Iowa Hoops: Reflecting on the McCollum proof of concept after his first season with the Hawks

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.

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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.

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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…

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Publish date : 2026-04-01 11:12:00

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