The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team opens its 2026-27 campaign tonight with an exhibition game against Illinois Springfield at Xtream Arena in Coralville, with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
The matchup, Iowa's first public appearance since last season's run to the Elite 8, will stream on Big Ten Network Plus. It gives Hawkeye fans their first real look at a rebuilt roster that head coach Ben McCollum assembled through the transfer portal and a strong recruiting class.
How to watch Iowa vs. Illinois Springfield
According to Sports Illustrated's game preview, the broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. CT on B1G+, the Big Ten Network's streaming service. Collin Carrithers will handle play-by-play with Karch Smith providing color commentary.
Fans who prefer radio can tune in to the Hawkeye Radio Network, where Gary Dolphin and Bobby Hansen will have the call from Coralville.
Those looking for streaming details closer to tipoff can also find watch information from USA Today's guide to the exhibition, which notes the additions of transfer guard Ty'Reek Coleman from Illinois State and transfer center Andrew McKeever from Saint Mary's.
A first-ever meeting between the two programs
Iowa and Illinois Springfield have never played each other, a somewhat surprising fact given the short drive from Springfield to Iowa City. The Prairie Stars come in off a 17-12 season, including a 13-7 mark in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and are led by eighth-year head coach Matt Brock, who owns a 100-94 record at the school.
The Hawkeyes have already been on the court twice this fall, holding closed scrimmages against Texas Tech and Saint Louis. Tonight marks the first chance for the public to evaluate what McCollum has built.
McCollum's decision to stay raised the stakes
Anticipation around this season is higher than it has been in years, and the credit goes to McCollum. In his first year in Iowa City, he guided the Hawkeyes to a 24-13 record, a 10-10 Big Ten finish, and a surprise trip to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament.
That success made McCollum a hot name on the coaching market. He turned down overtures from North Carolina to remain with the Hawkeyes, a decision that cemented his standing with a fanbase eager for sustained winning after years of near misses.
What to watch for tonight
The biggest curiosity is Andrew McKeever, the 7-foot-3 center who came over from Saint Mary's. Iowa leaned on undersized lineups for much of last season, so the addition of a true rim-protecting big man changes the geometry of McCollum's attack. How the big man fits into the system is one of the night's main storylines.
In the backcourt, Tate Sage and Cooper Koch are expected to anchor the rotation. Sports Illustrated's preview also raises questions about how the minutes behind them shake out among Kael Combs, Ty'Reek Coleman, and Isaia Howard. Coleman, per Yahoo Sports' watch guide, averaged 10 points per game last season at Illinois State while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three-point range.
The early rotation will likely be a mixed bag, and that is exactly what exhibitions are for. Tonight gives McCollum a low-stakes setting to sort out his perimeter depth before the games start counting.
Why this exhibition matters for Iowa fans
Exhibition games rarely move the needle, but this one carries real weight for a program trying to prove last spring was a starting point rather than a high-water mark. McCollum's second season begins with genuine expectations, something Iowa basketball has not carried into an opener in some time.
The Iowa athletics department's official game notes confirm the Tuesday date at Xtream Arena in Coralville, a venue swap from Carver-Hawkeye Arena that gives the matchup a slightly different feel.
For a fanbase that watched its coach reject one of the biggest brands in college basketball to stay home, tonight is the first chapter of what could be a special season in Iowa City.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Iowa basketball play Illinois Springfield?
Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
What channel is the Iowa basketball exhibition on?
The game streams on B1G+, the Big Ten Network's streaming platform, with Collin Carrithers and Karch Smith on the call.
Who did Iowa add through the transfer portal?
The Hawkeyes added guard Ty'Reek Coleman from Illinois State and 7-foot-3 center Andrew McKeever from Saint Mary's.
How did Iowa finish last season?
Iowa went 24-13 overall and 10-10 in the Big Ten, reaching the Elite 8 in Ben McCollum's first year as head coach.