The 2025-26 season was a storybook run for Iowa men's basketball, one that will be etched in Hawkeye lore for years to come. Entering the year with a new coach and a rebuilt roster, expectations were tempered. Yet, this team shattered them all, delivering a 24-win campaign, a Sweet 16 berth for the first time in 27 years, and a thrilling run to the Elite Eight—a feat not seen since 1987. For a generation of fans, it was the deepest, most exhilarating postseason journey they'd ever witnessed. From that incredible ride, a few iconic moments stand above the rest. Let's relive the top five.

First, an essential honorable mention: the hiring of Head Coach Ben McCollum. While it preceded the season, it was the foundation for everything that followed. McCollum immediately proved his winning pedigree, masterfully molding a group of transfers into a cohesive, elite unit that came within a whisker of the Final Four. His leadership was the catalyst for the magic to come.

The season's first major statement came at the Acrisure Series in California. Facing quality opponents in Ole Miss and Grand Canyon, the Hawkeyes unveiled their blueprint. Fans saw Bennett Stirtz take over, Cooper Koch drain clutch shots, and a defensive identity begin to form. These wins weren't just victories; they were a declaration that this new-look team was for real and built for March.

Perhaps the greatest testament to the team's heart and McCollum's coaching genius was the epic road comeback against Illinois. After surrendering 48 points in a defensively porous first half and falling behind by seven, the Hawkeyes could have folded. Instead, they locked in, storming back with a resilient second-half performance that announced they were true Big Ten contenders. It was a gutsy win that defined their never-say-die attitude.