Random Thoughts: A Special Indianapolis Edition

March 8, 2012

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Random thoughts on a big day for Fran’s Hawkeyes in Indianapolis…

“This is a good game, Gus,” offered BTN’s Shon Morris after a pretty lay-in by Melsahn Basabe pulled Iowa to within one in the final minutes of the first half of Iowa’s heart-pounding, nail-biting, heart-attack-causing 64-61 victory over Illinois today at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. “Oh my goodness,” Gus Johnson said with a proper amount of affirmation.

I’m not 100 percent certain who pays the hotel bill when Fran’s squad visits Indianapolis, but whoever it is, he needs to pony up for at least another night…and how refreshing is that? Folks, today’s victory snapped a five-game “one-and-done” string for the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s last first round win was a 10-point victory over Minnesota in the 2006 tournament also held in Indianapolis. So, if you’re counting, this victory is yet another piece of evidence of the good work being done by the head coach, his staff, and the Hawkeyes.

So, let’s assume the bracket plays out as designed and Northwestern defeats Minnesota later today. What does it mean in terms of post-season play? Well, from where I sit, it means the Wildcats have ascended into the NCAA Tournament and the Iowa Hawkeyes climb to the top of the NIT’s list if (a) the Hawkeyes don’t make the deepest of runs in Indy and (b) the NIT wants a team from the nation’s best conference in their field. Why the Hawkeyes over Illinois and Minnesota? It’s simple really. The three teams’ overall records are about identical and Iowa has a significant edge in wins over Top 25 teams. To me, the real difference is what each team has done in its last 10 games. Iowa will square off against Michigan State tomorrow as winners of six of their last 10 with two over nationally ranked opponents. Illinois is 1-9 in its last 10 and Minnesota would, again, if the bracket plays out as buildt, would drop to 2-8. Mo’…the Hawkeyes have a some; the Illini and Gophers not so much.

So, Aaron White is not a unanimous selection for the league’s all-Freshman team? Puh-leeeeze!

As you know, the Hawkeyes’ are the No. 8 seed in this year’s Big Ten post-season party. 8’s have a hard time getting past the second round for an obvious reason: Game 2 for an eight seed is against the tournament’s No. 1. The only 8 to get past round two in the 14-year history of the event is the 2003 Ohio State Buckeyes. That team snuck by Iowa by two in its first game then beat No. 1 Wisconsin and No. 5 Michigan State before losing to No. 2 Illinois in the championship game. “There’s not a team in this league that we can’t beat,” Fran told the media on Tuesday. “There are some teams that we didn’t beat. But, at the same time, I feel like we can play with everybody that’s beaten us and have a chance.” Game time tomorrow is 11 a.m. Iowa time. If you can’t be in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, you can watch the game on ESPN while, of course, listening to the Hawkeye Radio Network.

“If Aaron White is a stock, I’m buying,” gushed BTN’s Morris during Iowa’s 20-6 second-half run to victory which was sparked by the talented freshman’s hustle. “He keeps playing like this, you’re going to have to dig really deep into your pockets,” smiled BTN’s Johnson.

Michigan State had its way with the Hawkeyes in the team’s only meeting this year, a Jan. 10 date in East Lansing. Most fans of the Hawkeyes and college basketball remember that game not so much for what happened while the ball was in play, but more so for Fran’s tussle with a chair. What I remember is a very experienced and talented team playing on its home floor against a young team still figuring it out. I would wager that Tom Izzo – a coach I have huge admiration for – isn’t sipping a Diet Coke poolside right now. No, my guess is that he’s workin’ it because Izzo knows the Iowa team he’ll see tomorrow isn’t the same team he saw in early January. It’s better…much better.

Is it just me or is Josh Oglesby slowly but surely morphing into the second coming of Matt Gatens? That drive from the top of the during the second half run was eerily similar to that of the Hawkeyes’ talented senior. “The kid can go,” Gatens apparently told BTN’s Johnson and Morris during yesterday’s shoot around.

And how about Matt? Another game, another 20 points. Big shots at big times. Great leadership…and, for those who didn’t get to see it, a truly wonderful post-game interview with the BTN studio gang. What a tremendous ambassador for the University of Iowa.

A few of us have talked about this since last Friday when Lisa Bluder’s squad lost its second round Big Ten Conference Tournament game to a talented and nationally ranked Nebraska. Is it better to have played and won one (like Fran’s team) than to have a first round bye (like Izzo’s team)? I think for this Iowa team in this particular Big Ten Tournament against this particular opponent, it’s a plus to have one game under your belt.

Go Hawks! Beat State!