The timing couldn’t be more ideal for Iowa men’s basketball to return home. The 23rd-ranked Hawkeyes will play Western Michigan in a nonconference game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, following a heartbreaking road loss in one of the most intense rivalries in college basketball. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT as Iowa attempts to regain momentum and stabilize itself after suffering a severe loss in Ames.
The Broncos come into the game with a 5-5 record in an attempt to ruin Iowa’s homecoming, while the Hawkeyes have an 8-2 overall record and a 1-1 record in Big Ten play. Although the Hawkeyes have a significant advantage in the matchup on paper, this game is about more than just the numbers because of the emotional background of Iowa’s most recent game.
That last game still stings.
Iowa traveled with confidence and early control to take on fourth-ranked, undefeated Iowa State. The Hawkeyes got off to a fast start and increased their lead to 13 points in the first half. They calmed a boisterous Hilton Coliseum crowd by playing with poise, energy, and execution, taking a 33–25 lead into halftime. However, rivalry games have the ability to change the course of events.
In spite of Iowa’s impressive start, the Cyclones gradually gained ground in the second half, winning the Cy-Hawk game 66–62. Although it was Iowa’s second defeat of the 2025–2026 campaign, it was by no means depressing. If anything, it strengthened the notion that this Hawkeye team should compete on a national level. Iowa demonstrated toughness and resiliency even in defeat, demonstrating that it can compete with top teams on the road.
In Ames, senior guard/forward Tavion Banks led the Hawkeyes with 14 points on a productive 5-of-9 shooting effort. When the game got close, he led by example and made two three-pointers. Another senior guard, Bennett Stirtz, scored ten points, and junior forward Cam Manyawu scored ten as well. Up until the very end, their combined efforts kept Iowa within striking distance.
Now, the focus shifts forward.
Iowa’s game against Western Michigan on Sunday offers them an opportunity to start over, improve their performance, and remind supporters of the reasons this team is still in the Top 25. According to national polls and bracket projections, the Hawkeyes are already ranked 23rd and are poised for additional recognition. Maintaining that upward trajectory could be greatly aided by a strong performance at home. The Big Ten Network will broadcast the game for fans who want to watch from home. The call will be handled by play-by-play announcer Telly Hughes, with former Hawkeye Jess Settles serving as the color analyst. From Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the two will broadcast live, providing viewers with every possession and plot point as it happens.
The broadcast will be broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network for radio listeners. Cory Sheets will oversee the coverage, with analyst Bobby Hansen and veteran voice Gary Dolphin handling play-by-play. For Iowa supporters throughout the area, the crew is well-known and reliable. There are also options for streaming. Fans can watch the game live via Fubo, which currently offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Iowa is a big favorite when it comes to betting. The Hawkeyes are favored by 28½ points, with the over/under set at 143½ points, according to BetMGM odds as of Sunday, December 14. Although college basketball has a way of lowering expectations when concentration falters, those numbers reflect the expectation that Iowa will dominate the game. Iowa will continue to be a major topic of discussion in the country after this game. The Hawkeyes have improved in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, are still in the running for the most recent AP Top 25 rankings, and are still included in ESPN’s most recent bracketology projections. Every excursion, particularly at home, is significant as March gradually approaches.
The topic of response is Sunday afternoon. It’s about using frustration as motivation, relying on experience, and handling business in front of the home crowd. The message for Iowa is clear: the season’s objectives are still very much alive, and Carver-Hawkeye Arena is where it all takes place.
