A marquee non‑conference matchup is set to light up the college basketball calendar this November, as the Creighton University Bluejays travel to Des Moines to face the University of Iowa Hawkeyes at Casey’s Center. The game, scheduled for Sunday, November 15, will bring together two programs that have each enjoyed recent success on the national stage.
A clash of recent excellence
Ticket sales will open to the public on Monday, June 1 at 10 a.m. Central Time, with all tickets exclusively available through Hyveetix, the ticketing platform that will handle the transaction process. Fans are expected to move quickly, given the high demand for a contest that pits a top‑15 ranked Iowa squad against a Creighton team that has been a fixture in the postseason for a decade.
Creighton’s head coach Alan Huss expressed enthusiasm about the environment, noting that the neutral venue and the presence of a strong opponent will simulate the intensity of an NCAA tournament setting. “We’re excited to bring our fans a March‑type atmosphere in November,” Huss said, highlighting the opportunity to test his squad against a team that advanced to the Elite Eight just a season ago.
Iowa’s head coach Ben McCollum, who guided the Hawkeyes to a historic Elite Eight run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, echoed the sentiment. He emphasized the value of playing in Des Moines, a venue that has become a familiar battleground for both programs. “It’s a great chance to showcase our team and give our fans a memorable experience,” McCollum remarked.
The Hawkeyes enter the game with a 24‑13 record from the previous season, a performance that included victories over three higher‑seeded opponents — Clemson, Florida and Nebraska — to reach the Elite Eight. That run marked the lowest seed in Big Ten history to achieve the feat, underscoring Iowa’s upward trajectory under McCollum.
Creighton, meanwhile, boasts a streak of ten consecutive postseason appearances, a testament to the program’s consistency under Coach Huss, who was appointed the 17th head coach in March 2025 after serving six years as an assistant. The Bluejays also reached the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas during the 2025‑26 season, further cementing their reputation as a perennial contender.
The upcoming contest will also mark the latest chapter in a series that favors Creighton, which has won the last two meetings against Iowa, including a 2023 victory in Omaha and a 2011 win in Des Moines. That historical edge adds an extra layer of intrigue to a matchup that promises high‑stakes basketball.
What’s at stake for both programs
Beyond the win‑loss record, the game represents a convergence of narratives: Iowa’s ascent under McCollum, Creighton’s continuity with Huss at the helm, and the shared ambition of both schools to finish the season among the nation’s elite. The neutral setting in Des Moines offers a unique stage for a rivalry that has produced memorable moments over the past decade.
As the countdown to June 1 begins, ticket buyers are encouraged to set reminders and prepare for a fast‑moving sale. With both fan bases eager to support their teams, the atmosphere at Casey’s Center is expected to be electric, blending the tradition of college basketball with the fresh excitement of a new chapter for both programs.