2024-04-29 16:19:19
Fran McCaffery talks about Iowa’s NIT loss to Utah
Fran McCaffery discusses a variety of topics following Iowa’s loss to Utah in the NIT.
IOWA CITY — Iowa men’s basketball’s non-conference schedule for the 2024-25 season is becoming clearer.
The Hawkeyes are set to play the following opponents, according to open records requests made by the Register.
- Rider University on November 19, 2024 (Carver-Hawkeye Arena).
- Iowa State on Dec. 12, 2024 (Carver-Hawkeye Arena).
- University of New Orleans on December 15, 2024 (Carver-Hawkeye Arena).
- University of Utah on December 21, 2024 (Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota).
- University of New Hampshire on December 30, 2024 (Carver-Hawkeye Arena).
This list is not all-encompassing as more of Iowa’s non-conference opponents should emerge leading up to the 2024-2025 season.
The two games that stand out from this group are Iowa State and Utah. The details of the game against Utah were already known.
Iowa State is coming off a fantastic season under coach TJ Otzelberger as the Cyclones program has built significant momentum in Ames. Not only is it a rivalry game, but it’s a place where Iowa has a chance to pick up a marquee non-conference win. Iowa State thoroughly dominated Iowa in last season’s game at Hilton Coliseum.
Utah hosts another power conference opponent. The Utes ended the Hawkeyes’ 2023-24 season, beating Iowa 91-82 in the second round of the NIT. Unlike that game, which was played in Salt Lake City, next season’s game will be played at a neutral site in South Dakota. The Sanford Pentagon, with seating for less than 3,300, can make for an electric atmosphere.
Iowa plays both Iowa State and Utah in a 10-day stretch, which could provide a gauge for where Iowa stands in December.
Furthermore, Rider, New Orleans and New Hampshire don’t jump off the page. Neither of those teams finished better than 225th in KenPom last season. But two seasons ago, Iowa lost to Eastern Illinois at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, which serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability that college basketball can bring.
Another scheduling note is that the Gavitt Games, which served as a showdown between Big Ten and Big East programs, will not take place next season, according to Jon Rothstein. Iowa played at Creighton last season, a game the Hawkeyes lost.
The Big Ten Conference adds four schools starting next season – UCLA, Washington, Oregon and USC. This will provide some variety in the usual pool of conference opponents. The league has not yet announced its schedule for next season.
Iowa’s roster has seen some turnover recently. Tony Perkins, Patrick McCaffery and Dasonte Bowen each entered the transfer portal, while Ben Krikke exhausted his college eligibility. So far, the Hawkeyes have signed one transfer portal addition, former Morehead State guard Drew Thelwell.
More: Why Drew Thelwell transferred to Iowa men’s basketball from Morehead State
There is still more to find out before the 2024-25 season, including the rest of the schedule. Iowa also awaits one of the most consequential moments of the offseason, which is when Payton Sandfort decides on his future. Sandfort will go through the 2024 NBA draft process while maintaining his college eligibility.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com
1714533683
#Iowa #basketball #nonconference #schedule #Hawkeyes #add #games