A Milestone in Sioux City
Iowa’s men’s basketball team will open its season with a historic neutral‑site contest against Virginia Tech in Sioux City on November 10, the first ever meeting between the Hawkeyes and the Hokies on Iowa soil.
The game will be held at the Tyson Events Center, a venue that has become a focal point for the university’s effort to bring high‑profile opponents to western Iowa.
Tickets for the matchup go on sale Friday, June 26 at 10 a.m., giving fans a limited window to secure seats for what promises to be a marquee event in the Hawkeyes’ schedule.
Coach Ben McCollum, now in his second year at the helm, expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of bringing the program to the heart of western Iowa, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and the excitement of playing in a new market.
The Sioux City showdown is part of a three‑game series of in‑state neutral‑site contests against Power Conference opponents, underscoring Iowa’s commitment to challenging itself early in the season.
Overall, the Hawkeyes will play 21 games inside the state’s borders this year, a testament to the program’s regional footprint and its strategy of leveraging home‑court advantages while exploring new venues.
The non‑conference slate also includes contests against Creighton and Alabama, both scheduled for Des Moines, providing additional high‑stakes matchups before conference play begins.
McCollum, who guided the team to its first Elite Eight appearance in nearly four decades last season, is now focused on building on that momentum as he prepares for his second year at Iowa.
The upcoming game against Virginia Tech thus represents not only a first for the program but also a key component of a broader strategy that blends tradition with ambition.