1987 Iowa basketball roster: Who led Hawkeyes' last Elite Eight run?

For the first time in 39 years, the Iowa basketball program is back in the Elite Eight following an exciting 77-71 win over Nebraska on Thursday night.

It was another fairytale chapter in what's been a magical NCAA Tournament for the Hawkeyes. After stumbling into the dance, losing seven of their past ten games, this team has turned things around. A first-round win over Clemson got things started. A second-round victory over Florida showed their ceiling. And the most recent Sweet 16 win over Nebraska was another indication of just how tough this team is.

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They represent everything that Iowa basketball is. Very similarly to the last Hawkeye basketball squad to make the Elite Eight: the 1987 team. Just like this year's team, the 1987 Hawks were led by a first-year head coach in Tom Davis, who went on to have a legendary coaching career at Iowa. Here's a look at that 1987 roster and their journey in the NCAA Tournament.

1987 Iowa basketball roster

NumberNameClassHometown3Gerry WrightSr.San Bernardino, California5Bart CaseyJr.Iowa City, Iowa10B.J. ArmstrongSo.Bloomfield Hills, Michigan11Michael ReavesJr.Milledgeville, Georgia14Bill JonesJr.Detroit, Michigan20Jeff MoeJr.Indianapolis, Indiana23Roy MarbleSo.Flint, Michigan24 Michael MorganJr.Haughton, Louisiana25Ed HortonSo.Springfield, Illinois32Mark JewellFr.Lafayette, Indiana35Kevin GambleSr.Springfield, Illinois40Kent HillJr.Wichita, Kansas44Al LorenzenJr.Cedar Rapids, Iowa51Les JepsenFr.Bowbells, North Dakota54Brad LohausRS Sr.Phoenix, Arizona

NCAA Tournament run for the 1987 Hawks

Round of 64: 99-76 win vs. No. 15 seed Santa Clara

Round of 32: 84-82 win vs. No. 7 seed UTEP

Sweet 16: 93-91 overtime win vs. No. 6 seed Oklahoma

Elite Eight: 84-81 loss vs. No. 1 seed UNLV

While the similarities between the two teams are striking, the 2026 Hawkeyes have a chance to do something the 1987 squad didn't: make the Final Four. Iowa was close to making it in 1987, leading by 16 at halftime before a huge comeback from UNLV. This year's team will look to avoid a similar fate and clinch the program's first Final Four appearance since 1980.

It's going to be a challenge, but Ben McCollum's team is used to that. And they'll be ready to fight for Iowa. Tipoff between Iowa and Illinois is scheduled for 5:09 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be seen on TBS and TruTV.

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: 1987 Iowa basketball roster: Who led Hawkeyes' last Elite Eight run?

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