Official NCAA Tournament Iona vs. Iowa State predictions.

[mjhavlo76]

Let me start off by saying that I visited Iona's message board and had found the fans as being quite reasonable. They are excited about the draw and believe they have a chance to hang with us. Hey, it's realistic. In the NCAA Tournament there are teams that have a good chance of upsetting some quality teams. I have found they are a respectable fan base and should be allowed some inclusion on our site provided they don't act like ****** bags.

Now, let us get down with our predictions. I have watched Iona play on occasion during the season and can tell you they can play basketball--very talented and well coached. They play with an eight man rotation and a couple of key players to watch for is A.J. English (who can really fill it up) and Jordan Washington. If we can keep those two players in check defensively we should be alright. Another guard not to sleep on of theirs is Ibn Muhammad. He is a guard that can at times really light up from the perimeter.

The deciding factor I believe will be the play of Georges Niang. If he plays his A-game inside, I don't believe Iona stands a chance and it's "Good Night Irene". But if we struggle to score for what ever reason, we could have another Texas Tech debacle like we had in Lubbock. Talent wise, I compare Iona to Texas Tech of the Big 12.

Iowa State 89
Iona 78

 

[NATEizKING]

They're more on KSU than TTU level, but TTU overachieved this year. ISU 86-72.

 

[cmjh10]

ISU 89
Iona 82

 

[Cyclonepride]

ISU 96-82. I could also see both teams really focusing on defense and having it come out around 76-62 also.

 

[SCyclone]

ISU 86 Iona 75

 

[awd4cy]

Iowa State 83
Iona 80

 

[Daserop]

ISU wins by 2

 

[mdk2isu]

Being that ISU is the trendy pick by all the experts to be upset, I expect the team to come out locked in and laser focused. ISU by 15.

 

[Thomasrickj]

Being that ISU is the trendy pick by all the experts to be upset, I expect the team to come out locked in and laser focused. ISU by 15.

I sure hope you're right! For once nobody expects anything out of this team so it's a great chance for ISU to give the middle finger to these analysts that can't stop badmouthing us. If we make it past Iona this team has a great shot at the Elite 8 since we can outrun Purdue and UALR and Virginia is not conditioned to play a fast tempo style like we do. I think Georges is going to go off in this tourney and McKay will go back to the McKay from last year. I'm going with Iowa State - 91, Iona - 82.

 

[mj4cy]

ISU pounds it down low and actually plays slower pace than expected. ISU 77-Iona 70

 

[madguy30]

Hoping for a decent lead late that continues.

If it's back and forth and real close late, I don't like ISU's chances.

 

[CycloneErik]

We survive and advance.

 

[CRcyclone6]

ISU 85-73

 

[Freebird]

Good guys by around 10 but it will be closer than that most of the game.

 

[oldman]

Iona has nothing to lose. I think ISU wins in a close one. 82-78.

 

[chuckd4735]

ISU-85
Iona-77

 

[justgetcy]

Our guys obviously know that everyone is picking them to be upset. This combined with last years unfortunate exit from the tourney has these guys fired up from the get go.

Iowa State 89
Iona 71

 

[Sorg4Cy]

Iona has nothing to lose. I think ISU wins in a close one. 82-78.

It is the NCAA tournament. What exactly does any team have to lose? 67 will go home losers, one crowned a champion. I'm loving all the so called "experts" picking this as their upset pick. This game will play out a lot like the NC Central game two years ago. Tight early with ISU going into the half with a 5-7 point lead. Come out of the half with a quick little run to get up DD. Then cruise to a 89-72 victory. But we will get out of this game minus a Niang injury!

 

[CyArob]

ISU by 18.

 

[quasistellar]

I predict that one of their players has a career high in scoring.

We still come out on top, though. 87-79 we pull away after the half, but they keep it within 10.