IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa men’s and women’s basketball teams will play a doubleheader at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Dec. 16, 2023.
The Hawkeye women will face Cleveland State and the men will battle Florida A&M with tip-off times to be announced at a later date. Tickets will go on sale May 24 at 10 a.m. (CT) at hyveetix.com.
The Iowa women’s basketball team is coming off a historic season in which it won a school-record 31 games en route to a NCAA national runner-up finish. This will mark the first time in program history the Hawkeye women have ever played in Wells Fargo Arena.
Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark, who was the consensus National Player of the Year averaged 27.8 points per game, 8.6 assists per game and 7.1 boards per game, will return to her hometown. Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin also are set to return to the Hawkeyes along with 2023 Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year, Hannah Stuelke. Marshall, Martin, and Stuelke were pivotal pieces in its second Final Four run in program history.
“We’re excited to play in our state’s capital at Wells Fargo Arena,” said P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder. “It will be another great opportunity for both the men’s and women’s programs at Iowa to play in front of Hawkeye fans in Des Moines.”
The Hawkeye men, who are one of 10 teams in the country to compete in the last four NCAA Tournaments, will be making their ninth appearance at Wells Fargo Arena. They return four players with starting experience, including seniors Patrick McCaffery and Tony Perkins. Perkins was an honorable mention all-conference honoree after averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists. McCaffery was tabbed the team’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree after averaging 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and one assist.
Junior Payton Sandfort and freshman Pryce Sandfort played their prep careers at nearby Waukee HS and Waukee Northwest HS, respectively. Payton, who was the 2023 Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, helped guide his team to the 2021 Class 4A state championship. Pryce, who was named 2023 Mr. Basketball of Iowa, led his team to a Class 4A runner-up finish this past March.
“We look forward to returning to Des Moines for this unique event at Wells Fargo Arena, “said Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery. “This men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader gives Hawkeye fans in central Iowa the opportunity to see both programs play close to home.”