2026 NCAA Tournament

[RaceToTheTop]

2 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Texas was 16th, I think.

 

I love everything about Arizona though, except that their two best players are freshman. 

Yes, Texas was 16th.  

I think if Loyer hadn't undercut Mark on a three pointer, Texas would have won.  Could've and should've don't count, though.

[Hornsby]

22 minutes ago, Jeff Flabjohns said:

I’d like my odds of betting DDv never makes it to an E8 in his career. Sigh 

We have not been to a final 8 in 24 years so if it is his ceiling its still a better ceileng than we have had for a very long time.

[str8baller]

2 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

You're probably right to be honest on both points. Do think there's something to be said about playing a team you're familiar with already, but the matchup is much more important. 

Wonder if Sampson can put Underwoodivic in a blender 

Officiating could make this game. If Houston can maul them all game I think I’d give them a small edge. Otherwise Illinois height, length, and scoring should give them fits. 

[RaceToTheTop]

15 minutes ago, Golfman25 said:

Two things: 

1) Can someone tell Ben it's supposed to take 4+ years?

2) Do you think with some of his tournament money, he can buy a shirt that fits?   

The Mount Rushmore of Iowa basketball about to be Caitlin Clark (actually Caitlin Clark twice), Ben McCollum, and Fran McCaffery (with the Fran McCaffery being the volcano portion of mountain.

[Uspshoosier]

Iowa took first lead of the game with 2:11 to go.  

[8bucks]

35 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

For sure. I hadn't looked before tonight but their roster construction is great IMO. Tons of returners next year. They are not going anywhere sadly IMO

I thought they were only good because of Stirtz. 

[str8baller]

4 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Officiating could make this game. If Houston can maul them all game I think I’d give them a small edge. Otherwise Illinois height, length, and scoring should give them fits. 

Ok nvmnd…Houston is clubbing Illinois and It’s not being called. Lol

[Jeff Flabjohns]

8 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

I thought they were only good because of Stirtz. 

He’s the straw that stirs the drink. Well, he does more than that. But the other guys have delivered in their roles this run. 
McCollum draws it up really well. Helps that Stirtz attracts so much attention and has amazing vision/size/shooting for a PG

[8bucks]

29 minutes ago, RaceToTheTop said:

Nebraska took 32 shots in the second half and 24 of them were threes (they only made 6).

But it was a more enjoyable offense to watch than the other team right. 

[Jeff Flabjohns]

These last few games, when McCollum wants to generate a good look for three it seems like he’s able to with ease. Either early shot clock (if the situation calls for it) or end. 
Feels like all their attempts from distance are clean looks. Stirtz is a big part of that but man that makes me jealous after what we saw all year.

Dorn had the occasional open corner 3 otherwise it was too often a hot mess.

[8bucks]

It goes against so much but I am having a hard time not cheering for Purdue. They are such a well built team. Well coached. Maybe being a football school and national champion helps me become less worried if Purdue has a good Bball team. IU has seemingly gotten worse results despite a ton of money and 6 chances to hire the right guy after RMK.  Criticism of Purdue, I understand it, but compared to our pathetic attempts to field a competitive team seems silly. 

[str8baller]

5 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

But it was a more enjoyable offense to watch than the other team right. 

Not slow + 3’s = “modern offense “

 

Cornhuskers went home happy knowing they were on avant garde of hoops culturally 

[Home Jersey]

4 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

I thought they were only good because of Stirtz. 

Just sharing what I found

3 seniors (Stirtz, Banks, Hausen... Banks is a much bigger loss than Hausen but by no means irreplaceable)

3 juniors (Manyawu, Folguieras, Combs ... all are significant contributors on this team) 

2 sophomores (Howard and Jacob Koch ... Howard has been with him since Drake, J Koch is a non factor allowed to walk on because of his brother)

5 freshmen (Cooper Koch and Tate Sage - both contributing in this tournament run; Trey Thompson - redshirting, former top 60 recruit; two developmental big guys)

They have a 4 star 2026 committed Ethan Harris 6'9 #17 PF. 

We will see how they do with transfers / the portal but that team is making the tournament next year without needing to add very much IMO

[AKHoosier]

 

Is this not a hook and hold?

[Home Jersey]

5 minutes ago, Jeff Flabjohns said:

These last few games, when McCollum wants to generate a good look for three it seems like he’s able to with ease. Either early shot clock (if the situation calls for it) or end. 
Feels like all their attempts from distance are clean looks. Stirtz is a big part of that but man that makes me jealous after what we saw all year.

Dorn had the occasional open corner 3 otherwise it was too often a hot mess.

McCollum engineers so many match ups and calls great plays out of timeouts. They were trailing by 10 points most of the game. Both coaches made a ton of adjustments not only at halftime but within each half. Until Nebraska blew a tire in the last two minutes it was a pretty good coaching battle IMO. McCollum definitely has the secret sauce that winners do.  

[BGleas]

6 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

It goes against so much but I am having a hard time not cheering for Purdue. They are such a well built team. Well coached. Maybe being a football school and national champion helps but IU has seemingly gotten worse results despite a ton of money and 6 chances to hire the right guy. Criticism of Purdue, I understand it, but compared to our pathetic attempts to field a competitive team seems silly. 

Really? Tough for me to respect them with Smith, Loyer and especially TKR being flopping foul baiters. 

TKR is like the SGA of college basketball 

[Home Jersey]

Sampson in no mood for the stupid sideline interview. They need to cut that crap out or let an assistant do it. 

[str8baller]

1 minute ago, Home Jersey said:

McCollum engineers so many match ups and calls great plays out of timeouts. They were trailing by 10 points most of the game. Both coaches made a ton of adjustments not only at halftime but within each half. Until Nebraska blew a tire in the last two minutes it was a pretty good coaching battle IMO. McCollum definitely has the secret sauce that winners do.  

McCollum is the first first-year coach in the modern NIL era (last couple years) that’s made the E8. 
 

KSU guy did a few years ago but that’s before everyone was shuffling players. Either way, it’s dang impressive

[Home Jersey]

Just now, str8baller said:

McCollum is the first first-year coach in the modern NIL era (last couple years) that’s made the E8. 
 

KSU guy did a few years ago but that’s before everyone was shuffling players. Either way, it’s dang impressive

And, he is 44 years old...

[RaceToTheTop]

10 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

But it was a more enjoyable offense to watch than the other team right. 

I just don't know what the game plan in the second half was for Nebraska.  Nebraska two bigs (both 6'10") put up 11 threes and didn't make any.    They weren't even trying to get the ball inside the second half.