Iowa Men's Basketball Trending Toward NCAA Tournament Bid

Hawkeyes need strong finish in Big Ten Tournament to secure spot

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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With Selection Sunday less than a week away, the Iowa men's basketball team is trending toward making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023. The Hawkeyes finished the regular season 20-11 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play, narrowly missing upsets against Michigan and Nebraska in the final two games. Iowa will need to win its opening game in the Big Ten Tournament to avoid a four-game losing streak heading into Selection Sunday, which could make its tournament status more uncertain.

Why it matters

Making the NCAA Tournament would be a significant accomplishment for the Iowa men's basketball program, which has struggled to return to the Big Dance in recent years. A tournament berth would generate excitement among fans and provide the team with a chance to compete on the national stage.

The details

Iowa finished the regular season with a 20-11 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes nearly pulled off upsets against Michigan and Nebraska in their final two games, but came up just short in both contests. Iowa will now play the winner of Maryland and Oregon in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday, March 11. If the Hawkeyes win that game, they would face Ohio State on Thursday, March 12.

  • Iowa finished the regular season on March 7, 2026.
  • The Big Ten Tournament begins on March 11, 2026.
  • Selection Sunday is less than one week away, on March 16, 2026.

The players

Iowa Hawkeyes

The men's basketball team at the University of Iowa, which competes in the Big Ten Conference.

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What they’re saying

“While it's difficult to definitively know where Iowa currently stands in the eyes of the selection committee, here's where experts are projecting the Hawkeyes to land, as of Monday, March 9:”

— Tyler Tachman, Author (yahoo.com)

What’s next

If Iowa wins its opening game in the Big Ten Tournament, it would face Ohio State on Thursday, March 12. A strong performance in the conference tournament could solidify the Hawkeyes' spot in the NCAA Tournament field.

The takeaway

Iowa's men's basketball team is in a good position to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2023, but the Hawkeyes will need to finish strong in the Big Ten Tournament to secure their spot in the Big Dance.