Amid a three-game skid, the Iowa Hawkeyes have stayed steady in the latest rendition of the ESPN NCAA Tournament bracketology update. Despite three Big Ten losses in a row to move them to 12-5 overall with a 2-4 mark in Big Ten play, the Hawkeyes remain comfortably in the field.
Continuing this skid and extending the losing streak could put Iowa on the NCAA Tournament bubble in a hurry, but this team is close, and they know it. If Iowa can right the ship and rattle off a few wins to calm down some nerves, things can quickly move in the right direction for Ben McCollum’s squad.
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While the Hawkeyes get ready for a massive game on the road against the Indiana Hoosiers this Saturday at 1 p.m. CT, which is set to air nationally on FOX, check out the latest bracketology update.
Jan 14, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) drives past Purdue Boilermakers center Daniel Jacobsen (12) during the first half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Bracket
Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo reacts to a foul against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.
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No. 1 UConn vs. No. 16 Vermont / No. 16 Saint Peter’s
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No. 8 Iowa vs. No. 9 Georgia
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No. 5 Virginia vs. No. 12 George Mason
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No. 4 Michigan State vs. No. 13 UNC Wilmington
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No. 6 Villanova vs. No. 11 Indiana / No. 11 New Mexico
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No. 3 Vanderbilt vs.No. 14 ETSU
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No. 7 SMU vs. No. 10 Kentucky
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No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 15 Winthrop
Top Seeds
Jan 6, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC Yum! Center. Duke defeated Louisville 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
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No. 1 seeds: Michigan, Arizona, Duke, UConn
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No. 2 seeds: Iowa State, Gonzaga, Purdue, Nebraska
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No. 3 seeds: Vanderbilt, BYU, Illinois, Houston
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No. 4 seeds: Texas Tech, Alabama, Florida, Michigan State
Bubble Watch
Dec 23, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope talks with center Malachi Moreno (24) during the second half against the Bellarmine Knights at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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Last Four Byes: Kentucky, Auburn, USC, Texas A&M
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Last Four In: Indiana, Ohio State, New Mexico, Texas
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First Four Out: UCLA, Missouri, TCU, Stanford
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Next Four Out: Virginia Tech, San Diego State, Creighton, Baylor
Conference Breakdown
Mar 17, 2025; Dayton, OH, USA; General view of the “March Madness” logo during the First Four Practice at UD Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: ESPN NCAA Tournament Bracketology gives SEC clash to Iowa basketball
