Not a must win for either. However its the kind of win that pads the resume and is needed. Iowa really only has a win over Indiana. Rutgers only has that win over Purdue. Its always important to build cushion
Huge Implications for both schools tonight
- Thread starter bac2therac
- Start date
Given where we are and put ourselves. We need to win a majority of these games to even give ourselves a chance. We dropped the PSU game, we got the MD game .. therefore need this one to continue to stay on the curve. We'll have chances to make it up .. but we're running out of freebies. We need to somehow get to a minimum of 2 games over .500 in conference BEFORE conf tourney (and then prob win 2 games in conf tournament) to even sniff the bubble. So we need the wins in games like this .. at Home vs an opponent in a similar position.
This is one of our easier home games left on paper..thats a relative term
I don't see this as a big game for Iowa. They have put themselves in a position where a 10-10 conference record is going to get them into the NCAA Tournament, and they already have one road win.
Conversely, RU needs to go 12-8 to get into the NCAAs. That's highly unlikely, even with a win tonight. So they absolutely need to have this one to keep hope alive.
Conversely, RU needs to go 12-8 to get into the NCAAs. That's highly unlikely, even with a win tonight. So they absolutely need to have this one to keep hope alive.
They do have a favorable schedule in the big 10 but again only Indiana is a quality win. Wins over Virginia and Utah St don't move the needle. Is this game more important for Rutgers..YES
Agree it is important for both teams and with our February around the corner more important we win. Also, this has developed into a terrific rivalry with some awesome games and finishes. Hard to believe a team that loses Garza, Weiscamp , Friedrich and Nunge has got back to winning but that is what happens when your young sophomore plays like an All American. Fran’s supporting cast are nothing spectacular but they have all bought in. Playing a little better defense, still mostly putrid , but hustling like hell. We control Kenan Murray reasonably well, 20 points , we should be in good shape at the end of the night.
Bac - you're more knowledgeable about Bracketology than me, but aren't bad losses worse than good wins are good?
If yes, then even if Iowa is light on quality wins, if they have no bad losses and a .500 record in the Big 10, I have to believe they are a lock.
If yes, then even if Iowa is light on quality wins, if they have no bad losses and a .500 record in the Big 10, I have to believe they are a lock.
Need to limit turnovers big time tonight. Iowa's D may be bad but they force more turnovers than almost anyone else. One of those games where, if we're not careful, I can see Iowa going on a super quick double digit run.
I just took a look at the NET rankings. RU is 113 and Iowa is 21. So it seems like if RU could win tonight, this would be another Quad 1 win and their NET could drop to double digits. I would really like to see a win tonight just to see what happens to the NET of both teams.
He's a Sophomore and he's good at everything. Most likely Caleb will have the assignment to guard him for most of the night.
The game feels much more important for our NCAA hopes than it does for Iowa. It would be a very good road win for them to help their seeding, but a loss still doesn't put them on the bubble. If everyone agrees the minimum for us is 12-8, every toss-up or better game is a critical opportunity for us. If we can win tonight and get to play at Minnesota Saturday, we have a legit chance to climb to 8-2 in conference with three road wins (home vs Maryland, at Nebraska also look to be strong chances for wins).
Keegan Murray is touted as a top 10 pick whenever he goes pro. There was a conversation the other day about if it will be Ron or Caleb on Murray to start. I think it'll be Caleb but we shall see in a few hours.
Keegan Murray is touted as a top 10 pick whenever he goes pro. There was a conversation the other day about if it will be Ron or Caleb on Murray to start. I think it'll be Caleb but we shall see in a few hours.
Not a must win but can’t have many missteps with our disastrous OOC. This is a winnable game so we almost have to have it. Yes they have Murray and Bohannon, but no Garza, Weiskamp, or Frederick. Let’s get this.
It's essentially a must win due to early losses and the remaining schedule. You can pretend nothing is a must win game until we literally need to win out for the entire rest of the season, but we need wins and Iowa at home is a more winnable game than pretty much all of February.
Geoooooo is due. It's been a bunch of games now without him doing much scoring the ball.
Start strong tonight
Geoooooo is due. It's been a bunch of games now without him doing much scoring the ball.
Start strong tonight
This is a big game
After tonight , The next four games (three on road ) are against the 12th, 13th, 14tj and 11th teams in the big 10.
Get this one ...and momentum builds to become road warriors
After tonight , The next four games (three on road ) are against the 12th, 13th, 14tj and 11th teams in the big 10.
Get this one ...and momentum builds to become road warriors
Every conference game us big and it is not a normal season, so to speculate on resumes that will or won't be enough, is truly a guess.....games are missing from resumes across the country, so trying to compare a win/loss record is not going to fly.
Michigan in all likelihood would have had 2 more losses last week before beating Maryland, so are they better off skipping out on 2 likely losses, in hopes that those games don't get squeezed in later??
The simple thing is just use the eye test, not just paper resumes....Every time fans think a school is good or not, changes by the week. It's mid January, not late February folks, tons of games each night and enjoy the competition......
Michigan in all likelihood would have had 2 more losses last week before beating Maryland, so are they better off skipping out on 2 likely losses, in hopes that those games don't get squeezed in later??
The simple thing is just use the eye test, not just paper resumes....Every time fans think a school is good or not, changes by the week. It's mid January, not late February folks, tons of games each night and enjoy the competition......
Finishing above .500 should be the goal. That puts us in the discussion. That means we’ve won a couple or three games on the road. OOC results will be discounted if we play well within conference. Some teams above us from the Selection Committee perspective might not be able to participate. Football team got a break. Could happen for hoops. COVID will open a door or two for bubble teams.
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I actually think if I were a Iowa fan I could easily find things with this game that made feel better about my team. This is not devastating at all for Iowa.
its because you care about defense, I guarantee you that Iowa goes back to their old tricks...we will see, they have Penn State 2x in next few weeks so lets see how they handle another defensive team.
honestly before this game I thought we should win, I am not sold on Iowa. They dont have alot of pieces. Murray is great but who else. This was a game that while not a must win, to me this is a game we needed to win