Ahead of March Madness and the NCAA tournament, we are going to look at March Madness in Iowa and how the teams of the state have fared. With four major programs – the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, Drake Bulldogs, and Northern Iowa Panthers men’s basketball – there have been a few great experiences.
We built our site for the fans. We built our site to show readers all there is to know about Iowa basketball. And we built our site to bring you the best experience possible. Check out the long and somewhat storied history that is Iowa basketball in the NCAA tournament.
Historical Context of Iowa Teams in March Madness
As most readers will know, Iowa basketball and the NCAA tournament have a limited amount of success. The two biggest teams – Iowa State and Iowa – have a more substantial history compared to smaller programs in the nation.
There are four Final Four appearances between the four Iowa schools, three of which belong to the Hawkeyes. Northern Iowa and Drake have been on the fringe of the college basketball landscape, mid-major teams that make it to the tournament every once in a while at most.
Iowa Basketball Culture
Basketball culture has grown exponentially in Iowa. Fans come out regularly for all four programs, though there has been a noted growth (especially in readers) as the Hawkeyes and Cyclones have both achieved consistent success in reaching the tournament.
For the Cyclones, in particular, the basketball program has taken precedence over football. The Hawkeyes fans support the football program first and foremost, but recent success by the Cyclones has changed the tone and tenor.
For all four programs, the fan base might be a bit smaller than others across the nation but they are no less passionate. Making the NCAA tournament is still a big deal even for the more established Hawkeyes and Cyclones, making each year an event.
Key Moments in Iowa Basketball History
For fans of basketball in Iowa as a whole, there have been some truly memorable runs. Who can forge the 2000 NCAA tournament run for the Cyclones? As a No.2 seed, they made it to the Elite Eight game before ultimately losing to the eventual champion Michigan State Spartans.
The Hawkeyes have had a few memorable wins since, but the 1980 Final Four run stands above all else. The run in the 1980s – featuring names like Kevin Gamble, Roy Marble, and others – will be remembered for a long time to come.
Even for the two smaller programs, there have been memorable moments. Drake made it to at least the regional final three years in a row from 1969-71. Northern Iowa managed to even make it to the regional semifinal in 2010 under its best coach to date, Ben Jacobson.
Drake Bulldogs: Best Season in March Madness
For virtually all of their program history, the NCAA tournament and Drake have not been synonymous with one another. The Bulldogs have managed to make the tournament just seven times through the years. They don’t have a tournament win in more than a half-century.
That said, they managed to make the tournament for the first time ever in 1969. They made the best experience possible, winning 26 games that year and earning a buy in the first round. They wound up making the furthest run in school history, reaching the Final Four that season.
A win over Texas A&M in the semifinals and Colorado State in the Midwest Region final set the stage. The Bulldogs took on one of the powerhouses in the nation that year, the UCLA Bruins. Ultimately, the Bulldogs would fall short of the championship game, losing to the Bruins in the Final Four.
The run was incredible for Drake basketball in the short term, especially on the court. They made it back to the regional final the next two years, creating an unmatched three-year run for fans. The bad thing is that it would be the last time the team would have a tournament win.
Since then, Drake has become an average mid-major. Competing with the major powerhouses of the NCAA landscape has been tough. Getting into the tournament has been even tougher. But fans have supported the team, creating a great bond between the team and the fans.
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 10: Drake players hold the “Ticket Punched’ placard after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game between the Indiana State Sycamore and the Drake Bulldogs on March 10, 2024, at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes: Best Season in March Madness
The Hawkeyes are the most prolific team in the state when it comes to the NCAA tournament. Though they haven’t won a championship, they have 31 wins in 29 appearances. The program isn’t as good on the court as it is on the football field, it is hard to question their success to this point.
Even if they played in the national championship game in 1956 in a losing effort, their best run may have been the 1980 NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes were a No.5 seed in the East region and went on a run. They even managed to be the winner against a No.1 seed in Syracuse. Though they had strong games against top contenders, it ultimately ended with a loss to the eventual champion Louisville.
Though the Hawkeyes have been in plenty of important games since then, they haven’t sniffed the national championship game since. They have had plenty of tournament appearances under legendary coaches like Tom Davis and Fran McCaffery.
Currently, the Hawkeyes are fighting with in-state rival Iowa State for the title of “Top Team in Iowa.” They held the moniker for years but haven’t had the best experience in the tournament over the last 40 years. Thankfully, the Hawkeyes fanbase is strong and has supported both the men’s and women’s teams vigorously.
IOWA CITY, IA – FEBRUARY 11: Iowa guard Tony Perkins (11) congratulates Iowa forward Patrick McCaffery (22) after winning a college basketball game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on February 11, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Iowa State Cyclones: Best Season in March Madness
Iowa State may not have as many Final Four games as their rivals but they may have had the better experience in the NCAA tournament. They have the advantage of late as well, having put together teams – like this year’s, which finished as a No.2 seed – that have been some of the best in the nation.
[clutchbuzz_betnow id=’303755′]
Some of our readers will remember the 1944 Final Four appearance, but not many. The vast majority of our readers will, however, remember the 2000 NCAA Tournament. It was a magical time to be a Cyclones fan and it nearly ended with a Final Four appearance.
That year, Larry Eustachy’s outfit won 32 games and finished as a No.2 seed. The Cyclones dominated Central Connecticut State, Auburn, and UCLA en route to the Elite Eight. There, they met powerhouse Michigan State, the No.1 seed in the Midwest Region.
The run fell short but it had a good impact on the program. Though not every year has been the best experience, the program is in the best shape it has been in some time. This year, alongside names like Arizona and Purdue, it is expected that they could contend for the national title for the first time.
Moving forward, the Cyclones program looks strong. They have been good in the very tough Big 12 conference. Supported by a raucous fanbase, moving through each round will be a massive win for both the fans and the program. This may be the year that the Cyclones erase all doubt and reach their first championship game.
CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 13: Iowa State Cyclones players huddle together during a college basketball game against the Cincinnati Bearcats on February 13, 2024 at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Northern Iowa Panthers: Best Season in March Madness
Like Drake, Northern Iowa has not been to the tournament all that many times. Any tournament game for them is a big one. Unfortunately, they haven’t had a tournament game since the 2016 tournament, where they lost in the Round of 64.
That year was something special. They managed to win their first round game against UNLV, their first tournament win since 1990 (and just their second in the history of the school). But it didn’t stop there. The Panthers managed to topple No.1 seed Kansas in the Round of 32, shocking the world with a 69-67 win.
The magical run came to an end in the Sweet 16 against a noted Iowa killer, Michigan State. Still, it was the first time Northern Iowa had made it that far. It was a critical point in Northern Iowa basketball history. We built our website to provide the best experience to the state’s basketball fans and this is certainly the top of the mountain for Northern Iowa.
It has been tough sledding in the Missouri Valley Conference since then. Though Ben Jacobson has led them to some very strong seasons – including a No. 5 seed in the 2015 tournament – they haven’t been to the Dance since 2016. Operating in a smaller conference is always a challenge, especially when you have three better teams in the state to recruit against.
ST. LOUIS, MO – MARCH 09: Northern Iowa guard Trey Campbell (4) leaps to guard Indiana State guard Ryan Conwell (3) during a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Arch Madness semifinal game between the Indiana State Sycamores and the Northern Iowa Panthers on March 09, 2024, at Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
March Madness Iowa: Comparative Analysis and Conclusion
Though no one has won a championship from the state, it is down to Iowa and Iowa State for the best overall seasons. Of course, competing in major conferences like the Big Ten and Big 12 will help that, especially from a recruiting standpoint.
For Northern Iowa and Drake, it came down to a few simple things. Strong coaching, veteran rosters, and cohesion that only experience can. Smaller programs aren’t like the major names that can recruit the best talent and run them out immediately. That said, each program got key contributions from major names in their histories.
Iowa State made it deep into the tournament a few times because they play tough basketball. Being in the Big 12, it can become all too easy to be overrun by teams like Kansas, Oklahoma, and others. To be able to fight through that kind of challenge means being battle-tested when March rolls around.
Iowa’s greatest success came at a time when high-level NBA talent was rolling through town. Great names like B.J. Armstrong helped carry the torch for a few years as the Hawkeyes made some of their most spectacular runs in program history.
Lately, they seem to have managed to take advantage of the Big Ten name. The Hawkeyes have some great names coming into the fold that could elevate the Hawkeyes to success once again.
Significance to Iowa Basketball
Despite the lack of a championship, basketball is still going strong in Iowa. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones have strong seasons every few years, snagging a high seed in the tournament and providing hope to fans that it could be their year.
For Northern Iowa and Drake, remaining competitive is the key. The latter has won their conference tournament the last two years, showing that they are not a mid-major program to be reckoned with. All it takes is one major recruit or magical run to swing the momentum of the program.
This could be a special year for the state. As a No.2 seed, Iowa State has gone toe-to-toe with some of the biggest and best teams and won. If they can make a deep run – some think they could reach the Final Four and beyond – it could create unparalleled momentum for Iowa basketball as a whole.
Reflection on the Enduring Impact of Iowa Basketball Achievements on the College Basketball Landscape
The beautiful thing about the NCAA tournament is that anyone can have a magical run. Just look to a year ago when San Diego State, who came from a conference with nearly no tournament success, made it all the way to the national championship.
College basketball remains popular in the state across the four programs. That kind of run by a major program like the Hawkeyes or Cyclones and it could propel things to a new level. Best of all, that kind of success could have a ripple effect on the rest of the state.
For now, we will wait and find out what will happen with Iowa, Iowa State, and Drake (Northern Iowa missed out). There are three chances to make it to the second round at least and create a memorable run for the program and the state as a whole.
