Iowa is 8-1 over the first half of the B1G schedule; Iowa's first B1G title in 35 years?

[IronFist1776]

Not bad. Very not bad, as in wow, these guys have really surpassed my expectations. yes we lost the one game in embarrassing fashion but it wasn't a bad loss and we had every opportunity to win even after playing badly overall. If someone had told you that Iowa would be 8-1 over the first half of the B1G slate, you know you'd have taken that in a NY minute, esp. w/ some of the heavyweights we've played early. With the 9 games Iowa has left, I would say only 4 of them are "tough" games.
2/3 PSU W
2/7 @Ill W
2/11 @Ind ?
2/14 Minn W
2/17 @PSU W
2/24 Wis ?
2/27 @OSU W
3/1 Ind ?
3/5 @Mich ?
The other games Iowa should win, barring any serious injuries or extenuating circumstances. Also, i think everyone's schedule but Iowa's gets harder, incl. Indiana's. Although I have 4 games marked as question marks, Iowa has a great chance to win every one of those. Could this be Iowa's first B1G title since 1979?? I can see Iowa finishing up the last 9 games at 7-2. 15-3 could win the league. As we saw yesterday, Maryland is begging to get knocked off. I really would like to see them in Iowa City this season but if it happens at all, it'll be in the BTT. But MSU is basically eliminated, Purdue too so that leaves Indiana and Maryland. Indiana is streaky as heck but they are dangerous. But IMO they too are unpredictable like Maryland. Never know which team will show up. All that adds up to Iowa in the driver's seat to win the league. Thoughts?

 

[wneff]

Our last title was in 1979.

 

[IronFist1776]

Our last title was in 1979.

Fixed it, thanks. So no other thoughts? OK.

 

[EagleHawk]

Not bad. Very not bad, as in wow, these guys have really surpassed my expectations. yes we lost the one game in embarrassing fashion but it wasn't a bad loss and we had every opportunity to win even after playing badly overall. If someone had told you that Iowa would be 8-1 over the first half of the B1G slate, you know you'd have taken that in a NY minute, esp. w/ some of the heavyweights we've played early. With the 9 games Iowa has left, I would say only 4 of them are "tough" games.
2/3 PSU W
2/7 @Ill W
2/11 @Ind ?
2/14 Minn W
2/17 @PSU W
2/24 Wis ?
2/27 @OSU W
3/1 Ind ?
3/5 @Mich ?
The other games Iowa should win, barring any serious injuries or extenuating circumstances. Also, i think everyone's schedule but Iowa's gets harder, incl. Indiana's. Although I have 4 games marked as question marks, Iowa has a great chance to win every one of those. Could this be Iowa's first B1G title since 1979?? I can see Iowa finishing up the last 9 games at 7-2. 15-3 could win the league. As we saw yesterday, Maryland is begging to get knocked off. I really would like to see them in Iowa City this season but if it happens at all, it'll be in the BTT. But MSU is basically eliminated, Purdue too so that leaves Indiana and Maryland. Indiana is streaky as heck but they are dangerous. But IMO they too are unpredictable like Maryland. Never know which team will show up. All that adds up to Iowa in the driver's seat to win the league. Thoughts?

1. Dont forget about Michigan
2. How was that loss embarrassing?

 

[bigfische]

What new thoughts are you looking for? The chance of winning the conference is basically all that's been discussed since the second MSU win. There isn't much new to say at this point. We win the games, we win the BIG.

 

[IronFist1776]

1. Dont forget about Michigan
2. How was that loss embarrassing?

1.Just that Iowa didn't play their game. Although Maryland played good defense w/ a formidable frontline, Iowa missed plenty of open shots.
2. I didn't forget Michigan and I marked that game as a ?

 

[IronFist1776]

What new thoughts are you looking for? The chance of winning the conference is basically all that's been discussed since the second MSU win. There isn't much new to say at this point. We win the games, we win the BIG.

Just want to chat, big guy. If you don't want to, feel free not to.

 

[HoustonHawkeye]

Just that Iowa didn't play their game. Although Maryland played good defense w/ a formidable frontline, Iowa missed plenty of open shots.

You did watch the Iowa vs Maryland game (especially the 2nd half where Maryland went 0-10 on 3 point range)?

 

[Im4Iowa]

1.Just that Iowa didn't play their game. Although Maryland played good defense w/ a formidable frontline, Iowa missed plenty of open shots.
2. I didn't forget Michigan and I marked that game as a ?

I think he meant, don't forget about Mich as a possible title contender. Only 2 losses so far and could be getting their best player back soon, too.

 

[Pepperman]

2/3 PSU W
2/7 @Ill W (?)
2/11 @Ind ?
2/14 Minn W
2/17 @PSU W (?)
2/24 Wis ?
2/27 @OSU W (?)
3/1 Ind ?
3/5 @Mich ?

Agree with your sentiment that 8-1 is an excellent result for the first half of this B1G schedule.

As for the above, here's what I'd say - Penn State is a nuisance of a program for us, especially on the road in Happy Valley. I am not sure I'd chalk both up as sure wins. I'd put a question mark on the one at their place. Minnesota is a team that is on the brink of getting a couple conference wins. Similar to PSU, they can be a nuisance for us, but at least we get them at home. As for the "W" you've put next to the two road games at Illinois and at OSU, I disagree. Both should be question marks (road games in the B1G are just that way). Put it this way, I see at OSU as just as tough of a game as playing Wisconsin in Carver...

When I do my back of the envelope math on the final 9 games, I get 6-3 most likely as I've got 7 question marks up there now and I'll say we go 4-3 in those games... I am afraid 14-4 won't win this league. Then again, looking at the teams we've already beaten, I get the optimism some would have.

 

[hawkifann]

Iowa will need to keep foot to gas if they're going to win the B1G. I think Maryland has a really good chance to get to 15-3 and, as others have said, Michigan is right there. Here's my take on the top four teams in the B1G the rest of the way:

Iowa (8-1, 17-4): PSU W, @ Illinois W, @ Indiana L, Minnesota W, @ PSU W, Wisconsin W, @ OSU L, Indiana W, @ Michigan W....would finish 15-3, 24-6.
Indiana (8-1, 18-4): @ Michigan L, @ PSU W, Iowa W, @ MSU L, Nebraska W, Purdue L, @ Illinois W, @ Iowa L, Maryland L...would finish 12-6, 22-9.
Maryland (8-2, 19-3): @ Nebraska W, Purdue W, Wisconsin W, @ Minnesota W, Michigan W, @ Purdue L, Illinois W @ Indiana W...would finish 15-3, 26-4.
Michigan (7-2, 17-5): Indiana W, MSU L, @ Minny W, Purdue L, @ OSU L, @ Maryland L, Northwestern W, @ Wisconsin W, Iowa L...would finish 11-7, 21-9

If that happened, Iowa would share the title with Maryland at 15-3, but Maryland would get the #1 seed in the B1G tourney, thanks to the head-to-head win. Here's how I see the B1G final standings shaking out for tourney seeds:

1. Maryland 15-3
2. Iowa 15-3
3. Michigan St. 13-5
4. Purdue 12-6
5. Indiana 12-6
6. OSU 11-7
7. Michigan 11-7
8. Wisconsin 8-10
9. Nebraska 8-10
10. Northwestern 7-11
11. PSU 5-12
12. Illinois 5-12
13. Minnesota 2-16
14. Rutgers 1-17

So the tournament would look like this:

1st Round
PSU vs. Rutgers
Illinois vs. Minnesota

2nd Round
Wisconsin vs. Nebraska
Indiana vs. Illinois/Minnesota
Michigan vs. Northwestern
OSU vs. PSU/Rutgers

Quarterfinals
Maryland vs. Wisconsin/Nebraska
Purdue vs. Indiana/Illinois/Minnesota
MSU vs. OSU/PSU/Rutgers
Iowa vs. Michigan/Northwestern

Semifinals
Maryland winner vs. Purdue winner
Iowa winner vs. MSU winner

 

[Suterman]

I guess I don't see Maryland finishing @ 15-3. I think 14-4. If Iowa goes 7-2 the rest of the way, I think we've got it.

 

[torbee]

Here's the million dollar question----is Iowa REALLY an elite, Top 5 team?

If the answer is yes, then road games at PSU and OSU are not question mark games. Those are games elite teams go, win and take care of business in relatively easily.

If the answer is no, then 14-4 or worse and a 2nd or 3rd place finish is likely.

I have seen nothing since the Big 10 league race started - inlcuding the Maryland loss - that makes me think Iowa is a pretender or fraud as a Top 5, 1 or 2 seed team. Therefore, I think 15-3 is the floor for these guys down the stretch!

 

[Herkuleez]

Every game should be treated like we'll be entering into a vicious cockfight.

 

[RocknRollface]

Wisconsin at home question mark?

 

[IronFist1776]

Wisconsin at home question mark?

I know Bo Ryan is gone but out of respect for what they've done in the past, I put down a ? . IMO if Wiscy brings it, they can win. I don't see that happening but as they say, that's why they play the games.

 

[torbee]

I know Bo Ryan is gone but out of respect for what they've done in the past, I put down a ? . IMO if Wiscy brings it, they can win. I don't see that happening but as they say, that's why they play the games.

I don't think they have good enough guard play this year to stay with Iowa.

 

[hawkifann]

I guess I don't see Maryland finishing @ 15-3. I think 14-4. If Iowa goes 7-2 the rest of the way, I think we've got it.

I'm with you given the ways they can occasionally get sloppy and/or not bring full intensity, but look at their remaining schedule:

Maryland (8-2, 19-3): @ Nebraska W, Purdue W, Wisconsin W, @ Minnesota W, Michigan W, @ Purdue L, Illinois W @ Indiana W...would finish 15-3, 26-4.

I'm having a hard time finding another loss. I don't think they'll lose any of their home games -- but maybe if Lavert is back for Michigan and they just go off from long range, maybe they could pull the upset.....but I think the Terps have this one circled as a revenge game now. That leaves Nebraska, Minnesota, Purdue and Indiana. Maybe Nebraska clips them on a long road trip. I think they will lose at Purdue. Maybe they lose at Indiana, but I don't think Indiana can handle their bigs.

They could drop a couple down the stretch, but I'm having a hard time seeing more than one loss. They have a pretty favorable schedule remaining.

 

[And1Hawk]

As others have said and I agree that we have to go 7-2 in the next 9 to get an out right or share of the B1G title. We'll see how it shakes out.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

Why not end all doubt and go 9-0?

 

[Pepperman]

Here's the million dollar question----is Iowa REALLY an elite, Top 5 team?

If the answer is yes, then road games at PSU and OSU are not question mark games. Those are games elite teams go, win and take care of business in relatively easily.

I agree with this as well - and I don't personally know yet if Iowa's an elite top 5 type team. I know this board's mantra is "Iowa can go toe to toe with anybody in NCAA basketball this year"... but really nothing else needs to be said aside from what Torbee typed above.

 

[torbee]

I'm with you given the ways they can occasionally get sloppy and/or not bring full intensity, but look at their remaining schedule:

Maryland (8-2, 19-3): @ Nebraska W, Purdue W, Wisconsin W, @ Minnesota W, Michigan W, @ Purdue L, Illinois W @ Indiana W...would finish 15-3, 26-4.

I'm having a hard time finding another loss. I don't think they'll lose any of their home games -- but maybe if Lavert is back for Michigan and they just go off from long range, maybe they could pull the upset.....but I think the Terps have this one circled as a revenge game now. That leaves Nebraska, Minnesota, Purdue and Indiana. Maybe Nebraska clips them on a long road trip. I think they will lose at Purdue. Maybe they lose at Indiana, but I don't think Indiana can handle their bigs.

They could drop a couple down the stretch, but I'm having a hard time seeing more than one loss. They have a pretty favorable schedule remaining.

@Nebraska could be tricky for Maryland.

It's literally the longest road trip you can make in the Big 10, and I have to believe that Maryland would overlook the Huskers a bit and not take into account they can get a pretty good home environment out there in their new arena. Classic trap game, IMO, and if Shields gets hot, Nebby can be dangerous.

Is it a likely loss? Nope. But would it surprise me? Also, nope.

 

[hawkifann]

@Nebraska could be tricky for Maryland.

It's literally the longest road trip you can make in the Big 10, and I have to believe that Maryland would overlook the Huskers a bit and not take into account they can get a pretty good home environment out there in their new arena. Classic trap game, IMO, and if Shields gets hot, Nebby can be dangerous.

Is it a likely loss? Nope. But would it surprise me? Also, nope.

I agree with that. When you look at the top B1G teams, I think Iowa and Maryland, in particular, are capable of winning any game left on the schedule....but I don't expect either to actually finish 9-0. There are just too many times when 20 year olds can lose focus or a team could just have an off night or the opponent just has their game of the year. I would be surprised if Nebraska beat Maryland, but not shocked. You have to show up to win on the road, especially when you have long travel and a relatively hostile environment.

 

[Ronman]

I just wonder if PSU will make it to Iowa City for the Wednesday game. We're going to be in the middle of a possible blizzard. I hope this doesn't turn into another "Indiana" distraction.

 

[El Simbolo]

Since our last B10 championship in 79 have ever been 8-1 at the turn? Surely 13-5 1979 team wasn't. 1987 started 18-0 but was 7-2 at halfway point of Conf play

 

[OnceAhawk]

some how, some way i think we finish 14-4, one game behind Maryland (15-3)

You can see that discussion and others' final B1G regular season record predictions in this thread: https://iowa.forums.rivals.com/thre...standings-of-current-top-4-teams.84907/page-2

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I agree with this as well - and I don't personally know yet if Iowa's an elite top 5 type team. I know this board's mantra is "Iowa can go toe to toe with anybody in NCAA basketball this year"... but really nothing else needs to be said aside from what Torbee typed above.

In most years, no. But this isn't most years. It's as wide open a race as there has been for quite a while.
Iowa doesn't have to be better than the 2015 duke or kentucky teams. It's only this years that are a concern.
I wouldn't put any of the teams this year in the elite category.

 

[The Sleeping Dog]

Think that we hold at home for an undefeated home season. Lose at tOSU, Michigan and Indiana for a 14-4.

My pick for a huge blow out win is taking out years of frustration and I'm sure a little hatred for Bucky.

The officiating will be important. I've lived through watching the officials literally flip a switch to wreck at least five seasons where Iowa really did have a ton of talent. In 82, 87-89 and 95 multiple conference losses were the product of what was simply dishonest officiating.

However, on the optimistic side most of those really crooked old pukes are retired and the NCAA, probably as a result of instant reply hitting millions of cell phones, appears to be riding a little tighter herd on the officials. Hopefully it stays straight up and the boys decide the games on the floor.

 

[RocknRollface]

I'm with you given the ways they can occasionally get sloppy and/or not bring full intensity, but look at their remaining schedule:

Maryland (8-2, 19-3): @ Nebraska W, Purdue W, Wisconsin W, @ Minnesota W, Michigan W, @ Purdue L, Illinois W @ Indiana W...would finish 15-3, 26-4.

I'm having a hard time finding another loss. I don't think they'll lose any of their home games -- but maybe if Lavert is back for Michigan and they just go off from long range, maybe they could pull the upset.....but I think the Terps have this one circled as a revenge game now. That leaves Nebraska, Minnesota, Purdue and Indiana. Maybe Nebraska clips them on a long road trip. I think they will lose at Purdue. Maybe they lose at Indiana, but I don't think Indiana can handle their bigs.

They could drop a couple down the stretch, but I'm having a hard time seeing more than one loss. They have a pretty favorable schedule remaining.

Thomas Bryant and Troy Williams actually match up pretty well with Stone and Carter IMO.

I definitely plan to watch Maryland vs Indiana and Maryland vs Purdue.

 

[hawkifann]

Thomas Bryant and Troy Williams actually match up pretty well with Stone and Carter IMO.

I definitely plan to watch Maryland vs Indiana and Maryland vs Purdue.

I could be wrong, I just think Maryland has more total size. It's not just Carter and Stone, they also have Layman and Dodd. We'll see. Indiana may match up better against Maryland than Purdue.

 

[RocknRollface]

I could be wrong, I just think Maryland has more total size. It's not just Carter and Stone, they also have Layman and Dodd. We'll see. Indiana may match up better against Maryland than Purdue.

IU also has the Michigan transfer thats a big body cant think of his name.

Laymans more of a perimeter player and out side shooter even though he is tall.

I actually think Purdue will have a decent advantage inside on Maryland. Stone can't handle Hammonds without help and Carter will have his hands full keeping Swanigan off the boards.

If Purdue is going to have problems anywhere it will be in the back court IMO. They are going to have trouble getting into their offense similar to against Iowa. Sulimon might be a nightmare for their few decent ballhandlers.

Lots of interesting matchups with the top 6 in this conference.