Hoops Habit
Fansided

Big Ten: Pretenders Or Contenders?

By Aaron Ferguson

Feb 22, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Feb 22, 2015; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Indiana Hoosiers guard Yogi Ferrell (11) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
Dec 3, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) walk off the floor after the game. The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 60-55 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2014; Chapel Hill, NC, USA;Iowa Hawkeyes forward Jarrod Uthoff (20) and North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) walk off the floor after the game. The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 60-55 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa Hawkeyes

Big Ten Record: 10-1
Key Wins: vs. MSU 83-70, @ MSU 76-59, @ PUR 70-63, vs. PUR 83-71
Key Loss: @ MD 74-68

Contenders

Iowa has earned the right to be considered elite on a national scale, even in a season where there are no true elite teams. They have gone out and beaten some of the best teams in the Big Ten on their way to a 10-1 conference record.

Not to diminish what the Hawkeyes have accomplished, it would be unjust to leave out the fact that they beat then-first Michigan State without Denzel Valentine. When on the road, however, it was Valentine’s first game back.

Live Feed

Iowa vs. Iowa State Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 2
Iowa vs. Iowa State Prediction, Odds, Trends and Key Players for College Football Week 2 /

Betsided

  • College Football Week 2 Injury Report: Cam Rising, Blake Shapen, Kurtis Rourke Among Key Injuries Betsided
  • Life of Brian: Iowa is one game closer to losing The Ferentzes, probably FanSided
  • Iowa football recorded a passing TD feat that it hadn't done since 1991 Saturday Blitz
  • Caesars + BetMGM Iowa Promos: Win $250 GUARANTEED + Back Hawkeyes With $1,500 No-Sweat Bet! Dear Old Gold
  • College Football Top 25 Picks Against the Spread for Week 1 Betsided

    • If fans aren’t believers of the Hawkeyes, they have three opportunities to prove it. They still have two games against 22nd-ranked Indiana and then they close the season at Michigan. But with the Hawkeyes winning 16 of their last 18 games after a 3-2 start to the season, they look poised to compete with the best teams in the country.

    Jared Uthoff and Peter Jok lead the Hawkeyes in scoring, combining for 33.9 points per game. That is 41.9 percent of the team’s total scoring output, and they are the only players scoring in double figures. But they have a great starting five, all of which play 23-plus minutes per game. It’s great to have four seniors and a junior in the starting lineup, and it’s clear that head coach Fran McCaffery trusts them.

    Iowa lost Dale Jones for the season after playing just six games, according to Hawk Central. He was expected to be a key contributor off the bench for the Hawkeyes as a post presence, but also in his three-point shooting abilities. However, Iowa has adapted and adjusted nicely since his injury.

    The Hawkeyes are scoring 80.7 points per game, only to be outdone by Indiana who scores 84.1 points per game. With two meetings between the teams left, it’s possible that either could win the Big Ten. But Iowa looks poised to make a serious run at the Big Ten title and in the NCAA Tournament.

    Next: Maryland Terrapins