Voice of the Hawkeyes Board

I'll go ahead and get things started.

1) 11-2

2) 9-9

3) I think Iowa will enter the conference tourney needing to make it to the finals in order to qualify for the Big Dance, and fall short. However, Iowa earns one of the top seeds in the NIT, makes it to New York City, and builds a ton of momentum heading into the 2013-14 season.

Hope Lao is right. And as Todd stated, I would like to see my Hawks play in NYC. But of course would prefer NCAA.

Back to reality:
9-4
8-10
2-1 (Big 10 tourney)

19-15 and NIT again.

1.) 11-2. I think we take the Cancun Challenge. Somewhere between @ Va Tech, vs ISU and vs UNI we go 1-2. If we take a loss in any other game, outside of those 3, it would be a disgrace.

2.) 10-8...if we start conference play at 2-4. Gonna be very tough to finish above .500 otherwise. Remember, its a young team, and other teams will be gunning for US late in the year.

So at 21-10, with our pathetic OOC schedule, I think we need to win at least 2 games in the tourney to be on that bubble for the NCAA. But honestly, like Todd, I think its the NIT.

Now say that this team goes 13-0 and starts conference play ranked, I think it would actually help them, confidence wise, in conference play. Might just surprise ole Indiana that first game on New Year's Eve. Now that would be a hoot! Lose to them in football, but then beat them in basketball.

11-2
11-7

22-9 Regular season will have them solidly on the bubble if not already in. The B1G is that good that a 22 win B1G team will be in the tourney regardless of if they have a crappy OOC schedule.

1 win in the BTT and at least a 2nd round NCAA appearance.

Maybe a little optimistic, but I think this team will be good enough to make the tournament.

As for the scoring after Gatens, honestly, I think this team won't have any trouble picking up his scoring. White and Marble are two legitimate 20 a night players. Gesell is a better PG already than we had last year. Our defense will be improved as well and our depth is leaps and bounds better.

I think we will really enjoy watching this team. There will be a few struggles due to youth, but overall I look for a very successful year.

Hawks have some erratic games against some good B1G competition, but still able to come back with surprise the next game. Fans begin tailgating in large numbers hours before games, with shirts off and shorts and sandals on in sub-zero weather. Sellout string begins.

Non-conference @ 11-2
Conference @ 9-9

Squeak out Big Dance shot with one win in the conference championship round.

I just don't see 4 losses with that schedule.

you might be right--sure hope you are. i'm afraid that even poised youngsters can go south a few times. i'm generally optimistic. i just think the guys will be a bit more erratic than the level of skill suggests.

here's a twist. as i said otherwise, i'm afraid the hawks will fall just short of an ncaa bid. however, i also think that if they do get in, they'll be pegged better than 11. if iowa comes out of its b10 schedule as a legit ncaa team, i think they'd be a 7 or 8 seed with a decent shot at winning 2 games.

12-1 NC
9-9 B1G
1-1 in B1G Tournament
8-9 seed in the NCAA. The B1G is that tough this year.

We got the easy part right...LOL...bring on the B1G!

(any word on Basabe's ankle?)

The second half of the conference schedule is more doable; however, an excellent start will greatly dictate a stronger finish. Either way, IA will be dancing barring no major injuries to main players.