The Iowa Hawkeyes have turned heads this season, making a memorable run to the Sweet 16 under first-year coach Ben McCollum. While this squad may not boast the star power of past Iowa teams, it has achieved something special by breaking the program's long-standing drought of not reaching the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Heading into March Madness, the Hawkeyes seemed unlikely candidates for a deep run. They stumbled late in the regular season, dropping six of their last eight games, including surprising losses to Penn State and Maryland. But once the tournament lights shone bright, this team flipped the script, defying expectations and past patterns where Iowa teams often faded in March.
Looking back, Iowa's last Sweet 16 appearance was in 1999, a year that also marked St. John's last trip to this stage before 2026. Despite having several high-seeded teams over the years, none managed to break through until now.
In 1999, Iowa entered the tournament as a No. 5 seed after a solid season. They cruised past UAB in the first round and pulled off an impressive win over No.
4 Arkansas, securing their spot in the Sweet 16. However, their journey ended there, as they fell to a dominant UConn team that would go on to win the national title.
That 1999 team wasn't about a single star, but rather a balanced effort. Dean Oliver led the charge, averaging 11.9 points per game and serving as the team's floor general.
The roster featured a mix of talent, with players like J.R. Koch and Jess Settles contributing significantly.
Tom Davis was at the helm during that memorable run. It was his 11th and final season coaching the Hawkeyes. Despite the Sweet 16 appearance, Davis's contract wasn't renewed, and he was succeeded by Steve Alford the following season.
During the 1999 tournament, Iowa's path included a convincing first-round victory over UAB, where Jess Settles shone with 17 points and nine rebounds. The second round saw Iowa overcome a slow start to defeat Arkansas, with Kent McCausland and Oliver each scoring 17 points.
Their Sweet 16 matchup against UConn was a tough battle. Although Iowa kept it close in the first half, they couldn't match the firepower of Richard Hamilton and Khalid El-Amin, who combined for 45 points to lead UConn to victory.
This season's Hawkeyes, led by Bennett Stirtz, have crafted their own narrative, embodying resilience and teamwork. As they continue their journey, fans are hopeful that this is just the beginning of a new era for Iowa basketball.