting, facilities, administration or tradition, but it's actually some of all those things.
 
The 86-87 team was the team that made me a fan. Iowa has never really come all that close to matching that since, unfortunately.

The 1992-93 team was also pretty tough, but we all know what happened there.

Since then.. There have been solid teams but it's been a little soft, especially since TD was let go.
My first memories of watching basketball period was that team! I thought that’s what Iowa basketball was.. I’ve been chasing that unmatched “high” ever since too…. Smh. Yeah we’ve had some pretty good team and some good players come thru but no TEAM like that one..
 
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This program has never recovered from Pierre Pierce.
For fan enthusiasm probably but as far as team goes they made tourney 05 the year he was booted in January and that 06 team that almost won the big ten was arguably the best since Davis. Gary is who really screwed the program with the Lick hire
 
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My love for Hawkeye basketball started in the 70's. Vince Brookins, steve waite and kraftison, ronny Lester, kevin boyle, mark gannon, etc. I have a very long list of players i loved watching but think the gamble, horton, etc team was the most talented physically but no one compares to Ronny Lester in my time.
 
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My love for Hawkeye basketball started in the 70's. Vince Brookins, steve waite and kraftison, ronny Lester, kevin boyle, mark gannon, etc. I have a very long list of players i loved watching but think the gamble, horton, etc team was the most talented physically but no one compares to Ronny Lester in my time.

Ronny Lester?
 
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I've don't know that I've ever seen Lazard play.

I'm not an Iowa State fan.
Dont you have an isu avatar? Anyway was looking to see tj and Vikings were crapping the bed. Back to basketball Ronnie Lester was from when i first started watching Hawkeyes with my dad but he seemed like he could do it all until his knee injury.
 
Almost 40 years boys...2 Sweet 16's in that time?? Anyone complaining about an empty quiet arena only needs to look at the product that has been put out there over the past few decades.
A few decent teams, especially with Reggie Evans, but by and large a pathetic, irrelevant program.
 
A few decent teams, especially with Reggie Evans, but by and large a pathetic, irrelevant program.
I loved watching Reggie play. Took a big elbow in the neck/chin vs George tech and it was obviously dirty shot but never batted an eye. Just kept playing. I was in the stands for that win. Gt was rated and their big guy was supposed to be really good but Reggie shut him down and gobbled up the rebounds like crazy.
 
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