After a spotless November start under Ben McCollum, Iowa basketball wins the coaches’ poll.
Iowa basketball is now officially on the national scene following an impeccable march through November. The Hawkeyes, who are presently 7-0, made their anxiously anticipated maiden appearance in the top 25 under new head coach Ben McCollum this week in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball coaches poll. It’s a moment that feels both earned and refreshingly early in his career, considering how swiftly Iowa has established its feet under new leadership.
The Hawkeyes stormed into the rankings at No. 25, jumping an amazing 13 spots from last week after garnering just six voting points prior. That surge reflects not only Iowa’s unbeaten start but also the program’s developing confidence and composure as it prepares for its first major Big Ten challenge.
That test comes immediately.
On Tuesday night, Iowa will travel to East Lansing for a crucial early-season matchup with Michigan State, the reigning Big Ten regular-season champion. Both teams enter the always-hostile Breslin Center at 7-0, with the tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. CT. This type of game has the power to either solidify a team’s reputation or swiftly reveal early-season delusions.
The Hawkeyes don’t look like pretenders.
They just finished a tough and disciplined run at the Acrisure Classic in Palm Desert, California, where they defeated Grand Canyon (59–46) and Ole Miss (74–69). These wins earned Iowa the tournament title and demonstrated a team that can win in a variety of ways, such as by outlasting a formidable SEC opponent in a possession-by-possession contest or by putting up a fierce defensive fight against a fiercely competitive Grand Canyon club.
Even though Iowa stands at the bottom of the top 25 for now, the company around them illustrates just how competitive the Big Ten continues to be. Purdue stayed locked in as the nation’s No. 1 team, followed by Michigan at No. 2 following a four-spot surge. Michigan State checks in at No. 8. Illinois ranks at No. 15, while Indiana earns the No. 19 place, establishing a conference lineup filled with top-tier talent before the calendar even turns to conference play. Beyond those teams, others in the Big Ten are lingering on the brink of the rankings. USC, UCLA, Nebraska and Wisconsin all garnered votes – a reminder that the league’s depth isn’t going anywhere.
This week’s complete coaches poll gives a snapshot of the volatility, steadiness, and breakthrough performances of the early season. With 21 first-place votes, Purdue leads the standings once more and appears to be the early favorite to win the championship. Michigan garnered six first-place votes of its own, while Arizona earned three and stays a clear No. 3. Duke and UConn complete out the top five, with UConn leaping into that group following an efficient 6–1 start.
Other significant movers include Vanderbilt, which soared seven positions to No. 16 after improving to 8–0, and Kansas — a program rarely absent from the rankings — which reappears at No. 21 following its 6–2 start. On the flip side, St. John’s tumbled seven places, sliding from No. 15 to No. 22 after a rough week, while teams like UCLA and NC State dropped out altogether.
For Iowa, though, the real story isn’t national movements — it’s momentum.
This is the first time since McCollum took the reigns that the Hawkeyes have broken into the rankings, and it’s occurring faster than many thought. It’s not only about winning games; it’s also about how they do it. Iowa is demonstrating maturity, balance, and a toughness that spreads qualities that become even more crucial as Big Ten competition intensifies.
Their next chance to demonstrate it will take place on a grand scale. Michigan State, sitting at No. 8, has looked consistent and dangerous, powered by its distinctive defensive identity and a team that doesn’t give away easy possessions. Iowa is aware that the Spartans seldom lose at home. However, Tuesday is the kind of trial-and-error event that can characterize an early season and establish the standard for conference play.
It remains to be seen if Iowa can maintain its stellar start, but the excitement surrounding the program is undeniable. With seven consecutive victories, a tournament title, and an above-average November, the Hawkeyes earned this ranking. They now have the opportunity to demonstrate how genuine that growth is and how far they could go in the future.
