Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - LIVE FROM HOUSTON - Can Bennett Stirtz & Iowa DEFEAT Illinois in Elite 8 for Final Four Glory?

Starting point is 00:00:00 40 minutes to destiny, a lead eight Iowa versus Illinois, and a final four on the line. For the Hawkeyes, it's simple. Control the glass, slow the tempo, let the stars make big plays late. How Iowa shocks the nation one more time. 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 Hawkeyes. podcast coming to you today from Houston. Yes, we did make the trip down here. Incredibly. Yes,

Starting point is 00:00:41 they made it down a birthday gift from my wife. And what a surprise Friday morning to wake up to that one. As here we are getting ready for the game coming up here. And we are inside of seven hours currently as we record this one for the Hawkeyes. We're going to talk about obviously the trip to a final four, what that would mean for Iowa basketball. What this run is meant overall for Ben McCollum squad. It's year number one. I'm going to break that down. Also hear from Tom Kaker from Hawkeye Report. We'll get some perspective from Tom as well coming up here in just a little bit and get his thoughts.

Starting point is 00:01:12 But we begin today with the anatomy of an upset. And it's something that we talked about leading into the Florida game. We've talked about at different times of how to get it done against this Illinois team. Of course, we saw Iowa in Illinois play earlier this season, a game that did not go Iowa's way. They got down early, got run out of the gym, it looked like for a while, came battling back. Made it a game in the second half, but I think we all saw firsthand, just how good, how talented this squad is.

Starting point is 00:01:39 It was 21 to 5 with 12 minutes left in the first half of that one. And though Iowa got a little bit of a run, got it back into single digits, never really could get over that hump against that squad. Bennett Sturt struggled in that game, had four fouls in that one, only played 33 minutes, which is unthinkable, certainly for his standards. None of the players really played that well offensively. Overall, Sturts finish 5 of 17 from the floor. Did have six assists against one turnover,

Starting point is 00:02:08 but the foul trouble was the big part of that one. Cooper Cache did have a couple of three-pointers, as did Alvaro Fulgaris. We also had Tavium Banks coming off the bench in that game. He played really well off the bench. And Tate Sage and Isaiah Howard, all three of them off the bench played well. And really, that's been the big story of this Iowa team here

Starting point is 00:02:27 during this run, during the lead eight run now, is just what we've seen off the bench and different guys in different ways. Game out, Tavion Banks was not at his best, but against Florida, he certainly was. Obviously, what we talked about with Tate Sage and Alvaryl Fulgaris, and he's stacking up now back-to-back, really good effort. So we know just how good this Iowa team is. When you go up against Illinois, they're big. They are rated by Ken Pomeroy, the biggest team in the country.

Starting point is 00:02:55 Big front line, big guards. They can play physical. and really the only non-big guy out there is Kylin Boswell, who I believe is their best defender. Wagler, who controls the ball a ton out there at 6'5. And then that front line, and regardless of who's out there, Fitzroyoakovich and Miracik and the Ivigsek brothers, they're just big dude, 7-1, 7-2, 6-9, 6-7. They got a bunch of size. So here are the different things that you can do to Pete Illinois.

Starting point is 00:03:24 When I look at how Iowa pulls off this upset, I think, this is a lot of the same. that I think, and this is how I look at it, maybe the easiest way, I guess, it's maybe the way to put it for that to happen. And for Iowa to pull this off, I think there's three key components. Number one, you have to continue to play at this elite level offensively.

Starting point is 00:03:44 And the numbers are up at Bart Forbic, the most efficient offenses during the NCAA tournament. And after the Iowa Nebraska game, Iowa had three of the top four and all the games that have been played to that point in terms of offensive efficiency. You don't have to play fast. You have to play efficient.

Starting point is 00:04:00 That is something that we have heard time in and time out, though, from Ben McCollum. That is a huge part of what I was trying to do and what they're going to do, certainly going forward when we look at the future of this program. It is about that efficiency and clicking at the high level. There was a couple of shots even in the game, even as Iowa played so well offensively, and we're getting a lot of what they wanted against the Nebraska defense the other night. and there was one play. It was when Combs missed the three at the top of the key.

Starting point is 00:04:29 And it was that popping of the basketball that there was these clips that came out a year ago when Ben McCollum was hired. And it was some of his Northwest Missouri state teams. So just the sharing of the basketball, how it moved so quickly and not taking a good shot, trying to get a great shot. Now, at times I think that can go a little bit far, but wasn't there those different times where you look like, man, this is really popping? So that's number one. Now, easier said than done against this Illinois team, obviously with the link that we mentioned that they have. This is a good defensive team. Now, both Florida and Nebraska rate metrically better than Illinois.

Starting point is 00:05:06 But regardless, this is a good defensive team, certainly for the Aligni. And that is a component, though, doing that, playing at a high level offensively, I think is absolutely huge. A couple other things on the Illinois side that they do well and how Iowa pulls off this upset. So Illinois stylistically, even for as big as they are, like I mentioned, the biggest team in the country, average height, 80 inches. That is their average height. That's how Ken Pomeroy has it rated. So they also, as big as they are, they should have done threes. And stylistically, that is the way that they are built with three points shooting from the outside.

Starting point is 00:05:44 They're good at it from behind the arc. They are shooting 35.1%. 108th in the country, not elite, but solid, fine. but they're going to take a ton of them. And it's going to be a volume type of thing. 15th most three-pointers attempted per field goal attempt in college basketball, and nearly 39% of their points come from three-pointers. That's what it is.

Starting point is 00:06:03 So the second part is kind of obviously cover up the shooters, but sometimes you just need a little luck. You just need a team to get a little tight, miss a few shots, have ones, those open ones, and how did he get so open? And he misses and hits off the back iron. And those are the kind of things that you're also going to need is if Illinois comes out and they're red hot from three. And if they play the way that certainly Nebraska did offensively in the first half, this thing could get ugly in a hurry. And that is a part.

Starting point is 00:06:34 So obviously covering up the three point shooting, that goes without saying. But secondarily, I get a little help because if this is a game where they go six to 28 from three, now we're again finding that path of how Iowa pulls off this upset victory. and he can't let the guys that aren't shooting it well go off. Ivesic, Stryakovich is only shooting 24% from three this year. You can't have one of those guys. We cannot have those moments we've talked about the past with some different themes. That's definitely a big part of this one.

Starting point is 00:07:03 The pressure is on Illinois, though. Iowa, once again, is playing with House Money, and we see how free and loose and easy this team is. Illinois, a lot of expectations year in and year out. Brad Underwood, can he finally get over the hump with this program? They've been waiting. Maybe the elite aid a couple of years ago. But in fact, it's kind of crazy.

Starting point is 00:07:21 Those are the only two appearances, even in the Sweet 16, this year and two years ago for Brand Underwood's group. And now with the expectations there, breakthrough, get to the final four and continue the path for this program of Brad Underwood. So the pressure's there. I think everybody knows that. Iowa comes in as the underdog. And that's a good thing because my final part, and I think one of the biggest keys, is just hang around. Go through a look at this team. for their last five losses have come in overtime.

Starting point is 00:07:50 And you look at Illinois overall this season in close games, it hasn't been great. Just hang around. Give yourself a chance going into the final 10 minutes of the game, be at minimum within shouting distance. And if that happens, I feel pretty good about Iowa's chances to do that. Again, easier said than done. It takes a lot more than just hoping that you can hang around to win a game. But excited to be here in Houston.

Starting point is 00:08:16 We will continue with our coverage. You can follow me on social media at Trent Cotton is where you can find me as well. And of course, we'll be back with you with the postgame podcast. Had an opportunity yesterday on the radio to talk with Tom Kaker from hawkeyeye report.com. We'll hear Tom's perspective as, well, he beat me down here to Houston, obviously covering the game. We'll hear from Tom Kaker. When we come back, we continue on lockdown Hawkeyes. I'm Clea Butler, host of Lockdown Women's Basketball.

Starting point is 00:08:47 And this is Mazda's Women's Basketball, Snaps, shot celebrating the work no highlight reel can ever capture. All four number one seeds, Yukon, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina have completely dominated the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament. Yukon rolled with a 98 to 45 victory over Syracuse behind Aze Fudd, who had a 34-point explosion, while South Carolina has been led by Joyce Edwards coming up a 23-point game. UCLA leaned on Lauren vats with a 35-point performance in an 87-68 win over Oklahoma State, and Texas advanced comfortably with a 40-point show from Madison Booker. And now we're headed to the Sweet 16.

Starting point is 00:09:32 These moments are earned off the clock, those long before the lights ever come on. The sweat, the fakes, the doubt, the scrapes, and coming back for more every time. Mazda puts the same drive into every detail. Wins define the moment. putting in the work, that defines you. There's more to a Mazda because there's more to you. Okay, and off to Houston. Tom, Trent, Ken, thanks for coming on. How are you, Tom, Kekker? I thought maybe you guys just forgot about me. No, no. We, yeah, Heather's down at the principal park, yeah, opening day.

Starting point is 00:10:11 We had to cut in with Heather quickly, but Tom, I'm going to see you here coming up in about 11 hours. I'll be making my way downtown Houston. You're going to be out still? Don't think I'll be out in 11 hours. If I'm out in 11 hours, if I'm out in 11 hours we're going to put up. I'm surprised. So what that was just because I figured you would be superstitious and not try to mess with karma here. Oh God, no.

Starting point is 00:10:36 No, no. I mean, I made the trip down to Dallas for the win against South Carolina. So that's a superstition doesn't matter for me. I want to be there. And it was a birthday present for my wife. Woke up this morning with a plane ticket down to Houston. Can't turn that one down. No, can't do it.

Starting point is 00:10:52 Look forward to seeing you. Good stuff. Tom, take us into the locker room after the game last night. I'm guessing a locker room that, well, I don't know. Was it subdued? Realizing, look, it was a nice win. We've taken a big step, but kind of take us into the locker room after the game, Tom. Yeah, obviously very happy, very static about picking up the win.

Starting point is 00:11:16 But it wasn't like it was like you won the national title. It was just like, yeah, we won and just move on and really rely. business-like, but happy. It wasn't like they were just like stone-faced. Yeah, we just won. Good for us. It was a lot of guys that just, I think they just, they just expect to win. They just do.

Starting point is 00:11:38 They just have this confidence about them in the last two weeks that I think a lot of us have picked up on that they just kind of believe in themselves more than everybody believes in them outside of their walls. And they bought in bookline and sinker to what Ben McCallum is selling them right now. And that's a powerful elixir to keep going in a tournament setting, given what Ben has done in his career. Tom Kekker joins us, Hawkeye Report.com. Tom, as I see it, this Hawkeye team, Ben, Sturt now has, you know, throughout the regular season, one guy would step up, but there was never consistent, quote, help, right?

Starting point is 00:12:24 And now he's getting that, whether it be full garris or better be banks, and you can count on coach to hit shots now. He's got some help, Tom, and it goes a long way, doesn't it? It does. And let's not forget about Tate Sage. Is that young set on him? And we know what that says. I mean, he's got a set on him at any moment. In fact, he almost seeks it at sometimes.

Starting point is 00:12:54 I mean, that shot he hit, they're up three, and he just buries a three from the three from the corner and that's what he's you know he just knew he was going to make the shot and it's pretty cool you know we've made a lot about Alvaro and his mom being down in Florida for the games in Tampa and then his brother Nacho is here in Houston with him and that always helps him building so I think maybe Nacho needs to move to Iowa City or something just him playing an Iway uniform because we don't have a ton of time today and you know Illinois so well now Now, you're not an Illinois fan like Randazzo is, but being in the Quad Cities,

Starting point is 00:14:15 the rivalry aspect that you guys deal with over there, and of course we're now on over in the Quad Cities. So I know we got a lot of people that are checking it. First start, take us back to that first game. That was the Bennett Sturt's foul trouble game. He finished a game with four fouls. The Sigmund team is a whole lot different. But just matchup-wise, you know the line-eye. You see them basically every single game.

Starting point is 00:14:36 Just how you look at this match-up now compared to the middle of January. the thing I always take away about the Salina team is they are massive. I feel like they can talk to the team in the country. 7-1. You know, they got the V-6 kids, the 171, I think, or something. Merckovic is, if Keith Wadler wasn't the freshman of the year, Merckovic might have, he is really good, played terrific against Iowa. And Wadler is just, he kind of, he'll probably get on Sturton and think,

Starting point is 00:15:27 And that's who guards yesterday is walking in the hallways when they were arriving to the arena, get around and move around if you've been at Sturtz. So I was going to have their hands full with this game. And I think it was like 14-2, something like that early on. And they really jumped them. And Sturts was in foul trouble. They struggled that. I hope back. And down 17, I think at one point, and they battled back.

Starting point is 00:16:07 didn't get completely annihilated on the boards. And that's, they're a lot like Florida, except with better guards. That's the thing that I kind of think of this team is. They're just, Florida with, they're going to be a tough,

Starting point is 00:16:22 this is going to be a great game, but I think I was going to give them everything they've got, because, and I was, I'm not, honestly win this game, because they're just playing, they're playing so,

Starting point is 00:16:36 sometimes you just, you got it. And they're feeding off their head coach, and they're getting that confidence, from him clearly. And it's really something to see this team the way that they've gelded and putting it together at the right time

Starting point is 00:16:53 of year, no doubt about it. So what happens today, Tom, take us through today? Did the Hawks, will they go through some kind of practice or anything today? What happens on the day before they hit the floor tomorrow night or five o'clock? This is all news of me, guys. I've never done

Starting point is 00:17:09 this before. It's got a media session this afternoon with some of the and they'll have practice done, and then and then we'll be talking to them. Yeah, and then we'll talk to some of the Illinois guys and kind of get the dude from Brad Underwood. What he's thinking, but I listen to it, I joke they should have it over in Moline

Starting point is 00:17:53 at the market of the Quadth Circuit for Iowa play basketball. This will be the game where they just have it there. Why make everybody come down to Houston to see Iowa, Illinois play? Let's just make it a home game for me so I can sleep in my own bed for the first time in two weeks. There he is, Tom Kaker, Hawkeye Report. Join us yesterday on the radio and here we are. It's game day in Houston. Come back. Final thoughts on this one. Iowa, 40 minutes away from a final four. Final thoughts as we continue. This is locked on. The tournament is here one of the best times of the year. Brackets, buzzer, beaters, upsets, it's nonstop action from 10th to final cut down. Right now, Panduels giving new customers a way to stay in the action all tournament long. The best part, you get up to $300 back in bonus bets every day for 10 days. That means.

Starting point is 00:18:47 10 chances to stay involved throughout the entire tournament. You can mix it up however you want, game packs, picks, futures, even same game parlays for bigger potential payouts. Taking a look at the point spread here on Saturday morning. And as I take a peek at Bandwale, Iowa currently is six and a half point underdog. You're going to jump on the money line. Iowa plus 250 there over under at 138.5 as Iowa tries to pull off another shocker, this time against the Illini.

Starting point is 00:19:14 and well, if you want to go even crazier, about 55 to 1 for Iowa to cut down the nets in Indianapolis. Fandual Sportsbook is the perfect way for the tournament because every day there's something new. Visit Fandual.com to sign up today. That's Fandual.com to get in on the action. Also want to let you know about our Everyday Air Club. It's an opportunity for you to get the show that you listen to every day, your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast, locked on Hawkeyes, but get it ad free. That is our Everyday Air Club. plus just a couple days left. First month of the Everydayer Club.

Starting point is 00:19:47 You can get it for free right now with the code March. At free episodes and entry into our private listener group chat as well. Check out the links in the show notes or you can go to locked on hawkeyes. Dot supercast.com. Lockdown hawkeyes. That supercast.com to claim your first month free. Well, as we wrap things up here today, final thoughts. And as mentioned, I'm in Houston.

Starting point is 00:20:11 I'm sitting in a hotel room with my buddy Graham. I saw some of my friends already, Hawkeye Andy, and a few others out and about can't be more excited to be part of the environment just to be here, to soak it all in, to feel the environment around, and to be in a spot like this. You've heard the story, if you're an everyday listener,

Starting point is 00:20:30 about 1987, the elite eight game, the lead against UNLV, crying on my pillow as I sprint downstairs after it goes final and I will fall short against the running rebels. my mom coming down and rubbing my back and saying, it's okay, Hawkeyes are going to make a final four. Here we are. First opportunity to get to a final four since that time is a six-year-old kid.

Starting point is 00:20:53 And here we are today now with man in his mid-40s. I'm going to be there for it. I'll be cheering loud, and hopefully I'm going to be bringing back a victory with you. We will talk to you after the game at some point here on Saturday evening as Iowa is 40 minutes away from glory. Thanks for being with us, as always. Make sure you hit subscribe if you're watching. on YouTube. Hit up the Everyday Club as well.

Starting point is 00:21:14 Lockdownhawkeyes. Dot supercast.com is where you can go for more information. Let's get it done. We will talk to you later this evening. A final four on the line. Go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - LIVE FROM HOUSTON - Can Bennett Stirtz & Iowa DEFEAT Illinois in Elite 8 for Final Four Glory?

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