Hawkeyes Bring Basketball Homecoming to Quad Cities

The University of Iowa men's basketball team is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Quad Cities, as they take on Washington State on November 15th at Vibrant Arena. This homecoming-style event holds special significance for local standouts Brock Harding and Owen Freeman, who are eager to showcase their talents in front of their hometown crowd.

Bringing the Hawkeyes Back to the Quad Cities

A Basketball Tradition Renewed

The upcoming matchup between the Hawkeyes and Washington State marks the first time in 26 years that Iowa will play a game in the Quad Cities region. Head coach Fran McCaffery emphasized the importance of this decision, stating that showcasing Iowa basketball in the Moline area was a priority. "This is a basketball area. The basketball tradition in the Quad Cities is incredibly impressive along with its association with the University of Iowa, so it would only make sense that it would be here," McCaffery said during a press conference.For local standouts Brock Harding and Owen Freeman, this game holds a special significance. Both players hail from Moline High School, where they won a state title in 2023. "I just know that it kind of meant a lot to me, just knowing that the coaching staff and everybody at Iowa really wanted to bring this back," said Harding, a former Illinois Mr. Basketball. "Some people don't have the money to make it up to Iowa City … so being able to come back here and play in front of everybody in the hometown, it just really means a lot."

Preparing for a Tougher Big Ten Schedule

The Hawkeyes are coming off a 19-15 season, where they made an appearance in the NIT Tournament. However, the focus has now shifted to the upcoming 2024-25 season, which promises to be more challenging due to a tougher Big Ten schedule. To prepare for the rigors of conference play, the team has placed a strong emphasis on improvements in the weight room."Everybody just wanted to really lock in the weight room," Harding said. "I think everybody on the team (from) 1 to 16 has made big strides in the weight room. We really wanted to do that, especially getting into a bigger Big Ten season; we knew we had to be ready to play in quick games, quick turnarounds and we wanted to be ready to go for that."

Setting Sights on the NCAA Tournament

The expectations for the Hawkeyes this season are clear: secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Last season's NIT appearance was a positive step, but the team is now focused on making a deep run in the big tournament in March."Obviously the NIT is a great tournament and we're proud to be a part of it, but we have our eyes set on making a deep run in March in the big tournament," said Freeman, the Big Ten co-Freshman of the Year last season. "For me personally, just stretching the floor, making those strides in the weight room … definitely expanding my game and just becoming more confident on that side."

Depth and Versatility as Strengths

Head coach Fran McCaffery is confident in the depth and versatility of his team heading into the new season. "We have incredible depth. Of course we have three marquee guys (Freeman, Payton Sandfort, Josh Dix), that always helps, but we have depth at every position. That's always going to manifest itself at some point in time," McCaffery said. "I feel like we've put together a great blend of youth, experience, size, versatility, shooters, playmakers that really fit our style of play."With the combination of talented players, improved physical conditioning, and a renewed focus on the NCAA Tournament, the Hawkeyes are poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. The homecoming game in the Quad Cities will serve as a fitting backdrop for the team's aspirations, as they look to showcase their skills and connect with their passionate fan base in the region.