Iowa Hawkeyes LIVE 239 | BETTER BERTH: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF OR SWEET 16? | Iowa at the Voice of College Football

·49 min·4 clips

Is it harder for Iowa to reach the Sweet 16 in basketball or make the 12-team College Football Playoff?

The episode opens by framing a debate: which is harder for Iowa to achieve, a Sweet 16 appearance in men's basketball or a College Football Playoff berth in the new 12-team format. Corey Bradd joins from the Hawkeye of the Storm, and they immediately discuss the men's team ending a 26-year Sweet 16 drought. The conversation pivots to the Iowa women's basketball team's double-overtime loss to Virginia, with Corey explaining the unique emotional connection fans feel toward the women's program, especially players like Hannah Stuelke and Taylor McCabe who represent the end of the Caitlin Clark era. The hosts then delve into the details of the men's upset win over Florida, highlighting the dramatic game-winning three by Alvaro Fulgoni and the personal story of his mother visiting from Spain. They compare the significance of this basketball run to a potential football playoff appearance, noting the different fan expectations. A listener question prompts a discussion on the relative popularity of Iowa football, men's basketball, and women's basketball, with estimates given. The show transitions to Iowa football spring practice, focusing on the wide receiver competition and leadership void. They analyze Pro Day results for wide receiver Jacob Gill, questioning their reliability compared to the NFL Combine. Mark unexpectedly reveals he got engaged over the weekend. The episode concludes with a fun segment matching Sweet 16 basketball teams to historical football matchups, specifically previewing the Iowa vs. Nebraska basketball game and its rivalry context.

As heard by us

A relaxed Iowa debate weighs the emotion of a Sweet 16 breakthrough against what a football playoff berth would really mean.

The episode sets Iowa men's basketball's Sweet 16 chase beside Iowa football's route to the College Football Playoff in the 12-team era. Corey Bradd and the host keep the comparison grounded: basketball still comes down to winning once Iowa is in the field, while football asks…

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Why you'd press play

You get an Iowa sports thought experiment: in 2026, which feels harder, reaching a men's Sweet 16 or making a 12-team CFP?

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