***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***

[Cyched]

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

Houston has some dudes, but Iowa has to have a ton of confidence right now.

That said...I trust Kelvin Sampson (or Brad Underwood, while we're at it) to have his guys more ready than Todd Golden did.

 

[awd4cy]

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?

I doubt it. McCollum has had way more success as a head coach and overall seems like he possesses a much higher iq than Tang. Tangs elite 8 run was due more to 1 player balling out. Iowas has not been that.

 

[cmhawks99]

Most assists in NCAA history is a pretty big deal and clutch.

I know, I know, maybe it’s because he looks more like a baseball player than a basketball player. Hell, I don’t know…. I don’t like Purdue. It’s one of the few teams in the Big Ten, I don’t like but there’s really no way around it. Matt painter is a hell of a coach and they’ve had a very good program for a long time and despite that plenty of their fans have wanted Matt painter fired for 10 years.

 

[ISU_Guy]

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?

This is a great take. He appeases the fans with this year then his lightening in a bottle fades.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

Florida was a weak number 1

So what if Iowa beats Houston? When do we start to say “hey respect.”

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I just don’t believe either team is a top 8 team in the country

It was like TJs first team against Miami in the Sweet 16 a couple years ago. No way was either team top 8 or even 16

 

[AlaCyclone]

Iowa is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987 and the 5th time overall. They are 3-1 in the Elite Eight. Their last Elite Eight win was in 1980 vs Georgetown. This is Iowa’s first Elite Eight as a #9 seed.

Some stats do not need to be provided. / sarcasm

 

[cmhawks99]

Cool story bro…

Thanks

 

[BigLame]

(Hoiberg) "We'll guard them with 4 guys. Won't know what hit 'em"

 

[2122]

Tough one for Sandfort.

 

[HoopsTournament]

Arizona Sweet Sixteen Facts
Appearances: 23
Sweet Sixteen Record: 11-11

• Record before seeding: 1-1
• Record as higher seed: 7-5
• Record as lower seed: 3-5

Tommy Lloyd

• 4th Sweet Sixteen
• 0-3 with Arizona

Arkansas Sweet Sixteen Facts
Appearances: 16
Sweet Sixteen Record: 8-7

• Record before seeding: 1-1
• Record as higher seed: 6-0
• Record as lower seed: 1-6

John Calipari

• 17th Sweet Sixteen
• 2-1 with UMass
• 3-1 with Memphis
• 7-1 with Kentucky
• 0-1 with Arkansas

Houston Sweet Sixteen Facts
Appearances: 18
Sweet Sixteen Record: 8-9

• Record before seeding: 2-6
• Record as higher seed: 4-2
• Record as lower seed: 2-1

Kelvin Sampson

• 10th Sweet Sixteen
• 2-1 with Oklahoma
• 3-3 with Houston

Illinois Sweet Sixteen Facts
Appearances: 13
Sweet Sixteen Record: 8-4

• Record before seeding: 3-0
• Record as higher seed: 4-1
• Record as lower seed: 1-3

Brad Underwood

• 2nd Sweet Sixteen
• 1-0 with Illinois

 

[CyDude16]

They beat 1 seed Florida. Not the easiest path.

Florida was by far and away the weakest 1 seed.

 

[FerShizzle]

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

Sure. If all their role players continue to shoot 50% from 3 they have a chance.

 

[cyputz]

Great win Iowa, now let’s make it two teams from the state of Iowa in the Elite 8!!

 

[Cyinthenorth]

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

No, they are just a more athletic version of Nebraska. They don't have anyone to take advantage of Iowa inside

 

[Taz4President]

LOL, that’s because you have built-in biases and presuppositions of course you don’t think that…

And brother, I’ve lived a pretty interesting life and there have been plenty of people, that I’ve hated in my life…But It is an absolutely useless emotion and generally speaking the people down the street, the ones that everyone thinks are awesome. End up having lots and lots and lots of skeletons. I would never ever judge somebody without deeply knowing them like you just have…

Case in point you don’t know **** about me… Although I’m a huge sports fan, celebrities and sports people are not my heroes. I’m a huge Caitlin Clark fan, but I have no interest in meeting her and I have no interest in getting her autograph. I have a very well rounded and simple life. Don’t make people more important than they are and don’t look down your nose at people, one day you may need them to help you.

Here is where my thoughts about the Brands brothers start & stop… There are undoubtably many people that think they are heroes and great guys. I happen to be friends with someone that lived with them initially in college on the wrestling team and they are certainly strange & seem douchey but they are wrestlers, who are all a completely different breed.

I think nothing about Conner McCaferry but never in 100 years would I waste a bunch of energy, holding negative views about someone like that.

I mean seriously in a world where many sports heroes have committed crimes, assaulted women, Anthony Brown….etc.

Yeah I’m super upset about Tom Brands & Conner McCaffery. That’s just an Iowa State fan thing.

You’re in the Tourney thread. No one here, who’s barely tolerating your non-stop posting wants to hear two sh*ts about your philosophical thoughts on life, how fanbases treat each other and if certain coaches are good human beings. Either keep your conversation in this thread to the tournament or find another fanbase forum to use as your spiritual outlet.

 

[casey1973]

So what if Iowa beats Houston? When do we start to say “hey respect.”

Never

 

[awd4cy]

Florida was a weak number 1

Nobody said that before last Sunday.

 

[MLawrence]

Only 25? in the second half. Everyone not named Sandfort should walk home.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bball team only put 4 guys on the floor

So this wasn’t Hoiberg:

 

[KCClone1]

Only 25? in the second half. Everyone not named Sandfort should walk home.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bball team only put 4 guys on the floor

Gene Hackman in Hoosiers. My team is on the floor.