Iowa

[Yogi'sBicep]

Got bored and checked the Iowa Rivals forums.. AHH, they're good. Iowa is good. But, just like anybody who has never been good they don't understand how to handle it. They post as if they're invincible. There's a topic about us, says we are weak as can be.. Predicted to finish 6/7. Said Fran is best coach in B1G, and has been. Frustration. So, is Iowa actually contenders nationally or are they just hot right now? (I haven't watched one of their games)

[TheWatShot]

I don't think they're a national contender, but I think this is easily their best team since the Adam Haluska days. 

 

 

They start 4 seniors and a junior. They're experienced and very, very good. 

[Old Friend]

They're good and the tournament's wide open.  They've played a schedule a hell of a lot harder than we have, and they've cruised since December 10th.  They've got 5 wins vs. Top 25 teams, and their SOS is 14.  (Ours is 142 right now for reference's sake)

 

They're certainly not invincible; but they're experienced and play well together. They guard, they're pretty efficient offensively, and they don't make a ton of mistakes.  

 

Fran McCaffery is a good coach, but not better than Izzo.  That's the best coach in the Big Ten, despite their slow start this year.  After him, since Bo Ryan left, there are a bunch of guys in that next tier.  McCaffery's in that group with Belein, Crean, Matta, and Painter.  Our games with them will be interesting.

[USMCHoosier]

Iowa is for real.

[Crimson and Cream]

They're for real. And yeah I know what you mean about them being super cocky. I didn't even know they had fans until this season. It's humorous to watch them struggle to deal with this success. 

[HoosierTrav]

Got bored and checked the Iowa Rivals forums.. AHH, they're good. Iowa is good. But, just like anybody who has never been good they don't understand how to handle it. They post as if they're invincible. There's a topic about us, says we are weak as can be.. Predicted to finish 6/7. Said Fran is best coach in B1G, and has been. Frustration. So, is Iowa actually contenders nationally or are they just hot right now? (I haven't watched one of their games)

Let them enjoy this moment. They wont have this feeling again, for at least another 20 years.

[HoosierCoop]

It should be a good matchup.  We can both kill inside and out.

 

Defense is going to have to step it up!

[southsidehoosier]

Their arena is still empty when I watch their games. Not much fanfare or enthusiasm. Prob bc it's still wrestling season for them.

[HoosierRob]

They expect us to struggle down the stretch and finish 11-7. Most of them anyway

[IUaic]

Aren't they also a team that stumbles down the stretch?

 

I seem to recall some of Fran's teams have started off well in conference only to finish middle of the pack when all is said and done.

 

I am happy to see they have beaten PU twice and hope we take something away from their victories on how to beat the Boils.

[Magnanimous]

"Is this heaven?" "No, it's Iowa"

 

"Is this hell?" "Yes, it's Iowa"

[Alford Bailey]

They are sweet sixteen-ish.

[Uspshoosier]

Iowa started out the season losing to a top ranked division 2 school in a exibition game( imagine this place if we did that). Then they went to a preseason tournament and finished 6th (1-2) Losses to Dayton and notre dame. They could of easily finished 0-3 in that tounament because they got to play whicita state minus van vleet. They followed that up with a loss at Iowa state blowing a 20 or more point lead in the 2nd in the 2nd half. Its amazing what a little confidence can do for teams. The leaders of the big 10 so far this year both finished 6th in a pre season tounament and in some way got embarrassed on the road at a top 20 team. If I had my choice I would choose Iowa's path to the top of th big 10 so far but we will get our chance later on in conference. I wonder what their message boards were saying about Fran after that exibition game

[KingPG21]

So basically, Iowa fans are talking exactly like some of you talk about IU, like they're invincible........ 

[Brass Cannon]

So basically, Iowa fans are talking exactly like some of you talk about IU, like they're invincible........

Really? I see quite a few comments showing fear and worry about wiscy and the more difficult parts of our schedule

[KingPG21]

Really? I see quite a few comments showing fear and worry about wiscy and the more difficult parts of our schedule

And I'm sure there are Iowa fans doing the same thing. But, some of you guys are just looking at certain comments and generalzing them to the whole fan base...... also notice how I said some. Seriously, this is literally the pot calling the kettle black, type situation. 

[Uwe Robb]

I don't think they're a national contender, but I think this is easily their best team since the Adam Haluska days. 

 

 

They start 4 seniors and a junior. They're experienced and very, very good. 

Great point you brought up. We hardly see any teams anymore with this much experience. I have watched them play several times this year and I would not be surprised if they made a run like Wisky (another super experienced team) did last year.

 

Tourney is wide open this year and seeding will be huge. At this rate they will have a very good seed and probably a fairly easy path to Elite 8 anyways.