If you’re checking for the Iowa men’s basketball tv schedule today, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a bummer.
There isn’t a game on the calendar for today, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Honestly, it’s a quiet day in Iowa City for the men’s squad. They just wrapped up a tough road test against No. 5 Purdue on Wednesday, where they fell 79-72 despite a career-high 16 points from Kael Combs. If you're looking for live Hawkeye action right now, you’ll have to look toward the track and field teams or perhaps catch a replay of the Purdue game on Big Ten Network.
But don't go too far. The Hawkeyes are back on the floor very soon.
When Do the Hawkeyes Play Next?
The wait is almost over. Fran McCaffery’s crew is staying in the "Hoosier State" for a bit longer. They head to Bloomington to face Indiana tomorrow.
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Iowa at Indiana
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
- Time: 1:10 p.m. (CT)
- Location: Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall
- TV Channel: FOX
- Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin and Bobby Hansen)
This is a massive game. Iowa is currently sitting around the No. 23 spot in the rankings, and they’ve lost a few tough ones lately to top-20 teams like Illinois and Purdue. Going into Assembly Hall is never easy, but Iowa has actually won five of the last six against the Hoosiers.
Understanding the Iowa Men's Basketball TV Schedule Today and This Season
It can be kind of a headache to keep track of where these games are airing. One day it’s on a local channel, the next you’re digging through a streaming app.
Basically, the Big Ten’s media rights deal is spread across several networks. For the 2025-26 season, you’ll mostly find the Hawkeyes on the Big Ten Network (BTN). They are scheduled for 13 appearances there this year. However, the "big" games—like the one tomorrow—often get flexed to FOX or even CBS.
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Where to Watch Iowa Basketball
If you’re trying to plan out your month, here is how the TV breakdown usually looks for this team:
- FOX/FS1: This is where the high-profile conference matchups live. The Indiana game tomorrow is on FOX.
- Big Ten Network (BTN): The bread and butter. Most mid-week conference games land here.
- Peacock: This is the one that trips people up. NBC’s streaming service has exclusive rights to several Big Ten games. If you don't have a subscription, you're locked out of those specific dates.
- B1G+: Usually reserved for exhibitions or very early non-conference games against smaller schools.
Why the Schedule Matters Right Now
Iowa is in a bit of a "prove it" stretch. They are 12-5 overall but have dropped back-to-back games against Illinois and Purdue. Fans are looking at this Iowa men’s basketball tv schedule today and through the weekend because the team needs a Quad 1 win to stabilize their NCAA Tournament resume.
Bennett Stirtz has been the engine for this team. He’s on the Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 list for a reason. But against Purdue, the supporting cast had to step up. Seeing Kael Combs find his rhythm is a huge sign for Hawkeye fans. If he can provide that scoring punch alongside Stirtz and Tavion Banks, Iowa becomes a much harder team to scout.
How to Stream the Games Without Cable
If you've cut the cord, you aren't totally out of luck. Most of the channels that carry Iowa games are available on the major streaming platforms.
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- Sling TV: You can get FS1 and BTN here, though you usually need the "Sports Extra" package.
- Hulu + Live TV & FuboTV: These carry FOX, FS1, and BTN in most markets.
- Peacock: As mentioned, you’ll need this specifically for the games that aren't on traditional TV. For example, the upcoming game against Maryland on January 22nd is a Peacock exclusive.
Looking Ahead at the Schedule
After the Indiana game tomorrow, the Hawkeyes finally return home to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. They’ll host Rutgers on Tuesday, Jan. 20. That one will be back on the Big Ten Network at 7:00 p.m. CT.
It’s been a road-heavy January. Getting back to Iowa City should help, especially since four of their five losses this season have happened away from home.
Upcoming Schedule Highlights:
- Jan 17: at Indiana (FOX) - 1:10 PM CT
- Jan 20: vs. Rutgers (BTN) - 7:00 PM CT
- Jan 22: at Maryland (Peacock) - 2:30 PM CT
- Jan 25: vs. Ohio State (Peacock) - 11:00 AM CT
The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year. There are no "easy" nights. Even when the Iowa men's basketball tv schedule today is empty, the coaching staff is likely deep into film prep for the Hoosiers.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a game tonight, use the time to make sure you're ready for the weekend tip-off.
- Check your FOX signal: Ensure your antenna or streaming service is ready for the 1:10 p.m. start tomorrow.
- Verify your Peacock login: With two of the next four games being exclusive to Peacock (Maryland and Ohio State), now is the time to make sure your subscription is active so you aren't scrambling at tip-off.
- Download the Hawkeye Sports App: This is the best way to listen to the radio broadcast if you’re going to be in the car during the Indiana game. Gary Dolphin's call is a staple of the Iowa experience anyway.
While the court is dark today, tomorrow brings another chance for Iowa to climb back up the Big Ten standings. Set your alarms for Saturday afternoon.