***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***

[awd4cy]

**** this. Easiest path to a final four in history and of course it’s served to Iowa on a silver platter

They beat 1 seed Florida. Not the easiest path.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

The squawks are just one of the teams that can ugly up the game and do enough to win. Have to give them credit, they do just enough to stick around and pull it out in the end. Really reminds me of when they went to the final four in 1979 or 80. Just keep it close and pull it out in the end.

 

[NWICY]

So, you still wish Fred was our coach?

Nope

 

[Cyinthenorth]

If they play Houston it will be predicted that they'll get smoked...like the Florida game.

I think they could actually beat Houston. Illinois would be a tougher matchup.

 

[Cyhig]

Iowa reminds me of Tang’s first season. Make a run to the elite 8 due in large part to one main player. Kansas State opens up the money bag to Tang after the season. You know the rest

Could history repeat itself?

 

[Bret44]

The worst person you know is happy tonight. ****.

 

[Alswelk]

Iowa reminds me of Tang’s first season. Make a run to the elite 8 due in large part to one main player. Kansas State opens up the money bag to Tang after the season. You know the rest

Could history repeat itself?

We can only hope.

 

[cyclones500]

For some reason I didn't think that tip went in, probably just the angle, and my eyes getting less-trustworthy.

 

[CycloneSpinning]

As gross as this is, I am giggling thinking of Fran all red-faced throwing the remote at his TV somewhere in Pennsylvania.

I kind of like Fran now. Whoever coaches Iowa is that evil Star Wars leader (not Darth Vader…the other one). Sorry, I know it’s true…but I don’t know Star Wars.

 

[AllInForISU]

Can’t wait for 5 Big 10 teams in the Elite 8 and then still not winning a championship

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I think they could actually beat Houston. Illinois would be a tougher matchup.

I think I agree with that. Houston isn't going to even try to speed them up.

 

[cmhawks99]

Crazy to say but the way they are playing they could easily go to NC

I love Iowa, but they’re playing on vapors

 

[NWICY]

Ouch. That’s painful.

And that flight just got worse

 

[HawaiiClone]

Well the other Martin Jischke school must win now!!

 

[Dork Diggler]

Clemson ******* worst power 5 team to ever make the full tournament, then you play a coach that makes the absolute dumbest decision of all time guarding full court, then a team that doesn’t even have 5 on the court on the inbound

******* unbelievable

And Clemson lost arguably their most important player in their conference tournament.

 

[ema28]

Fred....you and I are over

 

[Prone2Clone]

Clemson ******* worst power 5 team to ever make the full tournament, then you play a coach that makes the absolute dumbest decision of all time guarding full court, then a team that doesn’t even have 5 on the court on the inbound

******* unbelievable

"Luck of the Hawkeyes" is a phrase I've said for many, many, many years.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

I love Iowa, but they’re playing on vapors

Everyone is at this point. It’s a hell of a run.

 

[AllInForISU]

They beat 1 seed Florida. Not the easiest path.

Florida was a weak number 1

 

[rosshm16]

It's not that crazy. They basically keep every game close, then it just turns into executing/making shots the last 2-3 minutes.

It's the classic "we know we don't have as much talent as you" approach in basketball. The more talented team will likely pull away when there's lots of possessions, so limit possessions and hope for the best.

Mike Fratello's Cavs did it in the 1990s NBA for about five years with some modest success.