The Iowa Hawkeyes are still hanging around the national conversation - just barely. At 9-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play, Iowa checks in at No. 25 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, slipping two spots from last week after a mixed bag of results on the court. The Hawkeyes earned 71 points in the voting, enough to stay in the rankings but with little room for error moving forward.
Their week included a tough road trip to in-state rival Iowa State, where they let a double-digit lead slip away. Iowa came out hot, building a 13-point cushion in the first half and taking a 33-25 lead into the break.
But the Cyclones, ranked No. 4 in the nation and still undefeated, turned up the pressure after halftime and clawed their way back to a 66-62 win. Senior forward Tavion Banks led the way for the Hawkeyes with 14 points, but it wasn’t enough to hold off a surging Iowa State squad that continues to prove it belongs among the nation’s elite.
Despite the loss, Iowa’s overall résumé - including a solid non-conference showing - keeps them in the top 25 for now. But with Big Ten play heating up, the margin for error is shrinking. The conference is as deep as ever, and Iowa’s going to need more consistency, especially in second halves, if they want to stay in the rankings and make noise come March.
Speaking of the Big Ten, the league is well represented in this week’s poll. Michigan holds firm at No. 1 for the second straight week, and they’re looking every bit the part of a national title contender.
Purdue sits at No. 6, Michigan State at No.
9, Nebraska jumps up to No. 15 after an impressive start to the season, and Illinois lands at No. 18.
Several other Big Ten programs are lurking just outside the top 25. USC, UCLA, Wisconsin, and Ohio State all received votes, signaling that the depth of the conference could once again be a storyline throughout the season.
Here’s how the top of the poll shakes out: Michigan leads the way with a perfect 10-0 record and 16 first-place votes. Arizona is right on their heels at No. 2 with a 9-0 record and 14 first-place nods.
Duke remains steady at No. 3, also undefeated at 10-0. Iowa State, fresh off that comeback win over Iowa, holds the No. 4 spot and continues to impress with an 11-0 mark.
UConn rounds out the top five at 10-1.
Other notable risers include Vanderbilt, which jumped two spots to No. 12 after remaining undefeated at 10-0, and Nebraska, which vaulted seven spots to No. 15 thanks to their 11-0 start. Kansas also climbs to No. 17, while Virginia reenters the poll at No. 22.
On the flip side, Alabama drops four spots to No. 16 following a rough stretch, and Illinois slides five spots to No. 18. Florida and Tennessee also took steps back this week, landing at No. 21 and No. 23, respectively.
Looking ahead, the pressure’s on for Iowa. With Big Ten play ramping up and a host of conference foes jockeying for position, every game becomes a measuring stick. The Hawkeyes have the talent to compete - but as they learned in Ames, closing out games against top-tier opponents is what separates good teams from great ones.