***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***
- Thread starter ClonesTwenty1
- Start date
It'll be interesting to see if it translates i to season tkt sales next fall.
Flemings, Uzan, Sharp all done at Houston.
I think we understand Tugler's game but Cenac can be unpredictable at times, 2026 for Houston will be interesting.
I think we understand Tugler's game but Cenac can be unpredictable at times, 2026 for Houston will be interesting.
That's the good thing about me not having anything other than CF. I miss 99% of that stuff.
I guess people can stop whining that 2 seed Houston got unfair hometown placement over 1 seed Florida!
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
My impression is that Cenac will be drafted if he wants to go that route.
If you told me Ben McCollum would make an elite 8 before TJ I would of laughed in your face
given that bracket, I'm not surprised.
Yeah - it will be interesting to see if Ben can make it sustainable as well. Iowa fans also may start to have unrealistic expectations now
Next year will very interesting
Cyclonepride
Thought Police
Yeah, Florida was mediocre until they got into SEC play and then lit it up against other mediocre SEC teams, and Nebraska was very average after their long undefeated streak to start.
Seriously? They had to beat Florida I don’t think anyone had that as an upset lol
KidSilverhair
Well-Known Member
You all realize the path is open for an Iowa vs Iowa State national championship game, right?
Houston losing was not surprising whatsoever. Their offense has been suspect all year, and Illinois is a damn good team when they're engaged defensively. They're also one of, if not the tallest teams in college basketball, and their size definitely caused problems for Houston. Other than getting them at "home" it was a bad matchup.
I'm quite the opposite of a B1G homer, but this Illinois team is very dangerous.
I'm quite the opposite of a B1G homer, but this Illinois team is very dangerous.
Regarding Iowa - they've caught lightning in a bottle with some decent matchups for them along with playing their best basketball of the year. Nebraska tried to run them off the court in the first half but Iowa's role players kept hitting shot after shot to keep them within striking distance. Once you get the game to tied or Iowa with a slight lead at the under 4 timeout, Iowa has you right where they want you. They'll spread the floor and Stirtz will either get fouled, chuck a step-back three that somehow goes in, or drive and kick to a wide open shooter with 1 second left on the shot clock. They are possibly the most comfortable team I've ever seen late in the shot clock.
Illinois poses a big problem for Iowa though. The size across the board is going to be an issue and if Illinois stays engaged defensively, I think they win by 10-15 points. *If* Iowa keeps shooting the ball like they have been and *if* Illinois decides defense is optional in the Elite Eight, Iowa has a path to victory.
Illinois poses a big problem for Iowa though. The size across the board is going to be an issue and if Illinois stays engaged defensively, I think they win by 10-15 points. *If* Iowa keeps shooting the ball like they have been and *if* Illinois decides defense is optional in the Elite Eight, Iowa has a path to victory.
I've seen a lot of people twisting themselves into knots trying to put down Iowa being in the Elite 8. Go back a couple weeks in some of these threads, and there were people saying they would rather face Duke or Michigan than Florida.
Do I wish Iowa had lost in the first round, yes. Do I worry about ISU losing tonight, and the season being over, yes. Do I care about Iowa making it farther in the bracket, no (as long as they don't win a championship).
The last 15 seasons, ISU has made more NCAA's, and usually lasted longer once there. The world is not ending because Iowa got hot at the right time. So did the Cyclones.
With returning players and getting their path, it makes total sense and I figure they'll get the next one too.
They're not real good but solid and the little bit I watched last night looked really confident.
