Iowa State's road to the Final 4 is Clear Sailing; Purdue will CHOKE, guaranteed

[Franisdaman]

You have to feel good about Iowa State now and for their future.

Tonight will be an easy win vs a 12 seed.

Purdue always chokes, so ISU will easily defeat their opponent on Saturday.

ISU beats Kansas in the Sweet 16.

After that, its an easy win to advance to the Final 4, where I probably will predict them to win the National Championship.

Just remember. You heard it here first.

 

[Fan In Black]

Yep. I think walk to the Final Four. They may be tested after that but I think its theirs to lose.

 

[jamesvanderwulf]

So far, so good. PU down.

 

[War Hawkeye]

Uh yeah... I got Nevada winning tonight

 

[EZ2BJZ]

I think Iowa State is a good team but Ho--Lee---Shiz-nit.

 

[QChawks]

If the Hawks beat em they can't be that good

 

[Suterman]

Nevada is horrible. Undisciplined street ball. Cyclones by 20-30.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

I have them losing to the Boilers. Look really good when shots are falling, but due for a dud. I do think that Kansas can be had in the Elite 8.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

ISU has 2 things going for them that will lead to a deep run.

#1 PG play is huge, they have the best in the NCAA

#2 They have an athletic team w/shooters. They will make it to the final 4. Only they will have to get through MSU and not KU

 

[navyrules]

When you play the style that Nevada plays as a mid major it rarely translates successfully when you play a power 5 school. Especially if that power 5 school likes to play a similar way. This was a great matchup for ISU IMO. I really don't think it will be this easy vs. Purdue, they will do things to try to maintain a Purdue pace of the game. Should be a good matchup though. A real match up of different styles.

 

[And1Hawk]

ISU has to beat Louisville in the final 8 assuming they (UL) get there. This is an ideal region for them. Play in the Midwest with lots of Midwest teams. No east coast ACC teams. Perfect setup.

 

[aurorabimmer]

Off-topic from the thread but I'll ask anyway. Do many ISU players especially non-native Iowans, both football and basketball remain in the Ames area (Des Moines) after graduating or a pro career? It seems to me a fair amount of Iowa players remain in the Iowa City area. If I'm wrong let me know.

 

[Fire of Boognish]

yes they do, typically coaching, volunteer work, media personalities, etc

 

[navyrules]

yes they do, typically coaching, volunteer work, media personalities, etc

 

[Fire of Boognish]

done, do any you in eastern iowans listen to the kxno program with jess settles? I know it's broadcast there.

 

[RocknRollface]

ISU has 2 things going for them that will lead to a deep run.

#1 PG play is huge, they have the best in the NCAA

#2 They have an athletic team w/shooters. They will make it to the final 4. Only they will have to get through MSU and not KU

Morris is not the best pg in the country.

Lonzo Ball, Frank Mason, Nigel Williams Goss. Just to name a few.

 

[rufus-hawk]

Yep. I think walk to the Final Four. They may be tested after that but I think its theirs to lose.

It is never easy to make it to the Final Four, in fact the odds are against anyone not a one or two seed. I don't think they'll get there. Still, the Clones have been playing well, so we will see.

 

[Fan In Black]

It is never easy to make it to the Final Four, in fact the odds are against anyone not a one or two seed. I don't think they'll get there. Still, the Clones have been playing well, so we will see.

Reverse jinx, bro

 

[murph0]

Morris is not the best pg in the country.

Lonzo Ball, Frank Mason, Nigel Williams Goss. Just to name a few.

That would be about all of them, not just to name a few. He's certainly a top 4-5 PG in the country.
I don't see how ISU beats Purdue. There's too much size and the guards for Purdue are okay. ISU will definitely be out-rebounded and out-sized so they'll need to win pretty much every other battle to pull off that W.

 

[Keeker16]

I could see them running Purdue out of the gym, or I could see them getting mauled by the bigs. I know that is great analysis. They got a gift by being put in Milwaukee and KC in my opinion. Anywhere else and they probably have no chance because they wouldn't have as much of a fan presence.

 

[navyrules]

Reverse jinx, bro

 

[navyrules]

I could see them running Purdue out of the gym, or I could see them getting mauled by the bigs. I know that is great analysis. They got a gift by being put in Milwaukee and KC in my opinion. Anywhere else and they probably have no chance because they wouldn't have as much of a fan presence.

The thing about Purdue is that you don't see a team that plays like them much anymore. So until you get in there in play the style they like to play it's tough to simulate. I'm not an expert on ISU's schedule, but I'd bet they haven't seen this style of team with this type of bigs all year. That doesn't mean that ISU won't win, I just think it has proven to be an advantage for Purdue this year, especially in initial meetings. The second time around, many teams, like Iowa had more success.

 

[Keeker16]

The thing about Purdue is that you don't see a team that plays like them much anymore. So until you get in there in play the style they like to play it's tough to simulate. I'm not an expert on ISU's schedule, but I'd bet they haven't seen this style of team with this type of bigs all year. That doesn't mean that ISU won't win, I just think it has proven to be an advantage for Purdue this year, especially in initial meetings. The second time around, many teams, like Iowa had more success.

That's a good point and observation.

 

[K OKeefe]

The thing about Purdue is that you don't see a team that plays like them much anymore. So until you get in there in play the style they like to play it's tough to simulate. I'm not an expert on ISU's schedule, but I'd bet they haven't seen this style of team with this type of bigs all year. That doesn't mean that ISU won't win, I just think it has proven to be an advantage for Purdue this year, especially in initial meetings. The second time around, many teams, like Iowa had more success.

The Clowns played the Zags and it went right down to the wire with the Clowns having a shot to win at the buzzer. I think the Zags inside presence is comparable to Purdue and their guard play is superior to Purdue's guards. Having said that, it doesn't mean that the Clowns will win, but they certainly have a chance.

 

[flynnhicks03]

The thing about Purdue is that you don't see a team that plays like them much anymore. So until you get in there in play the style they like to play it's tough to simulate. I'm not an expert on ISU's schedule, but I'd bet they haven't seen this style of team with this type of bigs all year. That doesn't mean that ISU won't win, I just think it has proven to be an advantage for Purdue this year, especially in initial meetings. The second time around, many teams, like Iowa had more success.

Gonzaga, Cincinnati, Baylor? Not sure, I haven't seen Purdue play. Of course we were 1-4 against those teams, but they were all close. 'm hoping for the "run them out of the gym" scenario, but we'll see.

 

[navyrules]

Gonzaga, Cincinnati, Baylor? Not sure, I haven't seen Purdue play. Of course we were 1-4 against those teams, but they were all close. 'm hoping for the "run them out of the gym" scenario, but we'll see.

Good call on Gonzaga, they are probably comparable. That was early in the year and ISU is better now. Not sure about Cincy and Baylor but I could be wrong. Purdue is a bruising team, you rarely see that anymore. ISU will be ready, especially if they think they are an underdog.

 

[FairfIowafan1984]

Last year ISU had a easy road, also would have had Purdue in 4/5 matchup but Purdue got upset last year.

Right when ESPN BPI said vermonts 21 game winning streak was going down bc BPI(ESPN made up metric, also by far the worst)) gave them a 16 percent chance, I choose Vermont due to that.BPI was right for once.

It's guards that win you games in the tourney and Purdues are mid major guards.

 

[navyrules]

Last year ISU had a easy road, also would have had Purdue in 4/5 matchup but Purdue got upset last year.

Right when ESPN BPI said vermonts 21 game winning streak was going down bc BPI(ESPN made up metric, also by far the worst)) gave them a 16 percent chance, I choose Vermont due to that..

It's guards that win you games in the tourney and Purdues are mid major guards.

BPI is so dumb!

Not a big fan of the BPI metric myself. But correct me if I'm wrong, are you making fun of ESPN for being right about the Purdue-Vermont game?

I would also agree that in the modern age of basketball guard play has taken over traditional post play. However, some teams like Purdue can take advantage of being the anomaly. I think the matchup is a great contrast of styles and should be a good one.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think, unfortunately ISU has a pretty good shot to beat PU.

Their guards really aren't very good and Painter always wants to play Hass and Swanigan together even though it doesn't work well. They are much better with Vince Edwards at the 4.

 

[FairfIowafan1984]

Not a big fan of the BPI metric myself. But correct me if I'm wrong, are you making fun of ESPN for being right about the Purdue-Vermont game?

I would also agree that in the modern age of basketball guard play has taken over traditional post play. However, some teams like Purdue can take advantage of being the anomaly. I think the matchup is a great contrast of styles and should be a good one.

Yes, they had Iowa at a 9 percent chance of beating Wisconsin and Maryland. I was saying they got it right for once.

 

[Iafootballfan]

Before yesterday I would have said Purdue by 5. After watching games yesterday I'll say Iowa State by 2. They are firing on all cylinders

 

[Chalkdaddy94]

I could see them running Purdue out of the gym, or I could see them getting mauled by the bigs. I know that is great analysis. They got a gift by being put in Milwaukee and KC in my opinion. Anywhere else and they probably have no chance because they wouldn't have as much of a fan presence.

I have Purdue winning based on size. Who is going to be able to match up with Swanigan and Haas for ISU? Also to the original post I don't see ISU being good after this year. They are losing all of Hoiberg's recruits and will be extremely inexperienced next year...

 

[Lone Clone]

I have Purdue winning based on size. Who is going to be able to match up with Swanigan and Haas for ISU? Also to the original post I don't see ISU being good after this year. They are losing all of Hoiberg's recruits and will be extremely inexperienced next year...

Next year actually looks pretty good on paper. Probably not an NCAA team, but they should be good. Depends upon whether a couple of recruits are anywhere near as good as advertised, but Donovan Jackson, Solomon Young and Nick Weiler-Babb aren't a bad building base.

 

[Chalkdaddy94]

Next year actually looks pretty good on paper. Probably not an NCAA team, but they should be good. Depends upon whether a couple of recruits are anywhere near as good as advertised, but Donovan Jackson, Solomon Young and Nick Weiler-Babb aren't a bad building base.

Solomon Young is going to be a beast for the next 3 years. It is still going to be rough trying to replace Morris, Naz, Burton, And Thomas. That's 4 great seniors, plus Bowie. Could be a rough rebuilding year, but it does really depend on how your new recruits pan out. If they are anything like this years Iowa freshmen, then the state of Iowa is going to be well represented for years to come!

 

[EZ2BJZ]

College basketball is all about guard play. Long, Thomas, and Morris are playing great right now. You best believe they could make a deep run in the tourney. I actually would have picked them to go to the Elite 8/Final Four if they weren't playing (likely) Kansas in the Sweet 16. One, Kansas is familiar with Iowa State (duh) and two, after losing to them at home they will be out for blood. Also, I've seen this script played out so many times--a conference tourney champion lays an egg in the tournament. I would not be surprised in the least if Duke and/or Michigan get beat before Monday.

If Iowa State gets beats on Saturday, it won't be because they laid an egg, though. It will be because Purdue was able to impose their will. Conversely, if Iowa State wins on Saturday, it will be because they dictated tempo and play. No matter what, I think the game will be a blow out, either way. Iowa State wins big or Purdue wins big. Such a strong contrast in style.

For the record, I picked ISU. I think they win big. I think they spread Purdue out and overwhelm them with speed and 3 point shooting. Iowa State 82 Purdue 66.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

Next year actually looks pretty good on paper. Probably not an NCAA team, but they should be good. Depends upon whether a couple of recruits are anywhere near as good as advertised, but Donovan Jackson, Solomon Young and Nick Weiler-Babb aren't a bad building base.

Obviously, and I'm not insulting your intelligence because I know you know this, just adding to your point for everyone else, Iowa State will take an inevitable step back next year. You don't replace one the best PGs (a senior at that), unless of course you're Kentucky or Duke, and Burton, Long, and Thomas without a decline. It would be an insult to this great group of seniors to think otherwise.

With that said, to assume Iowa State won't be good down the road is a poor assumption. We just don't know. I agree with you. On paper, there's a good chance they will be competitive. But as an Iowa football fan, on paper doesn't mean much to me. Lol. We just don't know.

Hopefully, if you are Iowa State, the Cyclones can show flashes of brilliance next year (like the young Hawkeyes did this year) sans the head scratching losses (like to Omaha). Should be interesting.

 

[David1979]

The thing that makes me think ISU will win is that Michigan took the last two games from Purdue and they are probably the team in the Big Ten built most similar to ISU.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

ISU Bigs will pull Swanigan and Haas outside. That will open the lane. Burton will be matched up vs Swanigan. Purdue's guards are not that great, but if they get open looks and hit them, then it will be a long night.

I give the edges to ISU, they have a solid 4 out 1 in type of offense that will give Purdue's bigs fits. This is a game where I think Haas doesn't play much.

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

After watching yesterday's games I'm sticking to my prediction, Iowa St. will win. They're hitting their threes right now. They're going to need them because getting to the rim against Purdue is difficult.

 

[Keeker16]

When I watch Purdue compared to ISU, Purdue looks like they are wearing cement shoes.