The Iowa Hawkeyes are hitting the road next season to take on an intriguing out-of-conference opponent. The road is not too far, though. In fact, it is about 50 minutes east of the Quad Cities.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are taking part in the Quad Cities Hoops Showdown and will be taking on the Washington State Cougars. The matchup will take place on November 15 at the Vibrant Arena in Moline, Illinois.
Just Announced – @IowaHoops and @WSUCougarsMBB to meet in the Quad Cities Hoops Showdown in a Men’s Basketball match up Friday, November 15 at Vibrant Arena. On sale information coming soon. pic.twitter.com/r0shwioTW3
— Vibrant Arena (@VibrantArena) August 8, 2024
As reported by David Eickholt of 247Sports, it is the first time in 26 years that the Hawkeyes will play a game in the Quad Cities despite being so local.
The Cougars had a very successful 2023-24 basketball season. They went 25-10 overall and secured a trip to the NCAA Tournament. In the tournament, Washington State won their first-round game over fellow Iowa program, Drake, before falling to another Iowa program, the Iowa State Cyclones, in the round of 32.
The Hawkeyes will feature a younger squad this year that finished 19-15 in 2023 with a trip to the NIT.
This game will be a bit of a homecoming for Brock Harding and Owen Freeman. Harding and Freeman are Moline natives each coming from Moline High School and will now get to play in front of local friends and family.
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