Iowa Men's Basketball Schedule: The Big Ten Grind and What’s Next

Look, being an Iowa fan right now is a bit of a rollercoaster. One day you’re high on a 15-point win over Maryland, and the next you’re watching the team drop a tough one to Illinois. It’s the nature of the Big Ten, especially in 2026 where the conference feels deeper than ever. If you’ve been looking for the Iowa men's bball schedule to plan your trips to Carver-Hawkeye or just to figure out when to clear your evening, you know it’s a packed slate.

Honestly, the schedule is grueling. We’re deep into the January push where legs start getting heavy and the scouting reports get way more specific. The Hawkeyes are sitting at 12-5 overall right now, but that 2-4 conference record is the elephant in the room. They’ve been lights-out at home—9-1 in Iowa City—but the road has been a different, much meaner story.

The January Gauntlet: Can They Find a Road Win?

If you want to see this team make a real run in March, they have to figure out how to win away from Carver. The next few weeks are basically a "prove it" tour.

Take a look at what’s coming up fast. On Wednesday, January 14th, the guys are at No. 5 Purdue. That’s a 5:30 p.m. tip on BTN. If you’ve ever watched a game at Mackey Arena, you know it’s basically a furnace of noise. Coming off that Illinois loss, this is a massive test for Ben McCollum's squad. Then, there's no rest. They stay on the road to face Indiana at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, January 17th.

After that two-game road swing, the Iowa men's bball schedule finally brings some relief with a return home.

💡 You might also like: What Channel is Champions League on: Where to Watch Every Game in 2026

• Tuesday, Jan. 20: vs. Rutgers (7:30 p.m. CST)
• Wednesday, Jan. 28: vs. USC (6:00 p.m. CST)

That USC game is going to be weird. Seeing the Trojans in Iowa City for a conference game still feels a bit "new world," doesn't it? But it's a game Iowa absolutely has to have if they want to stay in the middle of the pack.

Breaking Down the Rest of the Schedule

February is where things usually get weird in college hoops. Iowa starts the month with a West Coast trip that would make a frequent flyer jealous. They play Oregon in Eugene on February 1st, then head up to Seattle to play Washington on February 4th. That 10:00 p.m. tip-off against the Huskies is going to be a late night for anyone watching back in the Central Time Zone.

Here is the breakdown of the home stretch:

Home Games at Carver-Hawkeye
The atmosphere in Iowa City has been great this year, especially during the Gold Out games. You’ll want to mark these down: Northwestern (Feb. 8), Purdue (Feb. 14—Valentine’s Day date, anyone?), Nebraska (Feb. 17), and Ohio State (Feb. 25). They finish the home slate against Michigan on March 5th.

📖 Related: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong

Road Challenges
Aside from the West Coast swing, the Hawkeyes have to travel to Maryland (Feb. 11), Wisconsin (Feb. 22), and Penn State (Feb. 28). They end the regular season in Lincoln against Nebraska on March 8th.

The Big Ten Tournament follows immediately after, running from March 10th to March 15th at the United Center in Chicago. This year is unique because it’s the first time we’re seeing an 18-team field. That means the bottom seeds start on Tuesday, and the mountain to the Sunday championship is even steeper.

The Roster Reality and Injury Woes

You can't talk about the schedule without talking about who's actually on the floor. Ben McCollum has had to get creative. The big news—and it’s not good—is that Peyton McCollum is officially out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury. Losing a guard like that hurts the rotation depth, especially when you’re playing three games in eight days.

Tavion Banks is back in the starting five, which brings some much-needed veteran presence. Bennett Stirtz has been the engine of this offense, averaging over 17 points and 5 assists. He’s been fun to watch, but he needs help. Alvaro Folgueiras and Cam Manyawu are doing the dirty work inside, but against teams like Purdue or Illinois, the lack of depth at the center position shows.

👉 See also: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder

It’s worth noting that this roster looks very different than years past. With guys like Owen Freeman and Pryce Sandfort having transferred out before the season, the "new look" Hawkeyes are still finding their identity. They’re scoring about 79 points per game, which is solid, but the defensive consistency on the road is what keeps Ben McCollum up at night.

Why the Home-Court Advantage Matters So Much

The stats don't lie. Iowa is shooting 51% from the field and 37% from deep at home. On the road? Everything drops. Part of that is the young rotation getting rattled by hostile crowds. If you are planning to attend a game, the Rutgers and USC matchups in late January are the perfect opportunities to help them find that rhythm again.

Key Tips for Fans Following the Schedule

1. Check the Networks: Most games are on BTN, but the bigger matchups (like the recent Illinois game) often land on FOX or FS1. Always double-check the tip time, as Big Ten scheduling can be flexed.
2. Buy Tickets Early for Senior Night: The Michigan game on March 5th will be packed. It’s the last chance to see this specific group at Carver.
3. Watch the Standings: With the 18-team tournament, avoiding those Tuesday "play-in" games is vital. Iowa needs to aim for a top-10 finish to get at least one bye.

The path to the NCAA Tournament is narrow right now. They probably need to go at least 7-7 or 8-6 over the final 14 games to feel safe on Selection Sunday. It starts with holding serve at home and stealing one or two in places like Madison or College Park.

For the most up-to-date changes, keep an eye on the official Hawkeye Sports site, but for now, clear your calendar for those Wednesday and Saturday slots. The next six weeks are going to be a wild ride.

Check the current Big Ten standings to see how Iowa's 2-4 start compares to the middle-of-the-pack teams like Minnesota or Nebraska. Following the point spreads for the upcoming Indiana and Rutgers games can also give you a good "temperature check" on how Vegas views this team's recovery potential after the Illinois loss.