The University of Iowa and Creighton University will meet on November 15, 2026, in Des Moines for a neutral‑court contest at the Casey’s Center, marking a rare early‑season showdown between two Midwestern programs.
Coaches Embrace March‑Like Atmosphere
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum said he is eager to return to Des Moines, having enjoyed the atmosphere there a year earlier, while Creighton’s Alan Huss highlighted the value of staging the game in a setting that mimics the intensity of March.
Creighton arrives with a strong recent pedigree, having reached the postseason in each of the past ten seasons and advancing to the semifinals of the College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas during the 2025‑26 campaign. The Bluejays have also posted five consecutive NCAA tournament wins from 2021 through 2025 and hold a two‑game edge over Iowa in the all‑time series, having defeated the Hawkeyes in 2023 and 2011.
For Iowa, the matchup is part of a broader effort to increase its footprint in western Iowa, hoping the neutral venue will draw more spectators from the region and bolster fan engagement.
Ticket sales are slated to open on Monday, June 1, 2024, at 10 a.m. Central Time, giving fans a chance to secure seats for what promises to be a high‑profile early‑season clash. The tip‑off time will be announced at a later date.
A full preview of the game will later be published on HawkeyeInsider, where analysts will break down matchups, key players and strategic angles, providing additional context for what could become a pivotal early meeting in both teams' schedules.