What makes Iowa a No. 1 seed in its quadrant of the NIT? The Hawkeyes (19-14), who host TCU (20-15) in Sunday’s second-round matchup (4 p.m., ESPN2), have won four games this season against opponents ranked in the Top 25 on game day, including an 83-78 victory over Purdue, the Big Ten champion, on Jan. 12.
TCU, by comparison, has defeated only one opponent that was ranked nationally on game day. But it was a doozy: an 85-82 triumph over top-ranked Kansas, the Big 12 champion, in the conference tournament.
Beyond the difference in victories over Top 25 opponents, both teams have similar resumes and lean on lots of young players.