Iowa
March Madness is family affair for Iowa basketball’s Brendan Hausen
Video: Iowa basketball pre-Clemson open practice
Watch video from Iowa basketball’s open practice ahead of its NCAA Tournament matchup with Clemson.
TAMPA, Fla. — Brendan Hausen wore a smile on his face as he held up his phone and nodded his head.
The Iowa men’s basketball team was gathered for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on March 15, awaiting their fate in the March Madness bracket. Part of the pageantry of the Selection Show is seeing players’ reactions when their team is called. Hausen, who was in the front row, exuded joy.
Except, Iowa had not been called yet.
On the screen was … High Point.
A voice came from across the room.
It was Iowa head coach Ben McCollum.
“Is that your brother?” McCollum asked.
Hausen looked over and confirmed McCollum’s suspicion.
“That’s my brother,” Hausen said.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament is a family affair for the Hausens.
Braden Hausen, Brendan’s younger brother, made the NCAA Tournament at High Point. The Panthers were guaranteed a spot in this year’s field of 68 after winning the Big South Conference Tournament. High Point earned a 12-seed and was matched up with 5-seed Wisconsin.
“It’s special,” Hausen said. “Not many people from Amarillo (Texas) have got to do this … So seeing Amarillo get to March Madness is something special. And seeing my brother’s name be called was awesome.”
About 20 minutes after High Point was called, it was Brendan’s turn. Iowa was announced as a 9-seed and set to face 8-seed Clemson.
Fast forward a few days later to March 19, and the Hausen family has already done damage in the NCAA Tournament.
As Brendan Hausen was in Tampa with the Hawkeyes, High Point pulled off an upset win over Wisconsin. Braden scored six points in the Panthers’ 83-82 victory. Iowa’s media availability was earlier in the afternoon, so we were unable to get his thoughts on his brother’s win. But it’s clear how meaningful their relationship is.
“He’s my best friend,” Hausen said. “He’s been there from the start. We played together in high school. Seeing him do his thing is truly special.”
As kids, they used to compete on a stage much smaller than the NCAA Tournament.
“Honestly, the mini goal in the living room,” Hausen said. “My mom just screaming at us, that we were going to break through the glass and ripping the goal down. Those were probably my favorite memories.”
Video: Brendan Hausen on making NCAA Tournament for first time
Brendan Hausen meets with media ahead of Iowa basketball’s matchup with Clemson in the NCAA Tournament.
It hasn’t been a direct path for Hausen to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his college career. He played his first two seasons at Villanova, before playing at Kansas State last season. None of those teams made the Big Dance, meaning that when he transferred to Iowa ahead of the 2025-26 season, this was his last chance to reach March Madness.
“It’s exciting,” Hausen said of finally getting the Big Dance. “I don’t take it for granted because it’s been an up-and-down four years. This being my first one is truly special. So I won’t take it for granted.”
The Hausen brothers are playing on opposite ends of the country this week. High Point’s upset over Wisconsin came in Portland in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, Hausen is about as far southeast as you can get. Iowa faces Clemson in Tampa on March 20 (5:50 p.m. CT, TNT).
The Hausen family is in Tampa, not Portland, for a couple of reasons. This is Braden’s second time in the NCAA Tournament, as opposed to Brendan’s first. Also, the weather.
“He (Braden) told them it was OK because it was my first time,” Hausen said. “He was cool with it. And obviously, the warm weather brought people. My brother was good with it, so I’m happy they’re all here.”
Hausen, a sharpshooter who arrived at Iowa having made 178 3-pointers in his college career, hasn’t been featured in as large a role as some once expected. Hausen has appeared sporadically for the Hawkeyes and is playing the fewest minutes per game since his freshman season at Villanova.
But it has now led him to the promised land of making the NCAA Tournament.
The Hausen brothers are a combined 1-0 in March Madness so far this year. That has a chance to become 2-0 when Iowa plays Clemson.
Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com