Iowa Highway Ends (etc.)

It had been 4019 days — precisely 11 years — since the most infamous loss in Iowa State basketball history.

Then, in 2 hours and 51 minutes, the title of “most recent 2 seed to lose to a 15” turned over twice.

Missouri was a 3 seed in 1990, UNI a 14.

First, in a victory for conference loyalists, Missouri lost to 15 seed Norfolk State. NSU is in the MEAC, same as Hampton. Unlike ISU in Boise 11 years ago, this 2 seed’s loss was in front of a crowd full of fans of the Tigers’ most-hated rival, as Kansas would be playing in Omaha later in the night. Missouri also lost as a 3-seed to Northern Iowa (14) in 1990 and as a 4-seed to Xavier (13) in 1987.

Then, in a victory for everybody outside the state of North Carolina, Duke lost to Lehigh — the same Lehigh that lost to Iowa State by 9 in November.

The 2001 Cyclones will always be part of this group of notorious underachievers, but some new compatriots just walked through the door.

(Numbers at the beginning come from the “Inside March Madness” wrap-up show.)

Remember the “BCS bylaw” joke after Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State? Well, Pat Forde is at it again, this time going after more than the basketball team:

Best case: With the nation anticipating a Kentucky-Connecticut round of 32 game, underappreciated Cyclones pop the Huskies in the mouth. Versatile forward Royce White has a triple-double and shooter Scott Christopherson does a fine imitation of coach Fred Hoiberg, splashing five 3-pointers. After losing in overtime to top-seeded Kentucky in the round of 32, appreciative Iowans decide “Mayor” is too mundane a nickname for Hoiberg and promote him to “Governor.” Iowa fans object. Iowa State fans respond by asking them how they’re enjoying the NIT.

Worst case: With UConn fully engaged, the Cyclones are overmatched and blown out in the round of 64. Indifferent interior defense is exploited, Chris Allen takes bad shots and turns the ball over, and White’s bulk is neutralized by the Huskies’ thick front line. Hoiberg is demoted to “City Councilman.” Worst of all, fans must go back to living in Ames. [emphasis added]

Regardless of tonight’s outcome, that last crack is nothing but another cheap shot.

(Wide Right & Natty Lite points out that ISU is the only non-15 or 16 seed that doesn’t make it to the Sweet 16 in “best case.”)