Iowa basketball inches higher in ESPN NCAA Tournament Bracketology

This week presents a massive opportunity for the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball program to strengthen its resume with the Acrisure Classic, giving them some games against quality opponents, starting with a game against the Ole Miss Rebels.

The Hawkeyes, under the tutelage of new head coach Ben McCollum, are sitting at 5-0 on the year, but have not been tested much, with their best win coming against Xavier. The other four wins are against Robert Morris, Western Illinois, Southeast Missouri, and Chicago State.

Advertisement

While the opponents haven’t been the hardest of tests, they have moved Iowa from the “Last Four Byes” group in the bracket to firmly in the field in ESPN’s newest NCAA Tournament Bracketology.

Nov 20, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum reacts during the first half against the Chicago State Cougars at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

Opponent: No. 7 Baylor Bears

Bracket

Nov 24, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) shoots against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half in a 2025 Players Era Festival group play game at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Long Island / No. 16 Norfolk State

No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Akron

No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 High Point

No. 6 Kansas vs. No. 11 Liberty

No. 3 Florida vs. No. 14 Troy

No. 7 Baylor vs. No. 10 Iowa

No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast

Top Seeds:

Nov 7, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter talks with guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

No. 2 seeds: Louisville, Gonzaga, UConn, Michigan

No. 3 seeds: Florida, Illinois, Michigan State, BYU

No. 4 seeds: Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa State, St. John’s

Bubble Watch

Creighton Bluejays guard Hudson Greer (10) scores against the Baylor Bears during the second half in a 2025 Players Era…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/iowa-basketball-inches-higher-espn-173125260.html

Author :

Publish date : 2025-11-25 17:31:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.