For teams that are sitting just on the bubble of the March Madness 2024 NCAA Tournament, each game will mean more than ever. A loss could result in the devastating omission from The Big Dance that every team works to achieve each season.
For the Iowa Hawkeyes, being on the bubble is dangerous territory. In a competitive conference like the Big Ten, the room for error is marginal. Let’s take a look ahead to the end of the season and see just how likely it is that the Hawkeyes go dancing this March.
Check how to bet on March Madness in Iowa in 2024 here.
March Madness 2024: National Championship Dream Is Over
A season that has been a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows for the Iowa men’s basketball team came crashing down in disappointment on Thursday. Despite numerous comeback efforts throughout the season, the Hawkeyes found themselves unable to overcome the odds in the crucial moments, ultimately falling short of their NCAA Tournament aspirations.
Facing off against the 10th-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Tournament, the 7th-seeded Hawkeyes entered the contest knowing that their postseason hopes hinged on a strong performance. However, despite their best efforts, Iowa stumbled to a 90-78 defeat, marking their second consecutive game without holding a lead at any point.
The defeat to Ohio State effectively sealed Iowa’s fate, leaving little room for optimism regarding their postseason prospects. Even ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi had projected Iowa as “out” of the NCAA Tournament with a loss to the Buckeyes, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.
This was confirmed during Selection Sunday and now Iowa will watch on the telly their rivals of Iowa State (no. 2 in East Conference) play in the big tournament. However, Hawkeye fans have something to look forward after having been invited to the NIT tournament.
March Hoops @ Home 🏀#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/jV2qembpQv
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 18, 2024
New Focus: NIT Tournament
After the March Madness failure, the Hawkeyes were invited to the NIT tournament. What is the NIT tournament?
The NIT (National Invitation Tournament) is a men’s college basketball tournament held annually in the United States. It is operated by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and is distinct from the more widely known NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, often referred to as “March Madness.”
The NIT was founded in 1938, a year before the NCAA tournament, and was originally considered the premier postseason tournament. However, the NCAA tournament gradually grew in popularity and significance, overshadowing the NIT. Despite this, the NIT remains an important postseason tournament, typically featuring teams that did not receive an invitation to the NCAA tournament.
The NIT field usually consists of 32 teams, with the selection process including automatic bids for regular-season conference champions who did not receive NCAA tournament bids, as well as at-large selections made by the NIT selection committee. The tournament typically begins shortly after the NCAA tournament selection process is complete and concludes with a championship game at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
While the NCAA tournament determines the national champion, the NIT provides an opportunity for teams to extend their seasons, gain valuable postseason experience, and potentially win a prestigious title.
Best Regular Season Wins
The Hawkeyes were just 14-10 and nowhere near a ranking in either poll. At 6-7 in the conference, they had a long way to go to climb the standings. They were ranked in the 80s in terms of RPI, another factor that doesn’t really bode well for them.
The best win of the year came back on January 12 in a win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers (35th in RPI). After that, it is dire. Sure, they have wins over Ohio State (96th in RPI), Michigan (117th in RPI), Seton Hall (82nd in RPI), and Rutgers (138th in RPI), but none of those is really resume-worthy.
Hump Day Hoops #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/y7xZBE2Oi8
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) February 14, 2024
A Look at the Schedule
Now that the Iowa Hawkeyes have failed to make the March Madness, the attention turned to NIT tournament. Hawkeyes player Tony Perkins expressed his disappointment, but said that ‘the NIT can be a fresh restart for us’.
The first challenge in the NIT tournament is Kansas St. and the Hawkeyes will expect to rebound with a decent run into the invitational championship.
IOWA CITY, IA – FEBRUARY 11: Iowa guard Tony Perkins (11) congratulates Iowa forward Patrick McCaffery (22) after winning a college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on February 11, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Conclusion
Things are getting tighter and tighter for the Iowa Hawkeyes. They will need to make a good run in the NIT tournament and it is unlikely to make their fans forget about this awful season.
The Big Ten is one of the toughest conferences in the country and even a little bit of down play can wind up costing a team. A late run seemed unlikely for the Hawkeyes and it proved a nightmare. This is the first time in six years they missed March Madness, but hopefully it serves for them to put their focus on getting back to the tournament in 2025.
