Though it’s unfair to allow single games to serve as indictments on tenures, programs, or conferences, there does come a time where a single game can counter prevailing narratives. For the 2-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes (22-8), their game against 7-seed Oregon (20-6) is as important as it’s been for all of the 21st century.
Sure, Iowa has played for entry into the Sweet 16 just four times in the prior 21 seasons. Not since It’s been since 1993 for them to enter a second game as seed line favorites, as they are today. Expectations are fair to be high.