An early look at the Iowa Hawkeyes’ nonconference basketball matchups in 2022-23
The 2021-22 season was a dream for Iowa up until the NCAA Tournament. Led by sophomore forward Keegan Murray, a likely 2022 NBA draft lottery pick, the Hawkeyes took home the Big Ten Tournament crown over Purdue.
Sadly, all of that momentum came to a screeching halt immediately in the first round of the tournament as 12th-seeded Richmond sent Iowa packing. Despite having one of the better seasons in recent memory for the program and delivering hardware back to Iowa City, the shame is that some will just remember the 2021-22 season for its disappointing end.
There will be some changes for the Hawkeyes heading into next year. Keegan Murray is off to the NBA and longtime starter Jordan Bohannon has graduated.
Iowa did receive a massive boost as Keegan’s twin brother, Kris Murray, announced his return. Patrick McCaffery is a capable player. If Iowa wants to improve upon its anticlimactic end to 2021-22, there are a big set of challenges already loaded up on the Hawkeyes’ nonconference 2022-23 schedule.
Let’s take a look at all of the important nonconference dates that have been finalized for Iowa below.
Seton Hall - The Gavitt Tipoff Games
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Iowa hasn’t taken part in the Gavitt Tipoff Games which pits the Big Ten against Big East opponents since the 2019-20 men’s basketball season when the Hawkeyes fell in Iowa City versus DePaul, 93-78. In the 2015-16 season, Iowa won at Marquette, 89-61. The following season Seton Hall topped Iowa, 91-83.
The Hawkeyes will look to exact some revenge on Seton Hall in the 2022 edition of the Gavitt Games. The two teams all-time series is split at one win apiece.
Nov. 25, Clemson - Emerald Coast Classic
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Iowa will take part in the Emerald Coast Classic on Nov. 25 where they open up play against Clemson. The Tigers finished the 2021-22 season 17-16 overall and with an 8-12 mark in ACC play.
Iowa’s last appearance in the Emerald Coast Classic was during the 2016-17 season. The Hawkeyes lost both of those games against Virginia, 74-41, and Memphis, 100-92.
Nov. 26, Cal or TCU - Emerald Coast Classic
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If Iowa wins its game against Clemson in the Emerald Coast Classic, it will face the winner of the Cal-TCU contest. Naturally, if the Hawkeyes lose their contest against Clemson, then Iowa would match up with the loser of Cal-TCU.
Either way, it’s another Power Five tilt. Cal finished the 2021-22 season with a 12-20 overall record and a 5-15 mark in Pac-12 play. Meanwhile, TCU advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where the Horned Frogs fell in overtime to top-seeded Arizona, 85-80. TCU ended last season with a 21-13 overall record and an 8-10 mark in Big 12 games.
Nov. 29, Georgia Tech - Big Ten/ACC Challenge
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In early December, Iowa will take part in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Hawkeyes’ last contest in the event was a memorable one as former Iowa guard Joe Toussaint hit a game-winning shot with eight seconds remaining to down Virginia, 75-74.
Iowa also topped Syracuse in the 2019-20 season, 68-54, and North Carolina in the 2020-21 season, 93-80. Now, the Hawkeyes know they will host Georgia Tech in the latest edition of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Dec. 6, Duke - Jimmy V Classic
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The marquee nonconference tilt that will get the most attention is the December 6th matchup inside Madison Square Garden against Duke in the Jimmy V Classic. The event also features Illinois versus Texas.
Duke has such an aura around its name, that no matter what fans and players alike will be juiced for that game. In coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last season, the Blue Devils were fantastic. Duke won the ACC Tournament and reached the Final Four of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
While they do lose most of their star power from last year—in particular, potential No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero—this is a yearly tradition for Duke. Here’s a look at the all-time series history between the two and a projected starting lineup for the Blue Devils.
Iowa State - Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series
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Rounding out the big nonconference games is the annual rivalry game against Iowa State in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series. The Cyclones ended a three-year losing streak against the Hawkeyes last year, topping Iowa, 73-53. No matter the sport, the in-state battle will be a must-watch affair.
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