Iowa Basketball Schedule: Predicting the Hawkeyes' Nonconference Record

It's now Year 2 of the Ben McCollum era with the Iowa Hawkeyes, and expectations are real now.

McCollum would be the first to say that the honeymoon from the Elite 8 run in last year's NCAA Tournament is over, with the page flipped to the 2026-27 campaign.

That starts with the nonconference schedule consisting of 12 games for the Hawkeyes against some teams they can use as tune-ups, while others are going to teach us a lot about this team in a hurry.

The 2026-27 nonconference schedule is here. 🗓️ pic.twitter.com/tgot7AoAKi
— Iowa Men's Basketball (@IowaHoops) August 20, 2026

First Quarter

Lipscomb (Home) - This is the type of game a Big Ten team opens up with, and despite some potential nerves and opening-game rust, pulls away handily. Iowa does that here. Hawks get to 1-0.

Record: 1-0

Eastern Illinois (Home) - Like Lipscomb, Iowa gets another chance to fine-tune some things and get organized against a program they should be able to handle, even on an off night.

Record: 2-0

Virginia Tech (Sioux City, Iowa) - Now things get interesting. The Hokies are Iowa's first test of the season, but I think this breaks nicely for Iowa. It's going to be a 99% Iowa crowd. More than that, Ben McCollum knows what picking up an early win over an ACC team could mean. Iowa gets it done.

Record: 3-0

Second Quarter

Creighton (Des Moines, Iowa) - Don't expect to see the Creighton of last year. That was an anomaly, and they will be better this year. This is a nervy one, with Creighton's fans making their presence known. After a 3-0 start, it's a tight one; Iowa stumbles in.

Record: 3-1

Xavier (Cincinnati) - This is where the magic of Ben McCollum works. Off a loss to Creighton, the Hawkeyes have to hit the road to a tough environment at Xavier. The Hawkeyes play hard and respond, picking up a key road win just five games into the year.

Record: 4-1

UMBC (Home) - As an owner of a Golden Retriever, UMBC will hold a special spot for its logo and the iconic No. 16 vs. No. 1 upset it pulled off a few years back. Unfortunately, Iowa doesn't have the same soft spot.

Record: 5-1

Third Quarter

Prairie View A&M (Home) - Thanksgiving weekend presents a time for a team to be dreary and lulled to sleep, but this game follows a Friday affair of Iowa versus Nebraska in football. Carver-Hawkeye Arena should be a full house.

Record: 6-1

Iowa State (Home) - The opportunity for Iowa to pick up a win in the Cy-Hawk rivalry is present this year. Unlike Iowa, which returns solid production, Iowa State lost Tamin Lipsey, Joshua Jefferson, and Milan Momcilovic. At home, Iowa finds a way to pick up a gritty win.

Record: 7-1

Western Illinois (Home) - This is a textbook letdown spot if Iowa can handle the Cyclones. At 7-1, Iowa could be looking ahead, coasting, and letting Western Illinois linger. It's a win, but it's ugly and one that Ben McCollum isn't overly pleased with.

Record: 8-1

Fourth Quarter

Bethune-Cookman (Home) - Iowa gets another tune-up opportunity here, coming down the stretch of nonconference play. Like Iowa football's nonconference slate, this is a rather forgettable win.

Record: 9-1

Alabama (Des Moines, Iowa) - This game will be a fantastic juxtaposition of style and tempo. Iowa wants to play among the slowest teams in the country, while Alabama turns every game into a track meet. The Crimson Tide have just enough offensive firepower to hit from deep and outlast Iowa. 9-2.

Record: 9-2

South Dakota (Home) - The loss to Alabama serves as a chance to get refocused before Big Ten play looms. Iowa doesn't waste a chance to get things right. They cap off the nonconference slate with a win to finish a strong stretch.

Record: 10-2

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