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Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2026-27 Season: IOWA #11 (The Athletic); #21 (On3 & SI); #25 (ESPN)

Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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Nov 3, 2012
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Here is ESPN's way too early top 25.

The 7 B1G teams that are ranked:

....1. Michigan
.....6. Michigan State
.....8. Illinois
14. Purdue
17. USC
18. Nebraska


25. Iowa Hawkeyes​

For the first time in four years -- at three different schools -- coach Ben McCollum will enter the season without Bennett Stirtz as his starting point guard. Sure, McCollum had Division II success before Stirtz entered the fold, and he has been a winner at every spot regardless of personnel. But there will be an adjustment given how ball-dominant and high-usage Stirtz was in McCollum's system. What will help is that most of the Hawkeyes' rotation could return, including NCAA tournament contributors Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and Cooper Koch.

IOWA's Projected starting lineup

Kael Combs (6.2 PPG)
Tate Sage (5.6 PPG)
Cooper Koch (7.8 PPG)
Alvaro Folgueiras (8.5 PPG)
Cam Manyawu (6.9 PPG)

Next in line (teams 26-30):​

Tennessee Volunteers
Kansas Jayhawks
Miami Hurricanes
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Maryland Terrapins



The full story:

www.espn.com

Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings

The 2026 champion is crowned. We're rolling right into ranking next season's best teams -- with a few new rules.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
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Here is On3's way too early top 25.

The 7 B1G teams that are ranked:

....1. Michigan
....5. Michigan State
....6. Illinois
10. Purdue
19. UCLA
20. Nebraska
21. IOWA
Key returns: Kael Combs, Alvaro Folgueiras, Isaia Howard, Cooper Koch, Cam Manyawu, Tate Sage
Key additions: N/A
Key departures: Tavion Banks, Bennett Stirtz

The full story:

www.on3.com

Way-too-early Top 25 college basketball rankings: Immediate look ahead to 2026-27 season

Here is a way-too-early look at what the Top 25 rankings could look like in the 2026-27 season after Michigan is crowned champion.
www.on3.com www.on3.com
 
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Palmerhawk

Palmerhawk

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Nice to see hawks get a little respect for our run in tourny.
So much player movement to know where most teams will stand going into next season but a little pub is good for Iowa.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
15,411
22,990
113
Here is Sports Illustrated's way too early top 25.

The 8 B1G teams that are ranked:

....1. Michigan
....5. Michigan State
....8. Illinois
16. Nebraska
18. Purdue
21. IOWA
It’s not hard to be all-in on what Ben McCollum is building in Iowa City after the Hawkeyes’ run to the Elite Eight. The Hawkeyes could have real continuity, too. Three starters (Kael Combs, Cooper Koch and Cam Manyawu) have eligibility remaining, and talented subs Tate Sage and Alvaro Folgueiras had huge NCAA tournaments. If McCollum can land a high-level lead guard in the portal, watch out.

22. UCLA
25. USC

www.si.com

Men’s College Basketball Way-Too-Early Top 25 Rankings: Post 2026 Title Game

After cutting down the nets in Indianapolis, Michigan will be in good shape to start the 2026–27 season with UConn not far behind.
www.si.com www.si.com
 
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JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

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Franisdaman said:
Here is ESPN's way too early top 25.

The 7 B1G teams that are ranked:

....1. Michigan
.....6. Michigan State
.....8. Illinois
14. Purdue
17. USC
18. Nebraska


25. Iowa Hawkeyes​

For the first time in four years -- at three different schools -- coach Ben McCollum will enter the season without Bennett Stirtz as his starting point guard. Sure, McCollum had Division II success before Stirtz entered the fold, and he has been a winner at every spot regardless of personnel. But there will be an adjustment given how ball-dominant and high-usage Stirtz was in McCollum's system. What will help is that most of the Hawkeyes' rotation could return, including NCAA tournament contributors Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage and Cooper Koch.

IOWA's Projected starting lineup

Kael Combs (6.2 PPG)
Tate Sage (5.6 PPG)
Cooper Koch (7.8 PPG)
Alvaro Folgueiras (8.5 PPG)
Cam Manyawu (6.9 PPG)

Next in line (teams 26-30):​

Tennessee Volunteers
Kansas Jayhawks
Miami Hurricanes
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Maryland Terrapins



The full story:

www.espn.com

Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings

The 2026 champion is crowned. We're rolling right into ranking next season's best teams -- with a few new rules.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
Wayyyy to low of a rank as they will probably have Banks back too… definitely a top 15 team I don’t buy this ********
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
15,411
22,990
113
JerseyCityHawk said:
Voice of reason

lets hope! If Banks is granted we will be on damn good shape
Click to expand...

When we beat #1 seed Florida, only 9 Hawks played. 8 of the 9 likely (hopefully) return.

Minutes vs Florida
Starters:
40: Bennett
33: Kael
30: Tavion
28: Cooper
21: Cam

Off the bench:
18: Alvaro
14: Howie
13: Tate
.....3: Trevin
____________________
200 Min Available
============

www.espn.com

Iowa 73-72 Florida (Mar 22, 2026) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators NCAAM game from March 22, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
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oldxbbc

oldxbbc

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Does not surprise me with the loss of Stirtz. I just have a gut feeling BM will find the right replacement for him. We need a rim protector and hope the NCAA gives you know who a 26-27 season.
 
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HawkInDenver

HawkInDenver

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Without knowing what will happen with the portal this is a waste of time -fun! -but a waste of time.

IMHO, assuming we do well in the portal, I think putting Iowa in the 20 - 25 range preseason seems reasonable. It's going to be tough to replace Stirtz but if we find a solid PG and a B1G center then I think we'll be very good.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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Nov 3, 2012
15,411
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oldxbbc said:
Does not surprise me with the loss of Stirtz. I just have a gut feeling BM will find the right replacement for him. We need a rim protector and hope the NCAA gives you know who a 26-27 season.
Click to expand...

Ben obviously did an amazing job this season but when it comes to getting a PG for next season, he can't make a Brendan Hausen type of mistake.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
15,411
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HawkInDenver said:
Without knowing what will happen with the portal this is a waste of time -fun! -but a waste of time.

IMHO, assuming we do well in the portal, I think putting Iowa in the 20 - 25 range preseason seems reasonable. It's going to be tough to replace Stirtz but if we find a solid PG and a B1G center then I think we'll be very good.
Click to expand...

Sounds like Trey Thompson is gonna be a heck of an addition to next season's rotation. He's a scorer & his defense is there now, too. They list him at 6'8.

hawkeyesports.com

Trey Thompson - Men's Basketball 2026-27

Trey Thompson - Men's Basketball 2026-27
hawkeyesports.com hawkeyesports.com
 
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JerseyCityHawk

JerseyCityHawk

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Franisdaman said:
When we beat #1 seed Florida, only 9 Hawks played. 8 of the 9 likely (hopefully) return.

Minutes vs Florida
Starters:
40: Bennett
33: Kael
30: Tavion
28: Cooper
21: Cam

Off the bench:
18: Alvaro
14: Howie
13: Tate
.....3: Trevin
____________________
200 Min Available
============

www.espn.com

Iowa 73-72 Florida (Mar 22, 2026) Box Score - ESPN

Box score for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators NCAAM game from March 22, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for the breakdown that’s crazy!
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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Nov 3, 2012
15,411
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JerseyCityHawk said:
Thanks for the breakdown that’s crazy!
Click to expand...

Now, the question is, will Alvaro accept the pay cut or will he enter the portal?

Update on Alvaro (from the linked story):

There is a belief Folgueiras might not return to Iowa next season and would be taking a pay cut if he did so.

“Sources have said they would be surprised if he is back for another year in Iowa City,” Nakos said of Folgueiras. “The Hawkeyes had a team workout earlier this week that Folgueiras did not attend, per a source. The two sides are expected to meet again on Wednesday.”

www.aseaofblue.com

Former Kentucky target Alvaro Folgueiras could leave Iowa to enter transfer portal

The March Madness hero was someone Kentucky recruited in the previous transfer portal cycle.
www.aseaofblue.com www.aseaofblue.com
 
L

LakeO83

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Jul 10, 2025
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JerseyCityHawk said:
Wayyyy to low of a rank as they will probably have Banks back too… definitely a top 15 team I don’t buy this ********
Click to expand...
Am I missing something with everyone's optimism that Banks will be granted another year. My understanding was that the one player being granted extra years was a one off and others that have since tried to litigate it had not been successful. Lot's of kids with JC years out there so I would think that would be a huge deal and definitely be more talked about. Or maybe it's not a JC thing at all that I've missed with his situation. Could someone explain this?
 
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