ESPN Bracketology (as of Mar 14): IOWA projected as a 9 Seed. Bracket Matrix (as of Mar 13) has IOWA as a 9 seed (consensus of 121 bracketologists)

[Franisdaman]

March 14, 2026 Update:

9 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected by ESPN to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

ESPN has #9 seed IOWA vs #8 seed Utah State with the winner playing the winner of #1 Arizona/#16 Howard.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Michigan.........................(2nd Overall Seed)
2 Michigan State
3 Illinois
3 Nebraska
4 Purdue
6 Wisconsin
8 UCLA........................................(#1 Seed Florida)
8 Ohio State....................(#1 Seed Duke)
9 IOWA.......................................(#1 Seed Arizona).....................


Other B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
Indiana....................(5th Team OUT)


Link to the March 14, 2026 ESPN Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

Bracket Matrix (as of March 13) has IOWA as a 9 seed.

When the brackets from 121 bracketologists are combined, Iowa is considered a 9 seed.

Link: http://www.bracketmatrix.com/


_____________________________________


ORIGINAL POST, on July 30, 2025:


I know it's early so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

11 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
4 Illinois
4 UCLA
5 Michigan State
6 Ohio State
7 Wisconsin
7 USC
7 Oregon
9 Maryland (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 IOWA (1 of Last 4 in; in the Play-in Game vs #11 seed SMU with winner facing #6 Kansas in St Louis)


B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
Washington--1st team OUT
Indiana--2nd team OUT
Nebraska--4th team OUT


Link to the Full July 29, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

 

[Franisdaman]

95 days until the start of the season.

Here's a good season preview from ESPN that mentions Iowa (and its players) on several occasions.

Some excerpts:

National Title contenders​

Purdue Boilermakers: Matt Painter's team is poised for its third 1-seed in the past four years, led by All-America point guard Braden Smith, All-America candidate Trey Kaufman-Renn and three-year starter Fletcher Loyer. South Dakota State transfer Oscar Cluff adds a different dimension down low. -- Borzello

Michigan Wolverines: Another second-year head coach coming off an impressive turnaround in Year 1, Dusty May guided the Wolverines to a 19-win improvement and a run to the Sweet 16. Two starters are back, and Michigan was aggressive in the portal, securing a class headlined by Yaxel Lendeborg -- arguably the best transfer in the country and a projected first-round pick. -- Borzello


The future of the old coaching guard. Three ACC coaches stepped down last season: Virginia's Tony Bennett, Miami's Jim Larranaga and Florida State's Leonard Hamilton. Bennett cited the changing landscape of college sports, while Larranaga and Hamilton had reached the natural end of their careers. It's tough to predict who the next Bennett could be, but retirement could be on the horizon for a group of coaches at or near the top of the sport: Houston's Kelvin Sampson will be 70 in the fall, Tennessee's Rick Barnes is 71, Michigan State's Tom Izzo is 70 and St. John's coach Rick Pitino is 72. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see Gonzaga's Mark Few or Kansas' Bill Self call it quits in the not-so-distant future. -- Borzello

Teams that could make a jump​

"A jump" meaning into the national spotlight, into the top tier of their conference or onto the NCAA tournament bubble.

---

Iowa Hawkeyes: All Ben McCollum does is win -- and there's no reason to think that will change at Iowa. The key piece of the Hawkeyes' roster is Bennett Stirtz, an All-America point guard who played for McCollum at Northwest Missouri State and Drake. Alvaro Folgueiras and Brendan Hausen are two more shotmaking transfers. -- Borzello

Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes showed flashes of their potential last season but couldn't quite string together a consistent run of form. With a terrific trio back in Bruce Thornton, Devin Royal and John Mobley Jr. -- plus the additions of Christoph Tilly and Brandon Noel up front -- Jake Diebler's team should find itself in the NCAA tournament. -- Borzello

USC Trojans: Beating Michigan State on the first day of February provided some optimism entering the stretch run last season, but the Trojans won just two Big Ten games the rest of the way. They should be talented and more consistent this season. A perimeter trio featuring proven high-major producers Rodney Rice and Chad Baker-Mazara leads the way. -- Borzello


The Full Story:

100 days to men's college basketball: Top stories, players, games

The Gators bolstered their roster, while the Cougars welcomed the top recruit. Here are 98 more things to know.

www.espn.com

 

[DukeSlater]

I know it's early so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

11 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
4 Illinois
4 UCLA
5 Michigan State
6 Ohio State
7 Wisconsin
7 USC
7 Oregon
9 Maryland (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 IOWA (1 of Last 4 in; in the Play-in Game vs #11 seed SMU with winner facing #6 Kansas in St Louis)


B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
Washington--1st team OUT
Indiana--2nd team OUT
Nebraska--4th team OUT


Link to the Full July 29, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

These things are hilarious. Choosing the NCAA field three months before anybody plays a game. I'm looking forward to the projeced field for the 2029-30 season. Lots to talk about with that one, especially since the Big Ten has 24 teams in the league.

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

These things are hilarious. Choosing the NCAA field three months before anybody plays a game. I'm looking forward to the projeced field for the 2029-30 season. Lots to talk about with that one, especially since the Big Ten has 24 teams in the league.

Nothing more than clicks. They have to do something.

 

[Hawkangler]

Somebody pulled that out of their arse.

 

[Hawksfor3]

These things are hilarious. Choosing the NCAA field three months before anybody plays a game. I'm looking forward to the projeced field for the 2029-30 season. Lots to talk about with that one, especially since the Big Ten has 24 teams in the league.

Looking forward to 2029.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

FWIW (not much).

 

[Hawksfor3]

FWIW (not much).

I like it, and f--k Wisconsin.

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

Let's get mad again!

 

[Franisdaman]

I like the fact that people like Lunardi, who have looked at all of the teams, feel that Iowa has built an NCAA Tournament roster.

Let's get in the Dance and see what happens....

 

[Hawksfor3]

I like the fact that people like Lunardi, who have looked at all of the teams, feel that Iowa has built an NCAA Tournament roster.

Let's get in the Dance and see what happens....

I've never been super big on preseason rankings and such, but it's neat to kind of get a feel as to what they'll look like, especially this far out.

 

[Franisdaman]

15th?

Check this out & watch:





1. Purdue
2. Michigan
3. Oregon
4. UCLA
5. Illinois
6. Wisconsin
7. Michigan State
8. Ohio State
9. Indiana
10. Washington
11 USC
12. Maryland
13. Northwestern
14. Nebraska
15. IOWA
16. Penn State
17. Minnesota
18. Rutgers

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[LaQuintaHawk]

I think Don Fernando Katz would have Iowa finishing higher ...

 

[TampaHawkFan]

I think Don Fernando Katz would have Iowa finishing higher ...

View attachment 865838

Doesn't he always bury Iowa pretty low on his preseason rankings?

With a solid roster and Ben coaching these guys... I don't know exactly what Iowa's ceiling is this year, but if they finish no better than 15th in the league, I'll eat my dirty underwear for dinner (ok not literally).

Come on, Katz.

Luckily preseason picks mean jack squat.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

He has IOWA 6th in the B1G.

 

[Hawksfor3]

He has IOWA 6th in the B1G.

I used to criticize Wisconsin for slow play, but I'm welcoming it this year! BTW, screw Wisky.

 

[herkhatescy2]

15th?

Check this out & watch:





1. Purdue
2. Michigan
3. Oregon
4. UCLA
5. Illinois
6. Wisconsin
7. Michigan State
8. Ohio State
9. Indiana
10. Washington
11 USC
12. Maryland
13. Northwestern
14. Nebraska
15. IOWA
16. Penn State
17. Minnesota
18. Rutgers

No way

 

[Franisdaman]

September 23, 2025 Update

I know it's early so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

11 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
4 Illinois
4 UCLA
6 Michigan State
6 Ohio State
7 Wisconsin
7 USC
7 Oregon
9 Maryland (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 IOWA (1 of Last Byes)


3 B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
Washington--1st team OUT
Indiana--3rd team OUT
Nebraska--5th team OUT


Link to the Full Sep 23, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[HawkBall23]

Need to see a few games to make sure, but an 11-seed seems quite underrated.

Call me foolish but I have faith in Ben McCollom, his system and Bennett Stirtz.

 

[Anon1751371387]

11-seed my ***. I can't wait to see this team surprise everyone.

 

[eyesofhawk]

0-0

 

[Franisdaman]

Somebody pulled that out of their arse.

Its that time of year when everyone is making predictions....

 

[Franisdaman]

October 13, 2025 Update:

I know it's early so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

11 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
3 UCLA
4 Illinois
6 Michigan State
6 Wisconsin
7 Oregon
7 Ohio State
9 USC
10 IOWA (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 Washington (1 of Last 4 In)


2 B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
Indiana--1st team OUT
Maryland--2nd team OUT


Link to the Full Oct 13, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

 

[Franisdaman]

These teams that failed to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament could be dangerous this season​

By STEVE MEGARGEE
Associated Press
November 3, 2025

Iowa (17-16)​

Ben McCollum brought many of his players with him when he went from Division II Northwest Missouri State to Drake a year ago. The strategy paid off as the Bulldogs reached the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32 in McCollum’s lone season at Drake. Now he’s making the move to the Big Ten and again has plenty of familiar faces. Iowa’s roster features six members of that Drake team, including Bennett Stirtz, who last year became the first player in Missouri Valley Conference history to compile at least 600 points, 200 assists and 70 steals in a season.

These teams that failed to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament could be dangerous this season

One way to rebuild a team that failed to make the NCAA Tournament is to add a bunch of transfers with March Madness experience at their former schools.

apnews.com

 

[Franisdaman]

October 28, 2025 Update:

I know it's early so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

11 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
3 UCLA
4 Illinois
5 Michigan State
6 Oregon
7 Wisconsin
7 Ohio State
9 USC
10 IOWA (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 Washington (1 of Last 4 In)


2 B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
Indiana--......2nd team OUT
Maryland--6th team OUT


Link to the Full Oct 28, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

 

[The Big Z]

Also think some of these publications are underestimating the guys coming over from Drake and them having time in his system. They won 31 games last year, and basically owned Mizzou in that tournament game. Totally took them out of their rhythm as they had to play defense for 30 seconds at a time and then they would come down and chuck up a quick shot and Drake would do it to them again and again.

 

[Franisdaman]

November 18, 2025 Update:

I know it's early in the season so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

12 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
2 Illinois
5 UCLA
5 Michigan State
6 Wisconsin
7 Ohio State
7 Indiana
8 USC
9 Oregon
10 IOWA (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 Nebraska (1 of Last 4 In)

1 B1G Team on the Outside, Looking in:
Maryland--8th team OUT


Link to the Full Nov 18, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

 

[HawkBall23]

November 18, 2025 Update:

I know it's early in the season so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

12 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
2 Illinois
5 UCLA
5 Michigan State
6 Wisconsin
7 Ohio State
7 Indiana
8 USC
9 Oregon
10 IOWA (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 Nebraska (1 of Last 4 In)

1 B1G Team on the Outside, Looking in:
Maryland--8th team OUT


Link to the Full Nov 18, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

Damn I sure hope the Hawks can finish better than IU in the B1G and therefore garner a higher seed then them in the Big Dance.

 

[KuwaitHawk]

November 18, 2025 Update:

I know it's early in the season so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

12 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
2 Illinois
5 UCLA
5 Michigan State
6 Wisconsin
7 Ohio State
7 Indiana
8 USC
9 Oregon
10 IOWA (1 of Last 4 Byes)
11 Nebraska (1 of Last 4 In)

1 B1G Team on the Outside, Looking in:
Maryland--8th team OUT


Link to the Full Nov 18, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

It is SO difficult to ignore.

 

[Franisdaman]

November 24, 2025 Update:

I know it's early in the season so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

12 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Purdue
2 Michigan
3 Michigan State
3 Illinois
5 UCLA
7 Ohio State
8 Wisconsin
8 Indiana
8 USC
9 Oregon
10 IOWA
10 Nebraska (1 of Last 4 Byes)

Other B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
N/A


Link to the Full Nov 24, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

 

[Heathen Raider]

They are a 7 seed now in real time

 

[Franisdaman]

They are a 7 seed now in real time

hope we get there by March

 

[Franisdaman]

Moving up!

December 2, 2025 Update:

I know it's early in the season so if you don't like this topic, simply ignore this thread.

11 B1G teams, including IOWA, are currently projected to make the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Seed/B1G Team:
1 Michigan (TOP OVERALL SEED)
1 Purdue
3 Michigan State
5 Illinois
6 Indiana
6 USC
7 IOWA
8 Nebraska
9 Wisconsin
10 UCLA (1 of Last 4 Byes)
10 Ohio State (1 of Last 4 Byes)

Other B1G Teams on the Outside, Looking in:
N/A


Link to the Full Dec 2, 2025 Bracket:

Men's Bracketology: Welcome to the newly expanded 2027 field

Here's what the first 76-team projected field looks like -- with Florida still No. 1 overall.

www.espn.com

 

[Hawksfor3]

hope we get there by March

I don't know. How's about the dreaded 7/10 upset?

 

[joelbc1]

Great news!
What is it… only about 100 more days or so before this stuff means anything!
We can build a lot of high hopes AND angst between now and then!

 

[joelbc1]

After tonight’s game vs. MSU, Iowa accepts an invite to the NIT, as a road team. Locked-in 100 days early! Go Hawks!