After both Iowa basketball programs bounced back in a big way following tough losses to Iowa State, the latest NET rankings dropped on Monday - and they give us a clearer picture of where each Hawkeye squad stands as we head deeper into December.
Iowa Men’s Basketball: Strong Start, But Work to Do in Quad 1
The Hawkeye men, now 9-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play, landed at No. 19 in the latest NET rankings. That puts them behind several Big Ten heavyweights, including top-ranked Michigan, as well as Purdue (No.
9), Michigan State (No. 10), Nebraska (No. 12), and Illinois (No.
13). In other words, the Big Ten is stacked - and Iowa’s got some climbing to do if they want to stay in that upper tier.
Under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes have taken care of business against lower-tier opponents. They’re a perfect 6-0 against Quad 4 teams, 2-0 against Quad 3, and 1-0 in Quad 2.
But the glaring stat? They’re 0-2 in Quad 1 games - both losses coming on the road to Michigan State and Iowa State.
That’s the kind of resume line that selection committees look at closely come March.
Up next, Iowa hosts Bucknell (3-9) on Dec. 20 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It’s another Quad 4 matchup - the kind of game Iowa has handled with ease so far. But while stacking wins is important, the Hawkeyes will eventually need to show they can hang with the top dogs to solidify their NCAA Tournament credentials.
Iowa Women’s Basketball: Stuelke Shines, UConn Awaits
On the women’s side, the Hawkeyes are sitting at 10-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play, and they’ve climbed to No. 11 in the NET rankings. That places them just behind a few Big Ten and national powerhouses: UCLA (No.
3), Michigan (No. 5), Maryland (No. 9), and Michigan State (No.
10).
Jan Jensen’s group looked every bit the part of a top-tier team on Saturday, steamrolling Lindenwood 102-68. The star of the show? Senior forward Hannah Stuelke, who poured in 31 points in a dominant performance that showcased her versatility and scoring touch.
The Hawkeyes’ NET profile is solid across the board. They’re undefeated against Quad 4 (5-0), Quad 3 (2-0), and Quad 2 (2-0) opponents.
Their only blemish in Quad 1 play is the loss to Iowa State - balanced out by a big-time win over Baylor. That 1-1 mark in top-tier games gives them a foundation, but the next test could be the most telling yet.
Circle the calendar for Dec. 20.
That’s when Iowa faces No. 1 UConn (10-0) in Brooklyn at the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic.
It’s a marquee Quad 1 matchup against the defending national champs - and a golden opportunity for Jensen’s squad to prove they belong in the national title conversation.
What’s Next
Both Iowa programs have handled their business against the teams they’re supposed to beat. But as we inch closer to conference play heating up and resume-building season hitting its stride, the focus shifts to how they perform against the elite.
For the men, cracking the code in Quad 1 games is the next step. For the women, the UConn showdown could be a season-defining moment.
Either way, December’s not just about surviving the schedule - it’s about showing the country you’re ready for the big stage.