When Was the Last Time the Hawkeyes Were in the Sweet 16?

Some of you reading this right now, probably weren't even alive the last time the Iowa men's basketball team reached the Sweet 16. Yes, Iowa fan's...it's been awhile!

A Victory Over Two Decades in the Making

Iowa's thrilling 73-72 victory over #1 seed Florida put the Hawkeyes back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. A long 27 year drought is finally over. Iowa basketball fans like myself, remember that year for a number of reasons. The big one, was that it would be head coach Tom Davis' final year as the Iowa head coach.

Win One for Dr. Tom

Hawk Central reports that Iowa men's basketball coach Tom Davis was informed before the 1998-1999 basketball season, that his contract would not be renewed. Dr. Tom would be done after 13 seasons in Iowa City. But that Iowa team would rally behind Davis, and give Hawkeye fans a season to remember.

According to Hawk Central, Iowa's top players that season included Jess Settles, Dean Oliver, Kent McCausland, and J.R. Koch, whose son Cooper plays for this year's Iowa squad. Iowa would go 20-10 that season and make the NCAA Tournament.

The Hawkeyes would beat UAB 77-64 in the first round, and then top Arkansas 82-72 to advance to the Sweet 16. Hawk Central reports that Iowa would then go on to lose to eventual National Champion UConn 78-68.

A New Generation of Hawkeye Heroes

27 years later, Iowa is back in the Sweet 16. Thanks to a shocking upset of the defending National Champion Florida Gators. Iowa fans will no doubt remember this amazing moment courtesy of Alvaro Folgueiras.

Tom Davis' successors, Steve Alford, Todd Lickliter, and Fran McCaffery never got Iowa to the Sweet 16. Ben McCollum got it done in year one.

LET'S GO HAWKS!