Could it happen?

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Iowa football goes undefeated, including 8-0 in the Big Ten, for the first time since 1922.

Could Iowa basketball go undefeated in the Big Ten for the first time since 1970 (14-0)?

It's a grueling grind, and it doesn't take much to lose; we all know that, but having swept MSU and whipped Purdue on the road, it's an interesting possibility. Likely? Of course not. But wouldn't THAT be something?!

Realistically, 15-3 and the first Big Ten title since 1979 is certainly within reach. However it turns out, it's great to have a Hawkeye basketball team that is bullying the likes of Purdue and MSU rather than being bullied. Awesome stuff.

 

[hoffmkr]

Right now, I'd project 14-4 with the hope I'm positively wrong.
At Maryland, at Indiana and at Michigan are all extremely tough games. Also a bad feeling about Purdue coming to town. 14-4 is a great record and better than that in Phenomenal.

 

[WORTHYWISH]

Remaining Purdue, Maryland, and Indiana games are the biggest. Get by them and 18-0 is a lot easier.

 

[bravehawks1]

If you look at the conference standings, Iowa has already played three games against teams in top 6. Other top teams in that group have been playing bottom feeders except Mich over Maryland so would expect some beating up of each other. Granted, Iowa only gets Nebby, NW, Wisc, Ill, MN and Rutgers once this year, but you would think we should be able to go 6-0 against those teams. Throw in the 3-0 so far against MSU and Purdue puts Iowa at 9 conference wins. That means we have to go 5-4 against Maryland, Ind (2), Ohio St, Mich (2), Penn St (2) and Purdue to finish 14-4. That is realistic with current level of play. I am guessing most of us thought that we would be no better than 2-2 at this point and even 1-3 was not out of the question on Dec 28th.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

Much like football (and I say this realizing we have a LOOONG way to go) but even discussing 15-3/14-4 prior to the season starting would have necessitated a urine test.

 

[mazda1]

I'd take 14-4 in a heartbeat. I love what we've seen from these guys this year, but there will quickly be a target on our back, especially if we beat Michigan. Stone and Bryant scare me to death. There are too many teams that can get you on any given night. We will have games when the 3 doesn't fall. We may come out flat a couple of times and likely will drop one because of it. How will the bench do as the season drags on and freshman hit their traditional wall?

This team is so much fun to watch and I love that the Alford/Lick years are behind us. They play so hard and smart that every game is a treat to watch. They buy in defensively.

There is a lot of ball to be played and before unrealistic internet expectations get so far out of hand that these kids are expected to only drop a couple in league play we need to remember that many of us saw us as a bubble team and the experts had us as low as ninth in the league. I intend to enjoy each game in what is starting off to be a special season, but let's not get miserable and negative if we just get a solid NCAA and a decent seed.