***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***

[trevn]

Iowa’s offense this half has been chuck a three or flail in the lane and look for a foul. Credit to them it’s working.

And Illinois is showing us exactly how a top 5 roster only got a 3 seed.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Iowa has 1 bucket getter, how are they here?

Because Illinois is allowing that one guy to do whatever he wants

 

[awd4cy]

Exactly. I get Iowa is a rival and we hate them. I wish they’d lose every game. But at the end of the day we have to look at the reality of things. They are playing great. Fantastic coach obviously. When you’re this hot you’re going to make a run. I hate Iowa but I’m respecting this run they are on.

We can’t have it both ways. We love to bag on the talent. If true, McCollum is doing an incredible job coaching them up.

 

[CYaeger]

Iowa has 1 bucket getter, how are they here?

Cause they played Clemson without their best player, played a Florida team that overlooked them and turned out to be a fraudulent 1 seed, and two mediocre big 10 schools.

 

[goody2012]

McCollum probably has Iowa back here again next year. But sure, I’ll just pretend it’s all luck.

They were not a great team all year. They're a 9 seed. They're on a hell of a run.

 

[Bret44]

Why would you do that to yourself?

The last time I listened Gary on purpose was the Stanford Rose Bowl while I was farrowing sows. Good times.

 

[CySmurf]

Just gotta respect Iowa at this point. Absolutely incredible.

No, I don't have to respect anybody I don't want to...except my parents and authority figures I guess.

 

[awd4cy]

They were not a great team all year. They're a 9 seed. They're on a hell of a run.

And it’s only year 1. Probably assembles a better team next year and is a 3 seed.

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

No, I don't have to respect anybody I don't want to...except my parents and authority figures I guess.

Fair enough lol

 

[danvillecyclone]

Why would you do that to yourself?

Because John and Eric are off the Air.

I’m in the car and not watching on purpose so I can hear the despair when it all goes awry

 

[ClonerJams]

And it’s only year 1. Probably assembles a better team next year and is a 3 seed.

I don't think he's either of these guys, but Jerome Tang and Wayne Tinkle had teams that got hot and went on a run. I think he's a much better coach than those two, but let's see how he does without Stirtz next year.

 

[TBT]

Anyone feel free to save

 

[FerShizzle]

And it’s only year 1. Probably assembles a better team next year and is a 3 seed.

i mean... he has a VERY difficult piece to replace. and banks is a big loss too. dumbo and beak face are good pieces to build around though.

 

[goody2012]

And it’s only year 1. Probably assembles a better team next year and is a 3 seed.

Maybe, doesn't always work that way. Fascinating to see what happens without Stirtz. He bails them out A LOT.

 

[Pharmacy99]

And it’s only year 1. Probably assembles a better team next year and is a 3 seed.

I don’t know if he will duplicate this but Iowa play smart and maximize their talent.

 

[ISU_Guy]

It’s kind of weird that they’re going inside and having success when we’re so much bigger

You almost have to expand this lead to 10 as well and quick as Iowa shoots the 3

 

[dafarmer]

McCollum should be Iowa’s wrestling coach, I have never seen that much holding and grabbing without a foul being called. They have more takedowns than the Iowa wrestling team.

 

[aauummm]

GO GO GO Illinois!!!!

 

[ClonesTwenty1]

Iowa looks gassed

 

[cyclonespiker33]

And it’s only year 1. Probably assembles a better team next year and is a 3 seed.

They were 5-9 in quad one games and had two quad 3 loses. They got hot at the right time, they're not a good team.