ISU Tourney Predictions

[jaretac]

ISU has the #4 seed against #13 seed East Tennessee St. on Sunday night at 6pm. Bracket

Let's here your tournament predictions for ISU. I've attached the complete bracket and the regional bracket. Here is what I have:

- ISU easily takes care of East Tennessee St and moves on to face Tennessee in the second round.

- Tennessee is beatable, but is going to be a tough nut to crack. I think we will sneak by to move on to face Duke in the Sweet 16.

- Duke is the #1 seed, but is a debatable #1. Still, it will be very tough to get pass Duke. They play good defense and great offense.

- If we can get passed Duke, I think we will face either Stanford or Texas in the Elite 8. I don't think that Ohio State can get passed Texas if Texas is playing well, but if Texas is playing poorly, I still don't think Ohio State can get past Stanford. Stanford, will also be tough, they beat us by 38 earlier this year, but rematch will show to be less lop-sided.

 

[thunderdave]

Maybe Ball St. knocks off TN before we get the chance?

 

[cyfan964]

I hate to say this, but we won't beat Tennessee.

 

[Haverhill]

Final Four. It will be Cardinals and Cyclones in St. Louis!!

 

[cycoticfan]

I hate to say this, but we won't beat Tennessee.

This ain't yo mama's Tennessee... we will put it to ol' rocky top

 

[jaretac]

I hate to say this, but we won't beat Tennessee.

Why not?

Here are their loses

Texas L 73-59
Vanderbilt L 74-58
Auburn L 82-68
Oklahoma L 80-70
Florida L 66-57
Duke L 62-54
Kentucky L 66-56
LSU L 63-61
Auburn L 78-58

Of the teams we have both played this season, Tennessee is 2-3 and ISU is 2-3. ISU is ranked higher, has a higher seed, and has a better record in a tougher conference. I agree it will be a tough game to win, but I think we have just as much of a shot at it as Tennessee.

 

[WalkingCY]

I think the girls win a tough one with Tennessee (goes to OT). Lose to Duke in the Sweet 16.

Go Clones!

 

[jaretac]

I should also point out out that Tennessee is 3-8 against ranked opponents and ISU is 5-6.

 

[acrozier22]

I'm just excited to see us have an opportunity to beat Tennessee. I'm looking forward to that game!!!

 

[Cyclonepride]

I have our ladies going to the Elite 8 before falling to Stanford. I think this will be a good run.

 

[Stumpy]

I can't see us getting past Tennessee. There's obviously that stigma that Tennessee is unbeatable, that pedestal they are placed on with their amazing history (making not just the tournament but the Sweet Sixteen every year; eight championships; the biggest stars). However, there are three reasons that I can identify that are more tangible and reasons I don't think we'll make it through the second round:

• The Lady Vols have been taking a tumble since January, but their losses have almost all been to solid teams. I know it is similar to our conference strength, but Tennessee doesn't get embarrassed and losses tend to occur on the road and/or to very impressive teams (Oklahoma, Duke, Auburn). The win against Stanford I feel is particularly telling.
• The injury to Ezell has me cautious. She was able to play against Baylor, but was out of sync and shooting short as the game wore on. Hopefully the week off gives her hand the rest it needs and this will be a nonissue.
• The Tennessee faithful will be out en force. They are passionate and travel well. They've only got 155 miles to go from Knoxville, and as much as Iowa State fans care about their team, Tennessee wrote the book when it comes to women's basketball. Iowa State essentially has to go through two rounds of home games (assuming no upsets).

That said, Iowa State has shown they can run with anyone, especially Fennelly's teams at tournament time. We've got a more experienced team and you know the seniors will be giving it their all. Assuming it occurs, it should be a great matchup, and one that I've hoped to see for years. Obviously though there's a first round matchup to be played first.

 

[Drive4cy]

Tennessee isn't very good but they're still fairly athletic and athletic teams cause us big problems.

 

[jaretac]

Fact is that even with Ezell out of sync against Baylor, we lead in the final two minutes against an extremely good team, the champions of the the best conference in America (Big 12 has the highest RPI, SEC is 4th). I agree that the proximity will be an issue, but I truly believe that Iowa State is better than Tennessee- and obviously the tournament committee agrees.

 

[Cypwr]

Fact is that even with Ezell out of sync against Baylor, we lead in the final two minutes against an extremely good team, the champions of the the best conference in America (Big 12 has the highest RPI, SEC is 4th). I agree that the proximity will be an issue, but I truly believe that Iowa State is better than Tennessee- and obviously the tournament committee agrees.

I agree, first key is getting Ezell back to form. I would also guess Tenn probably got a higher seed than they deserved just on name recognition alone.

 

[LeSchmick]

I should also point out out that Tennessee is 3-8 against ranked opponents and ISU is 5-6.

I should also point out that their coach is PAT SUMMITT. You can throw their record out with next week's trash because she will have them ready to play better than what they did in the regular season.

 

[jaretac]

I should also point out that their coach is PAT SUMMITT. You can throw their record out with next week's trash because she will have them ready to play better than what they did in the regular season.

And we have Bill Fennelly- he's pretty good at getting his players ready too.

 

[LeSchmick]

And we have Bill Fennelly- he's pretty good at getting his players ready too.

How can you even compare the two? Don't get me wrong I love Bill and I would be seriously disappointed if he ever left but seriously? Come on man. She is a walking, talking, living piece of history.

 

[isunorth]

How can you even compare the two? Don't get me wrong I love Bill and I would be seriously disappointed if he ever left but seriously? Come on man. She is a walking, talking, living piece of history.

Agreed. Bill is a great coach and I would LOVE to see our girls beat Tennessee. However, Summit will go down as one of the most successful coaches in any sport at any level. No contest who I want on my bench. Granted, she has been blessed with top-notch talent , but she didn't win 1000+ games by chance.

 

[sclotz]

UT, they're beatable...Just like in the men's tournament. Any team is beatable...for example, maybe a #2 seed and a #15 seed, with the #15 seed winning. I know it's hard to believe that could happen but....

 

[dukeebear]

We did beat more ranked opponents, however, I bet those wins were all at home. Tennesse is going to be to athletic for our girls. They struggle against athletic teams just as the men did.