Iowa Basketball: Can a D2 Legend Turn the Hawkeyes into a Big Ten Powerhouse?
Can a coach from Division II basketball truly transform a Big Ten program? That's the burning question surrounding Iowa Basketball as they head into the 2025-26 season ranked No. 30 in our preseason poll. The arrival of Ben McCollum, a proven winner at the lower level, alongside star player Bennett Stirtz, creates a fascinating dynamic, but will it be enough to overcome the significant departures and navigate the challenges of a demanding conference?
For 15 seasons, Fran McCaffery led the Hawkeyes, but now he's moved on to Penn. Iowa didn't just pick anyone to fill his shoes; they chose Ben McCollum, an Iowa native whose name is practically synonymous with winning. Consider this: In his last eight seasons, he clinched four national titles at the Division II level before leading Drake to an impressive 31-4 record. Now, he's stepping into the Big Ten arena, facing his most formidable challenge yet. Is this a stroke of genius or a gamble that could backfire?
McCollum isn't coming alone. He's bringing his trusted lieutenant, Bennett Stirtz. Last year, Stirtz was nothing short of phenomenal. Seriously, you could write volumes about his impact. He's undeniably a top-5 player in the Big Ten, potentially even a national standout. If Iowa exceeds expectations this year, it will largely hinge on his performance. But here's where it gets controversial... Can Stirtz maintain that level of dominance against tougher competition in the Big Ten?
And it's not just Stirtz; McCollum is also bringing a contingent of players from Drake. In total, Iowa welcomes five transfers from Drake. The logic is simple: if a team wins 31 games, why not replicate that success? But will that success translate directly to the Big Ten? They're also adding Brendan Hausen, a transfer from Kansas State, and Alvaro Folgueiras, the Horizon League Player of the Year. Hausen's sharpshooting could create a lethal duo with Stirtz, providing Iowa with much-needed firepower. And this is the part most people miss... Folgueiras has the potential to be a game changer, but he needs to adapt quickly to the higher level of play.
This transition will undoubtedly be intriguing for Iowa fans. McCollum is known for winning, and ultimately, that's what matters most. But what kind of winning will it be? Will it be the high-octane offense they're accustomed to, or a more controlled, defensive style? Only time will tell if McCollum can weave his magic in the Big Ten.
Team Overview:
- Head Coach: Ben McCollum (1st season at Iowa, 2nd season overall)
- 2024-25 Record: 17-16 (7-13 in the Big Ten)
- 2025 Postseason Finish: No postseason appearance
Key Departures:
Iowa faces significant losses with the departure of several key players, including:
- Owen Freeman (16.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.3 APG)
- Payton Sandfort (16.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.9 APG)
- Josh Dix (14.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.8 APG)
- Drew Thelwell (9.5 PPG, 3.0 APG, 2.2 RPG)
- Pryce Sandfort (8.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.3 APG)
- Brock Harding (8.8 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.3 RPG)
Replacing this production will be critical for Iowa's success.
Notable Non-Conference Games:
Iowa's non-conference schedule includes some challenging matchups:
- vs. Xavier (Nov. 14)
- vs. Ole Miss (Nov. 25) – Acrisure Classic
- vs. Grand Canyon OR Utah (Nov. 26) – Acrisure Classic
- at Iowa State (Dec. 11)
These games will provide valuable early-season tests for the new-look Hawkeyes.
Projected Rotation:
- PG: Bennett Stirtz (6-4, 190, Sr.) - 2024-25 stats: 19.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.7 APG, 2.1 SPG, 49.8 FG%, 39.5 3P%, 79.4 FT% (Drake)
- SG: Brendan Hausen (6-4, 220, Sr.) - 2024-25 stats: 10.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.6 SPG, 39.0 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 81.8 FT% (Kansas State)
- SF: Tavion Banks (6-7, 215, Sr.) - 2024-25 stats: 10.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 52.0 FG%, 70.5 FT% (Drake)
- PF: Alvaro Folgueiras (6-10, 230, Jr.) - 2024-25 stats: 14.1 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.2 BPG, 54.8 FG%, 41.3 3P%, 78.4 FT% (Robert Morris)
- C: Cam Manyawu (6-9, 250, Jr.) - 2024-25 stats: 7.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 57.8 FG% (Drake)
- 6th: Cooper Koch (6-8, 220, Rs.-Fr.) - 2024-25 stats: 4.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.8 APG, 10 GP
- 7th: Isaia Howard (6-5, 215, So.) - 2024-25 stats: 4.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 43.5 FG% (Drake)
- 8th: Trey Thompson (6-8, 220, Fr.) - 2025 247Sports Composite #98-ranked recruit
- 9th: Kael Combs (6-4, 205, Jr.) - 2024-25 stats: 3.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.4 SPG, 51.1 FG%, 80.0 FT% (Drake)
- 10th: Trevin Jirak (6-11, 250, Fr.) - 2025 247Sports Composite #132-ranked recruit
Iowa Basketball Team MVP: Bennett Stirtz
This might be the most straightforward MVP pick in the entire country. Stirtz was nothing short of spectacular last year, averaging nearly 20 points per game with impressive shooting percentages (close to 50% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc). He's also a playmaker, dishing out almost 6 assists per game, and a defensive force, averaging over 2 steals per game. He elevates his game in crucial moments, as evidenced by his 21 points and 8 assists per game in the tournament, shooting 55% from three-point range. While some worry about players adapting to a tougher conference, Stirtz seems unfazed. As long as he's on the court, Iowa has a chance to win. But will defenses focus their attention on him, making it harder for him to dominate?
Iowa Basketball Make-or-Break Player: Alvaro Folgueiras
Folgueiras showed significant growth at Robert Morris, culminating in a near double-double average and leading his team to their first tournament appearance in a decade. He's also a capable passer for his size, averaging 3.2 assists per game and recording 7 assists in the conference tournament championship game. The big questions are: Can he continue to improve his game? If so, he and Stirtz could form a formidable duo. He possesses the necessary intangibles, but he needs to prove it on the court. And secondly, will the transition to a Power Five conference be too much? Last year, he played two games against Power Five teams. In the first, against West Virginia, he grabbed 10 rebounds but didn't score. In the second, in the NCAA Tournament against Houston, he scored 15 points and had 10 rebounds. Iowa needs more of the latter performance. If he can consistently perform like that, he'll be a valuable addition to the team. However, consistency against top-tier competition will be key.
Key Analytic: Tempo
Iowa fans are accustomed to high-scoring games under Fran McCaffery. With McCollum, expect a shift in style. In his first season at Drake, McCollum's team played at the slowest tempo in college basketball. Expect a similar approach this year. Iowa will likely play in the half-court, with more games finishing in the 60s rather than the 80s. That's where Stirtz comes in; he can create shots and score late in the shot clock. If the players embrace this style, which is more likely given the influx of Drake transfers, it could be successful at this level. Just don't be surprised when Iowa games become lower-scoring affairs compared to previous years. Will this change in tempo be accepted by Iowa fans? This could be a point of contention.
Iowa Basketball 2025-26 Projections:
- Projected Conference Finish: 9th in the Big Ten
- Projected Postseason Ceiling: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 exit
What do you think? Is a Sweet Sixteen appearance a realistic goal for this Iowa team? Can McCollum replicate his success at the D2 level in the Big Ten? And how will the change in tempo affect their performance and fan support? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
