The table is set for the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team to make a run this year and return to the NCAA Tournament after a short hiatus. For new head coach Ben McCollum, a return to March Madness is just the first on a long list of goals, but one that the Hawkeyes need to achieve for this year to be a success.
Sitting at 8-1, the schedule is only going to continue to ramp up for the Iowa Hawkeyes with the never-ending gauntlet of Big Ten play about to enter full swing. Before that begins, Iowa has the daunting task of taking on the Iowa State Cyclones, who look like one of the best teams in America after a dominant win on the road over Purdue.
Advertisement
It is a statement game for Iowa, which could bolster the NCAA Tournament resume to another level. While that game looms, check out ESPN’s latest NCAA Tournament bracketology update for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa Hawkeyes’ seed
A Tigerhawk logo is pictured on a pair of shorts during a NCAA non-conference men’s basketball game, Monday, Nov., 11, 2019, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. © Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Bracket
Nov 4, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer watches the play against the Texas Longhorns during the first half of the Dick Vitale’s Invitational game at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images
-
No. 1 Duke vs. No. 16 Youngstown State
-
No. 8 Georgia vs. No. 9 Wisconsin
-
No. 5 Texas Tech vs. No. 12 Belmot
-
No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 13 UNC Wilmington
-
No. 6 USC vs. No. 11 Saint Louis
-
No. 3 Vanderbilt vs. No. 14 Arkansas State
-
No. 7 Iowa vs. No. 10 Baylor
-
No. 2 UConn vs. No. 15 Stephen F. Austin
Top Seeds
Nov 25, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May leaves the court after a 2025 Players Era Festival group play game against the Auburn Tigers at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
-
No. 1 seeds: Michigan, Duke, Iowa State, Arizona
-
No. 2 seeds: UConn, Gonzaga, Purdue, BYU
-
No. 3 seeds: Houston, Michigan State, Vanderbilt, Alabama
-
No. 4 seeds: Kansas, Illinois, North Carolina, Louisville
Bubble Watch
Dec 6, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes forward Brandon Noel (14) dunks the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
-
Last Four Byes: Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Baylor, NC State
-
Last Four In: Seton Hall, Villanova, VCU, UCF
-
First Four Out: Butler, LSU, Missouri, TCU
-
Next Four Out: Oklahoma, Colorado, Santa Clara, Wake Forest
Conference Breakdown
Nov 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Big Ten conference logo on the court at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa men’s basketball draws Big 12 test in latest ESPN Bracketology
