Three Pressing Questions For Iowa Basketball During Summer Workouts

Just as soon as the Iowa Hawkeyes wrapped up a run to the Elite 8 and capped off a strong season in 2025-26, the first page of the next chapter is already being written.

The Hawkeyes and head coach Ben McCollum are getting summer workouts underway with a revamped roster as they enter Year 2 of this new era with expectations around the program higher than they have been in some time.

The excitement and buzz are there, but questions linger as well. Iowa has gaps to fill, players to mesh together, and a lineup that remains up in the air.

Nov 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Illinois State Redbirds guard Ty’Reek Coleman (10) drives to the basket against Southern California Trojans guard Rodney Rice (1) during the second half of the Hall of Fame Series game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

There may not have been a player in college basketball shouldering more weight than Bennett Stirtz did in his lone year with Iowa. That can’t be the same this year. Iowa needs to spread the load around more evenly.

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Ty’Reek Coleman came over via Illinois State in the portal and figures to be the lead guard, but it’s unfair to ask him to shoulder that weight in his first year in the Big Ten. Iowa has to get contributions from others.

Kael Combs, Isaia Howard, Tate Sage, and even freshman Jaidyn Coon may be asked to step up as a lead guard at times. The luxury Iowa has this year is depth, but the question is if this group as a whole can replace Bennett Stirtz.

Can the transfer portal and recruiting additions fit in quickly?

March 9, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Saint Mary’s Gaels center Andrew McKeever (45) shoots the basketball against the Santa Clara Broncos during the second half at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

This is where Ben McCollum gets the benefit of the doubt in my book. Last year, he brought over players from Drake, transfer portal cast-outs, and what some viewed as leftovers,…

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Publish date : 2026-06-13 21:19:00

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