ESPN's latest bracketology has Iowa battling a familiar foe in the NCAAT Round of 32

The projected No. 2 Hawkeyes could face No. 7 Oregon in the second round
Iowa center Ava Heiden (5) looks to score against Oregon guard Ehis Etute (35) Jan. 15, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa center Ava Heiden (5) looks to score against Oregon guard Ehis Etute (35) Jan. 15, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We are under a week away from Selection Sunday as conference tournaments wrap up and the fate of 68 teams rounds into focus.

31 teams receive an automatic bid after winning their conference tournaments, and 37 receive at-large bids that are determined by votes from a 12-person committee.

After coming up well short in the Big Ten Championship against UCLA, the Hawkeyes await their fate during the Selection Sunday show on March 15.

Iowa finished the regular season and conference tournament with a 26-6 (15-3 Big Ten) record, and while nothing is guaranteed, the Hawkeyes have a great chance to make the NCAA Tournament 68-team field, and could face a familiar Big Ten foe in the second round.

ESPN projects Iowa to be a two seed and potentially facing Oregon in the Round of 32

Iowa has steadily risen in the rankings in Jan Jensen's second year at the helm of the program, and most recent projections have the Hawkeyes earning a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament.

If the Hawkeyes secure a top-four seed, they will host the first round in Iowa City and could be matched up with a tough Big Ten opponent in the second round.

ESPN's latest bracketology update has the Hawkeyes earning a two-seed, taking on Western Illinois in the first round.

If the Hawkeyes get past the Leathernecks, who they easily handled 86-69 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena earlier this season, they could face seven-seed Oregon in the Round of 32.

Iowa downed Oregon 74-66 behind freshman Addie Deal's career-high 18 points, but the postseason is a whole different animal.

Nothing is guaranteed, but if ESPN's latest bracketology update comes true, the Hawkeyes have a good chance to make it to the Sweet 16 after facing two opponents they have already beaten this season.

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