***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***

[HoopsTournament]

Arizona has been a #1 seed 8 times. They went to the Final Four in 1988 when they were seeded #1. They missed the Final Four the next seven times they were seeded #1. That streak will end as well.

 

[HawaiiClone]

If this holds up, is it reasonable to say that Arizona being in the Big 12 instead of the old Pac 12 is a boon to their basketball program considering it would be their first Final 4 in 25 years?

 

[flycy]

Whatever happened to that guy that coached Illinois in ‘05? Weber mighta been his name?

Heh. And I’m not really mocking Bruce Weber. He seemed like a legitimately good guy.

My point, if there is one, is that while tournament success is a huge part of how a coach is judged it usually takes sustained success to keep a power conference job.

TJ has led the most successful run in Cyclone history. Larry’s Elite 8 doesn’t hold a candle to it.

Hard disagree, Larry and that elite 8 team were head and shoulders above.

 

[Prone2Clone]

I think they have another 7 footer coming in. Their luck with big men is crazy.

I'm convinced they manufacture them somehow.

 

[Kinch]

Good ol fashion butt kickin’.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Haha

 

[enisthemenace]

idk... they mostly use homegrown talent. it will be a much busier season than typical in the portal for them. do they have a giant NIL budget? i would guess they are middle-ish in the big 10.

Im pretty sure their NIL budget/spend is very similar to Iowa State’s. A tad higher, but not by much.

 

[isuno1fan]

Now if we can get Tn to win we will have 4 diff conferences in the FF

 

[fcclone]

Another Big 10 curb stomping.

This one at the hands of the Big 12.

 

[Letterkenny]

Arizona is just relentless.

 

[NYCYFan]

Arizona is crazy good. Maaaan

I know that Michigan and Duke especially with Foster back are great teams, Illinois is very good as well, but I can't see anybody beating Arizona. Not only their talent but they are relentless and very tough minded.

 

[cyfanbr]

Im pretty sure their NIL budget/spend is very similar to Iowa State’s. A tad higher, but not by much.

I don’t know their total, but Oscar Cluff was going to be a cyclone until Purdue dropped a bag for him and we couldn’t match it.

 

[2122]

Lute

 

[Kinch]

Now if we can get Tn to win we will have 4 diff conferences in the FF

And shuts up the Big 10 narrative.

 

[HoopsTournament]

Arizona is in the Final Four for the first time since 2001 and the 5th time overall. They are 2-2 in the National Semifinals. They have won their last two National Semifinal games.

 

[enisthemenace]

I don’t know their total, but Oscar Cluff was going to be a cyclone until Purdue to dropped a bag for him and we couldn’t match it.

I’ve heard that as well. A lot of ways to explain that and still have total budgets the same.

EDIT: There is not a shred of innuendo in my response either. Not sure if I needed to add that, but I haven’t “taken the temperature of the room” since yesterday, and just want to make sure it’s known I mean nothing by my comment. Strictly an accounting comment.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I wonder what it would cost us to have 2 big quality paint bodies. When is the last time we've had that.

Probably gotta go back to Reggie George and Damion Staple circa 2004-05

 

[CloniesForLife]

Good night. Hawkeyes lose and a Big 12 team knocks out Big 10

 

[theshadow]

Probably gotta go back to Reggie George and Damion Staple circa 2004-05

Just go back one more year and take Vroman and Homan.

 

[FerShizzle]

I think they have another 7 footer coming in. Their luck with big men is crazy.

Ok. But they have a lot to replace in the backcourt.

And 7’ freshman are rarelyready to go. Especially the type of 7’ footers they get.