Iowa Hawkeyes Still Have a Slim Chance to Make NCAA Tournament

By Joseph Nardone
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

The Big 10 Conference has been nothing short of awesome this year. The teams in the conference are constantly ranked in the Top 10, games are always going down to the buzzer, and has left teams who would otherwise be afterthoughts with a chance to make the NCAA Tournament. The Iowa Hawkeyes are one of the programs who would normally be an afterthought, but with a solid end of season push, anything is possible.

However, the chances that Iowa does make the dance are very slim. Six games are left on their schedule but it isn’t full of easy games. Starting today, against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the Hawkeyes essentially need to win out. With only 16 wins, and none against really good teams, time is running out for Iowa to build a better resume for the Selection Committee to look at.

It also doesn’t help that Iowa is currently two games under .500 in Big 10 play. It’s kind of hard to justify giving an at-large bid to a team who can’t even break even in their own conference, even one as good as the Big 10.

Although Iowa doesn’t necessarily have to win out, just win the games they are supposed to while pulling off at least one significant upset. Whether they go 5-1 down the stretch and steal a big win there or go 4-2 while pulling a huge win the conference tournament, Iowa needs to come away from the regular and postseasons with at least five more wins, with one of them being against a top-tier team.

And only then, maybe, will they possibly have a chance to make it to March Madness. Despite being improbable,  Iowa still has a real chance to make it, and that’s all they can ask for at this point in the season.

Joe is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. For the love of Sam Cassell, follow Joe on the Twitter Machine @JosephNardone

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