Course Correction: Ohio State Made Even Bigger Turnaround Than Iowa State
April 8th, 2022 - 20:19
Iowa State received acclaim for its turnaround this season in reaching the Sweet 16 after compiling an anemic 2-22 record in 2020-21. Historically, the Cyclones didn't have as much an improvement among power-conference members as Ohio State, which tied a school record for most defeats in 1997-98 (8-22 mark) before advancing to the 1999 Final Four. Another F4 club after tying school standard for most setbacks the previous campaign was Kansas in the mid-1970s. Following is a games-improvement summary of their respective about-faces:
| Power-League School | Summary of NCAA Tourney Turnaround From One Season to Next | Games Improved |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 8-22 in 1997-98 to 27-9 in 1998-99* under coach Jim O'Brien | +16 |
| Iowa State | 2-22 in 2020-21 under Steve Prohm to 22-13 under T.J. Otzelberger | +14 1/2 |
| Kansas | 8-18 in 1972-73 to 23-7 in 1973-74* under Ted Owens | +13 |
*Ohio State and Kansas reached Final Four.