Things are heating up in Iowa City - and not just because of the Hawkeyes’ five-game winning streak in the Big Ten. Ben McCollum’s squad is starting to look like a legitimate tournament threat, and the latest bracketology updates are taking notice. With the calendar flipping to February and the postseason picture sharpening, Iowa is climbing the seed lines and putting itself in position for a potential high-stakes showdown that would light up the state.
Transfers Delivering, Momentum Building
Let’s start with what’s fueling this surge: McCollum’s transfer-heavy roster is clicking at the right time. The chemistry is coming together, the rotations are settling, and the Hawkeyes are playing with a confidence that wasn’t there earlier in the season. When you win five straight in a league as unforgiving as the Big Ten, it’s not a fluke - it’s a sign that the pieces are starting to fit.
And it’s not just about wins. It’s how they’re winning.
The Hawkeyes have tightened things up defensively, they’re getting timely shooting, and they’re showing the kind of resilience that tournament teams need. That’s the kind of late-season trajectory that bracketologists love - and Iowa is reaping the rewards.
Iowa Rising in the Bracket
According to ESPN’s latest NCAA Tournament projections, Iowa has moved up to a No. 7 seed. That’s a significant bump and a reflection of both their recent play and the strength of the Big Ten this season.
But what really jumps off the page? The potential second-round matchup.
If the bracket holds, Iowa could be staring down a rematch with in-state rival Iowa State - this time with a Sweet 16 berth on the line. That’s not just a game; that’s a moment.
The Cy-Hawk rivalry is always intense, but put it on the NCAA Tournament stage? That’s the kind of matchup that defines March.
The Path Ahead
Here’s how Iowa’s projected region is shaping up:
- First Round Matchup: No. 7 Iowa vs.
No. 10 Saint Mary’s - a tough, disciplined team that won’t go down easy.
That’s a game Iowa would need to grind out.
- Potential Second Round: No.
2 Iowa State vs. No.
15 Wright State - assuming the Cyclones take care of business, we could be in for a Cy-Hawk collision in Round Two.
Elsewhere in the region, No. 1 seed Michigan looms large, with North Carolina, Texas Tech, and Florida rounding out a stacked quadrant. But if Iowa keeps playing the way they have, they’re not just filling out the bracket - they’re becoming a team nobody wants to see.
Big Ten Flexing Its Muscles
Iowa’s rise is also part of a larger story: the Big Ten is dominating the field in terms of representation. Eleven teams from the conference are projected to make the tournament - more than any other league. That depth helps teams like Iowa, because every quality win in-conference carries real weight with the selection committee.
Bubble Watch and Conference Breakdown
Here’s a quick look at the rest of the bracket landscape:
- Top Seeds: Michigan, Arizona, Duke, and UConn hold the No. 1 spots.
- **No.
2 Line**: Iowa State joins Houston, Illinois, and Nebraska.
- Bubble Teams: Saint Mary’s, Georgia, UCLA, and USC are the last four byes.
Miami, Texas, New Mexico, and Ohio State are hanging on as the last four in.
- First Four Out: California, San Diego State, Virginia Tech, and Oklahoma State are knocking on the door.
- Next Four Out: Seton Hall, Missouri, TCU, and Baylor still have work to do.
The Bottom Line
Iowa’s midseason turnaround is more than just a hot streak - it’s a statement. McCollum’s group is finding its identity, and the bracket is starting to reflect that. The Hawkeyes are peaking at the right time, and if the projections hold, we could be looking at one of the most anticipated in-state tournament matchups in recent memory.
There’s still plenty of basketball to be played, but one thing’s clear: Iowa isn’t just playing to get in anymore. They’re playing to make noise once they’re there.