Cinderella stories in the NCAA Tournament have become a rarity, and two major factors are at play. First, the NIL deals and Transfer Portal are channeling top talent towards the wealthiest Power Conference programs. Second, these programs are strategically investing in size and physicality, moving away from high-risk, three-point-heavy strategies.
This season, the top teams are towering over the competition, literally. With multiple big men and a focus on dominating the paint, they’ve become tougher to upset.
Florida exemplified this approach last year, winning a national championship with a lineup that crushed opponents on the boards and in the paint. This year, despite some backcourt issues, the Gators led the nation in rebound and paint point differentials.
Yet, Iowa, despite having only one player over 6-foot-9, matched Florida's rebounding and outscored them in the paint, showcasing their grit and tactical prowess.
Iowa's success against Florida was no accident. It took a standout performance from their front court and a masterful game plan from Ben McCollum, a coach who has quickly established himself as a top strategist in Division I. Now, McCollum faces another test against Illinois, a team that previously troubled the Hawkeyes.
In their regular-season matchup, Iowa fell to Illinois 75-69, but the game revealed a potential blueprint for success. Bennett Stirtz, a key player for Iowa, got into foul trouble, forcing him to the bench. During his absence, Iowa excelled with a lineup featuring big wings like Kael Combs and Tavion Banks, gaining a +7 advantage.
McCollum’s strategy is clear: play at a controlled pace, value each possession, and force turnovers. Against Illinois, a team stacked with seven-footers, McCollum’s adaptable style will be crucial. He’s already familiar with what worked in their last encounter, and you can bet he’ll have his team ready to execute when they meet again in the Elite Eight.