The University of Iowa men's basketball program is charting an ambitious 2026 schedule that pits the Hawkeyes against some of the nation's most formidable non‑conference opponents, promising a testing start to the campaign.
Conference slate
Within the Big Ten, Iowa will host traditional rivals such as Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon, Penn State and Washington, while traveling to face Illinois, Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, UCLA and USC on the road. Home and away matchups also include Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin, ensuring a full complement of conference battles.
Non‑conference opponents
The non‑conference slate features Virginia Tech, Creighton, Xavier, Iowa State and Alabama. Most contests will be played in Iowa, with the exception of a trip to Cincinnati to meet Xavier. Iowa State will meet the Hawkeyes at home in Carver‑Hawkeye Arena, while Alabama and Creighton are slated for Des Moines, and Virginia Tech will play in Sioux City.
Thanksgiving outlook
The open window around Thanksgiving suggests Iowa could again participate in a multi‑team event, a pattern that has become a staple of the program in recent years and adds another layer of competition to the schedule.
Overall, the schedule is designed to test the team early, build resilience and position the Hawkeyes for a strong finish as they aim to contend for Big Ten titles and national recognition.