Preview: River Hawks Face Tall Task at No. -- Hawkeyes IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — A surging Iowa men’s basketball team looks to close its nonconference schedule on a high note when it hosts Massachusetts-Lowell at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. The Hawkeyes (10-2) have won eight of their last nine games, including dominant home victories over Bucknell (94-39) and Western Michigan (91-51) earlier this month. Their only two losses came on the road against ranked opponents Iowa State and Michigan State. Iowa’s balanced attack is led by guard Kael Combs, who is averaging 7.0 points and 2.8 assists. In the rout of Bucknell, Alvaro Folgueiras scored 17 points and Tavion Banks added 16, showcasing the team’s depth. The Hawkeyes will be heavily favored against a River Hawks squad that has struggled to a 5-9 record. Massachusetts-Lowell is coming off a 76-88 loss at Boston University on Dec. 21. The River Hawks will rely on forward Austin Green, who is in the midst of a strong individual stretch. Green is averaging 17.0 points over his last five games, including a 20-point, 7-rebound performance in the loss to Boston University. Angel Montas, who also scored 20 points in that game, provides additional scoring punch. This game marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs. For Massachusetts-Lowell, it represents a final major test before opening America East Conference play at home against Albany on Jan. 3. Iowa, which joins the Big Ten’s West Coast expansion next season, begins its final traditional conference slate at home against UCLA on Jan. 3. The Hawkeyes have been formidable at home, winning all seven games in Iowa City this season by an average margin of 33.7 points. The River Hawks are 1-6 in true road games. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.