Iowa Basketball Teams Prepare for March Madness

Men's and women's teams look to make deep tournament runs after successful Big Ten campaigns.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The University of Iowa men's and women's basketball teams are gearing up for the NCAA March Madness tournament after strong showings in the Big Ten conference. The women's team is coming off an emotional and rewarding trip to the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis, while the men's team is looking to build on their regular season success under head coach Ben McCollum.

Why it matters

March Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for college basketball fans, and the success of the Iowa programs has generated a lot of enthusiasm and anticipation among the Hawkeye faithful. A deep tournament run by either team could put the University of Iowa in the national spotlight and boost the profile of the athletics department.

The details

The Iowa women's basketball team earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Big Ten regular season title. They will get a week of rest and recovery after their conference tournament appearance before beginning their March Madness journey. The men's team is also expected to receive an at-large bid to the tournament after a strong regular season performance in the Big Ten under coach Ben McCollum.

  • The Iowa women's basketball team won the Big Ten regular season title.
  • The Iowa women's team competed in the Big Ten Tournament in Indianapolis in early March 2026.
  • The NCAA March Madness tournament will begin in late March 2026.

The players

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa men's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get back on the court and compete in the NCAA Tournament. The team has worked hard all season and is ready for the challenge ahead.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Men's Basketball (Iowa City Press-Citizen)

What’s next

The Iowa men's and women's basketball teams will await their NCAA Tournament seedings and matchups, which will be announced in the coming days. Both teams will then begin preparations for their first-round games.

The takeaway

The success of the Iowa basketball programs this season has generated a lot of excitement and anticipation among fans, and a deep tournament run by either team could further boost the profile of the University of Iowa athletics department on the national stage.