The Iowa Men's Basketball program is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament following two straight seasons missing out.
The Hawkeyes limped down the stretch last season, finishing 17-16 (7-13 Big Ten), and fell well short of the threshold to make the "Big Dance."
After another subpar season, Iowa cleaned house and brought in former Drake Bulldogs Men's Basketball Coach Ben McCollum to revive the program.
McCollum got to work immediately, filling his staff and the roster for next season. Most of his staff and players followed him from Drake, and they have been diligently preparing for next season.
During the offseason, the Hawkeyes learned their upcoming conference schedule, and it appears to be challenging.
In McCollum's first season in the Big Ten, they play college basketball juggernaut Purdue and rival Nebraska at home and on the road.
Iowa will also travel to take on Indiana, Michigan State, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
After learning their tough conference schedule, Iowa worked to fill their non-conference schedule, and released their opponents on Friday.
Mark your calendars 👊
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) September 12, 2025
Our 2025-26 non-conference schedule is set. pic.twitter.com/qD2pvpePTP
The Hawkeyes announced they will have seven home games as part of their non-conference schedule, and will play four or five (depending on the Acrisure Classic) NCAA Tournament teams from last season.
One of those tournament teams is rival Iowa State, and they will travel to Ames on December 11 for the annual Cy-Hawk basketball game.
Iowa will also travel to Palm Springs, Florida, for the Acrisure Classic and will host Bucknell at the Casey's Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
While the non-conference schedule is favorable to the Hawkeyes, it also contains some tough matchups for the program to test its abilities.