{"id":150355,"date":"2025-07-19T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T12:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=150355"},"modified":"2025-07-19T06:49:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T10:49:20","slug":"iowa-basketball-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/19\/iowa-basketball-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Basketball Preview: Who’s Ready for Something New?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like three other teams in the Big Ten, the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team will enter a new era. A 15-year run with Fran McCaffrey<\/a> manning the sidelines ended after a dismal 2024-25 season. Iowa looked to many who grew up right in their backyard. Former Drake head man Ben McCollum will be tasked with getting the Hawkeyes back into contention in the Big Ten. So what will Ben face in 2025-26? Here’s how Iowa basketball stands heading into the new season.<\/p>\n

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Iowa men\u2019s basketball head coach Ben McCollum passes Bennett Stirtz (14) during practice June 19, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Iowa Basketball 2025-26 Preview: Who’s Ready for Something New at Carver-Hawkeye?<\/h2>\n

Revamped Roster<\/h3>\n

Despite plenty of roster turnover, between graduations and transfers out of the program, Coach McCollum was able to keep the Hawkeyes’ foundation pretty well intact. He even brought six players over from the Drake Bulldogs along with him, headlined by star guard Bennett Stirtz<\/a>, who seems destined to make a massive impact in the Big Ten.<\/p>\n

Sure, there aren’t any brothers left in the program from the McCaffrey family, or the Sandfort family, for that matter. Iowa is still in a good position with its roster makeup. McCollum has been a proven winner as a coach, and has players who want to play for him. Keeping Cooper Koch<\/a> in the fold might have been a blessing in disguise for Iowa, as he, along with Jacob Koch<\/a> (no relation), a walk-on, are the two returning players from the 2024-25 team.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, the Hawkeyes will be relying on a massive haul of transfers. Luckily, they are very experienced, including Tavion Banks<\/a> (Drake), who averaged 10.1 points last season. Iowa also snatched 6-foot-9 forward Alvaro Folgueiras<\/a> from Robert Morris in the portal. He was the Horizon League Player of the Year last season.<\/p>\n

Other transfers added to Iowa include Cam Manayawu<\/a> (Drake), Kael Combs<\/a> (Drake), Brendan Hausen<\/a> (Kansas State), Isaia Howard<\/a> (Drake), and Joey Matteoni<\/a> (Drake).<\/p>\n

Iowa also added two new faces from the high school ranks. Those players are 6-foot-11 center Trevin Jirak<\/a> from right in their backyard. They are also bringing in small forward Tate Sage<\/a> from Weatherford, Oklahoma. Peyton McCollum,<\/a> the coach\u2019s son, has also joined the team in Iowa City.<\/p>\n

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Our 2025-26 squad by the numbers \ud83d\ude0f#Hawkeyes<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/JVtlkVDZU0<\/a><\/p>\n

— Iowa Men\u2019s Basketball (@IowaHoops) June 10, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n