MOLINE, Ill. — The University of Iowa men's basketball team will return to the Quad Cities this November when the Hawkeyes host Washington State at the Vibrant Arena.
The Hawkeyes and Cougars will go head-to-head in Iowa's season opener on Nov. 15 during the Quad Cities Hoops Showdown at Vibrant Arena in Moline. The game will be Iowa's first at the venue since they defeated Western Illinois 74-63 at the venue on Nov. 15, 1998.
The matchup will bring Iowa sophomores Brock Harding and Owen Freeman back to their hometown crowd. The Moline High School graduates led the Maroons to the 2023 IHSA 4A Championship before heading off to Iowa City.
“We are looking forward to playing in the Quad Cities against a strong Washington State team. We’re excited to be able to bring our program back to the venue for the first time in 26 years. I am thrilled for Brock and Owen to be able to play a college basketball game in their hometown,” said Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery.
The game is scheduled for 7 p.m., according to the Vibrant Arena website. The two teams have only met once previously, a 74-66 Iowa victory on Dec. 30, 1963.
Tickets for the event go on sale in September.
