ESPN.com - Could Iowa sneak onto the bubble?

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Saturday, March 2, 2013
Could Iowa sneak onto the bubble?

By Luke Lapinski

UPDATE: As Selection Sunday nears, the margin of error for teams like Iowa shrinks. Because of last Saturday's catastrophic loss to Nebraska, it's now even more unlikely the Hawkeyes procure a spot in the Big Dance. Fran McCaffery's team certainly looks like they're more than good enough to be included, with rankings of 34 by Ken Pomeroy and No. 38 by Jeff Sagarin and a 7-8 record in one of the most brutal Big Ten's in recent memory. Today the Hawkeyes play at Indiana and a win in Assembly Hall would catapult back them back into tournament bubble conversation. Even if they lose today, a 9-9 finish in the Big Ten (with most of those losses decided by a possession or two) coupled with an impressive Big Ten tournament run could be enough to convince the committee if the right teams around them lose ground.
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At 6-7 in conference play and 17-9 overall, Iowa sits in a three way tie for sixth in the mighty Big Ten. But all five teams ahead of the Hawkeyes in the league are ranked among the Top 25 nationally. And the two clubs they're tied with -- Illinois and Minnesota -- each received votes in the most recent AP poll.

Following a 21-point rout of the Gophers yesterday, is it really that inconceivable that Fran McCaffery's squad might slip into the conversation of teams with a chance to work their way into the NCAA Tournament? Iowa's RPI of 79 shouldn't bury them and, maybe more importantly, a relatively favorable schedule down the stretch gives them plenty of chances to improve their standing. Outside of No. 1 Indiana, the Hawkeyes get four opponents with a combined 17-35 record in conference play up to this point (including Nebraska twice).

Even if they lose to the Hoosiers, it's certainly viable that they could close with three or four wins down the stretch. Granted, they'd have to grab those victories if they plan on having any chance on Selection Sunday, but it's at least possible. Four more wins would give them 21 on the year -- plus they'd still have the Big Ten Tournament to potentially grab another. It's still a long shot, but not as far-fetched as people may think at first glance.

Here's our own Jay Bilas with more on Iowa, who he ranked Monday as the No. 52 team in the nation.

Jay Bilas

Iowa has a chance to continue its streak

"The Hawkeyes blasted Minnesota at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and have strung together three wins in a row. Iowa remains sub-.500 in Big Ten play, but has opportunities to change that with its next two games against Nebraska and Purdue."