Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball program has locked in a neutral‑site showdown with the Iowa Hawkeyes, scheduled for November 10, 2026 at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The game marks the second time the two schools will meet on Iowa soil and adds a high‑profile early‑season test to the Hokies’ 2026‑27 slate.
Series history
The series between the Hokies and the Hawkeyes stretches back to the early 2010s, with Virginia Tech holding a perfect 4‑0 record in five all‑time meetings. The most recent encounter came in 2017, when the Hokies rolled past Iowa 79‑55, a game that still resonates in the program’s memory.
Iowa’s recent rise
Iowa arrives in Sioux City fresh off a 24‑13 campaign in 2025‑26, the first season under head coach Ben McCollum. The Hawkeyes capped the year with an Elite Eight appearance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, underscoring the rapid rise of McCollum’s rebuilding effort.
Non‑conference and ACC outlook
The non‑conference schedule, now fully announced, features ten games before conference play begins. In addition to Iowa, the Hokies will test themselves against Coppin State, Old Dominion, Ole Miss and a trio of opponents in the Charleston Classic — Minnesota, Oklahoma State and Utah — before returning home for a series of matchups that include a contest with Coppin State. Domestically, Virginia Tech’s ACC slate will see them host traditional rivals such as Boston College, Clemson, Louisville and Georgia Tech, while traveling to face California, Florida State, and Georgia Tech on the road. The full 28‑game conference schedule will be played over the course of the season, with dates to be finalized later.
Overall, the neutral‑site game in Sioux City serves as a marquee event that not only highlights the growing non‑conference ambitions of Virginia Tech but also provides a platform for Iowa to showcase its momentum under McCollum before the regular season begins.