Really terrible shooting by both teams but mostly Houston.
***Official 2026 NCAA Tournament Thread***
- Thread starter ClonesTwenty1
- Start date
Have to wonder if Houston felt some extra pressure playing a virtual home game
I do understand your point, but most people nationally won't look at it that way, though.
I could sure come over to your side if say every Big 12 team lost in the first weekend of the tourney except for Arizona and then Zona went on to win it. Harder for a conference to beat their chest in that scenario. Especially if 3 of the other Final Four teams were all from the same conference (i.e. Big 10).
I'm not sure their fan base is big enough to make that much difference. In their own city they're probably the 3rd-4th behind Texas, A&M and maybe LSU.
Well, 3 of the 4 games went the other way than I was hoping for. Hopefully tomorrow night we are celebrating ourselves
Have a good one cyclone nation. Big game tomorrow
Have a good one cyclone nation. Big game tomorrow
******* Houston. Play a B- game, and you win this by 3 possessions.
Imagine if Iowa State got a Sweet 16/Elite 8 opportunity at Casey's Center (Wells) in Des Moines and laid an egg like that.
That is how Houston has to feel. At least they don't have a long, sad drive back home I suppose?
That is how Houston has to feel. At least they don't have a long, sad drive back home I suppose?
They don’t have a drive home cause they were all watching in their living rooms.
Illinois is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2024 and the 11th time overall. They are 5-5 in the Elite Eight. Their last Elite Eight win was in 2005 vs Arizona. Illinois is 0-1 as a #3 seed in the Elite Eight.
And the facts keep coming…you are amazing. I’ve enjoyed reading your stuff….. you’d be fun watching a game with!
Congrats on your team. I’m already annoyed by all the KU fans that think they are just gonna steal Tommy Lloyd from you guys cause they are KU.
Arizona is in the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015 and the 12th time overall. They are 4-7 in the Elite Eight. Their last Elite Eight win was in 2001 vs Illinois. Arizona is 1-3 as a #1 seed in the Elite Eight.
I just don’t get this…. I understand the familiarity thing. And yes, I would say there’s probably some truth to that.
But based on the way Iowa plays I’m not sure Houston would be favored by as much as Illinois will be. Houston was the better matchup for Iowa and I think there are probably quite a few “basketball fans“ not big 12 fans but rather basketball fans that wouldn’t agree with you.
Arizona is the team with the fewest flaws, tonight they do not need to make many 3 pointers and are blowing out Arkansas. They are the only team I have seen this year that can beat you in multiple ways. They have size, shooters, very good guards. Looking at their roster they have 8 or 9 players from overseas, and only two from Arizona. 5 seniors on the team, bring in a lot of overseas players and then fill in with transfers. Only way to beat them is shoot the ball like we did in the B12 tournament, you must hit 14 to 15 three pointers or they will bury you.
To me the only surprise score tonight was Houston, I figured even with their lack of an inside game that their defense would give Illinois fits, but the lack of shooting really did the cougars in . I figured that both Arizona and the squawks would win.
To me the only surprise score tonight was Houston, I figured even with their lack of an inside game that their defense would give Illinois fits, but the lack of shooting really did the cougars in . I figured that both Arizona and the squawks would win.
