Roundtable Q’s: Reflection And A Look Ahead

It has already been well documented that the collapse of the Iowa Hawkeye men’s basketball was absolutely brutal to watch.  Well, it was and it still kind of hurts to talk about.  But for this weeks roundtable we are going to talk about the ending of the men’s season, the women’s run in the tournament, and a look ahead to next season for the men.

Lets go!

1. What will it take for the Iowa women to beat AAC power, Louisville tonight?

Jeremy: Any time a team is looking to pull off an upset, turnover margin and the ability to knock down perimeter shots is key. The same goes for Iowa, who has also found success in utilizing the free throw line. To win tonight, the Iowa guards will have to be effective at penetrating towards the hoop, either getting hacked or dishing to open teammates. Three point shots keep teams in the game, and the longer Iowa is treading water, with the support of the home crowd, the stars could align for an upset.

Alex: Any time a team is out-talented, as the Iowa Hawkeyes are this evening, they are going to have to knock down shots to win. Louisville is one of the most under seeded teams in this tournament and they’re one of the best teams in the country. The Hawkeyes must create some magic from beyond the three-point arc if they want to have a chance to stay in this game.

Dylan: Look, Louisville is really really good.  They’ve had to deal with Connecticut – who is way better than anyone in the country – three times this year.  And Louisville has only lost four games.  Iowa is going need a career game from somebody tonight and possibly a bench player, who usually doesn’t score much, in double figures.

2. Wednesday night pretty much summed up the Iowa basketball season, are you glad it’s over?

Jeremy:  No I’m not glad it’s over. As seen with Tennessee, the First Four game could potentially catapult a team towards a strong tournament run. Frankly, Iowa just needed to burst through the ceiling, finally close out a game to gain the confidence they needed to make a potential run. Unfortunately, they never got that chance.

Alex: No, this was another game that Iowa should have won. Look at what has become of Tennessee. They are one win over an inferior opponent away from being in the elite eight. If the Hawkeyes would’ve won Wednesday night, they would’ve had a legitimate shot to do the same.

Dylan: Yes, yes I am.  Everyone kept talking about them breaking through and playing like the same team they were early on in the year.  Well, was it really ever going to happen?  Watching the team over the last 6 weeks was painful and as a fan it hurt to watch because of the type of talent they had.  So, yeah I’m kind of happy I don’t have to throw things around my apartment for two hours two or three times a week.

3. What kind of things are you looking forward to next year for the Iowa men’s basketball team?

Jeremy: It was the same headed into this season: I’m looking forward to Adam Woodbury’s improvement. He showed flashes this season of being able to contribute on both ends of the floor, and for stretches reached some of his enormous potential. His best game of the season came Wednesday Night, and I’m hoping he uses that performance as a jumping off point for next season.

Alex: I’m looking forward to several things for next season. First, who is going to carry the load that this team is going to lose in Roy Devyn Marble? Second, will this team ever learn how to consistently close out close games? Finally, Will this team continue to make strides toward building a program or will this be the first year in the Fran McCaffrey era where the team takes a step backwards?

Dylan: I’m intrigued by the point guard spot really.  I’m looking forward to see who emerges out of the group of three the Hawkeyes will have next year.  Also, a lot like Jeremy, I can’t wait to see what happens with Adam Woodbury through the offseason and how he progresses into next year.  He had a career game Wednesday against a very physical Tennessee front line, so hopefully he takes that and runs with it into next year.