Iowa Basketball Landed Two Key Pieces and Still Can't Crack ESPN's Top 25

Iowa basketball made some serious moves in the transfer portal. They added big man Andrew McKeever and point guard Ty'Reek Coleman to help reload a roster that took some hits when eligibility expired and March Madness hero Alvaro Folguieras transferred out. On paper, it looks solid. On ESPN's latest rankings? Not so much.

Jeff Borzello has the Hawkeyes at No. 26, which technically means they're the first team looking in from outside his top 25. That's the compliment that stings a little, right? So close you can taste it, but still knocking on the door. Meanwhile, bracketologist Joe Lunardi is even less optimistic, slotting Iowa as his "last team in" the field of 68 for next season. For a program that just stunned Florida to reach the Sweet 16, being outside the top 25 conversation feels like a step back.

The Elite Eight Are Stacked

Here's what Iowa is up against: the usual suspects reloaded hard during the portal window or kept their stars home. Florida, the team Iowa beat to get to the Sweet 16, rolls in at No. 1 with a fully loaded roster of returning talent. Duke is No. 2, Michigan (your defending national champions) sits at No. 3, Illinois is No. 4, and UConn (runner-up this year) rounds out the top five. That's a heavyweight division.

Still Worth Watching

But here's the thing: Iowa has serious momentum heading into 2026-27. The roster is better than last year despite the losses. McKeever and Coleman give them depth they didn't have before. This is a team to keep tabs on. They're not ranked yet, but they're not far off either. One strong offseason and a hot start could flip that narrative real quick.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.