Iowa basketball is generating quiet but growing buzz heading into the 2026–27 season, but not everyone is fully sold yet. Despite a busy and strategic transfer portal window that brought in key reinforcements, the Hawkeyes still find themselves just on the outside looking in of ESPN’s latest post-portal top 25 rankings. That positioning has sparked conversation among college basketball analysts about whether Iowa is being underrated or simply unproven at this stage.
The latest ESPN rankings from Jeff Borzello place Iowa at No. 26 overall, making them the first team outside the top 25. That means they are effectively the “next in line” should any team inside the rankings slip before the season tips off. While not a flashy headline spot, it still signals respect for a roster that has clearly been retooled for a stronger push next year.
At the same time, ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi has a slightly more cautious outlook. He projects Iowa as his “last team in” the projected NCAA Tournament field of 68. That placement suggests Iowa is viewed as a borderline tournament team right now good enough to compete for a spot, but not yet secure in postseason expectations.
What makes Iowa’s situation especially interesting is how active they’ve been in reshaping the roster. Head coach Ben McCollum has leaned heavily into the transfer portal to address key gaps left by departures. One of the most notable additions is big man Andrew McKeever, a frontcourt presence expected to bring size and interior stability. His arrival is viewed as a direct response to Iowa’s need for more physicality in the paint.
Another major pickup is point guard Ty’Reek Coleman, who is expected to step into a leadership role in the backcourt. Under McCollum’s system, Coleman’s ability to control tempo, distribute the ball, and limit turnovers will be crucial. Iowa’s staff believes his experience and decision-making could immediately stabilize an offense that will be adjusting to multiple new pieces.
However, the roster overhaul didn’t come without losses. One of the most notable departures is Alvaro Folguieras, a March Madness standout whose performances last season earned him recognition among Iowa fans. His exit through the transfer portal leaves both a production and leadership gap that the Hawkeyes will need to address collectively rather than through a single replacement.
Despite these changes, there is still a sense of momentum surrounding the program. Iowa’s roster turnover reflects a broader trend in modern college basketball, where teams increasingly rely on the transfer portal to quickly rebuild rather than develop solely through high school recruiting. The Hawkeyes have clearly embraced that approach under McCollum’s leadership.
At the top of ESPN’s rankings, however, the competition is loaded and experienced. Florida sits at No. 1 overall after an aggressive retooling that kept key returning talent in place while adding high-impact transfers. Their rise comes just months after Iowa stunned them in NCAA Tournament play to reach the Sweet 16, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their current top ranking.
Behind Florida, Duke claims the No. 2 spot, continuing its tradition of combining elite recruiting with strategic roster continuity. Michigan follows at No. 3 and enters the season as the defending national champions, a position that naturally keeps them among the most closely watched teams in the country.
Illinois comes in at No. 4, a program that has consistently stayed competitive in recent seasons thanks to a blend of veteran leadership and transfer additions. Rounding out the top five is UConn at No. 5, last season’s NCAA Tournament runner-up, who remain firmly in championship contention after another strong offseason.
For Iowa, sitting just outside that group highlights both opportunity and pressure. Being ranked No. 26 suggests they are viewed as close to elite but still needing proof on the court. The additions of McKeever and Coleman give the Hawkeyes a clearer identity, but chemistry and execution will determine whether they rise into the top 25 or remain on the fringe.
The Big Ten landscape only adds more difficulty to Iowa’s path. With programs like Michigan and Illinois already inside the top five nationally, Iowa will have to compete against multiple ranked opponents just to climb the conference standings. Every game is likely to carry postseason implications, especially in a league where margin for error is minimal.
Still, there is a sense that Iowa’s ceiling is higher than their current ranking suggests. McCollum’s system has historically emphasized disciplined defense, structured offense, and strong guard play traits that tend to translate well in tournament settings. If Coleman can stabilize the backcourt and McKeever anchors the interior, Iowa has the pieces to outperform expectations.
For now, though, ESPN’s No. 26 ranking serves as both recognition and challenge. The Hawkeyes are close, but not quite there yet. And in college basketball, that space between “almost ranked” and “top 25” is often where seasons are defined before they even begin.
As the 2026–27 season approaches, Iowa’s reshaped roster will be under the spotlight. Whether they break into the national top 25 or remain just outside it will depend on how quickly this new group turns potential into results once the games begin.
