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2 of Iowa's non-conference games have elevated importance after a recent announcement

The Hawkeyes have a game in Des Moines and Sioux City with more significance
ByJordan Underwood
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Iowa forward Trey Thompson (20) participates in a drill Oct. 12, 2026 during an Iowa men’s basketball open practice at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa forward Trey Thompson (20) participates in a drill Oct. 12, 2026 during an Iowa men’s basketball open practice at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Iowa men's basketball got some intriguing news before its first exhibition game of the 2026 season against Illinois-Springfield.

The Hawkeyes have been diligently preparing for next season and are looking to carry momentum from last season. The program lost only three players from last season and added more talent from the transfer portal and the recruiting trail. With the 2026-2027 regular season quickly approaching, the Hawkeyes had two non-conference games elevated thanks to the Bad Boy Mowers Series.

Two non-conference games have been added to the Bad boy Mowers Series

All eyes are on the Hawkeyes this season after making a miraculous run to the Elite Eight last postseason. Although the Hawkeyes ultimately came up short against Illinois, expectations have never been higher for the program. Ben McCollum laid the foundation in his first season and looks to build on it in 2026-2027. Before McCollum's second season at the helm, two games have elevated importance after being added to the Bad Boy Mowers Series.

The Bad Boy Mowers Series is back in 2026, featuring 24 high-profile matchups from October through December. The games take place in 14 different cities and two countries. The series added two of Iowa's non-conference games, including Virginia Tech in Sioux City (Nov. 10) and Alabama in Des Moines (Dec. 21). More eyes will be on the Hawkeyes this season, and they will have an early chance to prove they are for real in these two premier matchups.

Virginia Tech finished 19-13 after an early exit in the ACC Tournament last season, but they are expected to be in the mix once again this season. The program returns leading scorer Amani Hansberry (14.3 points per game) and will be an excellent early test for the Hawkeyes without star point guard Bennett Stirtz.

Under Nate Oats, the Alabama Crimson Tide have become a college basketball powerhouse. Oats became the program's head coach before the 2019-2020 season and has turned them into perennial National Championship contenders. The Crimson Tide have won 170 games and made four straight NCAA Tournaments with Oats at the helm, and will be in the mix again this season. Alabama didn't make the initial AP Top-25 rankings, but they could easily be ranked when they travel to Des Moines.

Iowa will start the season ranked No. 33 overall in the AP Top 25, but has a golden opportunity to show what it's capable of with two featured non-conference matchups this season.

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