Iowa Vs. Tennessee Preview And Live Stream Link: Winner Of This One Could Also Win First Round Game
ByIowa vs. Tennessee, 9:10 pm EST, Tru TV (yes, that's a real channel).
I'm not exactly sure how the NCAA structures its play-in games because they seem to alter their arrangement every year, but, logically, here's the most likely scenario: The four automatic qualifiers and the four at-large bids the selection committee deems least qualified must play in the extra game. While the four auto qualifiers compete for the 16 seed, the top two of the four at-large bids compete for the seed the lesser of the two teams would have gotten had the better team not been selected; this year, for example, the top two play in tonight's game, Iowa vs. Tennessee, for the 11 seed. (N.C. State beat Xavier last night for the 12 seed.)
However the format goes, the play-in games for teams at still viable seeds like 11 and 12 represent an odd twist to tournament play, especially so this year given the mid-major 5 and 6 seeds they're set to play. At one point, Iowa (20-12, 9-9) was a top-15 team. If not for the treacherous Big-10, they may have stayed in the top 25. Their opponent, Tennessee (21-12, 11-7) hasn't been ranked this year, but they did beat one-seed Virginia by 35 points earlier in the year (the Vols' only win against a top 25 team). Tennessee, by the way, also lost to N.C. State in non-conference play.
I have N.C. State beating their first round opponent, Saint Louis, and, if, Iowa wins, I have them advancing at least past their first round opponent, UMass.
Typically, 12 and 11 seeds aren't occupied by programs from major conferences. Even if Saint Louis and UMass are better basketball teams and higher rated, it's hard not to pick the more recognizable team, especially a team with the exposure Iowa has gotten this season.
I've been championing the Hawkeyes all season long. No time to stop now. I think they beat Tennessee, Duke, and Michigan before losing to Louisville in the Elite Eight. That's why I'm halfway hoping for a Tennessee win tonight so my bracket doesn't get ruined.
For live stream, try stream2watch.me.