Elite Eight Iowa Secured a Two-Year Clash With Alabama, and the Hawkeyes Are Already Gunning for More Chaos.

Alright, listen up, Emerald City! While we're out here watching our Mariners scrap and our Seahawks get ready for a new season with Sam Darnold under center, there's some wild news dropping in college hoops that's got the entire nation buzzing. CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein just dropped a bombshell: Alabama is reportedly locking in a two-year neutral site series with none other than the Iowa Hawkeyes! We're talking about a serious, cross-conference showdown that's gonna have huge implications for both squads, even if they ain't rocking the green and blue of our beloved teams. Get ready, because these teams are not messing around with their nonconference slate, setting up what could be some absolutely epic matchups.

Iowa's Ascent Under McCollum Is No Joke

Hold up, an Elite Eight team on the schedule? Yeah, you heard that right. This ain't your grandpa's Iowa, folks. Under head coach Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes are a legitimate force, making a deep Elite Eight run last season as a No. 9 seed. They finished with a gritty 24-13 overall record, going 10-10 in the tough Big Ten, and get this, it was their very first season post-Fran McCaffrey. Talk about making a statement right out of the gate! They've been on a tear, consistently hitting eight NCAA Tournament appearances dating all the way back to the 2013-14 season. The first game in this series is locked in for December 21, right there in Des Moines, Iowa, at Casey's Center. You know McColl

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

um's crew is gonna be absolutely hyped to kick off this rivalry on home turf, even if it's officially a "neutral" site.

Alabama's Gauntlet Just Got Even More Brutal

And what about Alabama? They're clearly not shying away from a challenge, adding an Elite Eight caliber team to an already stacked nonconference schedule. We're talking about a slate that already features other national powerhouses like Houston, St. John's, and Baylor, among others. Adding Iowa to that mix? That's a schedule designed to either forge a champion or break a team before conference play even begins. It's a true test of endurance and skill. The rematch for this series is slated for the 2027-28 season, heading down south to Mobile, Alabama. Details like the exact date for the Mobile game, start times, and which network will carry these potential thrillers are still TBD, but you know fans across the country will be eagerly awaiting the announcements. So, what does this all mean for the upcoming seasons? For Iowa, it's a golden chance to prove last year wasn't a fluke and solidify their spot among the nation's elite. For Alabama, it's a gauntlet that will test their mettle early and often, potentially shaping their entire season. While we're all counting down the days until Julio Rodriguez is tearing it up at T-Mobile Park and the Seahawks are battling hard at Lumen Field, these college basketball matchups are going to be appointment viewing for anyone who loves high-stakes hoops. Let's see who comes out on top when these two titans clash! Go Hawks (the Seattle ones, of course!).

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