2025 NCAA Tourney thread

[twojman]

Obviously way early to this, BUT! I looked at the possible path for Iowa State if the current trends hold. ISU could be number 1 in the Midwest Region. Locations?

First/2nd round could be Denver, Wichita or Mikwaukee. Sweet 16 and elite 8 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis. The final four in San Antonio. These would be pretty darn good locations for Cyclone fans.

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[SolterraCyclone]

All the mock brackets at this point have us playing in Milwaukee first round, as that is the closest site to us.

But I’m curious for locals, would you prefer Milwaukee or Wichita first round? Wichita seems like an easier drive. I live in Denver, so would love that for personal reasons, but wouldn’t love it for the Cyclones because that would mean we’ve probably fallen off the 1 or 2 line.

 

[JM4CY]

Obviously way early to this, BUT! I looked at the possible path for Iowa State if the current trends hold. ISU could be number 1 in the Midwest Region. Locations?

First/2nd round could be Denver, Wichita or Mikwaukee. Sweet 16 and elite 8 Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis. The final four in San Antonio. These would be pretty darn good locations for Cyclone fans.

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I've been to basketball games in football stadiums. It sucks.

 

[Allikat]

None of the Regional Finals locations are very exciting.

San Antonio for the Final 4, however would be awesome.

 

[awd4cy]

All the mock brackets at this point have us playing in Milwaukee first round, as that is the closest site to us.

But I’m curious for locals, would you prefer Milwaukee or Wichita first round? Wichita seems like an easier drive. I live in Denver, so would love that for personal reasons, but wouldn’t love it for the Cyclones because that would mean we’ve probably fallen off the 1 or 2 line.

Milwaukee is about an hour closer, and even closer for cyclone alums in Cedar Rapids or quad cities metro. Plus Fiserv is a nice arena. Milwaukee would be better.

 

[iowastatechris]

Milwaukee would be better. Slightly closer in location and TJ loves recruiting in Wisconsin.

 

[beentherebefore]

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[twojman]

I've been to basketball games in football stadiums. It sucks.

Understood but when you look at the other locations and the proximity to ISU fans this would be pretty good.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

Milwaukee would be better. Slightly closer in location and TJ loves recruiting in Wisconsin.

Id probably say Wichita is better.

Easier to travel to for more of our fans, and likely to be more of a big12-friendly crowd in general where Milwaukee will be big 10 heavy.

 

[CycloneErik]

None of the Regional Finals locations are very exciting.

San Antonio for the Final 4, however would be awesome.

Could there even be a bad location for the Final Four? It's the Final Four.

 

[JEFF420]

WI easy for me

 

[CychiatricWard]

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We. Are. Fans. Certainly fun to discuss, and it won’t change a thing with whether we win or lose games.

 

[CloneLawman]

Could there even be a bad location for the Final Four? It's the Final Four.

Iowa City.

 

[SCNCY]

Id probably say Wichita is better.

Easier to travel to for more of our fans, and likely to be more of a big12-friendly crowd in general where Milwaukee will be big 10 heavy.

The added benefit to Wichita would be the Kansas City crowd. While Mikwauke and Witchita are probably similar road trips from Ames; Witchita appears to be about 45 minutes longer.

 

[fcclone]

Id probably say Wichita is better.

Easier to travel to for more of our fans, and likely to be more of a big12-friendly crowd in general where Milwaukee will be big 10 heavy.

Milwaukee is a pretty easy drive too.

I think I have told this story here before but when we played in the first and second round in Milwaukee, we went up against Purdue In the second game. Minnesota was also assigned there.

At halftime of our game with Purdue they panned the crowd showing Purdue, ISU, Minnesota, and Wisconsin clad fans. They all received cheers from their respective fans. Then they showed a lone Hawk fan, and the whole arena started booing. It was funnier than hell.

 

[CycloneErik]

Iowa City.

We would own that place.

 

[cyclones500]

Using most-recent Bracket Matrix (Jan. 4), this is 1 line, in order:
Auburn
Tennessee
Iowa State
Duke

If ISU does get a 1 seed, I expect first weekend is Milwaukee, not Wichita, unless there's major logjam of Big Ten or "northerly" SEC teams in the 1/2 line. Marquette cannot play there, since it's hosting.

A tricky thing, even with those being the four 1's, f the pecking order is extremely close, ISU might get bumped by UT for Midwest slot, Duke gets East due to geography and ISU goes to West.

"Worst-case" 1 seed placement, region and first-weekend sites:
Auburn: SOUTH | Atlanta … Lexington
Tennessee: MIDWEST | Indianapolis … Lexington
Duke: EAST | Newark … Raleigh
Iowa State: WEST | San Francisco … Milwaukee

Following strict rank would put Tennessee in East, ISU in Midwest and Duke in West (Auburn still in South).

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Fiserv Forum Capacity: 17,385
InTrust Bank Arena Capacity: 15,004

I think I'd rather have 2500ish extra seats available to help ticket prices.

 

[RagingCloner]

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Buzz

Kill

 

[bawbie]

Milwaukee is about an hour closer, and even closer for cyclone alums in Cedar Rapids or quad cities metro. Plus Fiserv is a nice arena. Milwaukee would be better.

Lots of alums in Madison and Chicago too. Plus we've got all the Milwaukee & Wisconsin connections with current and former players and coaches. I think Milwaukee is much better