Through this point in the early NCAA men’s basketball season, three major Iowa schools have had particularly strong starts. From a total of ten games played between the teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, and Drake Bulldogs are a combined 10-0.
When looking at their games played so far, as well as their conference schedules to come, it is safe to say that this will be an interesting year for each of the three teams, each of which has high hopes not only in their conference seasons but also in the March Madness field of 64 as well.
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Iowa Hawkeyes
Currently sitting with a record of 3-0, the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team is now ranked number 25 in the AP Top 25 poll, which came out November 21st.
The Hawkeyes have yet to be truly tested. In their first three matchups, no team has come within 16 points of the Hawkeyes, putting up 112 points against NC A&T on November 11th.
With that said, Iowa’s season will be nothing but smooth sailing from this point forward. They will truly be tested for the first time this season on December 6th, when they face off with the current number eight-ranked Duke Blue Devils at the Jimmy V Classic.
Moving forward into Big Ten play, one of the top men’s college basketball conferences, which currently has six teams ranked in the top 25, the Hawkeyes will then show what kind of a team they truly are.
Dasonte Bowen: 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗱 at basketball. @uncle_drew5 has 6 points. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/SUc4kPMyOi
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) November 27, 2022
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Iowa State Cyclones
Much like the Hawkeyes, the Iowa State Cyclones have a current record of 3-0 and have yet to face a true test. Through each of the first games, no team has come within 15 points of the Cyclones.
We will get a great look at the matchups on this list on December 8th, when the Cyclones will face off with the number 25-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes in a battle that will take place in Iowa City.
While this will give us a look at the two major Iowa college programs, much like the Hawkeyes in the Big Ten, the Cyclones, competing in the Big 12, also play in one of the top college basketball conferences, which currently include four top 25 ranked teams, with three of those ranked in the top ten.
The third career 3-pointer for @Sh00n_.
#20 UConn 50, ISU 43 – 11:02 2nd Half#Cyclones | #C5C pic.twitter.com/ua5zfRmB5U
— Iowa State Men’s Basketball (@CycloneMBB) November 28, 2022
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Drake Bulldogs
Unlike the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, the Drake Bulldogs have found themselves in some closer games through their first four wins.
Three of their four wins have come by less than 10 points. Despite the fact that the Bulldogs aren’t blowing teams out like Iowa and Iowa State have been, they have shown tremendous toughness and the ability to win close games.
The preseason Missouri Valley Conference favorites have gotten off to just the start they were expected to. Their season going forward will not look very similar to those of the Hawkeyes and Cyclones, seeing as the Bulldogs do not have a game on their schedule against a team that is ranked in the top 25 through this point of the season.
With that said, Drake is the landslide favorite to win their conference, while neither Iowa or Iowa State were even in the top three of their preseason rankings.
𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙪𝙥 𝙖 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙘𝙝#DrakeALLIN#DSMHometownTeam pic.twitter.com/08iLxUuvHD
— Drake Basketball (@DrakeBulldogsMB) November 27, 2022
How The 2022-23 Season Started For Iowan Teams
The 2022-2023 season has started very positively for each of the three major Iowa basketball programs, seeing as all three have yet to lose a game. The power five competitors in Iowa and Iowa State will have very difficult schedules ahead, while the talented Drake team looks to continue with the success they’ve had so far as they progress into conference play.
Both the Big Ten and Big 12 are notorious for beating up on each other throughout the conference season. The Hawkeyes are one of six ranked Big Ten teams and will certainly have to handle the unranked conference matchups if they want a chance at the Big Ten title.
While the Big 12 has four teams currently ranked, three of those are top ten and the Cyclones are going to have to hold their ground against those teams if they want any shot in the conference this season.
Final Thoughts
Despite the bloodbath that is always seen in other conferences, Drake has the framework to dominate the Missouri Valley Conference this year. While everyone wants to do well in conferences, March is the ultimate goal for any college basketball program.
Of these three schools, the number 25-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes are the clear front-runner for a March Madness push so far, but the Drake Bulldogs should not be counted out.
If they are able to stay on track this season and win the MVC, the Bulldogs very well could be an interesting team to potentially make a Cinderella-type run in the March Madness tournament.
Credits On Featured Image: Pixabay
