The men's college basketball season tips off with many storylines to follow throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery begins his 28th season (14th season in Iowa City) when his Hawkeyes open up at home versus North Dakota Tuesday, embarking on a journey to a storied school milestone. McCaffery, the head man at Lehigh, UNC-Greensboro, and Siena, is just 11 victories away from becoming the winningest coach in Iowa basketball history.
Tom Davis has 271 victories as Iowa's head coach (1986-99). McCaffery’s ledger at Iowa: 261-175 (.599). His overall record: 512-352 (.593). Iowa sports betting participants will be keeping a close eye on McCaffery's wins early this season.
The question is when he will achieve the mark - this year or in 2024? The 11th game of the season will be played in Des Moines versus Florida A&M at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 16 (Big Ten Network). Before that, the Hawkeyes have six contests that could cause the future record to be extended into 2024.
Iowa's first real early test will be a road trip to Big East favorite Creighton at 9 p.m., Nov 14 (FS1). Thanksgiving Week, Iowa will travel to the West Coast for the Rady Children's Invitational in San Diego, where they will take on Oklahoma at 2 p.m., Nov. 23 (FS1) and will play against either Seton Hall or USC at 5 p.m. (FOX), Nov. 24.
December opens with back-to-back road contests at Purdue at 6 p.m., Dec. 4 (Big Ten Network) and at Iowa State at 7 p.m., Dec. 7 (ESPNU), before returning home to face Michigan at 3:30 p.m., Dec. 10 (Big Ten Network). The year ends with home games versus UMBC (Dec. 20) and Northern Illinois (Dec. 29). The New Year starts at Wisconsin (Jan. 2) and home to Rutgers (Jan. 6). Most, if not all of these games, will be featured on Iowa betting apps this season.
BetMGM Sportsbook Futures
A look at odds on Monday over at BetMGM Sportsbook Iowa:
To win Big 10 title: (+3000, 10th favorite). As a side note, the Hawkeyes have placed fifth or better in the Big Ten standings in five straight and 10 of the last 11 years. McCaffery, who is looking for his eighth NCAA bid at Iowa, has posted 20 or more wins in 11 of his last 15 seasons, including eight of the last 10 years at Iowa, highlighted by four straight (2019-22) .
To win National Championship: (+12500).
