Iowa vs Western Illinois: Preview, Time, TV

Iowa Hawkeyes basketball (1-0) continues its 2025-26 campaign with a home matchup against Western Illinois Leathernecks (0-1) on Thursday, November 7. After a dominant season-opening performance, the Hawkeyes look to maintain momentum at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against an Ohio Valley Conference opponent.

Game Details

When: Thursday, November 7, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM CT
Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City
TV/Streaming: Big Ten Plus (B1G+) exclusively
Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin, Bobby Hansen)

Iowa's Dominant Start

In their opener against Robert Morris, the Hawkeyes showcased a potent offensive attack, shooting 61.7% from the field—including multiple highlight-reel dunks. Defense was equally impressive, forcing 23 turnovers (11 steals) while holding the opponent to just 63 points. This balanced performance sets a high bar for their non-conference slate.

Western Illinois Outlook

The Leathernecks enter Iowa City after an 80-75 loss at Radford. Despite shooting 47.5% from the field, they struggled with 10 turnovers. Led by head coach Ben McCollum, Western Illinois will aim to exploit any Hawkeye defensive lapses in a challenging road environment.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Iowa's Pressure Defense vs. Western Illinois Ball Handling: The Hawkeyes' aggressive full-court press could force early turnovers against a team already prone to mistakes.
• Three-Point Efficiency: Iowa's perimeter shooting (8 threes vs. Robert Morris) will test Western Illinois' perimeter defense.
• Bench Production: With limited opponent depth, Iowa's reserves could extend a lead quickly.

How to Watch

Fans can stream the game exclusively on Big Ten Plus:
- Monthly Pass: $12.99
- Annual Pass: $89.99
The broadcast features Colin Carrithers (play-by-play) and Jess Settles (analyst).

Beyond Non-Conference

While Thursday's game serves as a tune-up, Iowa's schedule intensifies quickly. Key matchups include: - November 14: Xavier (FS1)
- December 2: At Michigan State (Peacock)
- January 3: UCLA (Peacock)

Final Thoughts

Expect another high-scoring, defensive showcase from Iowa as they refine rotations before Big Ten play. Western Illinois offers a valuable test, but the Hawkeyes' depth and talent should prevail at home. Tip-off is set for 6 PM CT on B1G+.

"We'll use this game to evaluate different matchups and tactics before our schedule gets tougher." — Head Coach Ben McCollum