Iowa basketball inches higher in ESPN NCAA Tournament Bracketology

Iowa basketball inches higher in ESPN NCAA Tournament BracketologyStory byRiley Donald, Hawkeyes WireTue, November 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM UTC·1 min read

This week presents a massive opportunity for the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball program to strengthen its resume with the Acrisure Classic, giving them some games against quality opponents, starting with a game against the Ole Miss Rebels.

The Hawkeyes, under the tutelage of new head coach Ben McCollum, are sitting at 5-0 on the year, but have not been tested much, with their best win coming against Xavier. The other four wins are against Robert Morris, Western Illinois, Southeast Missouri, and Chicago State.

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While the opponents haven't been the hardest of tests, they have moved Iowa from the "Last Four Byes" group in the bracket to firmly in the field in ESPN's newest NCAA Tournament Bracketology.

Iowa Hawkeyes' seed

Nov 20, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum reacts during the first half against the Chicago State Cougars at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

• Seed: No. 10 seed

• Opponent: No. 7 Baylor Bears

Bracket

Nov 24, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide forward Aiden Sherrell (22) shoots against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half in a 2025 Players Era Festival group play game at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

• No. 1 Purdue vs. No. 16 Long Island / No. 16 Norfolk State

• No. 8 USC vs. No. 9 Clemson

• No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 12 Akron

• No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 13 High Point

• No. 6 Kansas vs. No. 11 Liberty

• No. 3 Florida vs. No. 14 Troy

• No. 7 Baylor vs. No. 10 Iowa

• No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 15 Florida Gulf Coast

Top Seeds:

Nov 7, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter talks with guard Braden Smith (3) during the first half against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

• No. 1 seeds: Purdue, Arizona, Duke, Houston

• No. 2 seeds: Louisville, Gonzaga, UConn, Michigan

• No. 3 seeds: Florida, Illinois, Michigan State, BYU

• No. 4 seeds: Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa State, St. John's

Bubble Watch

Creighton Bluejays guard Hudson Greer (10) scores against the Baylor Bears during the second half in a 2025 Players Era Festival at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

• Last Four Byes: Clemson, Nebraska, Virginia, Creighton

• Last Four In: Texas, Georgetown, SMU, Georgia

• First Four Out: Villanova, San Diego State, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State

• Next Four Out: Kansas State, Miami, Oklahoma, Santa Clara

Conference Breakdown

Nov 13, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Big Ten Conference logo on the court at Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

• Big Ten: 12

• SEC: 11

• Big 12: 7

• ACC: 7

• Big East: 4

• WCC: 2

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball inches higher in ESPN NCAA Tournament Bracketology

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