Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - HEARTBREAKER: Kael Combs FORCES Overtime but Iowa Hawkeyes STUMBLE vs. Nebraska, NCAA Tournament Drama?

Starting point is 00:00:00 A rough Sunday on the hardwood for the Hawkeyes. The men battle all the way back to get to overtime but come up short against Nebraska while the women get run out of the gym by UCLA in the Big Ten championship game. What went wrong and what it means for March. You are Locked on Hawkeyes, your daily podcast on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey, welcome in. I'm Trent Condon, and this is the Lockdown,

Starting point is 00:00:35 Hawkeyes podcast. Thanks for making lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day. We're available wherever you find podcasts. You can also find us on YouTube each and every day. I've been covering the Hawkeyes for over 20 years on the radio on the Iowa Sports Radio Network currently with stations all across the state. Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, the Quad City, Sue City, and our flagship 106.3 KX&O in Des Moines. Today's episode is brought to you by Mazda. We put the same drive into every detail. wins define the moment putting in the work that defines you stay tuned for highlights in this week's moving the game forward there's more to a Mazda because there's more to you well we saw some life out of iowa in the wrestling mat on the constellation side of the bracket we'll talk a little bit about that just one finalist though for the hawkeyes and what was yes a very disappointing effort in that matt in pen state in the big ten wrestling championships we will get into the women's basketball team that made a great run all the way of the championship.

Starting point is 00:01:38 And then the wheels fell off against UCLA. We continue to see that divide between the top four teams in women's college basketball and everybody else. And what that's going to mean for their seating and for their placement in the bracket come big dance time. But we begin today with Iowa making the road trip over to Nebraska on the men's basketball side of things, a game that certainly had moments, including late in the game as Iowa comes all the way back to force over to. against the Huskers, a game that was incredibly difficult on paper.

Starting point is 00:02:09 I mean, there was all the extras going into it after the game a couple of weeks ago when Iowa held off against Nebraska 57, 52, getting the victory there. You wondered if they were just going to walk into one that they didn't have a shot in. And that wasn't the case. You know, they battled. And you go back to the first half. They're down a point for quite a while and never could quite get over the hump. And that was definitely frustrating because you felt like there was an opportunity

Starting point is 00:02:34 at that point in time that they were going to be able to go out there, that they were going to be able to maybe make a play and get on the right side of things. Alas, that was not the case on that one. I think this is interesting because we see an Iowa game where that was certainly not Bennett Sturt's best. 4 to 10 from the floor, 2 of 7 from the 3 point line. You missed a free throw in the first half, only got there two times.

Starting point is 00:02:57 That's incredibly frustrating. Had three turnovers in the game against 3 assists. That was not elite Bennett Sturts. And yet, to go in there, to go into a difficult environment, you don't just walk into Pinnacle Bank and get a victory and not play elite level throughout the course of the 40 minutes. And yet, you had a shot. You had an opportunity to win that basketball game, I think says a lot about this squad and finding other guys that were able to make it happen. You had Cooper Koch finding his range again, six or 12 from behind the three point line after a slow start, missed a couple of those corner threes, but really started to heat up. And if they get that kind of shooting out of Cooper Cotch, this team definitely can be a strength.

Starting point is 00:03:38 How about the play of Kale Combs? And, of course, hit the three-pointer that forced overtime, which was absolutely huge. But getting to the rim, getting to the bucket, something that I've been talking about for months and months now about this Iowa basketball team with both Bennett Sturts. And just as a whole, this is not a great three-point shooting team for Iowa. This is not one of their strengths. And when you're built that way, I want to see more off the bounce. And I want to see guys turn the corner and take it to the rim and go up there and compete in the paint. And we saw that out of Kale Combs.

Starting point is 00:04:11 It helped that Sam Hoyberg was playing with four fouls and he was able to turn the corner and make those kind of plays. But definitely thought Kale Combs offensively was really good. Defensively, though, still way too many breakdowns. And we continue to see this be an issue for this squad. Guys getting downhill. I understand. Price Sankfort, as we know, he is a difficult matchup. Ben, you saw right away, they were changing up what they did from that game a couple of weeks ago.

Starting point is 00:04:36 They were going to get him isolated. They were going to get him on the block a little bit more. Use the post-up game and use him in that variety. If you're going to have a guy running around after him that can definitely do that in Bennett Sturts. And we know Bennett Sturts just doesn't get tired. When you have a guy like that doing and playing at that kind of level, well, you're going to absolutely try to do different things. And Fred Hoyberg did that of what they were doing and working up with the matchup.

Starting point is 00:05:01 27, three-point shooting for Nebraska, 11 of 30 for Iowa. Very, very close on that side. The difference, Nebraska, though, miss free throws down the stretch to allow Iowa to force overtime, 10 to 27 from the free throw line, Iowa, 10 of 15 at the line. And a big difference in this one. In 02T, Iowa just goes one for six and got blitzed. Absolutely got blitzed. It was another one of the games that we look at, a really good effort.

Starting point is 00:05:30 You know, they were there competing. That's what you want to see. We've seen this team so many times throughout the course of this season, Battleback. This team that has been able to come back when it looks like they're down. We go back to earlier this week what they did against Michigan, down by 10. All right, is a blowout coming? No, this team responds. And I do think that does say something for this squad.

Starting point is 00:05:50 I understand the frustration. When you lose your final three games of the regular season, including that just head scratching performance against Penn State, losing that one. You've lost now four of your last five. You've lost now six of your last eight. Frustration. You're either going to get Oregon or Maryland in your first game at the Big Ten term.

Starting point is 00:06:12 Don't lose that one. It's going to be fine. The bubble is not very good. The bubble teams continue to lose Iowa. Should be fine unless we get a bunch of big thieves and a bunch of crazy things happen. I don't know, like a Santa Clara wins the WCC. and you see some other crazy things that happen across the course of what's happening. There could be as many as three teams out of the West Coast Conference.

Starting point is 00:06:36 We could see that. There could be as many as three teams out of the 8-10. You see maybe some of these bubble teams start to win some games in their conference tournaments. Things could get tight. Still Iowa overall in really good shape. As we take a look at bracket matrix who breaks down all the different brackets that are out there, all the bracketologists, this is something where you can definitely see that Iowa is still. in really good shape. They're currently with all the brackets together, the top number nine seed,

Starting point is 00:07:05 meaning teams behind them that are at-large teams include TCU, Texas A&M, NC State, Ohio State, Central Florida, Missouri, Texas, SMU, Santa Clara, VCU, and Indiana. Those are the teams that are in the bracket, according to Brackett matrix. That's still 11 teams. That would surpass Iowa. And yes, even if we see some wild things happen, and there's three or four bid stealers, which would be certainly at the high point of that, if it plays out in that fashion, it is going to be fine. Don't lose the game, though, against Oregon, against Maryland, whoever wins that game, get it done, get your rematch against Ohio State.

Starting point is 00:07:45 You win that one, now we're really cooking. And we're talking about maybe moving back up the other way. And certainly as bubble teams continue to falter, that could be something that is incredibly good, certainly for this Iowa basketball team. On one other note when we're talking about the NCAA resume for the Hawkeyes, taking a look at the metrics that have been updated here on Monday. Iowa currently 24th at Ken Palm, 25th at Torvick, looking at their predictive marks, really good. The result base, not quite as good.

Starting point is 00:08:14 And that is wins above bubble, strength of record, 38th and both those metrics, KPI 51st in that metric. I will four quad one victories now, the wins that they have. at home against Nebraska and Ohio State. Those are Quad 1 victories. Ohio State's right on the cut line as they're currently 30th. And then the road victories that they have on the road against Washington and at Indiana, both of those also Quad 1 victories. And 5 and 1 against Quad 2, definitely helping the resume for Iowa.

Starting point is 00:08:44 The big mark against them currently, the one loss that they have, that road loss to Maryland. And maybe you'll get another opportunity against the terms coming up in the Big 10 tournament. They'll be playing the early games. Will the Hawkeyes with the Big Ten bracket, as they'll face off as mentioned, against Oregon or Maryland, 11 o'clock on Wednesday with a win. It'll be Thursday against the Buckeyes. And then with a win in that one, it'll be also 11 o'clock against Michigan in the Big Ten quarterfinals. That's right. Five wins, five days.

Starting point is 00:09:14 That's what would have to happen for the Hawkeyes to make a deeper run here in the Big Ten tournament. Don't see that one happening. Certainly with the Wolverines on their side of the bracket, makes it all the more. more difficult. We continue here. Speaking to the Big Ten tournament, it was highs. And then a low, Iowa falls to UCLA in the championship game, but not just loses, gets blown out. That's next year. This is Lockdown Hawkeyes. Welcome to the five-hour energy flavor draft with 18 different flavors to choose from, including new options, confetti craze, fruity rainbow, or cotton candy. There's something for everyone. The board is set. The flavors are ready. And I got my number one pick for the

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Starting point is 00:12:48 Let's jump over to the side of things and things that definitely were a frustrating one as Iowa falls in the Big Ten championship game. just an absolute blowout at the hands of Eucla, who you see is one of the best teams in the country. And you're talking about maybe being the number one overall seed, even with the loss on their ledger, that very well could be the case. A slow start, a slow middle, and a slow end.

Starting point is 00:13:15 Iowa goes to a 13 from the floor in the first quarter. And we knew there, they were cut. There's no coming back against this team when you get off to that kind of slow start. against the Bruins. They were dominant. It's 42-20 at the half. Final score, 96, 45.

Starting point is 00:13:35 Iowa just didn't have it. I didn't have it against this team. You know, when UCLA is shooting like that, they shoot 40 of 63 from the floor, including 13 of 26 from behind the three-point art. And it was all over the place. It wasn't just Joccas going off. It wasn't lower and bets dominating inside.

Starting point is 00:13:56 In fact, kind of look at the numbers. They did a decent job of her. Just 10 points in the ball game. It was her sister, Sienna, that had 14, a balance attack, all five starters and double figures, along with Sienna bets off the bench. She finished with 14. This is when you just got to flush. There's just not a whole lot that you can pull out and say,

Starting point is 00:14:14 you know what? That was pretty good. I guess the one thing I would point to would be at a deal. Had a couple of three pointers in the game three. In fact, what decent? at times had three assists in a game where you'll be finished with 11 assists. Again, the turnovers are the issue with this squad. But it shows that growing gap that continues between the upper echelon of college basketball

Starting point is 00:14:37 in the next year. In a women's college game, there are certainly teams, and then there's everybody else. And Iowa right now is part of everybody else. They're at the top of everybody else, but they are everybody else in comparison and Kiki Rice and bets and on and on. Nipkins just they couldn't miss. They couldn't miss. There were so much that came out, though, of good in the Big Ten tournament.

Starting point is 00:15:02 And I don't want this to, you know, just fall back into the negative side of things because that win against Michigan was great. Now, you do wonder, and you're just pondering it. Because when you look at things in totality, you look at this women's basketball team and the way their resume sits in comparison to the other teams vying for a number two seed, and you're trying to stay away from UCLA. Well, you're also trying to stay away from Yukon and trying to stay away from South Carolina,

Starting point is 00:15:29 and stay away from Texas. And unfortunately, well, they're all number one seeds and you can't stay away from all of them. That's just not the way that it works. Iowa 26 and 6 on the season, second in the Big Ten, get to the Big Ten championship games. And I think every one of us would have signed up for that coming into the season with this squad.

Starting point is 00:15:49 Taking a look at this team and the way that they're built, for the resume wondering about that number two seed they're going to be fine they're going to be there a nine and six record against quad one seven and no against quad two a combined 16 and six record against the top two and you think of the quality victories that they have the neutral court win against michigan in the big ten tournament the home win against the wolverines what they got the wins on the road against nebraska against maryland those are very good other quad one victories that they have ohio state michigan state oregon illinois baylor all All incredibly good.

Starting point is 00:16:23 They're going to be fine. But staying away from Yukon, not sure if that's going to happen. We will see. Now, they played in the regular season, though they can meet. And things have changed with the NCAA tournament, where it's not the old days where you play a team, you're trying to stay away from them for long as possible, and he can't play them until the elite eight.

Starting point is 00:16:41 That is not the case anymore with these bloated conferences. That has been a reason for that. A couple years back right here in Des Moines in the NCAA tournament, yet two conference teams to play in the second round. That was Michigan State and Minnesota that played in the round of 32. So that just shows you that, yes, you can have rematches. They will not play Michigan until an elite eight. They would stay away from that.

Starting point is 00:17:03 But there's still plenty of teams that could be stacked up against them. When you look at the resumes and the way that they're set up, this was a frustrating one, no doubt. But great weekend overall. That defense was outstanding against Michigan. Loved what we saw there, certainly against Illinois. Iowa still in really good shape, as ugly as Sunday was. One final thing here, locked on Hawkeyes, and we go over to the wrestling mat.

Starting point is 00:17:28 It was a Big Ten tournament where the expectations were maybe as low as they've ever been. We saw some signs of life. Now, it's crazy because we saw that on the wrestling team when they're on the backside, the consolation side. Only one finalist in the Big Ten as Mike Calliando falls once again to Mitchell Messonbrink. But something to be optimistic about. That's next as we continue. This is Lockdown Hawkeyes. This is Mazda's moving the game forward.

Starting point is 00:18:03 Those who show there's more to the score than what's on the screen. These are the plays that remind us and the players what it really takes to raise the bar. It's that extra work off the court. And this week, our Mazda moving the game forward was Kale Combs. What a performance in the final moments of the game of regulation against Nebraska, including the big three-pointer that tied things up and forced OT against the Huskers. Big-time players coming up big-time ways in a day where Bennettsters didn't have it. Cale Combs certainly did getting to the rim, making a big shot,

Starting point is 00:18:38 and is our Mazda moving the game forward player of the week. Dialing every detail, giving it that extra fire, that grit, and I never quit. That was definitely Kale Combs for the Hawkeyes. We put that same passion into every model. Highlights make the real. what it took to get there makes it count. There's more to a Mazda because there's more to you. Trent, kind of back with you one final time here on the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast.

Starting point is 00:19:08 Thanks for being with this as always and making Lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day. And if you've been thinking about joining the Every Day or Club, now is the time. Again, you're going to get ad-free shows. That's right, listening to Lock-on Hawkeyes without the ads, plus access to our group chat on Discord. And if you signed up before the NCAA tournament tips off, you're going to get into our Everydayer Club bracket pool on Discord for a chance to win Locked-on merch. Should be a lot of fun.

Starting point is 00:19:35 Right now, use the code March to get your first month free of the Everydayer Club. Just go to Lockdownhawkeyes. Dot supercast.com. That's Lockdownhawkeyes. Dot supercast.com. Wrapping things up with some wrestling talk. A fourth place finish for Iowa in the Big Tens, not what anybody was hoping for, certainly, and obviously Penn State paces the field,

Starting point is 00:19:59 184 points for the Nitty Lions, Ohio State and second, Nebraska and third, and Iowa still well back of them, 29 and a half points behind third place Nebraska as Iowa finishes with 87. However, on Sunday, at a day that there wasn't a whole lot of anticipation after having only one finalist with Mikey Calliando making it there, you're wondering how this was going to play out. and some guys that had good work on the backside. I'm not here to paint a picture that all is well and good. And as we've talked about plenty here after the announcement or the reporting from Chad Lysdikow of the Des Moines Register that Tom Brands is going to be back for next season,

Starting point is 00:20:39 things need to change. There still needs to be something that happens with Iowa wrestling, a new coaching hire, new assistant coaches, just something different. It can't just be running it back. As I've stated, it can't just be trying. harder. There needs to be something tangible that all of us can look for in improving what we've seen. But going through a couple of different guys. Dean Peterson was very, very poorly seeded in this one. He was the eight seed. Battles back to get fifth place, lost to get to the

Starting point is 00:21:11 third place match against Bazakis from Ohio State. Thought saw some good moments, certainly out of that one, a good bounce back out of Dean Peterson after losing to Lillendahl in the quarterfinal, in the quarter final round, thought we saw some really good things out of him. Maybe one of the highlights of things was Drake Iela. After the struggles that he's had against the top level competition, what we've seen by him against Lucas Bird here recently, including in the NCAA finals, gets the win against him in overtime four to one. On top of that, then gets it done. I thought we saw some really, really good things out of him, really enjoyed that out of Drake Iiella and a guy that he has struggled with to battle back and to get third with a one.

Starting point is 00:21:52 win then in the third place match of four to two at one 41 we hadn't seen much in this year bailey and after getting technical followed by jesse mendes in the semi final round he comes all the way back and gets all the way to the third place match good work out of him gets it done in that one good wrestling on the backside again at 41 as we see necere bailey come roaring all the way back and getting things done there was just a lot of those moments a lot of those times where you wondered, you look at a guy like Ryder Block and what he was able to do on the backside, coming all the way back to get ninth, had to win a couple of matches to get there and did that, including a win against Brown to Purdue and then Lamar of Nebraska at 149.

Starting point is 00:22:37 Again, those good moments that have happened. So there are, they're small things. I get that. Voinovich coming all the way back to get ninth. All right. That happened. Good. you know, after an 0-and-2 start in the tournament.

Starting point is 00:22:51 Caliando, look, Mitchell Messon Break is just another level guy. Phil Kennedy, what we saw out of him, some good things definitely, as he was able to battle back and get back. So it's just, I get it. We're painting a picture. Ben Keeter, I think also has to be mentioned what he did. It's not great. It's not what we're hoping for.

Starting point is 00:23:09 It's not championship level. But so many times we've seen Iowa wrestlers here recently, they get pushed to the backside of the bracket, they take a loss, and then that's it. And that wasn't the case on Sunday for the Iowa wrestling team. Maybe it's putting lipstick on a pig, but it was something. And in a season where there hasn't been much of something for Iowa wrestling,

Starting point is 00:23:34 at least a little bit of a few smiles that were happening there. And we'll definitely take that as we get ready for Big Ten's. Big Ten's wrapping up and now into Nationals coming up here in a couple of weeks. That'll do it for today. Thanks for being with us, as always, I'm making Locked on Hawkeyes

Starting point is 00:23:50 your first listen every day. Again, if you want to join the Everydayer Club, chance for you to support with us what we do for you each and every day, doing it ad-free for you. And if you get signed up before the NCAA tournament

Starting point is 00:24:03 and a chance to join our bracket pool, just go to LockdownHawkeyes. Dot supercast.com and use that promo code March. That'll do it for today. As always, thanks for being with us. We'll talk to you again tomorrow. Until then, go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - HEARTBREAKER: Kael Combs FORCES Overtime but Iowa Hawkeyes STUMBLE vs. Nebraska, NCAA Tournament Drama?

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