Soo…it’s February 18th and I’ve got 3 real quick thoughts on Iowa, Iowa State and Drake hoops. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about Iowa AFTER tonight’s game vs Wisconsin but….here we go.
IOWA: What have we learned about Iowa so far? When the offense is clicking, they’re tough to beat. But that defense…when it’s bad, it’s bad. And what have we learned in the last week? Not much. Good home win vs Rutgers but…it’s Rutgers. And the road win vs Michigan State LOOKS good, but did you watch Sparty? MSU STINKS. I’ll know a little more after tonight. Either Iowa is the bottom of the upper tier of the Big Ten with Michigan & Ohio State or they belong in that 2nd tier somewhere
VIDEO: WATCH MY FULL IOWA/UW PREVIEW BELOW (scroll down)
DRAKE: This team NEEDED that win vs #22 Loyola to save their at-large birth to the NCAA Tournament, should they need it. Lose there & it’s conference tournament champs or NIT. Wins over Northern Iowa, Evansville or Bradley weren’t getting the committee’s attention. They can’t lose before the MVC tournament. Slip up & they’ll need to run the table in St. Louis to get in.
IOWA STATE: Everyone starts this conversation the same way: “Steve Prohm is a nice guy but……”. I’m not sure he survives this. Last year they were 12-20 (5-13 in the Big 12). This year, they’re 2-15 (0-12) and You can’t really see another definite win on the schedule: #9 Oklahoma, #2 Baylor, TCU. Ok, maybe TCU. Dude’s 97-88 since taking over for Fred Hoiberg (115-56 at ISU). The cyclones are 18-48 in the last 4 years in the Big Twelve. Prohm’s got 1 winning season in his last 4. Things are going the wrong way….but I’m sure he’s a nice guy.
Drake Women’s hoops gets the keys on Friday so “Wickett’s World” will be on the ESPN Des Moines Facebook LIVE feed AT 4PM–> https://www.facebook.com/espndesmoines and available after on podcast at https://espndesmoines.com/!
