NCAA Bracket 2016: Where Could the Hawkeyes Land?

The Iowa Hawkeyes rose as high as a potential number one seed in some people’s NCAA Bracket, but since losing three of four games, the Hawkeyes are starting to work their way down to a three or four seed. Let’s take a look at some possible scenarios for the Hawks.

When the Hawkeyes are on, they are one of the best offensive teams in the country. But over their last four games, they’ve struggled to get points from their bench, and key role players. Mike Gesell missed three or four wide open layups in the loss to Wisconsin, and Iowa’s bench gave them four total points for the game. Peter Jok can score all the points he wants, but if he isn’t getting any help, Iowa is doomed.

As of February 25th, which was a day after the Hawkeyes lost to the Badgers, Joe Lunardi had the Hawkeyes moving down to a three seed and playing their first round game in St. Louis, which isn’t where Iowa wants to be. Iowa wants to be in Des Moines. He has them taking on a Chattanooga team that has wins over Dayton, Illinois, and Georgia. However, they also have three losses to teams outside the RPI top 150.

Lunardi has Iowa set up with a possible second round matchup with the Baylor Bears, who have been giving teams fits, especially our in-state rival, the Iowa State Cyclones. The Bears have four wins inside the RPI top 50, three of which have come on the road. Also, all of their losses have come to teams inside the top 50 of the RPI.

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Jerry Palm of CBS Sports has Iowa currently in at one of the four seed spots playing in Des Moines and taking on the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors. The Warriors are currently 22-4 and leading the Big West with an 11-2 conference record. They took Oklahoma down to the wire over the Christmas Break, but were unable to defeat the Sooners. Their two wins over UC Irvine are their best wins in terms of RPI rating. They also have a loss to Texas Tech.

Iowa’s potential second round match up would come against Texas A & M, who is the five seed. The Aggies are currently 10-5 in the SEC, which is good for third in the conference. They have five wins over RPI top 50 teams, but also have six losses outside the RPI top 50. The Aggies have been tough to figure out, but have a lot of talent.

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USA Today, like Lunardi, has Iowa as a three seed, but instead of St. Louis, the Hawkeyes are playing in Des Moines. Their first round opponent, none other than the UAB Blazers. Now, we all remember what happened last year to our lovely neighbors to the west, the Cyclones – I won’t go into it – but can you imagine how much crap Hawkeye fans would get for just being matched up with the Blazers in the first place?

Iowa’s second round opponent is set up to be the California Bears, who are the six seed. Cal has a lot talent and has rattled off 6 straight victories. They are led by outstanding freshman, Jaylen Brown, who averages nearly 16 points per game and is fresh off a double double performance against UCLA (16 points 10 rebounds). Cal could give Iowa a lot of issues. Of course, the 11 seed Cal is playing is no slouch either, the Wichita State Shockers remember the Hawkeyes, I’m sure. Iowa beat the Shockers earlier in the year when they were playing without veteran point guard, Fred VanVleet.

These scenarios won’t likely come true, but it’s always fun to take a look at who the Hawkeyes could match up with. The Hawkeyes will be back in action on Sunday afternoon against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

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