Competing in the Big Ten Conference, the Iowa Hawkeyes Men's Basketball team has struggled to remain competitive in their past few seasons of NCAA Division I competition. While the top six winning seasons in school history have all occurred in the past ten years, including the 25 win 2006 campaign; the second best in Hawkeye history, this year the Hawkeyes posted a 13-19 overall record.

The Iowa program has a tradition of basketball excellence. The Hawkeyes have made 22 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, with 19 of these appearances occurring in the past 30 years. Four of these March Madness appearances ended with a trip to the Final Four, 1955, 1956 and 1980. Iowa's last appearances in the NCAA Tournament were in the 2005 and 2006 tournaments. The Hawkeyes have also accepted invitations to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) five times in past 30 years.

First year Head Coach Todd Lickliter brings experience and proven success to the Iowa program. In six years as the Head Coach at Butler University he led the Bulldogs to four March Madness appearances, including two trips to the 'Sweet 16'. He was named National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Coach Lickliter currently has five players signed to national letters of intent from the Fall signing season with two more expected to sign during the Spring season. This influx of new talent bodes well for the Hawkeye program.