Hawkeyes Sweet 16 nuggets: Get to know the Colorado Buffaloes, a prediction
The Sweet 16 is nearly upon us and getting to play a meaningful game this late in the season in the midst of an NCAA Tournament run truly is so sweet. The Iowa Hawkeyes are the highest seed left in their bracket after utter carnage to other host seeds and have their sights set on an incredible opportunity.
A high-powered offense paired with a mentality to turn it up a notch on defense when needed has spurred Iowa to the Sweet 16 and a Friday night matchup with the No. 6 seed Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado finds themselves in the Sweet 16 following a 61-53 upset victory over No. 3 Duke in overtime and now gets their shot to take down high seeds back to back.
Get to know who the Buffaloes are with their record, season stats, some key players to watch out for, and a look at their tournament run so far. Lastly, get ready for the game with a look at how Colorado can win, how Iowa can win, and a prediction as tipoff approaches.
Record
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
25-8 overall
13-5 in Pac 12 play (trailed only Utah and Stanford)
12-2 at home; 10-5 on the road
Stats
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Average 69 points per game
Allow 58.5 points per game
Shoot 43.5% from the field and allow 37.7% shooting to opponents
Shoot 35% from 3-point range and allow 29.5% from 3-point distance to opponents
Average 38 rebounds per game and allow 32.9 rebounds to opponents
Average 15.4 turnovers per game
Shoot 69.6% from the free throw line
Key factors
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado plays a bit of a different style in the frontcourt as they have two centers. They don’t just play either, but they are two of their top performers. Quay Miller and Aaronette Vonleh combine to average 25.2 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. The Hawkeyes have their work cut out down low.
As far as the backcourt, Colorado has three guards who all shoot 37% or higher from three in Kindyll Wetta (37.1%), Jada Wynn (38.1%), and Frida Formann (39%).
NCAA Tournament run
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Colorado is just a No. 6 seed in the tournament but finds themselves in the Sweet 16 after knocking out No. 3 Duke on their own home court. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Buffaloes handled business over No. 11 Middle Tennessee in an 82-60 win.
Colorado then took on Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium and sent the Blue Devils home early with a 61-53 overtime upset to advance and meet the Iowa Hawkeyes. It’s the first Sweet 16 berth for Colorado in 20 years.
How Iowa wins
Syndication: The Des Moines Register
If Iowa can turn this into their patented style of up-tempo, run-and-gun offense, they can do that better, longer, and more efficiently than Colorado. That is how Iowa handles their business. Dictating tempo is massive. Iowa averages 87.4 points per game. Colorado doesn’t have the firepower to hang with them.
The Hawkeyes can run the floor with anyone and that leads to opponents getting tired which leads to fouls. The Hawkeyes would welcome a free throw shooting contest in this one as they convert nearly 8% more of their free throws than Colorado.
How Iowa loses
Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Colorado rebounds and rebounds well. They average over six more rebounds per game than their opponents and try to play physical defense. Iowa is going to have to handle the presence in the paint.
If Iowa falls into a slower, physical game dictated by Colorado’s tempo, they could be in trouble as the Buffaloes allow under 60 points per game and can quickly make each possession even more important down the stretch.
Prediction
Syndication: The Des Moines Register
Iowa proved that they can handle a tough, gritty game and come out on top as they did against Georgia. This one may feel like that a little bit at times.
Kudos to Colorado as their run to the Sweet 16 is admirable. That said, Iowa is having a special year with a special team. This tournament has broke their way with incredible luck so far in their Seattle 4 Region and it continues Friday evening. Caitlin Clark, Monika Czinano, Lisa Bluder and the entire squad knows the opportunity presented to them.
Hawkeyes move onto the Elite Eight.
Prediction: Iowa 83, Colorado 70
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