Next 5: Anything less than 2-3 is a kick in the gut...amirite?

[Herkuleez]

We all want to believe this team is legit and the start to conference play isn't a fluke. Many of us believe this is Fran's best team by far, so expecting this current high-level play to continue isn't all that unrealistic...not with the upperclassmen leading the way. These next five should tell the story on whether we've actually "arrived" or not.

I think we go 3-2, but legitimately 2-3 keeps us solidly in the running for a top 4 finish, which was my original prediction to friends/co-workers offline. The remaining 10 games aren't necessary a cake walk (shit happens), but with how this team is playing I think 8-2 is realistic with no worse than 6-4 if you factor in a couple of stumbles.

 

[SSG T]

I'd be mildly disappointed with 3-2. I think they win the three at home. I also think they can split @MD and @MSU. Do I expect 4-1 or 5-0? Absolutely not, but I think they can do either.

 

[nattybumpo]

Given the schedule in the next five games, I expect 2-3, and yes, anything less than that would be disappointing. On the flip side, if we go 3-2 or better (!), I think that makes us the clear favorite to win the regular season title, and, barring a late season collapse, should guarantee a top 4 seed in the NCAA tourney.

 

[StormHawk42]

Yes 2-3 should be the floor. But 3-2 (including a win over Maryland) would put us in the drivers seat for the conference title and a huge seed at the Dance. Winning at the Bres will be a tall order though.

 

[jhawkinaz]

4-1 = clear front runner for Big 10 Title

3-2 = right in the mix, let the dog fight commence!

2-3 = not out of it, but would need some breaks.

1-4 = could still rebound for a top 3-4 finish, but a title would be most likely off the table.

I didn't list 5-0 or 0-5 because I give either of those basically no chance of happening. Boy this winter could be a lot of fun!!

 

[Hawkiz13]

Big stretch coming....should learn a lot about this team over the next 5. I expect 3-2....anything more is a bonus and anything less is disappointing. If this team plays like it should, they won't lose at home and they won't lose to Rutgers anywhere. Expecting them to win in Maryland or Mich St is ludicrous and would definitely be a bonus and the drivers seat for the reg season title. I think winning in MD is more likely than MSU, although I don't give them a realistic shot in either gym (and that's just based on Fran vs. Turgeon recent history)

 

[unIowa]

I'd be mildly disappointed with 3-2. I think they win the three at home. I also think they can split @MD and @MSU. Do I expect 4-1 or 5-0? Absolutely not, but I think they can do either.

Sign me up for 3-2 right now. This will be a tough stretch, hell it already has been.

 

[gojojo]

Sign me up for 3-2 right now. This will be a tough stretch, hell it already has been.

exactly. I would be shocked with 4-1. Winning at either MSU or Maryland would be the biggest win for Iowa in many, many years. 3-2 would be very nice

 

[unIowa]

exactly. I would be shocked with 4-1. Winning at either MSU or Maryland would be the biggest win for Iowa in many, many years. 3-2 would be very nice

Purdue isn't going to be a cake-walk in IC either. They certainly have the talent to beat us even on our home court.

I won't be all that upset with 2 - 3 if I am being honest.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

4-1 = clear front runner for Big 10 Title

3-2 = right in the mix, let the dog fight commence!

2-3 = not out of it, but would need some breaks.

1-4 = could still rebound for a top 3-4 finish, but a title would be most likely off the table.

I didn't list 5-0 or 0-5 because I give either of those basically no chance of happening. Boy this winter could be a lot of fun!!

This pretty much sums it up best for me too. What sucks is just how difficult our schedule has been in comparison to others - home or away, especially those teams at the top with us. You are looking around at the games and schedules and think wow, nothing in comparison, risks are far lower then what Iowa is up against. I realize some teams have injuries but it hurt us too to lose Dale Jones who I think would be impacting our play quite a bit by now. He was a talent, another bucket maker off the bench, a great shooter from a distance too with great size.

 

[GT Hawkaholic]

We have @MSU, @Maryland, vs. Michigan and vs. Purdue. I'm not counting Rutgers in this stretch.

I'd be thrilled with a split of these 4 in any way, shape or form. All top 50 teams come year end IMO. It'd be awesome to pick up another top road win because those are huge come tournament time. We definitely didn't get dealt an easy start to B1G play, it's brutal in fact but it also gives us good chances at quality wins.

I'll take a stab at it and say we lose to MSU and Purdue, while pulling an upset at Maryland andbeating Michigan.

 

[DanL53]

I'm concerned with the first one after the layoff. Michigan State, at their place, with Valentine back. Izzo is going to want to put the hurt on us. Purdue in Iowa City is interesting as I'm not sure what they can do after our press exposed them so well. I'm going to say, guess, that we could come out 3-2 with losses at Michigan State and Maryland. Feeling like the odds are:

4-1, 10%
3-2, 60%
2-3, 30%

 

[C/Seahawk]

I'd be mildly disappointed with 3-2. I think they win the three at home. I also think they can split @MD and @MSU. Do I expect 4-1 or 5-0? Absolutely not, but I think they can do either.

I wouldn't be disappointed with 3-2 in the least bit, starting out at 6-2 in the B1G with the schedule we've had would be tremendous.

 

[thewop]

2-3 is ok, 3-2+ and I'm happy. In my head I count MSU and MD as probable losses, and would be happy with going 2-1 in the other 3.

It would be great to beat a team like MSU or MD on the road though...

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

Simple, win ALL of the home games, battle on the road and if fortunate enough to be in the game under 5 minutes to go, get it done!

 

[SDHawkDoc]

3-2 would be good.
2-3 would be OK, holding serve.

Anything less than 2 wins and we'll see a busy exodus from the back of the bandwagon.

 

[Pepperman]

Anything less than 2 wins and we'll see a busy exodus from the back of the bandwagon.

I'm not sure I agree with this. If the team doesn't qualify for the NCAA tourney, then fans will be disappointed. Call me crazy, but that was (and for me is still) the goal for this season?

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I'm not sure I agree with this. If the team doesn't qualify for the NCAA tourney, then fans will be disappointed. Call me crazy, but that was (and for me is still) the goal for this season?

Not everyone will jump of course.
But, there are more than a few yo-yo personalities on this board. Just like every other fan board.
They live at the extremes. For them a team is either destined for greatness, or they suck. No middle ground.

As with you, I'm looking for an NCAA tourney bid. 10 wins in conference play certainly should get them there now with the msu and pu wins already in the bank.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

I am not going to call 5-0, but barring injury, I will call 4-1.

 

[yerpHAWK]

Michigan and Purdue are no gimmes, so if we can be 3-2, we should be ecstatic.

The rest of the schedule is coast mode.

I do like how our game vs Maryland is on espnu, which could be a battle vs top 15 teams. Fail.

 

[johnnashhawk]

It's difficult to expect a w at MSU or MD as a fan. Our home court hasn't been a "pit" for a while, but I haven't scouted ;-) UM. agree with the poster that said win your home games and hope to steal a couple on the road. The win at Pur was big until you lose a home game. MSU is annually in every game, home or away. I think that is what we need to aspire to be. and like our football team, they had focus on each game next on the schedule. This team seems to have reached that same level of focus. I hope it's sustainable.

Why does the ACC not have as big of a home court advantage as b10? Officiating? Coaching? I would like to hear opinions on that question.

 

[Ronman]

I'm not sure I agree with this. If the team doesn't qualify for the NCAA tourney, then fans will be disappointed. Call me crazy, but that was (and for me is still) the goal for this season?

We'll have the usual cadre of posters crawl out of the woodwork and make an appearance if we lose at MSU....Team has no guts... McCaffery can't coach...guards suck...blah, blah, blah. It's inevitable. It's what they live for.

 

[mazda1]

I see us getting Purdue and Rutgers. Michigan will be tough. I think we're a big dog @MSU and Maryland.

 

[ZumaHawk]

I'm thinking 3 & 2 is very legitimate. No way we can go to Mich. St. and get down like we did at Purdue and at home against Nebraska and come out winning. On the other hand, if we compete early with the Spartans we can beat them and it is high time we change the losing ways at their house and get a W. This year is the time to get it done. With Valentine coming back after missing several games can be a hindrance IMHO. Let's Go Hawks!!

 

[tedboy78]

Michigan=Mediocre

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

We may be the best team but I don't think we'll win the B1G. Our schedule is just to tough compared to every other team.

 

[Myvue]

Iowa is a ranked team now and they only play three currently ranked opponents in the next 15 games so they should have pretty smooth sailing the rest of the regular season. Even with an extra miss here and there they should still end up with at least a dozen conference wins.

 

[mazda1]

The season is a grind. Any road game can be a test. If we stay healthy and come out of this 3-2 we should be right in the mix.

It's way too early to start taking anything for granted. Like MSU we are one injury away from becoming a team that needs to win a dog fight every time we tale the floor.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

I see us getting Purdue and Rutgers. Michigan will be tough. I think we're a big dog @MSU and Maryland.

Agree with this.

I think we can beat Purdue & Rutgers. Remember Purdue shot lights out from 3 in the first half. IF they shoot like they normally do, its probably a tight contest at half. Rutgers is just terrible.

Michigan is a tough ball club, they have some athletes and some serious shooters. Iowa is going to have to play well to beat them.

@MSU & @ Maryland- Just be competitive on the road. Two tough opponents on the road and one is going to want redemption from an earlier loss.

Ill say 3-2 as well. IF we go 4-1 I will be shocked. If we go 5-0 I will probably go crazy and book my trip to Indianapolis on the spot! This could be a special season if they go 5-0 in this stretch.

 

[tedboy78]

The season is a grind. Any road game can be a test. If we stay healthy and come out of this 3-2 we should be right in the mix.

It's way too early to start taking anything for granted. Like MSU we are one injury away from becoming a team that needs to win a dog fight every time we tale the floor.

I think we are already a team that needs to win a dogfight every time we take the floor. Our improvement from the beginning of the season is totally from our willingness to battle on every possession, along with the emergence and toughness of Baer, Uhl and Wagner. I agree that we must stay healthy. If we do we have a great chance of being there at the end for a BIG title. But I don't think this team is so talented that it can ever take anything for granted. Hard work and intensity is key to this teams success.

 

[slipHawk]

With Izzo getting the calls and Valentine back, I don't see us winning @MSU. @Maryland feels more doable. They just don't know us that well and that is advantage Iowa imo. Our veterans vs their young talent (and Trimble of course). I like Iowa's chances.

Purdue will be a very hard fought game I think. Could go either way. Might come down to Jok or Baer playing well. Fun times!!

I'll guess 3-2 with wins vs Maryland, Michigan, and Rutgers.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

With Izzo getting the calls and Valentine back, I don't see us winning @MSU. @Maryland feels more doable. They just don't know us that well and that is advantage Iowa imo. Our veterans vs their young talent (and Trimble of course). I like Iowa's chances.

Purdue will be a very hard fought game I think. Could go either way. Might come down to Jok or Baer playing well. Fun times!!

I'll guess 3-2 with wins vs Maryland, Michigan, and Rutgers.

It will be tough Slip at MSU as you are saying but it will be interesting if Thursday is Valentine's first game back if he doesn't play tomorrow against PSU? Interesting to see if he is really as effective as he was prior to his injury with the speed, reaction and conditioning needed at this level with the intensity of this game? Sometimes coming back from an injury doesn't play out so well and takes away from the team's play too. We'll see but I'll take this risk with Valentine's first game back considering.

Watching this Maryland/Wisy game and agree to steal a win against Maryland is more doable....3 pt lead for UM.. Wisky is not going away and they are 6-20 from the 3 pt line.....not good yet still in this game. There are gaps with this Maryland team.

 

[vinhawk]

exactly. I would be shocked with 4-1. Winning at either MSU or Maryland would be the biggest win for Iowa in many, many years. 3-2 would be very nice

I am looking at the next six.. We go 4-2/

 

[paladinhawk]

I'm concerned with the first one after the layoff. Michigan State, at their place, with Valentine back. Izzo is going to want to put the hurt on us. Purdue in Iowa City is interesting as I'm not sure what they can do after our press exposed them so well. I'm going to say, guess, that we could come out 3-2 with losses at Michigan State and Maryland. Feeling like the odds are:

4-1, 10%
3-2, 60%
2-3, 30%

No chance at 5-0, huh Dan? Of course it's a littler easier calling you on it a week later when the Hawks are 3-0 for that stretch. I was mentally predicting 3-2 myself.

 

[DanL53]

No chance at 5-0, huh Dan? Of course it's a littler easier calling you on it a week later when the Hawks are 3-0 for that stretch. I was mentally predicting 3-2 myself.

This just proves I don't know jack about basketball.