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Hawkeyes Basketball: Release 2016-17 Conference Schedule

By Jeremy Karll

Feb 14, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) awaits to shoot a free throw against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Peter Jok (14) awaits to shoot a free throw against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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A look at the Iowa Hawkeyes conference basketball schedule

Earlier this summer, the Iowa Hawkeyes released their 2016-17 non-conference basketball schedule. They start the season against Regis University in Iowa City on November 4. The Hawkeyes will also take on Virginia in their first game of the Emerald Classic and Notre Dame in the annual ACC/Big Ten challenge.

Sprinkled in with other winnable games against mid-majors to start the season, the Hawkeyes will host the Iowa State Cyclones this year, as well. After a come from behind win for the Cyclones last season, Iowa will want their revenge. It should be a classic matchup between these two teams who both replace much of their core.

Besides the Emerald Classic, Iowa only has two away games on their non-conference schedule, and only leave the state of Iowa once – away game at Northern Iowa. That will change right away during Big Ten play, though.

Iowa starts out Big Ten play against Purdue on December 28 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Michigan visits Iowa City on January 1 to start the new year, also being the first home conference game on the year for the Hawkeyes. Iowa has 18 conference games on the year, but their hardest stretch will likely come at the end of the season.

Michigan State, Indiana, Maryland and Wisconsin make up four of their final six games on the year. All six made the NCAA Tournament last season and should have good chances to make noise this year, once again. Plus, Indiana is the only one of the four that comes to Iowa City. It will be a tough task, and could significantly hurt Iowa’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament as they’re projected to be a bubble team this year.

The Hawkeyes finished 22-11 last season and went 12-6 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes limped to the finish line last season, though, as they started Big Ten play 10-1 but finished the regular season losing five of their final six games. Iowa also got knocked out in their first game of the Big Ten Tournament by Illinois, a team that finished just 15-19 last season.

The Hawkeyes may be replacing four starters, but they will try to replicate a solid season in 2015-16.