Iowa: Know Thy Enemy

My social media walls were ablaze yesterday with fellow Iowa fans celebrating Iowa State's upset loss to UAB in the opening day of the NCAA tournament.

Look, I get it: Iowa State is a hated in-state rival. Plus it probably doesn't help that they blasted the Hawks inside Carver back in December.

But I think all of this ire and hate is a bit misdirected.

Iowa's real enemy is still in the tourney. You probably spotted his smug face and slicked hair on your television screen at least a few times yesterday.

I'm talking about Steve Alford.

That would be the same Steve Alford who bolted from Iowa after several lackluster seasons. The same Steve Alford who wanted Iowa to pay for his rental car and Final Four tickets even after his resignation. The same Steve Alford who said Iowa could never truly be successful in hoops because there was too much focus on the football program.

Even typing his name gives me shivers.

Alford's UCLA team defeated SMU yesterday, 60-59. It moves them on to a showdown with that UAB team that upset the Cyclones. If UCLA were to win that game and Iowa can string together two victories, the two schools would face each other in the Sweet Sixteen.

I don't know about you, but I'm taking the day off of work and posting up at the nearest watering hole if that match-up happens.