Daily Word: Cyclones have at shot at Kansas?
— -- Each weekday, our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in college basketball.
1. Iowa State hasn't won at Allen Fieldhouse since 2005. What will it take for the Cyclones to get it done this time?
Andy Katz: Well, Kansas will have to melt down a bit, like it did the last time the two teams played in Ames. I don't see that happening. I can't see Kansas wilting on senior day with a chance to lock up a No. 1 seed.
Dana O'Neil: It's an awfully tall order to ever beat Kansas at home, but in this circumstance, on the last day of the regular season, it might be impossible. Iowa State will have to play flawlessly and not get rattled in an Allen Fieldhouse that is sure to be raucous .
John Gasaway: I'm going to squint really hard and try to see this glass as half-full for the Cyclones. Yes, it's senior day in Lawrence, but this is a Jayhawks team that's already won the outright Big 12 title and (realistically) has a lock on an NCAA tournament No. 1 seed. Maybe Bill Self's guys will be just a little off in terms of motivation? Plus it's only been three years since KU needed a banked-in 3 from Ben McLemore in the final second of regulation at home to beat Iowa State in overtime. Then again, maybe I'm squinting so hard my eyes are shut.
2. Who will in the Ivy League's automatic bid?
Katz: I'm now leaning toward Princeton. The Tigers have the "easier" schedule with Yale having to go on the road to Cornell and Columbia this weekend.
O'Neil: Princeton. Columbia is in third place, hosting Yale. That's a tall order for the Bulldogs. Plus, if it goes to a playoff, the Palestra offers the Tigers a decided home court advantage.
Gasaway: Princeton, and when the Tigers get to the NCAA tournament they'll owe Columbia a hearty thank you. Yale and Princeton are tied in the loss column, but I expect the Bulldogs to lose a close one on the road to the Lions this weekend. Meanwhile the Tigers should win out on the road against Harvard and Dartmouth and at home against Penn.
3. Who do you have on upset watch this week?
Katz: Texas A&M. Vanderbilt beat the Aggies at home handily. Vanderbilt has its offensive mojo back and is playing good defense. The Aggies are playing well, too, but the sense of urgency is with Vandy.
O'Neil: Virginia. The Cavaliers have a lot to play for, but they face a Louisville team that essentially is playing its national championship game but with nothing to lose. And the Cardinals won't have the emotional weight they carried in their last home game.
Gasaway: You mean besides my confident and savvy proclamation of doom for Self even though he's 205-9 lifetime in Lawrence? I'll say Miami. I know it's customary to see a road game at Virginia Tech as a likely win, but the Hokies are one game over .500 in ACC play and Buzz Williams' guys already beat Virginia in Blacksburg.
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