The Dance

[drh1150]

The tournament might be a relief after the gauntlet that is the B10 this year.
Do you think we would face a stretch of teams in the 1st weekend tougher than what we see night in and night out in conference play?

 

[fezzador]

Iowa can win all but one or two of their remaining games, get a 1 seed, and still get punked in the first round. If it can happen to Virginia (who usually plays very good to great defense), it sure as hell can happen to the Hawks (who generally plays mediocre defense).

 

[SotaHawk87]

The tournament might be a relief after the gauntlet that is the B10 this year.
Do you think we would face a stretch of teams in the 1st weekend tougher than what we see night in and night out in conference play?

I think you’re right and depending on seed I doubt we do see anyone as tough the first weekend. However as you know the margin for error is zero. A bad night and it’s over

 

[littlez]

Iowa can win all but one or two of their remaining games, get a 1 seed, and still get punked in the first round. If it can happen to Virginia (who usually plays very good to great defense), it sure as hell can happen to the Hawks (who generally plays mediocre defense).

No. As a 1 vs a 16 it’s a 99% chance of winning. Yes, we play mediocre D but we are damn good on offense. A 16 seed would not have near the horses to beat us.

 

[General Tso]

The tournament might be a relief after the gauntlet that is the B10 this year.
Do you think we would face a stretch of teams in the 1st weekend tougher than what we see night in and night out in conference play?

No, but Northwestern State says hi

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Iowa has the best team we have had in a long time, and Luka does his thing, even when he is having an off night. Still, they need to start clicking again over the next few weeks, or we can be beaten before the Sweet 16. I am hoping for a lot more.

 

[Incredible Hawk]

What Iowa will see in the tournament is quick, athletic, guards who drive, shoot and score.....Most teams won't have an answer for Garza and he'll get his pts, but guard play dominates the tournament. I'm afraid we have flashes of what's needed, but not the consistency game in and game out.

I remember shaking my head in disbelief at some of the guard play in recent year's tournaments wondering to myself "where do these guys come from?" and why we can't get any of them.

 

[Rifler]

We have some of them,.. we just need to be willing to use them when it's necessary...

 

[RocknRollface]

What Iowa will see in the tournament is quick, athletic, guards who drive, shoot and score.....Most teams won't have an answer for Garza and he'll get his pts, but guard play dominates the tournament. I'm afraid we have flashes of what's needed, but not the consistency game in and game out.

I remember shaking my head in disbelief at some of the guard play in recent year's tournaments wondering to myself "where do these guys come from?" and why we can't get any of them.

So basically like the big ten but not nearly as good?

 

[fezzador]

No. As a 1 vs a 16 it’s a 99% chance of winning. Yes, we play mediocre D but we are damn good on offense. A 16 seed would not have near the horses to beat us.

If Iowa isn't hitting its 3s and cant hit their free throws, they could be in trouble.

 

[RocknRollface]

If Iowa isn't hitting its 3s and cant hit their free throws, they could be in trouble.

Or what if the team buss gets struck by lightning?

I think I'd put those two as equally concerning.

 

[BigOHawk]

What Iowa will see in the tournament is quick, athletic, guards who drive, shoot and score.....Most teams won't have an answer for Garza and he'll get his pts, but guard play dominates the tournament. I'm afraid we have flashes of what's needed, but not the consistency game in and game out.

I remember shaking my head in disbelief at some of the guard play in recent year's tournaments wondering to myself "where do these guys come from?" and why we can't get any of them.

I've many times thought the same thing. How do school like NW State (sorry had to do it), W. Michigan and West Tennessee Tech have multiple guards who can shoot, defend and leap out of the gym and we are chasing them from behind?

Assuming we are a 2-4 seed, we won't see any teams in Round 1 like the upper echelon of the Big 10. Round 2 to get to Sweet 16 its possible, but as stated the Tournament is all about guard play, matchups and how you play that day. A dull shooting night and you meet up with a hot shooting, yet overmatched team and it could be lights out! Team will give Garza his 30 and 12, we just need to have at least one of Weezy/CJ/JBo etc hitting their shots. If not, it will look like the Indiana game.

 

[fezzador]

Or what if the team buss gets struck by lightning?

I think I'd put those two as equally concerning.

Yes, both are unlikely, but I think it's also unlikely Iowa gets a 1 seed too. Maybe 2 is a pipe dream too. 3 or 4 is probably my best guess as where Iowa ends up.

But the point is, Iowa has some definite weaknesses that can be exploited and if they are shooting like crap (like they did against IU), they can be beatable in the first round.

 

[Incredible Hawk]

I've many times thought the same thing. How do school like NW State (sorry had to do it), W. Michigan and West Tennessee Tech have multiple guards who can shoot, defend and leap out of the gym and we are chasing them from behind?

Assuming we are a 2-4 seed, we won't see any teams in Round 1 like the upper echelon of the Big 10. Round 2 to get to Sweet 16 its possible, but as stated the Tournament is all about guard play, matchups and how you play that day. A dull shooting night and you meet up with a hot shooting, yet overmatched team and it could be lights out! Team will give Garza his 30 and 12, we just need to have at least one of Weezy/CJ/JBo etc hitting their shots. If not, it will look like the Indiana game.

Every team in the tourney has guys like the kid from IL (or IN) who scorched Iowa. Why so many of them go to places TN Tech, Murray St, and Liberty.....is a mystery. I suspect it's because they're not part of t he AAU circuit, so aren't visible to most people. So, they end up picking a smaller, local school, but who knows. It's something I've noticed for several years - not only teams Iowa has faced just the tournament teams as a whole seem to have something Iowa and most Big10 teams are lacking.

 

[RocknRollface]

Yes, both are unlikely, but I think it's also unlikely Iowa gets a 1 seed too. Maybe 2 is a pipe dream too. 3 or 4 is probably my best guess as where Iowa ends up.

But the point is, Iowa has some definite weaknesses that can be exploited and if they are shooting like crap (like they did against IU), they can be beatable in the first round.

I can buy that but I'm still not worried about the first round.

You saw last night that Fran can go to a more athletic defensive lineup when the starters aren't cutting it.

Its almost like he has two different teams.

 

[BigOHawk]

I can buy that but I'm still not worried about the first round.

You saw last night that Fran can go to a more athletic defensive lineup when the starters aren't cutting it.

Its almost like he has two different teams.

Yep, almost like a hockey line change and I like it. Give me guys who hustle, play D and rebound and they are tough to get off the floor even if they aren't a superstar offensive player. Having a guard who defends well and can create their own shot is huge come March.

 

[RocknRollface]

Every team in the tourney has guys like the kid from IL (or IN) who scorched Iowa. Why so many of them go to places TN Tech, Murray St, and Liberty.....is a mystery. I suspect it's because they're not part of t he AAU circuit, so aren't visible to most people. So, they end up picking a smaller, local school, but who knows. It's something I've noticed for several years - not only teams Iowa has faced just the tournament teams as a whole seem to have something Iowa and most Big10 teams are lacking.

Most big ten teams are lacking quick guard play?

Are you being serious?

You can normally say that about Wisconsin, Iowa, NW. Thats about it.

Pretty much everyone else is going to have guards that are athletically superior to 99% of the mid majors.

 

[the24fan]

What Iowa will see in the tournament is quick, athletic, guards who drive, shoot and score.....Most teams won't have an answer for Garza and he'll get his pts, but guard play dominates the tournament. I'm afraid we have flashes of what's needed, but not the consistency game in and game out.

I remember shaking my head in disbelief at some of the guard play in recent year's tournaments wondering to myself "where do these guys come from?" and why we can't get any of them.

this is sooooo accurate . I’ve wondered the same damn thing! How do some of these teams find these guys? I assume it’s academic requirements are VERY watered down? In any case it’s maddening watching Guards from Winthrop slice up our backcourt.😡