2017 Big Ten Tournament: Indiana vs. Iowa preview, prediction, TV schedule
By Michael Foy
On Thursday night in the 2017 Big Ten Tournament, the Indiana Hoosiers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the opening round.
TV Schedule: Thursday, Mar. 9, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Arena: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
Prediction: Indiana 90, Iowa 85
On Thursday night, we get to see the Indiana Hoosiers take on the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.
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Iowa is playing pretty well to close out the year. The Hawkeyes have won four straight games, which prompted this quote from Indiana coach Tom Crean.
Tom Crean on facing Iowa in D.C.: “We’re going to be playing one of the most dangerous teams, not only in the league but the country.”
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) March 6, 2017
As of right now, Iowa isn’t going to make the NCAA Tournament. They have been left off most bracket predictions and a handful slot them as a bubble team. A few wins in the Big Ten Tournament could change that.
First up, a strangely dangerous Indiana team.
Why is Indiana dangerous? Sure, they have had a season to forget after once claiming a top-3 spot in the polls and early season wins over Kansas and North Carolina. Yes, they are NIT bound and the Indiana faithful are once again calling for Tom Crean’s firing. But this team could be a problem for many teams in this year’s Big Ten Tournament.
The Hoosiers aren’t going to win it all. No one thinks that. But they could make some noise. They are still loaded with talent and shooters galore. If they get hot, they could shoot their way to a few wins. It’s also possible that they come out and do what they have all season and play horrifically awful basketball to watch. They may turn it over 20 times and shoot themselves in the foot with horrible fundamentals and terrible defense.
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We don’t know which Hoosiers team we will see in the Big Ten Tournament. Tom Crean may be coaching for his job after a season that was arguably the toughest Indiana fans have endured in years. Despite everything, it wouldn’t be a major surprise if the Hoosiers knocked off Iowa. This is March, crazier things have happened.