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The Iowa Hawkeyes are back in the NCAA Tournament and have an opportunity to advance to the second round of March Madness when things get underway from Tampa, Florida.
The Hawkeyes, a No. 9 seed in the South Region, have drawn the No. 8 Clemson Tigers in the first round, which features two teams playing very similar styles of slow, half-court, possession-oriented basketball. Iowa can undoubtedly play with Clemson if they show up as they have against good teams this year.
That remains the question for Iowa. Which version Ben McCollum gets can determine what this team does in the dance. Unfortunately, for the Hawkeyes, CBS Sports doesn't believe Iowa has enough help around star point guard Bennett Stirtz to punch a ticket to the second round.
Bennett Stirtz is the straw that stirs the drink for Iowa. He is the engine of this offense, and it goes through him. This year, he is averaging 21 points per game, but his help has been inconsistent. Iowa will need a strong game from Tavion Banks (10.5 PPG), Alvaro Folgueiras (8.1 PPG), and Cam Manyawu (7.1 PPG), along with some outside shooting from Cooper Koch or Kael Combs.
Then again, Bennett Stirtz was the guy for the Drake Bulldogs last year when he put up 21 points to upset Missouri. Who is to say he can't will this Iowa team to the second round?
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : CBS Sports offers final March Madness prediction for Iowa vs. Clemson
Continue reading...
The Hawkeyes, a No. 9 seed in the South Region, have drawn the No. 8 Clemson Tigers in the first round, which features two teams playing very similar styles of slow, half-court, possession-oriented basketball. Iowa can undoubtedly play with Clemson if they show up as they have against good teams this year.
That remains the question for Iowa. Which version Ben McCollum gets can determine what this team does in the dance. Unfortunately, for the Hawkeyes, CBS Sports doesn't believe Iowa has enough help around star point guard Bennett Stirtz to punch a ticket to the second round.
Bennett Stirtz is the straw that stirs the drink for Iowa. He is the engine of this offense, and it goes through him. This year, he is averaging 21 points per game, but his help has been inconsistent. Iowa will need a strong game from Tavion Banks (10.5 PPG), Alvaro Folgueiras (8.1 PPG), and Cam Manyawu (7.1 PPG), along with some outside shooting from Cooper Koch or Kael Combs.
Then again, Bennett Stirtz was the guy for the Drake Bulldogs last year when he put up 21 points to upset Missouri. Who is to say he can't will this Iowa team to the second round?
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : CBS Sports offers final March Madness prediction for Iowa vs. Clemson
Continue reading...
