Amanda Knapp
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has had its fair share of success over the years, particularly in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, with notable coaches like Lute Olson, George Raveling, and Tom Davis at the helm. Under Raveling, the team achieved a #1 ranking in the AP and UPI polls during the 1986-1987 season, marking the first time in the program's history. Iowa State men's basketball, on the other hand, has also seen success, reaching #2 in the AP Top 25 rankings in 2025, the highest in the program's history. While both teams have a rich history, neither the Iowa Hawkeyes nor the Iowa State Cyclones have ever been ranked #1 in the nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball highest seed | #2 |
| Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball highest AP Poll ranking | #2 |
| Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball highest USA TODAY coaches' poll ranking | #2 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball Final Four appearances | 3 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball Big Ten regular-season conference championships | 8 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball Big Ten tournament championships | 3 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball NCAA Tournament appearances | 29 |
| Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball NCAA Tournament appearances | 23 |
| Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball Final Four appearances | 1 |
| Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball Big 12 Tournament appearances | 7 |
| Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball Big 12 Conference championships | 6 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball National Invitation Tournament appearances | 8 |
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What You'll Learn
- Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team enjoyed success in the 1970s, 80s and 90s
- The team has never been ranked No. 1, but reached No. 3 in the 1950s
- They won two Big Ten conference titles in the 1960s
- The team has had a total of four Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coaches
- The Iowa Hawkeyes play in the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team enjoyed success in the 1970s, 80s and 90s
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has indeed enjoyed success over the years, particularly in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The team experienced a resurgence under the leadership of coach Lute Olson, who guided them to significant achievements in the 1980s.
In the 1970s, the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team laid the foundation for their future success. From 1965 to 1970, under coach Ralph Miller, the team won two Big Ten conference titles. The 1967–68 team shared the Big Ten Title with Ohio State, boasting a 10–4 conference record and a 16–9 overall record. The 1969–70 team, known as the "Six-Pack," went undefeated in the conference with a remarkable 14–0 record, solidifying their place in Iowa basketball history.
The 1980s marked a standout decade for the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team. Under the guidance of coach Lute Olson, the team reached new heights. In 1980, the Hawkeyes, led by the talented Ronnie Lester, advanced to the NCAA tournament and made it to the Final Four. Despite battling knee issues, Lester's impact was undeniable, with the team achieving a 15–1 record when he played and a significantly lower 8–9 record in his absence. Lester's skill was recognized by none other than Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who considered Lester the toughest opponent he faced in the Big Ten. The 1980s also witnessed the opening of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 1983, providing a new home court for the team.
The success of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team continued into the 1990s. Building on their momentum from the previous decade, the team maintained their winning ways. Under the leadership of coach Tom Davis, the Hawkeyes consistently performed well in NCAA Tournaments. In Davis' tenure, the team advanced to nine NCAA Tournaments, winning every First Round game. Additionally, the Hawkeyes reached the Sweet Sixteen on multiple occasions, showcasing their ability to advance deep into tournament brackets.
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team's success during these decades was further bolstered by the achievements of their coaches. Lute Olson, who guided the team to their resurgence, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Tom Davis, who led the team in the 1990s, became the winningest coach in Iowa history, accumulating an impressive 269 wins. The team's success extended beyond individual accolades, as they accumulated eight National Invitation Tournament appearances, eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships, and three Big Ten tournament victories.
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The team has never been ranked No. 1, but reached No. 3 in the 1950s
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has never been ranked No. 1, but they have enjoyed periods of success and reached No. 3 in the 1950s. The team has had a rich history with several notable achievements.
In the 1950s, the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team rose to prominence, reaching No. 3 in the rankings. This era marked the beginning of the team's success, and they continued to build on this momentum in the following decades.
The team experienced another period of success in the 1960s under the leadership of head coach Ralph Miller. During his tenure from 1965 to 1970, the team won two Big Ten conference titles. The 1969-70 team, in particular, stood out as one of the greatest in Iowa basketball history. Known as the "Six-Pack," this team dominated the Big Ten with a perfect 14-0 record, an impressive feat that contributed to their legacy.
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team continued their winning ways in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Under the guidance of Lute Olson, the team experienced a resurgence, winning their last Big Ten regular-season championship and advancing to the 1980 Final Four. Olson's impact extended beyond the court, and he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
The team has also had notable achievements under other coaches, such as George Raveling and Tom Davis. Davis led the Hawkeyes to nine NCAA Tournaments, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen on multiple occasions. The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has a proud history and a tradition of competitiveness, even if they have not attained the top ranking.
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They won two Big Ten conference titles in the 1960s
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has enjoyed several periods of success, particularly in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. During this time, the team experienced a resurgence under coaches Lute Olson, George Raveling, and Tom Davis.
In the 1960s, the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team won two Big Ten conference titles. The team's success during this period can be largely attributed to head coach Ralph Miller, who led the team from 1965 to 1970. The 1967–68 team, led by high-scoring forward Sam Williams, shared the Big Ten Title with Ohio State, with a 10–4 conference record and a 16–9 overall record.
The 1969–70 team is considered one of the greatest in Iowa basketball history. Nicknamed the "Six-Pack" because only six players featured regularly, they dominated the Big Ten with a perfect 14–0 record, a rare feat for any team in the conference. This team's success cemented Iowa's basketball prowess during the 1960s and set the stage for their continued success in the following decades.
Iowa has a rich basketball history and has appeared in 29 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments, advancing to the Final Four on three occasions. They have also won eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships and the Big Ten tournament three times. The team's success has been guided by renowned coaches, with four Iowa Hawkeyes head coaches inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: Sam Barry, Ralph Miller, Lute Olson, and George Raveling.
While Iowa has never been ranked #1, they have come close, with their highest seed being a #2. Iowa State men's basketball, on the other hand, has achieved a #1 ranking in the AP Top 25, showcasing the state's strong basketball presence.
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The team has had a total of four Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coaches
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has had a rich history, with four of its coaches inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The team has experienced success and left a lasting legacy in the world of college basketball.
The first coach to be inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame was Sam Barry. Following Barry, Iowa was coached by Rollie Williams on two occasions, from 1929 to 1942 and in 1951. Williams had a winning percentage of 51.5% (139-131) during his tenure. The team then witnessed a resurgence under Lute Olson, who led the Hawkeyes to their last Big Ten regular-season championship and the 1980 Final Four. Olson was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2002, solidifying his impact on the program.
Following Olson's departure, Iowa continued its success under the guidance of George Raveling, who is also a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame as a contributor. Ralph Miller, who coached Iowa from 1965 to 1970, was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1998. During Miller's tenure, Iowa won two Big Ten conference titles and the 1969-70 team is considered one of the greatest in the program's history.
The Hawkeyes have had a total of 22 coaches in their over 100-year history, with recent coaches like Fran McCaffery and Tom Davis also finding success and adding to the team's legacy. The team has appeared in 29 NCAA Tournaments, advanced to the Final Four three times, and won eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships. Iowa's success has been shaped by these Hall of Fame coaches, leaving a lasting impact on the program and college basketball as a whole.
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The Iowa Hawkeyes play in the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's and women's basketball teams play in the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena, located in Iowa City, Iowa. The arena opened in 1983 and is named after the late industrialist Roy J. Carver of Muscatine, Iowa, who donated $9.2 million to the University of Iowa before his death in 1981. Prior to the opening of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa's athletic teams played at the Iowa Field House, with earlier venues including Close Hall (1902-1905) and the first Iowa Armory (1905-1922).
The Carver-Hawkeye Arena is not just the home court for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball teams, but also for the university's wrestling and gymnastics teams. The arena has undergone renovations to enhance the experience for both athletes and spectators. These renovations include the addition of a practice facility, the renovation of existing and the creation of new office spaces, and the improvement of concessions and restroom facilities.
The Carver-Hawkeye Arena has also hosted a range of events beyond athletic competitions. It has served as the site of commencement exercises for several of the university's colleges and has welcomed renowned artists and speakers, including former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, and notable figures such as Desmond Tutu and Jane Goodall. The arena has also hosted exhibition games featuring WNBA players, further showcasing its versatility and significance as a multipurpose venue.
The Iowa Hawkeyes basketball program has a rich history, with notable successes in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s under coaches like Lute Olson, George Raveling, and Tom Davis. The team has achieved accolades such as advancing to the Final Four in 1980 and accumulating 21 consecutive wins at home in 2006. The Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with its capacity of 15,400 seats, has been a pivotal home court for the Hawkeyes, providing a competitive environment and fostering a community of supportive Hawkeye fans.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the highest Iowa has been ranked is #2.
Iowa has played in 29 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments.
Iowa has reached the Final Four three times.
Iowa has won eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships.
Notable Iowa basketball coaches include Lute Olson, George Raveling, Tom Davis, and Ralph Miller.
