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Hawkeyes Tip-Off 2026 Against UCLA in Big Ten Showdown

IOWA CITY, IA – The Iowa Hawkeyes (11-2, 1-1 Big Ten) are set to resume their basketball season and kick off 2026 with a home game against the UCLA Bruins (10-3, 2-0 Big Ten) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The game marks a Big Ten Conference clash between two teams riding winning streaks.

Iowa is coming off a dominant 90-62 victory over UMass Lowell, fueled by a standout performance from senior guard Bennett Stirtz, who tallied 22 points, eight assists, and two steals. UCLA also enters the contest on a high note, having defeated UC Riverside 97-65 in their last outing, where senior forward Tyler Bilodeau exploded for 34 points, including four three-pointers.

Bilodeau is the Bruins’ leading scorer, averaging 19.0 points per game while shooting an impressive 54.8% from the field and 46.7% from beyond the arc. The Bruins boast three other players who average double-figure scoring, posing a significant challenge to the Hawkeye defense.

Iowa leads the all-time series against UCLA 5-4, with a perfect 2-0 record in Iowa City. However, UCLA secured a decisive 94-70 victory in their last meeting on January 17 of last year in Los Angeles.

Hawkeye fans can catch the action exclusively on Peacock with tip-off scheduled for 5 p.m. CT. Paul Burmeister will provide play-by-play commentary, joined by Jess Settles for color analysis.

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