So, 5 losses in the NCAA tournament in 20 years. In three years Duke got beat by Mercer and Lipscomb in the first round. I don't hear them saying "We are Duke."
I consider Niang's injury as serious bad luck in a terrible time, and I'd consider the seeding and draw vs. MSU as really bad that very well prevented some great accomplishments for ISU basketball. The rest I don't really see that way at all.
Ohio State - an incorrect block/charge call that was REALLY hard to make in real time that kept a 10 seed ISU from the Sweet 16. Count me as skeptical that team was on the cusp of a magical run if they just got past that Ohio St. team. Much like the previous season, they were playing their best ball in March, but when you **** around and lose to bad teams in December and January, seeding is not going to be kind.
Hampton - That team was broken before the conference tourney. They weren't going anywhere if they get by Hampton. They were done.
Michigan St. - Momentum changing call goes Izzo's way. Every team that plays Izzo gets thoroughly bent over by officiating. There is no more favored coach in CBB in terms of officiating. Yes, this one really hurts because that was a great team that got screwed on seeding (which ended up in a bad location/draw). Plus seeing this was essentially a default National Championship game really sucks.
Niang's injury - yes, that's bad luck for sure, and who knows what happens after that. While ISU made a couple pushes to get close, UConn handled ISU that game. Georges would've made a difference for sure, but who knows if it would've been enough. Wierd game - Ejim was horrible and Hogue was played completely out of his mind.
UAB - that team was living on the edge all season. Coming out flat, getting down, making some crazy comeback and had a lot of pure luck to pull them out. It was only a matter of time when it bit them in the ass.
