Hawkeye Men Reach AP Top 25 for the First Time in 2022

The Iowa men's basketball program is back in the AP Top 25 for the first time this season after the rankings were released yesterday, November 21. The Hawkeyes come in at the 25th spot.

Though the poll came out before their 100-64 win over Nebraska-Omaha last night in Carver, the black and gold have shown enough to earn a spot among some of the best programs in the country. Especially after their win over what is traditionally a great program in Seton Hall, defeating the Pirates 83-67 in South Orange, New Jersey last week.

So far this season, Kris Murray has begun to show shades of his brother Keegan, who was drafted fourth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Kris put up a career-high of 30 points last night against the Mavericks (including 25 points in the first half) and is averaging 23.8 points with 8 boards per game this season for the Hawks. That's all while he's shooting 62.5 percent from the field, 47.8 percent from three, and 100 percent from the free throw line.

Murray isn't alone though -- Patrick McCaffrey (15), Tony Perkins (13.3), Filip Rebraca (10), and Payton Sandfort (10), are all averaging double figures in scoring per game in 2022. Rebraca is also averaging 8.5 rebounds per game and Perkins is dishing out 5.3 assists per contest.

Seton Hall was Iowa's first real test of the season, but more challenges are ahead for the Hawkeyes. Coming soon on their schedule is Clemson, Cal or TCU, Georgia Tech, No. 8 Duke, Iowa State, and then their conference schedule.

North Carolina came in at No. 1 in the Top 25. Five other Big Ten Conference Teams are also in the AP Top 25. Indiana (No. 11), Michigan State (No. 12), Illinois (No. 16), Maryland (No. 23), and Purdue (No. 24) join Iowa.