After a dominant showing this past week, Iowa basketball is starting to get the kind of national recognition that reflects its early-season success. The Hawkeyes, now sitting at 10-2 under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, have officially cracked the top 25 in both major national polls.
In the latest Associated Press rankings, Iowa makes its debut at No. 25. Meanwhile, in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll, the Hawkeyes climbed two spots to No. 23, signaling growing respect from both the media and their coaching peers.
The jump comes on the heels of a commanding 94-39 win over Bucknell on Dec. 20 - a game where Iowa left no doubt about its depth, defensive intensity, and offensive execution. That kind of lopsided result doesn’t just pad the win column - it sends a message. And voters clearly took notice.
Looking ahead, Iowa has one more non-conference tune-up before diving back into the grind of Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes will face UMass Lowell on Dec. 29, and then it’s straight into the fire with a Jan. 3 matchup against UCLA. That game will be a litmus test - not just for where Iowa stands in the Big Ten hierarchy, but for how real this early-season momentum truly is.
The rest of the AP Top 25 reflects a familiar mix of powerhouse programs and rising contenders. Arizona and Michigan headline the poll, with Iowa State, UConn, and Purdue rounding out the top five. Blue bloods like Duke, Gonzaga, and North Carolina are all comfortably within the top 15, while other Big Ten squads - including Michigan State, Nebraska, and Illinois - also find themselves ranked.
Notably, Iowa isn’t the only team making moves. Programs like Georgia, USC, and Florida are holding steady in the rankings, while others such as Kentucky, Seton Hall, and Auburn are lurking just outside the top 25, receiving significant votes.
Here’s where things stand for Iowa: they’ve earned their way into the national conversation, but the real challenge lies ahead. Conference play is where reputations are made and rankings are either validated or exposed. If McCollum’s squad can carry this momentum into January and beyond, the Hawkeyes could be more than just a feel-good early-season story - they might be a legitimate contender in a deep and competitive Big Ten race.
For now, Iowa fans can enjoy the view from the top 25. But with UCLA waiting just around the corner, the Hawkeyes know the climb is far from over.