According to ESPN NCAA Tournament bracketology, Iowa basketball is one spot higher. This week, the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team has a fantastic chance to improve its NCAA Tournament record. It begins with a big game against the Ole Miss Rebels in the Acrisure Classic. The Hawkeyes, led by new head coach Ben McCollum, have shown promise in just five games, but they haven’t yet been put to the test.
On paper, Iowa’s 5-0 start to the season is impressive, but the schedule hasn’t been particularly difficult. They defeated Xavier, a team with a strong basketball heritage, in their most noteworthy victory. The other victories have come against respectable opponents who haven’t tested the Hawkeyes to the limit: Robert Morris, Western Illinois, Southeast Missouri, and Chicago State.
Nevertheless, the NCAA selection committee now views Iowa differently as a result of these early successes. According to ESPN’s most recent Bracketology update, Iowa, which was once thought to be one of the “Last Four Byes,” is now firmly in the tournament field. For a team still getting used to a new coaching style and navigating a schedule meant to foster confidence as much as experience, this upward movement is encouraging.
The Hawkeyes are ranked as a No. 10 seed in the current bracket projection, and they would play the No. 7 Baylor Bears in the opening round. Iowa will be put to the test in this matchup, especially considering Baylor’s track record as a strong program with size, depth, and high-pressure experience. Fans will be able to see how Iowa’s youthful roster adjusts to a more competitive environment during the game.
What could be a pivotal week for the Hawkeyes is just getting started with the Acrisure Classic. They may improve their seeding and gain momentum later in the season if they do well in this tournament against elite opponents like Ole Miss.
Top seeds like Purdue, Arizona, Duke, and Houston occupy the top spots in the tournament field, while Louisville, Gonzaga, UConn, and Michigan occupy the No. 2 spots. The No. 3 seeds are Florida, Illinois, Michigan State, and BYU, while the No. 4 seeds are Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa State, and St. John’s. Iowa would make a statement by defeating Baylor, proving they are capable of competing with teams ranked higher and gaining respect on the national scene.
No. 1 Purdue versus No. 16 Long Island/Norfolk State, No. 8 USC versus No. 9 Clemson, and No. 5 Kentucky versus No. 12 Akron are some other noteworthy matchups. No. 4 Alabama will play No. 13 High Point, No. 6 Kansas will play No. 11 Liberty, No. 3 Florida will play No. 14 Troy, and No. 2 Louisville will play No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast. The storyline for the early rounds will be shaped by each of these games, but Iowa’s game against Baylor stands out as a crucial test of both skill and poise.
Despite a soft early schedule, Iowa’s strong performances have earned them a spot in the tournament field. After beginning in the “Last Four Byes” group, being firmly in the field shows that the selection committee believes this Hawkeyes roster has potential. However, in order to secure a spot in the tournament and prevent early exit scenarios, the team will need to keep proving itself, particularly against opponents with higher seeds.
The “Last Four Byes” spots are currently occupied by Clemson, Nebraska, Virginia, and Creighton in the bubble image. Texas, Georgetown, SMU, and Georgia are the “Last Four In”; Villanova, San Diego State, Cincinnati, and Oklahoma State are the “First Four Out.” In the “Next Four Out” are Santa Clara, Oklahoma, Miami, and Kansas State. Iowa is now firmly in the running in this environment, but there is little room for error in the early going of the season.
The Hawkeyes have a clear plan for the future: keep gaining ground, put themselves to the test against difficult opponents, and take advantage of chances like the Acrisure Classic to make an impression. Iowa is beginning to show signs of a team that can strike a balance between solid fundamentals and flashes of brilliance under McCollum’s direction. Although the path ahead will not be simple, Iowa could finish the first half of the season with a strong enough resume to draw attention in March if they are focused and execute.
Every game Iowa plays in Las Vegas will have a significant impact on both the team’s confidence going into conference play and its tournament seeding, so both fans and analysts will be closely watching. For a Hawkeyes team eager to establish itself as one of the top teams in college basketball, the Acrisure Classic is more than just a mid-season competition.
Every pass, rebound, and shot could have a significant impact on Iowa’s NCAA Tournament prospects, making it an exciting time to watch for fans of the team. The Hawkeyes have the potential to use an early-season tournament as a springboard for March success if they have the correct mix of talent, coaching, and willpower.
