Kristian Ferrell
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has had its fair share of success over the years, especially in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. During this period, the team enjoyed a resurgence under coaches Lute Olson, George Raveling, and Tom Davis. In 1987, the Hawkeyes obtained the No. 1 ranking in the AP and UPI polls for the first time in their history. However, it is unclear if this was the national ranking or specific to their conference. More recently, in 2025, Iowa State men's basketball achieved its highest ranking ever, securing the No. 2 spot in the AP Top 25 and USA TODAY coaches' poll.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team | Part of the University of Iowa athletics department |
| Iowa's performance in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s | Widely successful with a program resurgence under Lute Olson and the tenures of George Raveling and Tom Davis |
| Number of Big Ten regular-season conference championships won | 8 |
| Number of Big Ten tournaments won | 3 |
| Number of NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments played | 29 |
| Number of times Iowa has advanced to the Final Four | 3 |
| Iowa's performance in the 1982–1983 season | Accumulated a school-record 21 consecutive wins at home before losing to in-state rival Northern Iowa |
| Iowa's ranking in the AP and UPI polls in 1986–1987 | No. 1 for the first time in school history |
| Iowa State's ranking in the AP Top 25 in Jan 2025 | No. 2, the highest ranking ever |
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What You'll Learn
Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has a rich history spanning 118 years, with 22 coaches leading the team throughout its existence. The team currently plays in the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena, sharing the space with the Iowa women's basketball, wrestling, and volleyball teams. The arena has been their home since 1983, before which they played in the Iowa Armory and the Iowa Field House, the latter of which is still used by the school's gymnastics teams.
The Hawkeyes have had notable achievements over the years, including a 21-game winning streak at home in 2006, which was a school record. They also reached a new peak during the 2015-16 season under coach Fran McCaffery, attaining a 19-4 overall record and a No. 3 Associated Press ranking. Additionally, in his first game as coach of the Hawkeyes, Steve Alford led the team to a victory over the defending national champion and No. 1-ranked Connecticut Huskies in Madison Square Garden.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have had four coaches inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: Sam Barry, Ralph Miller, Lute Olson, and George Raveling. Lute Olson and Tom Davis were also named Big Ten Conference Coach-of-the-Year in 1979 and 1987, respectively. The team has produced talented players such as Payton Sandfort, who chose to remain with the team for his senior year despite attracting NBA interest.
While the Iowa Hawkeyes have had successes, they have also experienced setbacks. For example, during the 2015-16 season, they lost seven of their last ten games, including a loss to 12th-seeded Illinois in the second round of the Big Ten Conference tournament. The team has also had to navigate coaching changes, with McCaffery departing in March 2025, and they have yet to reach the pinnacle of a No. 1 ranking. However, with a strong foundation and a history of resilience, the Iowa Hawkeyes continue to strive for excellence in the highly competitive world of college basketball.
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Iowa's success in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
Iowa basketball enjoyed a period of sustained success in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, with a program resurgence under coaches Lute Olson, George Raveling, and Tom Davis.
In the 1970s, Iowa's basketball team, the Hawkeyes, experienced a resurgence under the leadership of coach Lute Olson. During this decade, the Hawkeyes won their last Big Ten regular-season championship and advanced to the 1980 Final Four. The team also moved into the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in 1983, which provided a larger and more modern venue for their games.
The success of the Hawkeyes continued into the 1980s, with the team accumulating a school-record 21 consecutive wins at home before finally falling to their in-state rival, Northern Iowa, in 2006. This winning streak showcased the dominance of the Hawkeyes during this era and solidified their place as a powerhouse in college basketball.
The 1990s marked a slight shift, as the Hawkeyes transitioned from the success of the previous two decades to a period of rebuilding. While they didn't achieve the same level of dominance, the team still maintained a competitive edge and worked towards returning to their former glory.
Some of the notable players and coaches during these three decades include Don Nelson, a two-time All-American at Iowa and a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and Connie Hawkins, another Naismith Hall of Fame player recruited by Coach Scheuerman in 1960. John Johnson and "Downtown" Fred Brown, members of the legendary "Six-Pack" team, also went on to have long and successful NBA careers.
Overall, Iowa basketball thrived during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, with strong coaching, talented players, and a passionate fan base that supported them through their victories and beyond.
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Carver-Hawkeye Arena
The arena opened in 1983, with the first event held on January 3, 1983—a wrestling dual against Oklahoma which Iowa won. Two days later, the men's basketball team played their first game in the new arena, losing to Michigan State. Prior to the opening of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa's athletic teams played at the Iowa Field House, which was known for its steel balconies, poor acoustics, and obstructed views. The demand for a new arena grew during the successful tenures of head coaches Ralph Miller and Lute Olson, which saw increased season ticket sales.
The arena has hosted notable athletic events such as the Big Ten and NCAA wrestling championships, the National Duals, the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials in 1984 and 2012, the UWW World Cup in 2018, and the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament. It also set an NCAA attendance record for a women's basketball game on February 3, 1985, with 22,157 fans in attendance for a game between Iowa and Ohio State.
In addition to athletic events, Carver-Hawkeye Arena has hosted commencement exercises for several of the university's colleges, concerts by popular artists, and speeches by notable figures such as former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
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Iowa's head coaches in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has had a rich history spanning 118 seasons, with 22 individuals serving as head coach. Four Iowa Hawkeye men's basketball coaches have been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: Sam Barry, Ralph Miller, Lute Olson, and George Raveling.
Sam Barry was hired as Iowa's 10th head coach in 1922. In his very first season, Iowa went 13-2 overall and won the Big Ten championship, a feat they would repeat in 1926. Barry also coached the Iowa Hawkeyes baseball team, going 19-15 from 1923 to 1924. He wrote a handbook on basketball, titled "Basketball: Individual Play and Team Play", before moving to USC in 1929, where he continued his illustrious career until his untimely death in 1950 at 57. Barry was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979.
Ralph Miller is another distinguished name among Iowa's head coaches. He led the team from 1964 to 1970, achieving success and recognition. Miller was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998 for his remarkable contributions to the sport.
Lute Olson is also a Hall of Fame inductee, known for his impressive coaching career. Olson guided the Hawkeyes to the 1980 Final Four, and they subsequently appeared in the next three NCAA Tournaments. The Carver-Hawkeye Arena, nicknamed "The House That Lute Built," opened in 1983 to honour his legacy. Olson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, solidifying his impact on Iowa basketball.
While primarily known for his contributions off the court, George Raveling is the fourth Iowa head coach to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Raveling's impact extends beyond his coaching record, as he has made significant contributions to the sport in other capacities.
These four individuals have left an indelible mark on the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball program, with their achievements and contributions earning them a place in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
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Iowa State men's basketball ranking in 2025
As of March 17, 2025, Iowa State men's basketball has not been ranked number one in the NCAA college basketball rankings. However, they have had some success in the 2024-25 season and are building a strong reputation.
Iowa State men's basketball has a rich history, with 114 seasons of competition under their belt. Their overall record is impressive, with a %.512 win percentage. They have won their conference championship six times in the regular season and seven times in the tournament. They have also made it to the NCAA Tournament 23 times, reaching the Final Four on one of those occasions.
In the 2024-25 season, Iowa State received votes in the AP Poll, but they did not crack the top rankings. They were considered a strong contender, as evidenced by their third seeding in the NCAA Tournament, where they defeated Lipscomb 82-55 in the first round.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, Iowa State men's basketball will aim to build on their recent successes and improve their ranking. With a strong foundation and a history of impressive performances, the team has the potential to climb the rankings and challenge for the top spot in the future.
While Iowa State men's basketball has not yet reached the number-one ranking, their dedication and consistent improvement put them on a positive trajectory for the upcoming seasons.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Iowa's basketball team has been ranked number one. In 1986-1987, the Hawkeyes won their first 18 games and obtained the No. 1 ranking in the AP and UPI polls for the first time in school history.
Iowa's basketball team has been widely successful in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The team has had eight National Invitation Tournament appearances, won eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships, and won the Big Ten tournament three times. They have also advanced to the Final Four three times, reaching the semifinals in 1955 and 1980, and playing in the championship game in 1956.
Iowa's basketball team has had several notable players and coaches over the years. One notable player is Lester, who was drafted 10th overall in the 1980 NBA draft. Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson once claimed that Lester was the toughest opponent he ever faced in the Big Ten. As for coaches, Lute Olson led the team to the 1980 Final Four, and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. Other notable coaches include George Raveling, Tom Davis, Sam Barry, and Ralph Miller, all of whom have been inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
