Iowa Basketball Season Preview 2024-25: Biggest games, key players to watch, predictions and more

Iowa starts the 2024-25 college basketball season determined to make the NCAA Tournament after missing it for the first time since 2018.

Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery parades a 16-man roster that will compete in the expanded Big 10 Conference.

Here's a closer look into Iowa's upcoming campaign from its biggest games to the players that fans should watch out for in the 2024-25 men's basketball season.

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Iowa's biggest games in the 2024-25 season

Iowa is yet to complete its 2024-25 non-conference schedule but it has three formidable foes on its lineup this season.

First is Washington State on Nov. 15 as part of the Quad Cities Hoops Showdown at the Vibrant Arena in Moline, Illinois. It will only be the second time these two teams meet, with Iowa winning their only meeting in December 1963.

A week later, the Hawkeyes will be up against Utah State Aggies in the 2024 Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. It will be their fifth meeting in history, with Iowa leading the head-to-head, 3-1.

The Hawkeyes are also slated to take on Utah on Dec. 21 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Hawkeyes are also slated to take on Utah on Dec. 21 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Iowa hasn't won a single game in two previous clashes with the Utes.

Iowa will play 20 games against their conference mates in January 2025. The Hawkeyes will play Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin twice in a home and away format.

IOWA'S 2024-25	BIG 10 BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
Home and Away	Nebraska, Northwestern, Wisconsin
Home only	Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, Washington
Away only	Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA, USC

On the other hand, Iowa will take on Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue and Washington at home. It is set to visit Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Rutgers, UCLA and USC.

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Key Iowa players to watch out for in the 2024-25 season

Two of the team's top four scorers from last season are returning to help Iowa this year. The Hawkeyes added a group of players from the transfer portal and high school recruitment to beef up their roster.

Here are the top three Iowa players fans should watch out for this season.

#1. Payton Sandfort

Iowa forward Payton Sandfort (Image Source: IMAGN)

Incoming senior Payton Sandfort is coming off an excellent junior stint, where he led Iowa's offense. He averaged 16.4 points on 44.6% field-goal shooting and 91.1% from the free-throw line.

The 6-foot-7 Sandfort played 30.5 minutes per game and made 2.8 3-pointers per game. He also tallied 6.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists this past season. The forward will be key in Iowa's offensive strategies as he will be the team's primary option this coming season.

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#2. Owen Freeman

Iowa forward Owen Freeman (Image Source: IMAGN)

Owen Freeman is in his second year with Iowa, looking to improve on his spectacular showing in his freshman year. The 6-foot-10 incoming sophomore averaged 10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.

The forward only played 22.8 minutes per contest but has made his presence felt inside the paint as he made 61.4% of his shots.

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#3. Seydou Traore

Seydou Traore transferred to Iowa after one season with Manhattan, where he gave a good account of himself. The 6-foot-7 guard averaged 11.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg and 1.3 bpg in 28 games this past season.

The Hawkeyes will bank on Traore's all-around play to free up Payton Sandfort and Owen Freeman from their defenders and make easy baskets. Traore's shooting is also good for a guard at 43.3% and he is an 80% free-throw shooter.

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Iowa's predictions for the 2024-25 season

Iowa has a good chance of making it to the NCAA Tournament despite being in a tough conference. They are expected to win 20 to 23 games and secure one of the 68 NCAA Tournament bids this coming season.

The Hawkeyes need to have an additional scorer who could help Payton Sandfort and Owen Freeman carry the squad to victory.

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Will the Iowa Hawkeyes make the 2025 NCAA Tournament? Let us know your views in the comments section.