Iowa Men's Basketball Earns #9 Seed in NCAA Tournament

Hawkeyes to Face Clemson Tigers in South Region First Round

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:34am

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The University of Iowa men's basketball team has received an at-large berth into the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, earning a No. 9 seed in the South Region. The Hawkeyes will face off against the No. 8 seed Clemson Tigers on Friday in Tampa, Florida.

Why it matters

This marks the Hawkeyes' 30th appearance in the NCAA Tournament, showcasing the program's consistent success and ability to compete at the highest level of college basketball. The matchup against Clemson will be an exciting first-round clash between two talented teams looking to advance in the tournament.

The details

The Hawkeyes enter the tournament with a 21-12 record, while Clemson boasts a 24-10 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the ACC. Clemson's leading scorer, RJ Godfrey, was an honorable mention All-ACC selection. The winner of the Iowa-Clemson game will face the winner of the matchup between top-seeded Florida and No. 16 seeds Prairie View A&M and Lehigh.

  • The NCAA Tournament begins on Friday, March 21, 2026.

The players

University of Iowa Men's Basketball Team

The University of Iowa's men's basketball team, known as the Hawkeyes, has a long and successful history in the NCAA Tournament, making their 30th appearance this year.

Clemson Tigers

The Clemson Tigers men's basketball team, representing Clemson University, is the Hawkeyes' opponent in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Clemson enters the tournament with a 24-10 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the ACC.

RJ Godfrey

Clemson's leading scorer, RJ Godfrey, was an honorable mention All-ACC selection this season.

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What they’re saying

“Information on Thursday's pre-tournament news conferences and open practice times will be released on Monday.”

— UI Athletics

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa-Clemson matchup will advance to face the winner of the Florida-Prairie View A&M/Lehigh game in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

The Iowa Hawkeyes' return to the NCAA Tournament showcases the program's consistent success and ability to compete at the highest level of college basketball. The first-round matchup against Clemson promises an exciting clash between two talented teams looking to make a deep run in the tournament.