Ben McCollum’s first season was an unquestioned success after leading the Iowa Hawkeyes (24-13, 10-10) to the Elite 8 for the first time since 1987, Dr. Tom Davis’ first season in Iowa City. But it didn’t always feel that way. There was the January swoon where the Hawks struggled through illness and amassed 3 straight losses (though none by more than 7 points) which was quickly followed by a run of 6 straight wins.
Yet the Hawks’ regular season stumbled to a close with a 2-6 finish as the schedule
tightened up. While the losses to top 25 outfits in Purdue (again), Wisconsin, Michigan, & Nebraska was just life in the daunting Big Ten, road defeats at Maryland & Penn State show some of what is still on the table for improvement.
So let’s take a look at a few different areas which were part of Ben McCollum’s value statement upon hire.
NCAA Tournament Success
The biggest differentiator in McCollum’s resume vs Iowa’s previous head coaches was winning in March. As this season demonstrated, a finish where the Hawks punch above their weight in a single-elimination situation can drive a positive narrative in a way that hasn’t happened in my lifetime (born 1990). Sure there were flashes of hope with Iowa taking down Purdue in the finale of Fran McCaffery’s first season and the NIT win in Matt Gatens’ last home game. Conference tournament victories in 2022, 2006, and 2001. Dr. Tom’s final season culminating in a Sweet 16 of his own.
But the other shoe dropped in each of those situations. Dr. Tom was unceremoniously not re-signed, the cores of 2001 & 2006 graduated, Keegan Murray got drafted. What was built over the course of those seasons petered out in dispiriting NCAA Tournament losses.
With this run, it demonstrates McCollum’s ability to win in March similarly to his run at NW Missouri State. While I cannot speak to whatever talent gap exists at the D-II level, there was a clear gap in Iowa’s victory over 1-seeded Florida. The team executed an impressive gameplan, finished around the rim at a high clip against a tall Florida frontline, and closed with a big time basket that Iowa has not seen in that setting since … 1987 and Kevin Gamble? At least I think that’s what my dad has told me.
Iowa’s run this year adds to his pair of games last year at Drake to show a 4-2 NCAA Tournament record for McCollum. His teams won 3 games as underdogs. That’s about as good a start as one could ask for in a coach’s first two seasons as a D-1 coach at a non-blue blood program.
And a key component of that success was…
Style of Play
Perhaps the area which had me most cynical was how this would all look. I had become so accustomed to McCaffery’s style that I just didn’t know if Iowa could have both offense and defense. While I was a cynical that it could translate immediately, I did believe he was the only guy worth firing Fran for because he wins.
And the style of play did translate. The Hawks were able to body-bag opponents in buy games which allowed them to rise up the NET rankings. Too often in prior years, Iowa would get a 30 point lead and keep it in back and forth basket-trading. Defensive efficiency took a hit. In these settings, Iowa was able to maintain elite offensive efficiency while playing defenses. The turnovers created led to breakaway dunks at what felt like a higher clip than over the previous 15 seasons. They just played really freaking hard on both ends.
In the conference season, though, it suffered more ebbs and flows. Going against Big Ten players every night proved to be challenging with no rotation player coming from a similar level. Guards could get inside Iowa’s perimeter defense and carry them to victory (Minnesota) and/or heart-pounding comebacks (UCLA, USC). Games could snowball.
But it did offer Iowa chances to win against highly rated opponents: ISU, Michigan, at Purdue were all games against top 10 teams where the Hawks had second half leads. They just struggled putting 40 minutes together in those settings.
Strength and conditioning was a huge deal to Ben McCollum as it was his belief that it can reduce chances for injury. Not only did Stirtz play the 5th highest share of minutes of any player in the country but Iowa’s top 8 rotation guys never missed a game.
Aesthetically, despite playing slooooow, it did not feel like it. The ball popped, multiple guys could get into the lane, the NW Missouri State offense where it feels like they pass up 4 or 5 good shots to get a great one still existed. That was genuinely unexpected from me, considering the roster of mid-major guys. It resulted in a top 20 adjusted efficiency offense while having the 31st rated defense, per KenPom.
I will take that every year.
Eye for talent
Perhaps the most resounding YES is here. Only Cooper Koch held a high major offer out of high school but it was rare for a Hawkeye to look out of place consistently this season. That’s a real credit to all involved.
Bennett Stirtz matched the hype as defenses had to game plan his ability into dust. Yet he still averaged 20 points and 4 assists/game. The gamble that he could continue his Iron Man stretch proved correct. It was especially so when Stan Van Gundy said during the Sweet 16 game about Nebraska: “They really struggle to score when Pryce Sandfort is off the floor.” Iowa never had to worry about that with Stirtz.
Kael Combs played well despite doubling his minutes. Koch suffered shooting slumps but never let it affect his excellent defense and he averaged the second most minutes on this team. Cam Manyawu & Tavion Banks had requisite athleticism despite being undersized at their positions. Alvaro Folgueiras ran hot & cold but always looked like he belonged.
Perhaps the biggest victory is Tate Sage, as he was the lone game-to-game freshman who transitioned his Drake offer to Iowa. Dude was a stud in the biggest games and had awesome moments throughout the year. If he has a Keegan-style leap next year…we’ll have to soak up every minute he’s on the court. Might not be long for the Hawkeyes.
How this looks in year two will be very different, since there is no clear #1 player for opponents to scout. With a full season to acclimate to Power 5 recruiting, the margin for error is lower if there are recruiting misses. Yet the roster appears set up well for the 2026-27 season since there are currently no known departures (yet) from guys who are retaining eligibility.
Looking forward
While I am incredibly optimistic about the Hawkeyes’ future, I do have some hesitancy. Bennett Stirtzes do not grow on trees and there’s no clear heir apparent to step into that 40-minute lead ball-handler, 20 PPG slot. What does season-on-season development both individually, and as a team? The issues of the regular season are likely to continue, if for no other reason than the institutional knowledge which exists at a dozen Big Ten schools.
Yet if McCollum can lead Iowa to the NCAA Tournament after tough conference schedules, this season has shown that hope can spring eternal when the ball is tipped in March Madness.
