Undefeated Showdown: Iowa and Ole Miss Collide in Acrisure Classic Semifinal

Two undefeated college basketball teams meet in a high-stakes tournament game. The Iowa Hawkeyes face the Ole Miss Rebels in the Acrisure Classic semifinals. The game tips off on November 25, 2025, at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

Both teams enter with perfect 5-0 records. This marks the first-ever meeting between the programs. According to CBS Sports, the neutral-site clash is a major test before conference play begins.

Iowa’s High-Powered Offense Meets First Road Test

The Hawkeyes have been dominant under new coach Ben McCollum. They have won all five games by an average of 27.6 points. Their offense is a machine, shooting 57.6% from the field this season.

Senior guard Bennett Stirtz leads the team with 17.6 points per game. The roster shows impressive depth with ten players scoring regularly. This will be Iowa’s first game away from their home court this season.

The team’s performance has turned heads nationally. A win here would solidify their status as a serious contender. It provides a crucial benchmark against SEC-level competition.

Ole Miss Aims to Prove Its Perfect Start is Legit

Coach Chris Beard has the Rebels off to a strong 5-0 start as well. All their wins have come at home in Oxford. Their defense allows just 65 points per game on average.

Point guard Ilias Kamardine is the engine, averaging 15.8 points and 5.2 assists. The team showed some vulnerability in a recent narrow win over Austin Peay. Beard has publicly called for more consistent effort from his squad.

This game is their chance to gain a signature non-conference victory. Beating an undefeated Big Ten opponent would be a major statement. It would provide huge momentum heading into the rugged SEC schedule.

The Acrisure Classic semifinal is more than just another game for these undefeated teams. It is a chance to prove their early records are no fluke and to build resume credibility for March.

Thought you’d like to know

What time is the Iowa vs. Ole Miss game?

The Acrisure Classic semifinal tipped off at 9:30 PM Eastern Standard Time on November 25. The game was broadcast nationally on the CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) for viewers.

Who won the game between Iowa and Ole Miss?

Game results are not included in this preview. This article focuses on the pre-game context and storylines leading into the historic matchup between the two undefeated teams.

What is the Acrisure Classic basketball tournament?

The Acrisure Classic is a multi-team college basketball event held at Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs. It features several high-profile programs in early-season neutral-site games.

How can Iowa’s offense be stopped?

Slowing Iowa requires disrupting their three-point rhythm and handling their balanced scoring. Ole Miss’s defensive discipline, particularly on close-outs and rebounding, will be critical to their success.

What is at stake for the winner?

The winner advances to the Acrisure Classic championship game on November 26. They would face the winner of the other semifinal between Utah and Grand Canyon, playing for the tournament title.