That is kind of impressive actually.
Just wish we could do something when we get there.
Just look at our defense for your answer on why we haven't done anything.
I realize most Iowa fans simply want to make a Sweet 16. However, over the last 20 seasons, KenPom has shown that your defense needs to be ranked
at least the following to achieve higher goals:
70: to make a Final 4
22: to win a National Championship
And speaking of Final Fours and National Championships, just go back 2 seasons to the
2021 NCAA Tournament, where we were a #2 seed and were thinking Final 4 because we essentially had
4 NBA players on that team: Luka, Joe, Keegan and Kris. Unfortunately we only advanced to the round of 32 (we scored 80 vs Oregon but gave up 95).
And that 2021 team's defense ranking was just #75, which, again, is not good enough for a Final 4 (you need to be 70 or better).
Our offense is as good as ever this year (currently #6 in the nation). Many thought Iowa's defense would be better this year with JBo gone and with him being replaced by Ahron Ulis in the starting lineup.
Last year's defense finished ranked #80. This year? We currently are #142. Iowa is DEAD LAST in the B1G in defense. Sound familiar?
Of the 20 national champions tracked by KenPom:
* the lowest any National Champion finished in
Offensive Efficiency was 39th (2014 UConn)
* the lowest any finished in
Defensive Efficiency was 22nd (2021 Baylor).
Based on this, Purdue looks like the only true national title contender from the B1G.
The B1G teams ranked by defense (per KenPom):
Defense..
Offense...Team
Rank........
Rank........
Rank
2.................132............16.....Rutgers
16.................76...........30....Michigan State
17.................49...........20.....Illinois
23..................7..............4.....Purdue
25................98...........47.....Northwestern
27.................42...........25.....Maryland
29...............146...........71.....Wisconsin
37..................18...........19.....Indiana
59...............179..........102....Nebraska
68................46...........53.....Michigan
94................27............51.....Ohio State
115................21...........55.....Penn State
137............299..........224....Minnesota
142..............6..........34....Iowa
