I’ve hesitated for long time to say anything about my Hawkeyes and their recent success on the hardwood because in recent years, good things haven’t lasted with the Iowa basketball team. To validate my feelings, the boys choked at Northwestern (ouch!) last Wednesday. I feel much better saying something now after a big win at Indiana. Now, they are a ½ game ahead of Ohio State with 5 games left to play. Still, I’d better say something while I can!
I’ve got to include a pic of the new all-time leading rebounder at Iowa, Greg Brunner, doing what he does best. “Bru” is, in my opinion, the epitome of Iowa hoops – slow, white dude who plays his guts out. He sports my old number too, which puts him in even more rare company!
Tonight, Michigan State visit Carver Hawkeye Arena. This is a huge game. Hopefully the Hawks have learned something from the 30 point thrashing the Spartans gave them earlier in the year and will actually the play the kind of defense that has made them among the nation’s top defensive teams. I’d love to see them win and go on to the Big Ten regular season title, but beggars (this is Iowa we are talking about here) can’t be choosers.
Honestly, a top 3 finish in the Big Ten regular season, good showing in the Big Ten tourney (semis or finals) and a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament would be fantastic. Still, after a number of years of just hoping to see Iowa mentioned as a possible bubble team, it’s just nice to see them down as “lock” to make the tournament. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the rest of the season brings.
In the meantime, I’ll enjoy the fact that my team is first in its conference and try not let may expectations get too high! They’d probably be disappointed.
