Is there ANY WAY this team can snap out of it and make an NCAA run?

[MeetTheFerentz]

We all have seen this team's potential. When they are playing well they can beat anyone. Obviously, we haven't seen that team for quite some time, but it seems to me that there are examples of a team limping into the NCAA Tourney, then suddenly getting hot. This team has a week to sit and think about what has gone wrong these past 4 weeks, as they watch other teams taking center stage. It's gut-check time for these seniors. What great medicine it would be for them to turn it around and lead our beloved Hawks on an improbable run.

 

[markfromj]

Yes.

 

[hawkeye54545]

Of course. Then we won't hear from about 100 posters until eliminated from the tourney.

 

[CAhawki]

I would love to see it happen. I just don't know if this squad has the stones to do it. It be nice to find that emotional leader to pick them up. But if they havnt found one now, they won't in the next week.

Prove me wrong, Hawks!!!

 

[Scott559]

I'm an eternal optimist so yup, Things can get turned around, Confidence is a funny thing, I can come and go and you never know what will trigger it to move in either direction.

 

[ANYCHawk]

No.

 

[hawkeyemike23]

Maybe if we forget to bring Gesell to the game.

 

[madmustang4]

Possible yes, probable doubtful.
Don't see any signs of team regaining mid season form.

 

[Calhill]

Zero

 

[DirtyJohns97]

I can see us losing the first game, yes. But if we win that one, i say look out, we could start rolling

 

[StormHawk42]

Will be nice not going against teams that haven't scouted us a lot. Having said that, we need to find our defense again. Doesn't seem like we're going to be scoring in the 80's again anytime soon. Defense can get us going. Just not sure if it will magically show up or not.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

God no

 

[Oldgold51]

Yes.
All year I have argued having MG and Sapp in tandem at the guard positions was eventually going be our undoing. They are pitiful offensive players.

The solution, given what we have, has been obvious: 1) move Jok to the
off guard; 2) have Uhl and Baer share minutes at small forward; and, 3) let MG and Sapp share the point.

While not a perfect solution, I think it would improve the shooting and rebounding. But, it should have been tried months ago. It is probably too late now.

 

[kzoohawk80]

After this game and the seed we are going to get it's going to be tough. I got that feeling it's going to be like last year. Big win in the first round game followed by losing to a higher seed.

 

[jdw10224405]

 

[onlyonenow]

One good thing is that this might make Fran willing to take some chances in the first NCAA game if we are not playing well right out of the box.

This team is a fluke- several players had career highlights basically as regards how well they played. Several at the very same time. That gave the illusion this was a top 20 which it NEVER WAS.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Sure, they could make a run. Looks improbable, though.

 

[GPRHAWK]

The way we are playing I doubt we win even one game. With the seed we will get the chances of winning our second game appears next to none, especially with our inability to win close games. Not like we are going to blow out a 1 or 2 seed in the second round (or third round or whatever u call it now).

 

[QChawks]

Lol

 

[grosie#2]

Once Iowa started loosing the way they have it's going to be hard to turn it around. It's not just one player playing badly but most of the team. The guard play has been really poor. It's going to take more then one player to pick the team up.I doubt the talent is there to do it..

 

[83Hawk]

We all have seen this team's potential. When they are playing well they can beat anyone. Obviously, we haven't seen that team for quite some time, but it seems to me that there are examples of a team limping into the NCAA Tourney, then suddenly getting hot. This team has a week to sit and think about what has gone wrong these past 4 weeks, as they watch other teams taking center stage. It's gut-check time for these seniors. What great medicine it would be for them to turn it around and lead our beloved Hawks on an improbable run.

Can they? Yes! Will they? We will find out.

They had 5 days before today's game to think about what had gone wrong the past 4 weeks, and it didn't seem to make a difference. But you are correct....it is gut check time. Hopefully they respond well!

 

[skydog0784]

One and done max

 

[GenericHawk]

Apart from a few freak games every year, most games in the tournament come down to the wire, and the team with the stones and technical ability and stamina to put the game away in the final seconds will go far. We are not that team this year. I still hope they win a couple games but I'm not betting.

 

[SotaHawk87]

Define run.. If given a soft 11 seed maybe but no way of making sweet 16.. ZERRRRO

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

The people that could see a run, what planet are you on? Have you not watched this team the past 4 weeks? They have every trait in a team to be bounced early if not the first day. No toughness, defense is horrendous, 2 starting senior guards who can't make shots, a center who is no scoring threat. It's now the NCAA tournament so all of those things will just magically happen? I don't think so. This team is fatally broken and their problems aren't just going to be corrected overnight.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I want them to, but realistically I just don't see it.

Our team is all "talk" and no action. I mean these guys were talking up themselves after the Michigan game and kept saying that they were this and that. Clemmons was saying this was his chance to show the Big Ten Media and coaches why he should of been on the "all defensive team". Well he showed them how smart they were by not picking him.

I just do not see it, they have zero confidence going for them and they just are too one dimensional to succeed in the tourney. We have zero post game and rely on jump shots. Just not a recipe for a long stay in the tournament.

 

[KeyWest Tim]

Even if we could win 1 more game.

So what?

What does that make our record for the past 8 games!

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

Lol any chance I can win the Powerball?

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

We'd have to play a really soft team like last year. If we play a team with an ounce of toughness, we done.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I hope they don't. A win in the tourney masks dreadful recruiting and another late season fade. Fran needs to have expectations increased, not his salary. They will get matched up with some team with jet quick guards and athletic wings who will expose our lack of athleticism again.

 

[EZ2BJZ]

The only reason you might be tempted to think so is because they are now out of conference play and will be playing teams who won't be familiar with them.

I know this point has been belabored but it really depends on Mike Gesell. And I mean that in a positive sense. When he was playing well in January the team was soaring. Any team who wants to make a deep run in March has to get solid play from the PG/G position.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

You need to have some pride and a competitive bone in your body to make a run. This group has neither

 

[Suterman]

Of course we could get on a roll. The other players need to make some shots. If we score like we did in January then we will be very tough to beat. If our starting guards score 2 points total, we are going to lose every game.

 

[farfaraway]

Logic tells me I am exaggerating but...I have a feeling any at large team should be favored against us. Except for a tiny handful of conference winners, every team at the dance will be better than we are right now. That doesn't mean we can't win there; but even if we do, I can't shake the feeling we are taking a spot from somebody who deserves to be there more than we do.

 

[HawkLogic]

They weren't tough enough to win B1G, win senior night, win in BTT. Stick a fork in these guys. Woody, gesell, Clemmons should be benched.

 

[MepoDawg#]

Iowa will be the popular 7 seed picked to lose.

 

[pkaul666]

We all have seen this team's potential. When they are playing well they can beat anyone. Obviously, we haven't seen that team for quite some time, but it seems to me that there are examples of a team limping into the NCAA Tourney, then suddenly getting hot. This team has a week to sit and think about what has gone wrong these past 4 weeks, as they watch other teams taking center stage. It's gut-check time for these seniors. What great medicine it would be for them to turn it around and lead our beloved Hawks on an improbable run.

No chance.

 

[billshawks]

[QUwe're an 8 or 9"DirtyJohns97, post: 2399004, member: 738"]I can see us losing the first game, yes. But if we win that one, i say look out, we could start rolling[/QUOTE]
If we're an 8 or 9 seed, we get beat by 25 from a 1 seed. Game. Set. Match. Time for new blood.

 

[larrygreenwallswildride]

They better hope for the worst 3pt shooting team in the tourney.

Also the least speedy.

And the least motivation.

And if there if a team in the nation that is better at choking.....that team.

They gots a chance!

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

We all have seen this team's potential. When they are playing well they can beat anyone. Obviously, we haven't seen that team for quite some time, but it seems to me that there are examples of a team limping into the NCAA Tourney, then suddenly getting hot. This team has a week to sit and think about what has gone wrong these past 4 weeks, as they watch other teams taking center stage. It's gut-check time for these seniors. What great medicine it would be for them to turn it around and lead our beloved Hawks on an improbable run.

Yes they can...they have the ability. I'm just not optimistic....