Iowa basketball (12-4, 2-3 Big Ten) is coming off a tough week where it dropped consecutive close contests at Minnesota (10-6, 3-2 Big Ten), 70-67, and versus Illinois (13-3, 4-1 Big Ten), 75-69.
Iowa fell into big deficits in both games, trailing by 14 points midway through the second half at Minnesota and by as many as 18 points early against Illinois. To the Hawkeyes’ credit, they nearly rallied in each game, but, ultimately, came up just short in both.
After the two losses, Iowa sees a four-spot slide in its national ranking. The Hawkeyes dipped to No. 23 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.
After Wisconsin upset Michigan over the weekend, there’s a new No. 1 team atop the poll. Arizona jumps to the top of the rankings, followed by fellow unbeaten Iowa State. Michigan had occupied the No. 1 ranking for each of the past five rankings before Monday.
Joining Iowa as Big Ten squads in the latest rankings are No. 3 Michigan, No. 5 Purdue, No. 10 Nebraska, No. 12 Michigan State and No. 13 Illinois. Wisconsin, Ohio State, USC and Indiana are all receiving votes.
Iowa’s schedule doesn’t soften up this week. The Hawkeyes travel to Mackey Arena to face Purdue and then to Assembly Hall to battle Indiana, providing a good chance to impress the pollsters.
Here’s the full USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll on Jan. 12:
Schools Dropped Out
No. 22 Tennessee; No. 24 Villanova; No. 25 SMU;
Others Receiving Votes
Tennessee 45; Saint Louis 39; Villanova 34; Saint Mary’s 34; Seton Hall 29; St. John’s 21; SMU 15; Miami (FL) 14; Texas A&M 13; Miami (OH) 8; UCF 6; Wisconsin 5; Ohio State 3; USC 1; Indiana 1;
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball slides in USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
