Black Heart Gold Pants - All PostsSwelling with Iowa Hawkeye pride since 2007https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47511/bhgp-fave.png2024-03-19T07:48:03-05:00http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/rss/current/2024-03-19T07:48:03-05:002024-03-19T07:48:03-05:00Breaking Down Iowa’s (Surprisingly Tough) Path to the Final Four
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<img alt="NCAA Womens Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BUPjyqKdKHbi21cNlEcs6MnBEFk=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73217430/usa_today_22744198.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>If the Hawkeyes want to make their second straight Final Four, they will have to navigate a shockingly difficult regional to do so. </p> <p id="jyCNwZ">After months of fierce competition and intense anticipation, the Iowa women’s basketball team is finally ready to make another run in the NCAA Tournament. Fresh off their third consecutive <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> championship, Iowa was bestowed a #1 seed and placed in the Albany 2 region. While Iowa will have the luxury of playing its first two games at home, the Hawkeyes will need to win two neutral site games in Albany’s MVP Arena to make a repeat trip to the Final Four. </p>
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<p id="Zxa0bb">Being a #1 seed is an extremely coveted honor, and for good reason. Brackets are typically set up for #1 seeds to do well in the tournament, with their opening games being played against cannon fodder and their second-round games against #8 or #9 seeds that, while usually dangerous, have a very low win rate. Throughout the <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-women/article/2024-03-05/ncaa-womens-basketball-tournament-how-often-no-1-seeds-make-final-four#:~:text=Across%20all%2041%20tournaments%20up,of%2041%20tournaments%20(56%25).">history of the women’s NCAA Tournament</a>, more than half of the #1 seeds have made the Final Four, and over 80% of tournaments have seen between two and four #1 seeds make the Final Four, including last year when two #1 seeds (South Carolina and <a href="https://www.gobblercountry.com/">Virginia Tech</a>) joined Iowa and <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> as the last teams standing. Given that Iowa was ranked as the second-highest #1 seed behind only the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks, it stands to reason that Iowa would have been given a relatively manageable path to the Final Four. </p>
<p id="JTyCqq">However, one look at Iowa’s bracket shows that this is far from the case. Iowa’s region is absolutely loaded with championship-caliber talent and teams uniquely poised to give the Hawkeyes a challenge should they find themselves matched up against them. While neither of Iowa’s potential opening opponents are likely to give the Hawkeyes much of a scare, they will face one of two intriguing foes in either West Virginia or Princeton. The Mountaineers are full of small, quick guards who pester opponents on defense and rank second in the NCAA in steals per game with 13.9, and their disruptive style of play could make them a headache for the Hawkeyes. However, there is a decent chance the Mountaineers, who appear to be overlooking their first round opponent with their head coach <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/womens-college-basketball/news/ncaa-womens-tournament-2024-west-virginia-head-coach-calls-out-iowa-lets-send-caitlin-clark-packing/">already trash talking Caitlin Clark</a>, could find themselves denied the matchup with the Hawkeyes they crave thanks to a dangerous Princeton team that lost only four games this season en route to winning both the regular season and conference tournament in the Ivy League. Princeton has one of the best defenses in college basketball, holding opponents to only 56 points per game. However, the Tigers, who are allowing opponents to <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/princeton/women/2024.html">shoot an NCAA-high 38%</a> on three pointers this season, may be ill-equipped to handle a Hawkeye squad <a href="https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/iowa/women/2024.html">that hits more threes per game than anyone in college basketball</a>. </p>
<p id="iHzArT">While Iowa’s path to the Sweet Sixteen is fairly manageable, things get significantly more difficult from that point on. The Hawkeyes’ most likely opponents in the third tournament game are #4 seed <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a>, who has beaten Iowa twice in the past two seasons (including once earlier this year), and #5 Colorado, who played a competitive game against Iowa in this same round last season. Both teams are familiar with Iowa from their previous games and will boast a significant size advantage in the post thanks to Kansas State’s 6’6” star center Ayoka Lee and Colorado’s imposing Aaronette Vonleh. Both teams also have much stronger pedigree than their seed would indicate. Each was ranked in the top three of the AP poll at various points this season and has proven capable of winning big games, including Colorado’s 92-78 neutral site win over defending champion LSU in their season opener and Kansas State’s wins over both Iowa and fellow #1 seed Texas. Iowa is certainly capable of beating either of these teams; Iowa defeated Kansas State in a neutral site rematch after losing to them at home earlier this season, and the Hawkeyes knocked Colorado out of the tournament last year. But both teams will enter the game believing they can best Iowa (especially Kansas State), and neither will be intimidated by the specter of Caitlin Clark. Hawkeye fans may find themselves rooting for Drake (the #12 seed in this bracket) to pull a few upsets and knock these opponents out, though even the Bulldogs have played competitive games against Iowa in recent years.</p>
<p id="mxacEh">If Iowa manages to make the Elite Eight, they will likely face off against either LSU (who memorably and somewhat <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/womens-college-basketball/news/officiating-in-lsu-vs-iowa-2023-national-championship-game-did-not-meet-expectations-ncaa-determines/">controversially</a> defeated Iowa in last year’s national championship) or UCLA, a team that spent much of the season ranked #2 in the country. LSU, which returns stars Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson from last year’s championship squad, has arguably improved its top-end talent after snagging stars transfers Aneesah Morrow and Haily Van Lith during the offseason. While the Tigers have been tested by their lack of depth at times and have often fallen struggled to gel as a tam thanks to their surplus of big egos, they still possess a combination of size, athleticism, and championship pedigree that Iowa has not faced all season, and are one of the few teams in the field that will happily go bucket for bucket with Iowa and believe they can win even if they get sucked in to playing at the Hawkeyes’ pace. Meanwhile, UCLA’s 6’7” center Lauren Betts would be an immense challenge for Iowa to contain in the post and is skilled enough defensively to disrupt the Hawkeyes’ interior offense. UCLA rebounds extremely well, shoots efficiently, and denies their opponents easy two-point opportunities. Even if Iowa manages to avoid UCLA or LSU due to upsets in their region, their other most likely opponents include Louisville (who Iowa beat in the Elite Eight last season) and Creighton (who upset the Hawkeyes in the Round of 32 in 2022), two programs who also have significant history with Lisa Bluder’s squad and will be playing with a chip on their shoulders. So much for the tournament committee creating an easy pathway for their most marketable player to make the Final Four!</p>
<p id="ZSHxXw">While Iowa’s road to the Final Four is undoubtedly daunting, the Hawkeyes have one significant advantage over the rest of the teams in their region: they don’t have to play against Caitlin Clark. The teams mentioned earlier in this article believe they have what it takes to knock Clark off her pedestal, and many have been preparing since before the start of the season for chance to do so in front of a national audience. However, the same can be said about nearly every opponent Clark and the Hawkeyes have faced this year, all of whom have given Iowa their absolute best shot, and most of whom have been sent home with their tail between their legs. Iowa has played under a microscope that is virtually unprecedented in women’s college basketball history and has still managed to navigate the hype, hostile crowds, and media circus en route to a #1 seed. For every team that thinks its size can pose a mismatch for Iowa’s post players, their centers will also have to find a way to keep up with Hannah Stuelke in the fast break or chase Iowa’s sharpshooters around the perimeter. For teams like LSU who have relied on iso-ball and their superior athleticism to win games this year, they will have to confront a squad in Iowa who not only has a star capable of outshining theirs, but also plays as part of a cohesive team rather than the collection of individuals the Tigers have occasionally resembled this season. If any team is prepared for a bracket as challenging as this one, it is the Hawkeyes.</p>
<p id="2JNC6x">A repeat trip to the Final Four was always going to be a tall order; making it once is an extremely difficult task, and doing so twice in a row is an uphill battle for even the best programs. Iowa’s odds of making the Final Four and contending for another national championship certainly aren’t helped by the makeup of its regional, which easily presents the most difficult path any #1 seed will face this season. But before picking against Iowa due to their impossibly challenging bracket, remember this: all things are possible when Caitlin Clark has the basketball.</p>
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https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/19/24105543/breaking-down-iowa-hawkeyes-surprisingly-tough-path-ncaa-womens-tournament-final-four-bracket-bhgpMattReisener2024-03-18T12:54:46-05:002024-03-18T12:54:46-05:00Iowa Basketball: Hawkeyes to Host Kansas State in NIT
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<img alt="Ohio State v Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_H-Sf7PpNpObJ7tWMtMw-YBuNfM=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215733/1989695473.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>See YOU at Carver on Tuesday night. | Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Iowa men have one more chance to host a home crowd at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.</p> <p id="YpPMRL">While most eyes were focused on the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday, the Iowa men’s team knew heading into the day their name would not be called after falling short in a 90-78 loss to <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a>. But the day wasn’t without waiting and watching as the Hawkeyes were eying an invite to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nit-tournament">NIT</a> Tournament.</p>
<p id="ZnvxBg">On Sunday night, with Hawkeye Nation’s focus turned to the Women’s NCAA Tournament selection show and <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/17/24104416/iowa-womens-basketball-selected-as-1-seed-in-albany-2-bracket">Iowa’s tough draw in Albany Region 2</a>, the Iowa men heard their name called for the NIT. Your <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> earned a 3 seed and are poised to host the <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State Wildcats</a> in round one.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">March Hoops @ Home <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawkeyes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hawkeyes</a> <a href="https://t.co/jV2qembpQv">pic.twitter.com/jV2qembpQv</a></p>— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaHoops/status/1769543904829874430?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="AbrwAv">The matchup is scheduled for 8pm CT on Tuesday, March 19th inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It’s a brutal start time for a program searching for a bump in attendance. Historically, Iowa fans have shown out loud and proud to host post-season play, but an 8pm start for a mid-week game proves another hurdle for a team struggling to fill seats. The game will be broadcast on ESPN for those opting to stay home.</p>
<p id="THZukx">Tuesday will mark Iowa’s ninth appearance in the NIT and the first since 2017. The Hawkeyes are 10-8 all-time in the tournament and finished as runner-up back in 2013. They’ll be facing a Wildcat program that has been to seven prior NIT tournaments with a 6-8 all-time record. Kansas State hasn’t been to the NIT since 2009.</p>
<p id="Q70omm">Kansas State enters the tournament with a 19-14 overall record, 8-10 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats closed their season losers of three of their final five games and six of their last ten. However, they ended the regular season with a 65-58 win over #6 <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a> and won their <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-12-basketball-tournament">Big 12 Tournament</a> opener over Texas before losing to the Cyclones in the quarterfinals.</p>
<p id="48y99X">The winner of Tuesday’s matchup will advance to meet the winner of 2 seed Utah and UC Irvine. Tickets are currently on sale for $20 for adults and $10 for students and youth. You can <a href="https://hawkeyesports.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AIOWA%3AB23%3ANIT1%3A&linkID=uiowa&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=&cgc=&dataAccId=431&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_uiowa">purchase them here.</a></p>
<p id="bF7CAR">Here’s a look at the full NIT bracket.</p>
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https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/18/24104838/iowa-basketball-hawkeyes-host-kansas-state-wildcats-nit-bracketology-bhgpJPinIC2024-03-17T19:45:11-05:002024-03-17T19:45:11-05:00Iowa Women’s Basketball Selected as 1 seed in Albany 2 bracket
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<img alt="Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament - Championship" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-LnCOD_B3eivordIy1lT3RyNwO8=/0x0:3885x2590/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214171/2073856676.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s the first time the Hawkeyes are a 1 seed in the tournament since 1992</p> <p id="O3uLQe">A week removed from winning the Big Ten Tournament title for the third year in a row, the Iowa Hawkeyes were selected as a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1992. </p>
<p id="JInBuh">The Hawkeyes will host the first and second rounds in Carver and face the winner of a First Four matchup between Holy Cross and UT Martin. From there, they would play the winner of 8 seed West Virginia vs. 9 seed Princeton. </p>
<p id="F4Hxv8">Iowa’s region beyond this is loaded…and familiar. Just look at this: </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The ALBANY 2 region❗️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/JmYTK4zEAk">pic.twitter.com/JmYTK4zEAk</a></p>— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarchMadnessWBB/status/1769518267993919808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2024</a>
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<p id="6FVV5r">It’s about to get bloody, folks, but it’s gonna be fun. We got more basketball to play in Carver. </p>
<p id="ompdrW">Let’s Get ready for a run ride. GO HAWKS!</p>
https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/17/24104416/iowa-womens-basketball-selected-as-1-seed-in-albany-2-bracketmattcabel2024-03-14T20:44:44-05:002024-03-14T20:44:44-05:00Ohio State 90, Iowa 78: Dried Up
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Big Ten Conference Tournament Second Round-Ohio State vs Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YgNeagfxV9WU0SBLkzCPXVXB1l4=/0x0:2738x1825/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73208402/usa_today_22777012.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p><em>After a blistering first half from both teams, the Hawkeyes couldn’t keep pace in the second</em></p> <p id="XV3u9d">In a season where the <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com">Iowa Hawkeyes</a> (18-14, 10-10) never really seemed to have their feet under them, they played another game on a slip-and-slide in a loss to the blistering <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> Buckeyes (20-12, 9-11), 90-78.</p>
<p id="idWSOP">Somehow the Hawkeyes never let the game get out of reach in the first half, despite OSU racing to a quick 10-2 lead behind a couple Bruce Thornton three-pointers. Payton Sandfort, as he seemed to do all season, was the guy who plugged his finger in the boat and kept Iowa afloat with three quick three pointers and an assist to Patrick McCaffery to tie it up at 15. He led the way with 19 points and 6 rebounds.</p>
<p id="rADZ2N">Unfortunately, that was the closest the Hawkeyes were the rest of the game as a 10-2 run once again eliminated any momentum and the Hawks were forced to play uphill the rest of the way. Frankly, they had no business making it a game as long as they did - the Buckeyes shot 60.7% in the first half, including 8/11 from deep - but 7 turnovers allowed Iowa to stick around while shooting over 50% from the floor and deep.</p>
<p id="ZOYkET">Unfortunately, Ohio State picked up right where they left off - as did Sandfort with a couple early threes - in the second half but Jamison Battle was the best guy on the floor. He scored 11 points in 8 minutes en route to a game high 23 points after going 0/1 in the first half. But the Hawkeyes offense struggled to keep pace, going long stretches of time without a basket.</p>
<p id="JvmR07">A key moment happened shortly after OSU extended the lead to 5 points with 15:15 left & Ladji Dembele missed a layup. Josh Dix corralled the rebound and found Sandfort for a clean 3. He missed his shot, as well. From that point forward, Iowa never closed the gap inside of 5 and Sandfort didn’t hit another field goal.</p>
<p id="OM0etu">Defensively, OSU just got too many easy looks. Battle lived at the free throw line (9/9 in the frame) alongside hitting shots from all over. Iowa went to a zone look which seemed to give them threw a wrench into their offense a bit but struggled rebounding out of it and lost shooters (Battle) as they could not string together any stops.</p>
<p id="ohSnmc"><strong>Tough end for Tony Perkins</strong></p>
<p id="M57Huj">The senior guard scored 13 points on 3/8 shooting but put together one of the more frustrating recent performances in memory. He opened the game with a charge and was never right. He turned it over 6 times. He had another charge when he was clearly playing frustrated and tried to barrel into the lane.</p>
<p id="sikmC7">It’s especially frustrating given the growth he had shown throughout the season. He was not always “on” from the field but did well to avoid clunkers throughout much of February. Even in his 3/11 performance against Northwestern, he dished 14 assists to just 2 turnovers. But to go 4/18 in his last two games...not emblematic of his season where he did well to keep Iowa on the rails when it was teetering.</p>
<p id="yNYOV2">The only guard (Josh Dix had a forgettable night after a great run of play) who really had success was reserve Brock Harding. Though he was only 1/3 on the night, he once again provided a spark in the first half and tallied 5 assists to just 1 turnover.</p>
<p id="J2vuMl"><strong>Bench play the difference</strong></p>
<p id="XhG0Mc">Though Harding helped close the gap, he, Ladji Dembele, & Patrick McCaffery were lapped in points (16) by the Buckeyes’ group. They combined for 37 points including a stunning 11-point performance from Scot Middleton who didn’t miss, including 3 three-pointers. (16 of his last 22 if my math is correct)</p>
<p id="NqRjJu">Overall, Fran just got too cute by half with the lineups this game. Too many minutes without spacing around Freeman. Two foul jail for both Sandfort and Ben Krikke. Coaching with a lack of urgency that interim head man Jake Diebler clearly had.</p>
<p id="lhXEB3">On the whole, I thought this was a fine job by Fran this season considering there is no sure-fire first rounder or player of the year candidate. But man...in a game like tonight with everything on the line, really just a lack of urgency from post-early timeout to finish.</p>
<p id="Q8oU2V"><strong>Wait and see</strong></p>
<p id="rplBJ3">There’s almost certainly no way Iowa becomes the 7th Big Ten team in the tournament after losing to fellow bubble watcher OSU (kind of a really good resume they have outside of the sub-.500 conference record!). So we’ll await the location of a likely <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nit-tournament">NIT</a> berth, though there are only 32 teams participating in it.</p>
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https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/14/24101377/ohio-state-buckeyes-90-iowa-hawkeyes-basketball-78-dried-up-tony-perkins-payton-sandfort-bhgpBoilerHawk2024-03-14T12:16:39-05:002024-03-14T12:16:39-05:00Bubble Watch: Thursday Afternoon Game Thread
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hpPR6pImd-uU4Kk5_8-S4c1GhUo=/0x0:4912x3275/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207197/usa_today_22750877.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Hawkeyes need some help. Here’s who to root for and how to watch the games that count for Iowa.</p> <p id="hzycSz">Greetings from snow-covered Denver!</p>
<p id="cEo9oR">Iowa takes on <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> later this evening in a crucial game for both teams, but there are games going on now that deserve our attention.</p>
<p id="QghNc4"><strong>The Bubble</strong></p>
<p id="zwxNeP">If you follow Joe Lunardi, you know that in his <a href="https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2024-march-madness-men-field-predictions">latest Bracketology</a>, Iowa has slipped to the fourth team in the “Next Four Out” category. It’s kind of confusing, it’s slow to update after it initially appeared that Iowa’s 73-61 loss to Illinois didn’t do a ton of damage, but here we are with Iowa slipping. <a href="https://bracketmatrix.com/">BracketMatrix</a> also shows Iowa slipping - they’re in the field on just one bracket (as is Ohio State).</p>
<p id="7m0Jaz"><strong>Rooting Interests</strong></p>
<p id="cIcl0W">That means we have a ton of teams in front of us to watch today. We start with Oklahoma - the Sooners are the first team in the last four byes field, but they lost to <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com">TCU</a> yesterday so the Sooners wait and see if their name is called on Sunday. </p>
<p id="6i7WBV"><a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a> has now slipped into Next Four Bye territory too, so their late-season slip has finally caught on. They are currently playing Minnesota and trail at half, 34-32. Great - we have to rely on Minnesota again?? I’m sure that will go well...</p>
<p id="R4K13g">Next is our Loser Leaves Town matchups. Seton Hall and St. John’s play this afternoon. Seton Hall is one of the Next Four Bye teams, while St. John’s is in the Last Four In group. Let’s get Seton Hall in so Iowa’s resume remains strong. The other is Pitt-<a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com">Wake Forest</a>. Someone is eliminated from contention in that game. </p>
<p id="ZKZWQe"><a href="https://www.vuhoops.com">Villanova</a> plays Marquette, so if that goes chalk, Nova is out. They’re curiously still hanging around despite being 18-14 and beating DePaul on a last-second 3 last night. No one with 15 losses should be in the tournament, short of winning the conference tournament. I don’t want to live in a world where that sort of profile is getting an at-large bid. Also in that category is Providence. They play Creighton later today. Same as Nova - lose and they’re done.</p>
<p id="TBowFL"><a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a> and Mississippi State are about to tip off. Mississippi State’s late swoon has pushed them toward the bubble after looking to be safe. They are in the Next Four Byes group but they need a win to secure their spot in the field.</p>
<p id="A4XOui"><a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a> has now jumped back into the fray after their win over <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a> to close Big XII play. They play again today and we need Iowa State to win that.</p>
<p id="hUmJSt"><a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a> plays <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> again in a rematch of A&M’s rout late in the season. We need Ole Miss to pull through here and send A&M packing. </p>
<p id="m8Zwls">Virginia plays Boston College in the late ACC game - come on, BC. Please do America a favor and knock UVA out.</p>
<p id="kcMmCX">Shifting out west, Colorado plays Utah in some Pac-12 After Dark action. I don’t think there is a right answer here - CU is in the Last Four In category, while Utah dropped out of sight with their Oregon slip-ups. That said, we don’t want them jumping back into the fray with a good win over CU...but that sends CU back to the pack. I don’t know. No good answer there.</p>
<p id="y2MQae">Tipping at the same time is New Mexico. The Lobos are now out and they play Boise State tonight.</p>
<p id="lA9KDm">Teams to Root For - Boise State, probably Utah but there’s no great answer there, Boston College, Ole Miss, Iowa State, LSU, Marquette, Creighton, Seton Hall, Minnesota.</p>
<p id="hgKKyU">Enjoy the games!</p>
<p id="RZnQNP"></p>
<p id="NJN2Yv"></p>
https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/14/24100892/iowa-hawkeye-basketball-ncaa-tournament-bubble-watch-thursday-afternoon-game-thread-bhgpSirNicholas332024-03-13T14:42:20-05:002024-03-13T14:42:20-05:00Iowa Hawkeyes Baseball: Growing Pains
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/y8waXol2DdOO-zkGcl696Cx1-VE=/0x0:1024x683/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73204891/brecht3.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brody Brecht is looking for his first win of the year | Brian Ray</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hawkeyes finding their way through the schedule</p> <p id="q3wczM">In what was thought to be a special baseball season for <strong>Rick Heller</strong>’s squad, the Iowa 9 has hit a few bumps in the road. At this point, the <strong>Hawkeyes</strong> sit at 7-9 overall with a weekend series upcoming against <strong>Western Illinois</strong> in Iowa City. Iowa is looking to replace a few key pieces from last year’s pitching staff. Typically Hellerball starts with quality pitching. Iowa also is known for playing “clean” baseball (with few fielding errors). The Hawkeyes have been getting quality innings from starters <strong>Brody Brecht</strong> and Cade <strong>Obermueller</strong>. <strong>Marcus Morgan</strong> has struggled in his four starts. </p>
<h3 id="qJ6STC"><strong>Hawkeye Pitching</strong></h3>
<p id="TOCLrG">Brody Brecht is starting out where he left off. Brecht has an ERA of 1.40. In 19 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings he has given up just 9 hits. He has struck out 42 and walked 15. Opponents are batting just .132 off of the former Hawkeye football player. Cade Obermueller is 1-1 with an ERA of 1.93. Obermueller definitely looks like he fits in. In 18 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings, Cade has allowed 8 hits, struck out 26 batters, and walked 12. Obermueller was recently named the B1G Pitcher of the Week. </p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5IgyzF1WHK5FFfuvIRz6c5PMewg=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25334474/obermueller.jpg">
<figcaption>Cade Obermueller wins first of many B1G awards</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="H9hfJA">Marcus Morgan is 1-2 with an elevated ERA of 7.71. Morgan has been knocked around so far this season. Morgan is an excellent pitcher; he will settle in over his next few starts. The Hawkeyes are trying to develop some depth with their starting pitchers. <strong>Justin Hackett</strong> has appeared in 2 games, starting 1. Hackett has pitched in just 1 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings and has given up 3 runs, but they have all been unearned. <strong>Elliot Cadieux-Lanou</strong>, a lefty freshman hurler, is 3-1 with an ERA of 9.39. He has appeared in six games, starting three. </p>
<p id="4CYObl">The Hawkeyes are sorting out their bullpen. <strong>Anthony Watts</strong> has one save in his six appearances. <strong>Zach Voelker</strong> has appeared in eight games. He has an ERA of 8.00 with one save. Ultimately Coach Heller will go with the guys who can throw the ball over the plate. Iowa is known for playing good defense. Give the guys behind you a chance and make the batter put it in play is a saying as old as baseball itself. </p>
<h3 id="rhFHGC"><strong>Hawkeye Batting</strong></h3>
<p id="3v6Tyy">Offensively the Hawkeyes are getting runs across the plate. The Hawks are averaging eight runs a game. If you have followed the team in the past, the leading batters are staples in the Iowa lineup. <strong>Sam Peterson</strong> is the leading batter; he is hitting .377 and slugging .656. Peterson has four home runs on the season. <strong>Raider Tello</strong> is back after an excellent year in 2023. Tello is hitting .309 with 3 home runs and 17 RBI. <strong>Kyle Huckstorf</strong> is Iowa’s only other hitter that is sitting above the .300 mark. Huckstorf is batting .305 (shout out to Miami). Kyle leads the team in home runs (5) and RBI (20). </p>
<h3 id="mIleac"><strong>This Weekend:</strong></h3>
<p id="Rfccug">The Hawkeyes head home trying to get back on a winning streak. The Hawks are 3-0 at home in the friendly confines of Duane Banks Field. </p>
<p id="xDWciw">Friday, March 15 vs Western Illinois 4pm</p>
<p id="8iFmlf">Saturday, March 16 vs Western Illinois 2pm</p>
<p id="A679jp">Sunday, March 17 vs Western Illinois 1pm</p>
<p id="KkxVuZ">The games can be viewed on <strong>B1G+</strong> and heard on the <strong>Hawkeye Radio Network</strong>.</p>
<p id="ihsIzW"></p>
<p id="vqDNMD"></p>
https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/13/24099774/iowa-hawkeyes-baseball-growing-pains-rick-heller-brody-brecht-marcus-morgan-bhgpBartt Pierce2024-03-12T13:24:39-05:002024-03-12T13:24:39-05:00Five Hawkeyes Earn Big Ten Accolades
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<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Illinois at Iowa" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gzcFTM_T6kV6mxly3GfSyC-kxT8=/0x0:6372x4248/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73201744/usa_today_22750493.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="UE2zw9">The Big Ten announced their <a href="https://bigten.org/news/2024/3/12/general-big-ten-announces-2024-mens-basketball-postseason-honors.aspx">postseason awards</a> today and five Hawkeyes took home honors between coaches and media selections.</p>
<p id="3z1wZt">Leading the way was Owen Freeman. The freshman, who averaged 10.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and 1 steal per game, took home co-Freshman of the Year honors, splitting the award with Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako on the coaches side. Freeman also earned honorable mention All-Big Ten from the coaches, as well as an All-Freshman team spot.</p>
<p id="0LYZly">On the media side, Freeman was named as the outright Freshman of the Year while taking home honorable mention honors from the media as well.</p>
<div id="jj2wRp">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just a reminder: He's just getting started. <a href="https://twitter.com/_OwenFreeman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_OwenFreeman</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawkeyes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hawkeyes</a> <a href="https://t.co/yW3ZXyOxxy">pic.twitter.com/yW3ZXyOxxy</a></p>— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaHoops/status/1767591865224724573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="oUrQML">Tony Perkins nabbed second-team All-Big Ten from the coaches, but was honorable mention from the media. The senior from Indianapolis averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.</p>
<div id="I3YSk6">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Saucy T.<br><br> Second-Team All-Big Ten. <a href="https://twitter.com/Saucy___T?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Saucy___T</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawkeyes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hawkeyes</a> <a href="https://t.co/C81v1wFL7B">pic.twitter.com/C81v1wFL7B</a></p>— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaHoops/status/1767588460032852273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="NPAMrA">Payton Sandfort, Iowa’s leading scorer on the year, took home third-team honors from both the coaches and the media. For the year, Sandfort averaged 16.2 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and had 45/37/92 shooting splits. He had the first triple-double in Iowa history February 26 versus Penn State, going for 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.</p>
<div id="GrO6eP">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mr. Sandfort <br><br>Third-Team All-Big Ten. <a href="https://twitter.com/payton_20_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@payton_20_</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hawkeyes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hawkeyes</a> <a href="https://t.co/pp9vT0hpdw">pic.twitter.com/pp9vT0hpdw</a></p>— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/IowaHoops/status/1767592366028866025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="Mw9kdc">Ben Krikke took home the Sportsmanship Award for Iowa and picked up an honorable mention pick from the media. The Valparaiso transfer averaged 13.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. </p>
<p id="DDaGqC">The last player to earn postseason honors was Josh Dix. The sophomore from Council Bluffs averaged 8.9 points per game on 57/87/44 splits. Those splits are absolutely elite, and he earned this spot on the back of his close to the regular season, averaging 16 points per game over the final six league games as Iowa went 4-2 down the stretch to re-enter the NCAA bubble conversation.</p>
<p id="DgQg2H">There’s not a ton to complain about here, though Freeman splitting Freshman of the Year chaps my ass a little. He was a 9-time Freshman of the Week this year, which is the second-most all-time in league history. Mgbako averaged 12.2 points per game this year, which is a hair more than Freeman, but Freeman laps him in rebounding and Freeman also averaged nearly 2 blocks a game. At least the media gave the award outright to Freeman. I think Sandfort could have had a second-team shout, but those players are all pretty closely packed together statistically, and a player like Keisei Tominaga (second-team by the media) played on a team that went 12-8 versus Iowa’s 10-10.</p>
https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/12/24098687/iowa-basketball-five-hawkeyes-earn-all-big-ten-conference-accolades-team-coaches-media-bhgpSirNicholas332024-03-11T17:13:12-05:002024-03-11T17:13:12-05:00Bubble Watch: Not Great, Not Terrible
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<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 10 MVC Arch Madness - Indiana State vs Drake" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rBJlPb45TLln2xmEpzKWIONB_14=/0x63:1879x1316/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73199485/2066805525.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Hawkeyes lost a prime opportunity to punch their ticket on Sunday. But is all hope lost?</p> <p id="1YKa5u">Well...Iowa’s bubble life went mostly to plan on Saturday, but Sunday was tough, so there is more work to do for the Hawks heading to the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-basketball-tournament">Big Ten Tournament</a> in <s>Indianapolis</s> Minneapolis. </p>
<p id="cGcia8">Before we dive into the bubble movement around the Hawks, let’s recap Iowa’s position. The most important piece of the puzzle was, of course, Iowa’s Sunday tilt with Illinois. That did not go Iowa’s way, as the Hawks were held to a season-low 61 points in a <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/10/24096844/12-illinois-fighting-illini-73-iowa-hawkeyes-basketball-61-senior-blight-tony-perkins-bhgp">73-61 loss</a>. After falling down by as many as 21, the Hawks got back in the game, cutting the lead to 5 in the second half, but they couldn’t get over the hump.</p>
<p id="cih4hO">Here’s Iowa’s team sheet after the loss:</p>
<figure class="e-image">
<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eMMQTIZCHJ7WNximEm-2M191EO8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25329850/Iowa_3_11.gif">
<figcaption>Via Warren Nolan</figcaption>
</figure>
<p id="crLdrX">On it’s face, the loss doesn’t completely crush Iowa’s NCAA hopes. The loss dropped Iowa from 57 to 60 in NET, which isn’t a calamity. Iowa still has 3 Quad 1 wins, over <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com">Michigan State</a>, Wisconsin, and Northwestern.</p>
<p id="aQT9Zr">Good news - as stated, Iowa’s NCAA hopes aren’t completely dashed by the loss. We knew a 3-1 close to the regular season would be a great scenario for Iowa, 2-2 wasn’t great but wasn’t terrible, and anything less than that meant they’d have to win the conference tournament. So they’re still alive without having to win the conference tournament. They also have Illinois in their path again, one more Quad 1 opportunity. Bad news - they play <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com">Ohio State</a> first and the Buckeyes are perhaps the hottest team in the league this side of Purdue, having gone 5-1 since the firing of Chris Holtmann. As you will see below, Ohio State still has a faint NCAA shot, at least if you follow Joe Lunardi. Also bad news - sure, it’s a Quad 1 shot, but Illinois is just a bad matchup for Iowa. At least we know the math - Iowa has to win Thursday. A win Thursday would be another good Quad 2 win. Then it’s all to play for Friday against the Illini. Lose Thursday, though, and Iowa is NIT-bound.</p>
<p id="sImu3D"><strong>The Bubble</strong></p>
<p id="pmIEgM">Iowa’s loss dropped them a little in Joe Lunardi’s <a href="https://www.bloggingthebracket.com">Bracketology</a>. It’s not a back-breaking drop, but it’s a drop nonetheless. Lunardi’s last tweeted update was from Sunday morning, and that has Iowa as the second team out.</p>
<div id="rvEF0Y">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true" align="center">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/AuWmOYNEro">pic.twitter.com/AuWmOYNEro</a></p>— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNLunardi/status/1766882036294291660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p id="HQApit">His currently Braketology story on ESPN, however, now has Iowa as the <a href="https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2024-march-madness-men-field-predictions">fourth team out</a>. Iowa is behind <a href="https://www.vuhoops.com">Villanova</a>, New Mexico, and <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a>. The Hawkeyes remain in the field in 15 brackets on <a href="http://www.bracketmatrix.com/">BracketMatrix</a>. So again, Iowa’s still lurking despite the loss Sunday night.</p>
<p id="n0mLz5"><strong>Rooting Interests</strong></p>
<p id="ZNI7YU">As noted, Saturday started well for Iowa. <a href="https://www.theuconnblog.com">UCONN</a> defeated Providence, 74-60, which has Providence sliding down brackets. Creighton held on to defeat Villanova, 69-67, which now has the Wildcats out of the tournament in Lunadi’s projection (though they still remain IN the field in 70 bracket projections at BracketMatrix. How, I don’t know; they’re 17-14, you guys...). Seton Hall’s win continues to hold value for Iowa, as they hammered that absolutely putrid DePaul side, 86-62. </p>
<p id="5xFNzS">In the <a href="https://www.mwcconnection.com">Mountain West</a>, Utah State held on to edge New Mexico, 87-85. As noted, New Mexico now finds themselves out of the field, just ahead of Iowa.</p>
<p id="K3s6dR">Shifting to the Pac-12, Utah lost again, dropping a 1-point game to Oregon. They were swept by the state of Oregon Thursday and Saturday and are currently out of picture.</p>
<p id="NncQsI">In the SEC, Mississippi State lost their third-straight, dropping a close game in overtime to South Carolina. Mississippi State looked good to make it, but the close losses to Kentucky and South Carolina, plus a loss to Texas A&M - more on them in a second - has the Bulldogs clinging to a spot.</p>
<p id="Gw1g5o">Memphis was creeping into the picture, but they lost to Florida Atlantic. So that seems to be a wrap for Memphis short of carnage this week.</p>
<p id="s8lmhk"><a href="https://www.frogsowar.com">TCU</a> was the last bit of good fortune for Iowa, as the Horned Frogs - in the tournament in every bracket possible - took a bad loss to UCF. It’s probably not enough to knock them out, as we’ll see with Lunardi’s Bracketology report from this morning, but any little bit helps Iowa.</p>
<p id="HsF2gP">But the good vibes largely ended there. <a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com">Wake Forest</a> won at Clemson so the Demon Deacons are still alive in the Next Four Out category, a spot behind Iowa. Texas A&M is now back in the picture, as they’ve recovered from their 5-game swoon in late February by winning their last three. They ended the season with a conquest of Mississippi, beating both Mississippi State and <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> to right the ship some in an effort to get back in the picture. They are now ahead of Iowa in Lunardi’s projections.</p>
<p id="5munwH">Colorado didn’t fall victim to the Oregon trap, winning over both Oregon and <a href="https://www.buildingthedam.com">Oregon State</a> to close out the regular season. Colorado seems like a good bet to be in now.</p>
<p id="rXnMFz">Drake - love you guys, as a Des Moines native I’m happy to see you having success after decades of disaster class basketball (my dad used to take us to the occasional game at Drake, going back to their time at Vets and then the early Knapp Center days - Rudy Washington and Kurt Kanaskie as head coaches - and <em>oh my God</em> were they terrible), but we needed you to lose yesterday. Unfortunately for Iowa, the Bulldogs held off a furious Indiana State rally to take the automatic bid for the Missouri Valley, 84-80. Despite the loss, Indiana State seems likely to get an at-large bid as well so that will be a two-bid league. Bid stealers - we didn’t need that. We probably need to have a discussion about Darian DeVries and the job he’s doing at Drake sooner rather than later, but we’ll save that for another day.</p>
<p id="rJS9IC"><a href="https://www.fromtherumbleseat.com">Georgia Tech</a> couldn’t help Iowa a second time, losing at Virginia, 72-57. Virginia remains in. </p>
<p id="wseqsV">In the Big Ten, Minnesota completely collapsed in their final two games, losing to Indiana midweek then losing by 24 at Northwestern to finish the regular season. The loss dropped Minnesota to 86 in NET, so that will be a Quad 2-3 scenario for Iowa instead of a possible 1-2. Again - Minnesota basketball cannot be counted on, ever. The one time they were good, they cheated their asses off to win the league and then stole the Big Ten Player of the Year award from Andre Woolridge for good measure. I say screw ‘em.</p>
<p id="oPhn3h">Who to Root For and Against - Lunardi’s latest Bracketology section comes with a handy table as to who needs to do what this week. He lists TCU, Mississippi State, and Virginia as “win and in” teams. So cheer for Oklahoma, <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a>, and whoever Viriginia plays (someone from Clemson/Boston College/Miami), respectively. Any damage to those in front of us would be appreciated.</p>
<p id="wD6Uc1">His next category is “out without this win,” and that includes Iowa. This is all the teams in the area around Iowa, plus a few stragglers such as Utah. We have a long list of for/against here. <strong>Root against the first team</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li id="bKr7Fm">Wake Forest vs. the winner of <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a>/Georgia Tech;</li>
<li id="7ueFRy">New Mexico vs. Air Force. This one seems unlikely as Air Force stinks;</li>
<li id="bnkVZY">Villanova vs. DePaul. Not great;</li>
<li id="ejD0vr">Utah vs. <a href="https://www.houseofsparky.com">Arizona State</a>;</li>
<li id="s9TpXo">St. John’s vs. Seton Hall. This one is huge. A Seton Hall win knocks St. John’s out;</li>
<li id="1gcYtR">Pittsburgh vs. Wake Forest/Notre Dame/Georgia Tech winner;</li>
<li id="D3pvQP">Texas A&M vs. Ole Miss;</li>
<li id="4KtoDA">Colorado vs. Utah/Arizona State; and</li>
<li id="6zFv5n">South Florida vs. East Carolina/Tulsa</li>
</ul>
<p id="E5vu1n">I told you that’s a long list. Then he has a list of teams that require at least two wins to get in the conversation, the “Win Here, Then Win Again” group. That includes:</p>
<ul>
<li id="5pDXjR">
<a href="https://www.gobblercountry.com/">Virginia Tech</a> vs. <a href="https://www.tomahawknation.com/">Florida State</a>
</li>
<li id="1ynanC">Providence vs. Georgetown;</li>
<li id="W1cZvi">Syracuse vs. <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a>/Louisville</li>
<li id="xRRriW">
<a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com">Kansas State</a> vs. Texas</li>
<li id="0eE4fp">Ohio State vs. Iowa; this game is important from an Ohio State point of view as well, as they have at least played their way into consideration if they string more wins together in Minneapolis;</li>
<li id="fvQxGc">Oregon vs. UCLA/Oregon State; and</li>
<li id="tM9IL0">UNLV vs. San Diego State</li>
</ul>
<p id="kq4pJJ">That’s another long list of games. Same as above - <strong>root against the first team, again</strong>. Plan your week accordingly. There is a lot of basketball to follow!</p>
<p id="1OFOnx"></p>
https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2024/3/11/24097246/iowa-hawkeye-basketball-ncaa-tournament-bubble-watch-not-great-terrible-march-madness-bracketeologySirNicholas33