Iowa Basketball Ranked 25th in ESPN's 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25

Hawkeyes look to build on Elite Eight run in upcoming season

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:51am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a college basketball game, with overlapping planes of color representing the players and court.Iowa and Illinois battle it out on the hardwood, with the Hawkeyes looking to build on their recent Elite Eight run.Iowa City Today

The Iowa basketball team has been ranked 25th in ESPN's Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for the 2026-27 season. This comes after the Hawkeyes made a run to the Elite Eight in the previous NCAA Tournament, where they fell to in-state rival Illinois.

Why it matters

Iowa's ranking in the preseason Top 25 indicates that the program is expected to remain competitive and continue its recent success on the national stage. As one of the top teams in the Big Ten, the Hawkeyes will look to make another deep tournament run and potentially challenge for a conference title.

The details

The Hawkeyes are coming off a 2025-26 season in which they reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before losing to Illinois. Despite losing some key contributors, Iowa is expected to remain a force in the Big Ten and nationally thanks to a talented returning core and promising incoming recruits.

  • The 2026-27 college basketball season is set to tip off in November 2026.
  • ESPN released its Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for the upcoming season on April 7, 2026.

The players

Iowa Basketball

The men's basketball team at the University of Iowa, a member of the Big Ten Conference.

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What they’re saying

“Video: Ben McCollum reacts to Iowa basketball's Elite 8 loss to Illinois”

— Ben McCollum, Iowa Basketball Head Coach

What’s next

Iowa will look to build on its Elite Eight appearance when the 2026-27 season tips off in the fall. The Hawkeyes will aim to challenge for a Big Ten title and make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Iowa's ranking in the preseason Top 25 shows that the program has established itself as a consistent contender on the national stage. With a talented roster and experienced coaching staff, the Hawkeyes will look to continue their upward trajectory and compete for championships in the coming season.