Iowa Basketball: 5 Games Not to Miss in 2014-15

By Ed Morgans

Iowa's 5 Must-See Games in the 2014-15 Basketball Season

Iowa — The Iowa Hawkeyes finally ended their long NCAA Tournament drought last season, qualifying for the Big Dance for the first time since 2006. But Iowa's stay didn't last long and it didn't even make the tourney proper, losing to Tennessee in overtime in a play-in game. Iowa hasn't posted a winning record in the Big 10 since 2007, but they will play several must-see games in the upcoming season. Here are five not to miss.

5. 2K Classic in New York City

5. 2K Classic in New York City

Iowa heads to New York Nov. 20-21 for the final games of the 2K Sports Classic, a 12-team event that features Iowa along with California, Syracuse and Texas. The Hawkeyes would get a pair of top matchups if they get to play the Orange and Longhorns while in New York. Syracuse is always a top power, and Texas' recruiting class has the Longhorns as the talk of the Big 12.

4. Northern Iowa (Dec. 20, neutral site)

UNI

4. Northern Iowa (Dec. 20, neutral site)

UNI — Last season marked the first time Iowa hadn't played Northern Iowa in more than 20 years. This year, the four major state schools come together for the Big Four Classic. There, the Hawkeyes renew their rivalry with the Panthers, one of the more recognizable teams year in, year out in the Missouri Valley Conference. And this is no cupcake for Iowa. These two teams have split their last 12 meetings.

3. North Carolina (Dec. 3, away)

UNC

3. North Carolina (Dec. 3, away)

UNC — Two teams with the best color schemes in all of college basketball come together Dec. 3 in Chapel Hill as the black and gold of Iowa meet the Tar Heel Blue of North Carolina. This game figures to be one of the centerpieces of the ACC-Big 10 Challenge. The last time they met was 2004 at the Maui Invitational, with UNC winning a shootout, 106-92. Iowa loves that pace now, and UNC can score in their own right, so this game should be entertaining.

2. Iowa State (Dec. 12, home)

ISU

2. Iowa State (Dec. 12, home)

ISU — This rivalry is one of the lesser-known but more hotly contested ones in all of college basketball, made more complicated by the fact that they share a state but play in different conferences. There will be attention on this year's edition of the Hawkeye State rivalry, as the Cyclones come off a season where they won the Big 12 Tournament and made the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. This will be an excellent early season test for the Hawkeyes.

1. Michigan Wolverines (TBA, away)

Michigan

1. Michigan Wolverines (TBA, away)

Michigan — Dates and times haven't been announced for the Big 10 Conference matchups next season, but what is known is that Iowa and Michigan will meet only once in 2014-15, which is kind of a shame. The teams traded wins last year, with each winning on home court. Included in that was Iowa's 18-point drubbing of the Wolverines in Iowa City on Feb. 8. With one meeting this season, it could serve as a key tiebreaker for both teams in the Big 10.

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Iowa Hawkeyes

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