Iowa picks up 2 ‘Super Tuesday’ games

IOWA CITY - Fresh from its first NCAA tournament appearance in eight years, Iowa's men's basketball team will play in a pair of high-profile 'Super Tuesday” games this season, the school announced today. ESPN will televise both games.

The Hawkeyes are slated to play at border rival Wisconsin at 8 p.m. Jan. 20. The Badgers, a Final Four participant last year, have won the last three meetings and hold an 80-79 lead all-time. Wisconsin is ranked No. 4 by ESPN, while Iowa is No. 25.

Iowa will play at Indiana at 6 p.m. March 3. The Hawkeyes were scheduled to face the Hoosiers on 'Super Tuesday” last year, but the game was postponed from Feb. 18 to Feb. 27 after a ceiling tile crashed to the floor at Assembly Hall.

The Hawkeyes played three games on 'Super Tuesday” last year, including a pair at home. In Big Ten play, Iowa will face Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northwestern and Ohio State twice. Iowa will travel to Michigan, Penn State, Indiana and Purdue and play host to Michigan State, Illinois and newcomers Maryland and Rutgers.

The Big Ten slate is complete and under review by the schools. It will be announced at a later date. Iowa has yet to announce its non-conference schedule, but here's a rundown of all but one non-conference game and three opponents:

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Nov. 2 vs. Northwood, Mich. (exhibition)

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Nov. 14/15/16/17 vs. two opponents as part of the Sports 2K Classic

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Nov. 20 vs. Texas at New York City, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)

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Nov. 21 vs. Syracuse/California at New York City, 4/6 p.m. (ESPNU/2)

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Nov. 26 vs. Northern Illinois

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Nov. 29 vs. Longwood

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Dec. 3 at North Carolina, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)

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Dec. 6 vs. Maryland-Baltimore County

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Dec. 9 vs. Alcorn State

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Dec. 12 vs. Iowa State

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Dec. 20 vs. Northern Iowa at Des Moines (Big 4 Classic)

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Dec. 22 vs. North Florida

Iowa's non-conference schedule features several top-tier opponents. Iowa State (28-8, RPI 9), Texas (24-11, RPI 31) and North Carolina (24-10, RPI 19) won at least one NCAA tournament game with Iowa State earning a Sweet Sixteen bid. Potential opponents Syracuse (28-6, RPI 14) won one NCAA tournament game, while California (21-14, RPI 68) advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. Northern Iowa finished 16-15 with an RPI of 134.

Outside of Iowa State, Iowa's home non-conference opponents are less accomplished. North Florida (16-16, RPI 200) posted a non-losing season, unlike Northern Illinois (15-17, RPI 201), Alcorn State (12-19, RPI 308), Maryland-Baltimore County (9-21, RPI 319) and Longwood (8-24, 341). Iowa is 6-0 against Northern Illinois, 1-0 against Maryland-Baltimore County and has not played Alcorn State, Longwood or North Florida.

Here's the rundown of Big Ten games on ESPN's 'Super Tuesday” franchise:

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Jan. 6 Ohio State at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

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Jan. 13 Michigan at Ohio State, 6 p.m.

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Jan. 20 Iowa at Wisconsin, 8 p.m.

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Jan. 27 Nebraska at Michigan, 6 p.m.

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Feb. 3 Indiana at Wisconsin, 6 p.m.

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Feb. 10 Wisconsin at Nebraska, 8 p.m.

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Feb. 17 Michigan State at Michigan, 8 p.m.

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Feb. 24 Wisconsin at Maryland, 6 p.m.

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March 3 Iowa at Indiana, 6 p.m.

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com