The NCAA Tournament is reportedly poised to expand to 76 teams for the 2026-27 season, which is changing how teams set up their schedules. With eight more spots up for grabs, teams can more aggressively approach nonconference dates as opportunities to enhance their resumes to ensure an at-large bid.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are apparently getting out in front of the tournament’s expected format change by bolstering the caliber of opponents in 2026-27. While the Hawkeyes are still finalizing the schedule, Iowa has reportedly added Creighton, a premier opponent out of the Big East.
Cory Brada of From the Hawkeye of the Storm reported on Tuesday that Iowa and Creighton will meet on Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, per an announcement made to arena club seat holders.
This game will be the 27th time Iowa and Creighton have met on the hardwood; the Hawkeyes lead the series, 14-12. The last meeting between the two was a 92-84 Creighton win over Iowa in Omaha, Nebraska, on Nov. 14, 2023.
This could be a Quad 1 foe if Creighton has a strong year or a Quad 2 opponent if it has a mediocre season. Either outcome would bolster Iowa’s NCAA Tournament resume.
Entering the 2026-27 college basketball season, Creighton and Iowa are at different points as programs. Iowa seeks to build upon a magical March Madness run to the Elite Eight in coach Ben McCollum’s first season in Iowa City.
Creighton is looking for a big turnaround in 2026-27 after a season that was undoubtedly below the Bluejays’ standard. Coach Doug McDermott and the Bluejays went 16-18 (9-11 Big East) and missed the NCAA Tournament. It ended a streak of NCAA Tournament appearances that extended to 2021 for Creighton.
After last season, McDermott announced his retirement. Alan Huss was introduced as the 17th coach in Creighton history in late March.
Scheduling the game for Des Moines makes it an extremely neutral venue for both teams. The University of Iowa is 115 miles from Des Moines, just under a two-hour drive. Omaha is only slightly farther away, 134 miles from the Casey’s Center.
As reported, the game would be played on the same weekend as the Hawkeyes’ penultimate home football game against the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, Nov. 14. That is the Military Appreciation Game.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : Iowa basketball, Creighton reportedly set for nonconference game
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
