The University of Iowa men’s basketball program has released its full nonconference schedule for the 2026‑27 season, a lineup that builds on the Hawkeyes’ recent Elite Eight run and signals an ambitious approach to the upcoming campaign.
A demanding nonconference road
Five games against power‑conference opponents dot the schedule, but only one of those contests will be played outside Iowa. The Hawkeyes will host Iowa State for the annual Cy‑Hawk Series clash on their home court, while Xavier will visit in November for a road test.
Neutral‑site showdowns add extra intrigue. Virginia Tech meets Iowa in Sioux City, Iowa, and both Creighton and Alabama will face the Hawkeyes in Des Moines, turning the state capital into a temporary hub for high‑profile basketball.
Beyond the power‑conference slate, the Hawkeyes will also test themselves against a variety of mid‑major programs, including Lipscomb, Eastern Illinois, UMBC, Prairie View A&M, Western Illinois and Bethune‑Cookman, ensuring a diverse set of competitive experiences.