The Iowa Hawkeyes played only one game last week, but it was a big one. Iowa took down then #24 Rutgers 85-80 on Wednesday to improve to 14-5 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten on the year.
While it was only one game, it was another win over a ranked opponent. This came as a number of other ranked teams fell last week. Now Iowa continues their ascent up the national polls.
In the AP, Iowa moves up 1 spot from 19th to 18.
1. Baylor
2. Gonzaga
3. Kansas
4. San Diego State
5. Florida State
6. Louisville
7. Dayton
8. Villanova
9. Duke
10. Seton Hall
11. Oregon
12. West Virginia
13. Kentucky
14. Michigan State
15. Maryland
16. Butler
17. Auburn
18. Iowa
19. Illinois
20. Colorado
21. Houston
22. LSU
23. Wichita State
24. Penn State
25. Rutgers
In the Coaches Poll, Iowa was likewise ranked 19th a week ago. And as in the AP, Iowa benefited from a number of losses from higher ranked teams. Just as with the AP those losses and the big home win over Rutgers moved Iowa up a spot to #18 this week.
Here’s a look at the full Coaches Poll.
1. Baylor
2. Gonzaga
3. Kansas
4. San Diego State
5. Louisville
6. Florida State
7. Dayton
8. Duke
9. Seton Hall
10. Villanova
11. West Virginia
12. Oregon
13. Kentucky
14. Michigan State
15. Maryland
16. Auburn
17. Butler
18. Iowa
19. Illinois
20. Houston
21. Colorado
22. Wichita State
23. Penn State
24. LSU
25. Rutgers
With the return of Penn State to the national polls and Rutgers staying in despite their road loss to the Hawkeyes, the Big Ten once again has six ranked teams. As we’ve seen all season, this conference is incredibly deep, but remains light at the top.
Michigan State has long been the front-runner to win the league and remains the highest ranked team in the conference, but they only come in at #14 in both polls and are tied with #19 Illinois for the Big Ten lead. Further, there are now 8 teams within 3 games of the Spartans and Illini in the conference standings. That includes the Hawkeyes who enter tonight’s contest with Wisconsin only 1.5 games back.
Following tonight’s home game against the unranked Badgers, Iowa will resume their stretch of games against ranked foes. They’ll travel to #15 Maryland on Friday before hosting #19 Illinois on Sunday. That will close out a stretch with 4 of the last five 5 opponents ranked and 6 of the last 9 since the turn of the calendar.