Iowa Men’s Basketball: A Season of Ups and Downs

The Iowa men’s basketball team has had its fair share of highs and lows this season. Despite a slow start, the Hawkeyes managed to win four out of five games late in the season, making a push for the NCAA Tournament bubble. However, a loss on senior day and a one-and-done trip at the Big Ten Tournament placed them in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) instead.

The Hawkeyes’ season was marked by ups and downs.

“We know that those November games and December games are just as important as the ones at the end of the year, so we just got to be focused and stay motivated throughout the whole course of the year,” said junior guard Josh Dix.

The team’s slow start, including an 0-3 start in Big Ten play and three losses in the non-conference, dug them a deep hole. However, the Hawkeyes showed resilience and determination, making a late push for the NCAA Tournament.

“Obviously, the NIT is a great tournament, but that’s not our goal,” said sophomore forward Owen Freeman. “We want to make a deep run in the national tournament, and that’s something that I think this team can really do.”

Despite the disappointment of missing the NCAA Tournament, the Hawkeyes have a lot to look forward to. They return a bulk of their scoring, including their leading scorer Payton Sandfort.

Payton Sandfort led the Hawkeyes in scoring this season.

“Everyone’s still a little hungry because of how it finished, but we did go on a huge run, and a ton of these young guys, you know, had huge roles in that, in that happening,” Sandfort said. “We know we can do it. You know, guys are experienced, and it should make us a lot fun.”

The Hawkeyes will look to build on their late-season momentum and make a deeper run in the NCAA Tournament next year.

The Hawkeyes are looking forward to next season.