NCAA Tournament 2023: 10 biggest storylines to watch for 1st day of games

8. Fran McCaffery and Keegan Murray looking to make up for last year

A good case can be made that Iowa has been the biggest underachiever in the NCAA Tournament recently. A couple of years ago, they got blown out as a 2 seed in the Round of 32 to Oregon, despite having National Player of the Year Luka Garza. And last season, the Hawkeyes, who were a darkhorse team to watch as a 5 seed with All-American Keegan Murray on the roster, fell to 12 seed Richmond in another upset.

Now back in the Big Dance, Keegan’s younger brother and All-Big Ten wing Kris Murray (20.4 ppg and 7.9 rpg), is looking to get some revenge and win a game. Coach Fran McCaffery also has been criticized for a lack of NCAA Tournament wins, 3-6 at Iowa with a few rough outings.

They may not make a big run as an 8 seed but there will be expectations to beat Auburn. The Tigers aren’t as good without Jabari Smith around but they’re still formidable, led by guard Wendell Green and big man and shot-blocker, Johni Broome. They’re an awful three-point shooting team but elite at defending from the arc, which is important against the streaky Hawkeyes.

Houston gets the winner of this game and from a matchup standpoint, Iowa would be the tougher out since they’d arguably have the best player on the court. But first, they have to get past Auburn.