Iowa Runs by Flyers in 1st Round NIT Victory (via hawkeyesportstv)

STEVE ALFORD BELIEVES HE'S BLESSED TO BE AT A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. I know this is dead horse material but... Alford talked about his time at New Mexico during his pre-NCAA Tournament press conference. Of New Mexico Alford said,

"You have to have a strong administration that can step out if they need to step out and support you. We've been fortunate We've had a five-year run that's been outstanding. We've had five real high quality years. But whether it's been good or bad instances, no instances, you've got to have that support, and you've got to have administration that equips you and gives you things that you need to be successful. I've been fortunate. I've had an administration that's done that."

Alford mentioned Iowa directly,

"I had a lot of fun at Missouri State for four years. And I had a lot of fun at Iowa. I was there eight years, we had 7 winning seasons in a row, we won two Big Ten titles, we were making postseason every year. I just felt like there were things after I went through the interview process at New Mexico that I could be equipped with to do the things that I really aspire to do. That's not just NCAA's, it's really just building a program the way I felt like I needed to build a program. And those things have come true at New Mexico. As I said at the onset, I've got great bosses, I've got a great support system. When you have people that support you and believe in the way you do things and trust when you come to them and say, Look, we need this. It doesn't mean the answer is yes all the time, but if there's no, there's a logical reason why. And when you have that you can build a program. And that's what we've done in New Mexico. We've built a solid program that I think is not something that happens every three or four years. I think we're going to be a solid program every year."

Alford also had praise for Indiana and their fine season. His New Mexico team opens the NCAA Tournament with Long Beach State Thursday at 3:10 pm (CST). Go 49ers!

ESPN BIG TEN BLOGGERS ARE TALKING IOWA'S SPRING ISSUES. Brian Bennett talks about Iowa's positional issues at running back and defensive line. Iowa's most solid position is quarterback with senior James Vandenberg returning. Bennett thinks B.J. Lowery will be fine filling-in for departed corner back Shaun Prater.

LIKE SAND THROUGH THE HOUR GLASS, THESE ARE THE TWEETS OF RODNEY COE'S LIFE. Based on Coe's tweets it sounds like spring practice is underway at IWCC. Coe took to Twitter to announce "could get used to this DLine." Coe added this,

OTHER RECRUITING NEWS. The Hawkeyes had a scholarship offer for Cretin-Derham wide receiver James Onwualu but he verbally committed to Notre Dame. Broderick Binns and Rafael Eubanks are products of Cretin-Derham, but so is Notre Dame's Michael Floyd. It's not a surprise Onwualu didn't pick the Hawks, he ruled them out last week when he named his top four.

SPRING FOOTBALL IS JUST ABOUT A WEEK AWAY. Marc Morehouse is getting ready for Spring football with his Four Downs series. The first in the 2012 version of the series focuses on Iowa's quarterbacks. The Hawkeyes return senior James Vandenberg but as Morehouse notes, gone are his best wide receiver Marvin McNutt, best offensive linemen Riley Reiff and leading rusher Marcus Coker.

Vandenberg is the starter, that's written in stone. What will be interesting to watch this Spring is the battle for Iowa's number two quarterback. Cody Sokol is a junior college transfer that enrolled at Iowa for the Spring semester. There's also highly touted freshman Jake Rudock. C.J. Beathard will join the team in the fall and will likely red shirt. Rudock should be the favorite this Spring; he's had a year in the system. But, of course it's a new system with Ferentz hiring Greg Davis. The quickest learner may earn some mop-up snaps this Fall

Other links:

• Iowa basketball postgame press conference video
• Nice-looking color-on-color game last night in the NIT. Wait, what?
• Asics to sponsor Fan Fest for wrestling trials
• The Golden Gophers are on the board!
• McDonough prepared to return to top of NCAA podium
• Hallelujah! Hawks exorcise postseason demons
• Archie Miller thinks we should call Carver "the hive"
• Cleveland Browns release Eric Steinbach
• Carolina Panthers cut Jason Baker
• Iowa Women vs. Cal game notes
• Hawkeye women's golf is spending spring break in Hawaii, and in 8th place
• Hawkeye softball loses to Long Beach State
• Iowa baseball defeats Bucknell
• Matt Glover is leaving Penn State
• March Madness is good for your health
• Gambrall not preoccupied with seedings
• Offense in motion, a perfect symphony for Iowa
• Is eight enough for team wrestling title?
• Printy hopes to be back for senior season
• The Seattle Seahawks release Robert Gallery
• Hawkeyes to the Gator Bowl?