Following the Big Ten split, Iowa basketball is just outside the AP Top 25. Although Iowa basketball did not make it into this week’s AP Top 25, the Hawkeyes are making a strong push. Ben McCollum’s team is on the verge of making a comeback to national ranking territory after splitting their first two Big Ten games of the season a difficult road loss at Michigan State followed by a confidence-boosting victory over Maryland.
Iowa received 70 voting points in the most recent AP poll, which was released on Monday morning. This is the highest total of any unranked team and the most obvious indication that voters are paying close attention to the 8-1 Hawkeyes. Iowa is unquestionably one of the first teams out, even though they don’t yet have a number next to their name.
The Hawkeyes’ week began on December 2 with a trip to East Lansing, where Michigan State, ranked seventh at the time, displayed their physical prowess in a 71-52 victory. Offensively, Iowa found it difficult to establish rhythm and never fully mastered the ball movement and spacing that allowed them to go undefeated in the nonconference. If there is a bright spot, though, it is that Michigan State makes many teams feel uneasy in the Breslin Center. Seldom do programs leave East Lansing with more than a lesson.
What was more important was how Iowa reacted, and the Hawkeyes punched back, which is exactly what a well-coached, disciplined team should do. After returning home, Iowa defeated Maryland 83–64, and Bennett Stirtz had one of his best performances of the year. The junior guard scored 25 points and contributed to Iowa’s impressive 54% field goal percentage. In addition to stabilizing a team, it served as a reminder to supporters that this roster has more than enough firepower to compete with any team.
The Big Ten as a whole keeps proving why it’s one of the hardest leagues in college basketball. This week, six conference teams No. 2 Michigan, No. 6 Purdue, No. 9 Michigan State, No. 13 Illinois, No. 23 Nebraska, and No. 25 UCLA were included in the AP Top 25. It’s a difficult task, and Iowa has already encountered two of them. In the receiving-votes category, Indiana (18), Wisconsin (24), and USC (50) trail Iowa. Although it’s a crowded tier, Iowa is unquestionably in the lead going into a pivotal period.
Speaking of pivotal periods, the Hawkeyes’ next week includes one of the most eagerly awaited events on the calendar: the yearly Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup. On Thursday, December 11, Iowa will travel to Ames for a major rivalry game against No. 4 Iowa State, one of the nation’s top teams at 9-0. Playing at Hilton Coliseum is never easy, and the Cyclones this year appear to be particularly explosive. It’s more than just a rivalry match for Iowa; it’s a huge opportunity for their resume.
A victory over the nation’s fourth-ranked team would most likely propel Iowa into the Top 25 the following week and demonstrate the Hawkeyes’ place in the national discourse. The notion that this group is on the rise might even be strengthened by a competitive road performance. Following the Cy-Hawk game, Iowa will host Western Michigan (5-5) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, December 14. Iowa will have a significant advantage in this match, and winning would be essential to sustaining momentum before Big Ten play picks back up.
With an 8-0 record and 33 first-place votes, Arizona rose to the top of this week’s AP poll. Duke, Iowa State, and UConn complete the top five, with Michigan trailing closely behind at No. 2. Notable shifts included Arkansas moving up eight spots to No. 17, Vanderbilt moving up to No. 15, and Nebraska breaking into the poll at No. 23 in ESPN’s complete Week 6 rankings. Conversely, following recent defeats, teams like Purdue, Tennessee, and Louisville saw discernible declines. But that’s life in the Top 25; things change fast, and there’s an opportunity to reinvent yourself every week.
Iowa will have that opportunity on Thursday night in a hostile building against one of the top teams in the country. Even though they aren’t ranked yet, the Hawkeyes are playing meaningful basketball in December and have set themselves up for success by being within striking distance and having a long season ahead of them. The rankings will take care of themselves if they continue to improve on performances like the victory over Maryland and if they are able to secure a noteworthy outcome in Ames.
