ESPN's C.L. Brown picks Iowa over MSU

[IronFist1776]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...dictions-upset-city-iowa-spartans-take-a-fall

IMO it sounds like he's just trying to make a surprising splash pick. If he's wrong, oh well. If he's right, he's brilliant. Guess we'll see. But I was hoping to hear that he saw something in the Hawks that he liked.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Iowa has shown flashes of brilliance this year. Just nothing consistent. They have a decent shot of knocking off Michigan State.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

They can play with MSU, there is no question. The problem lies within the 6in space between the Iowa players ears. They can play great for 38min, but the second it gets down to crunch time, that old 6in space starts working overtime and they wilt and make mistakes.

I think it will be a ballgame for about 30-35min, but in the end MSU will pull away. They are physically and mentally more tough than the hawkeyes and they will flex their muscles down the stretch. They will get in Iowa's grill on defense and MSU will hit some shots down the stretch.


MSU 79
Iowa 68

 

[IronFist1776]

They can play with MSU, there is no question. The problem lies within the 6in space between the Iowa players ears. They can play great for 38min, but the second it gets down to crunch time, that old 6in space starts working overtime and they wilt and make mistakes.

I think it will be a ballgame for about 30-35min, but in the end MSU will pull away. They are physically and mentally more tough than the hawkeyes and they will flex their muscles down the stretch. They will get in Iowa's grill on defense and MSU will hit some shots down the stretch.


MSU 79
Iowa 68

You said what I've been saying for years: we always seem to lack composure or mental toughness at the end of big, close games. When we beat UNC @ Chapel Hill, I thought we had finally arrived. But then the games we lost afterwards, it was because of mental errors or because the moment just seemed too big for them.

 

[Chicityhawkfan]

Hawks are favored by 3 so Vegas wouldn't see it as much of an upset...

 

[24to12]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask...dictions-upset-city-iowa-spartans-take-a-fall

IMO it sounds like he's just trying to make a surprising splash pick. If he's wrong, oh well. If he's right, he's brilliant. Guess we'll see. But I was hoping to hear that he saw something in the Hawks that he liked.

It would not be a big upset. Hawks are tough; they are playing at home; and Spartans are without their best player. Even with Valentine it would be a tough W for Sparty; without him the odds definitely favor Iowa. This is a great chance for the Hawks to steal a game in the conference against a top team. Would be bad to blow that opportunity.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

They can play with MSU, there is no question. The problem lies within the 6in space between the Iowa players ears. They can play great for 38min, but the second it gets down to crunch time, that old 6in space starts working overtime and they wilt and make mistakes.

I think it will be a ballgame for about 30-35min, but in the end MSU will pull away. They are physically and mentally more tough than the hawkeyes and they will flex their muscles down the stretch. They will get in Iowa's grill on defense and MSU will hit some shots down the stretch.


MSU 79
Iowa 68

Good analysis.
Hawks have to prove they can be both mentally and physically tough when it comes to the end of a tight game against a highly ranked opponent.
While the win at unc was a good one, that was many games ago now. And it was only one.

Well, here's another chance for them to show that wasn't a fluke. Valentine's out. Hawks have their full complement. The stage is set. Let's see if they step up.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Yes, it would be bad to blow this opportunity, but the Hawkeyes have done it over and over again, especially vs. MSU. Until Iowa beats the Spartans somewhere, anywhere, no matter who is or isn't playing for MSU, color me skeptical. How Iowa can be favored is beyond me. I guess Vegas hasn't heard about the ISU finish or the multitude of similar meltdowns, including recent examples, in Iowa City, against undermanned MSU teams.

So yah, Iowa COULD win, but one thing Fran's Hawkeyes have taught me is this: Don't believe it til ya see it.

 

[revkev73]

If the threes are falling...and the pace is fast...Iowa.

Unfortunately, when they aren't falling, and the vise tightens, defense takes over, the pace slows, Iowa most often demonstrates how emotionally fragile they are...and disappear into the historical Hawkeye fog of what might have been.

We will see...we will just see... We have experienced seniors...but their years of service have been in the fog too often.