VOTE: Which team is most likely to make the 2018 NCAA Tournament? ISU, Wisky or IOWA?

[Franisdaman]

The latest ESPN bracketology has both Iowa State (10 seed) and Wisconsin (8 seed) making the Big Dance and they leave Iowa out. This surprises me, especially with what all 3 teams have coming back.

LINK to full bracket: http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/bracketology

 

[EZ2BJZ]

I don't know that any of those 3 are safe bets to make the tournament. I don't follow other teams that closely, so I don't know what Wisconsin has coming up to replace Hayes and Koening. But, given their track record, I would say Wisconsin is the likeliest of the three to make the tournament.

I, personally, think Iowa should be better defensively (could they get much worse?) and more balanced on offense next season. It's certainly possible that Iowa will be a bubble team again next year, depending on how well the younger guys develop and continue to get better. In truth, Iowa surpassed my expectations in the 2nd half of the season, and it's certainly possible they will again next season. If they surpass expectations, they will move from the bubble to a team that gets an at large bid.

Iowa State is a total mystery. Obviously, they lose a lot (4 starters). On paper, the guys they have coming in aren't exactly chopped liver, though. But I'm sure Iowa State will have a typical ebb and flow learning curve like any other program who's had a significant youth movement. In short, conventional wisdom would suggest they will be wildly inconsistent throughout the year, and on the outside looking in come March.

It's May, though. A lot can happen in 10 months (injuries, unforeseen player growth or regression, etc.)

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

I don't know that any of those 3 are safe bets to make the tournament. I don't follow other teams that closely, so I don't know what Wisconsin has coming up to replace Hayes and Koening. But, given their track record, I would say Wisconsin is the likeliest of the three to make the tournament.

I, personally, think Iowa should be better defensively (could they get much worse?) and more balanced on offense next season. It's certainly possible that Iowa will be a bubble team again next year, depending on how well the younger guys develop and continue to get better. In truth, Iowa surpassed my expectations in the 2nd half of the season, and it's certainly possible they will again next season. If they surpass expectations, they will move from the bubble to a team that gets an at large bid.

Iowa State is a total mystery. Obviously, they lose a lot (4 starters). On paper, the guys they have coming in aren't exactly chopped liver, though. But I'm sure Iowa State will have a typical ebb and flow learning curve like any other program who's had a significant youth movement. In short, conventional wisdom would suggest they will be wildly inconsistent throughout the year, and on the outside looking in come March.

It's May, though. A lot can happen in 10 months (injuries, unforeseen player growth or regression, etc.)

Wisconsin loses 4 starters and a reserve guard (Happ is lone returning starter).

ISU loses 4 starters and 2 reserve forwards.

My analysis says Iowa most likely, but closer to 50/50 than most want to admit. If I had to choose, I'll go Iowa, Wisconsin, ISU based on the fact that I think ISU will struggle more in conference.

 

[kceasthawk]

Wisconsin loses 4 starters and a reserve guard (Happ is lone returning starter).

ISU loses 4 starters and 2 reserve forwards.

My analysis says Iowa most likely, but closer to 50/50 than most want to admit. If I had to choose, I'll go Iowa, Wisconsin, ISU based on the fact that I think ISU will struggle more in conference.

On paper, this looks the most likely, but Wisky always seems to find away. We'll see if Gard can keep Bo's run going. ISU will rely on a lot of new players so we'll see what Prohm has as well.

 

[championhawk]

It would be an easy vote if Iowa and Wisconsin got to play in the Big 12.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

All 3 could make and all 3 could end up on the outside. That's a tough one to predict. I think Wisconsin is the most likely to make it, based on history.