Is Iowa Men’s Basketball Really on the NCAA Tournament Bubble? Early ESPN Bracketology Sparks Debate
The buzz around college basketball is quietly swelling as the 2025-26 season edges nearer, and I can’t help but feel the electric mix of anticipation and uncertainty swirling around the Iowa Hawkeyes. With Ben McCollum stepping in as the new head coach, the Hawkeyes are shaping up to be a dramatically different squad, thanks to some savvy moves in the transfer portal that promise fresh dynamics and renewed hope for fans hungry for a strong return. The postseason dream always looms large — it’s the true crucible for any college program — and Iowa’s drive to punch their ticket back to the NCAA Tournament is palpable. According to ESPN’s early bracketology projections, they’re just on the cusp, seeded 11th with one of the last four byes, setting up an intriguing first-round showdown against the storied Tar Heels in Oklahoma City. The Big Ten’s strong presence with 11 teams projected to make the dance only adds salt to the competitive wound. If you want the full scoop and deeper insights on Iowa’s trajectory and prospects, don’t miss out—LEARN MORE.
It may be months and months away from the March Madness and the NCAA Tournament, but the start of the 2025-26 college basketball season is quietly creeping up on the sports world.
The Iowa Hawkeyes enter the year buzzing with excitement stemming from the new head coaching hire of Ben McCollum and the revamped roster courtesy of the transfer portal that is going to give fans a new-look Iowa.
Each year, the goal of every team is to make it to the postseason with a berth to the NCAA Tournament. It is a measuring stick for success and a place that the Iowa Hawkeyes are striving to get back to.
In ESPN’s way-too-early NCAA Tournament bracketology, Iowa is dancing in the projected 2026 NCAA Tournament, but without much wiggle room. Iowa is in the field as one of the last four byes and earning a No. 11 seed.
The bracket puts Iowa in the East Region with a first-round game in Oklahoma City against one of the most storied programs in college basketball history, the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, a projected No. 6 seed.
Iowa is part of a strong Big Ten group earning bids in this projected field, as the conference has 11 NCAA Tournament bids. That only trails the SEC, who see 14 of its programs dancing.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
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