Iowa basketball reveals Big Ten media days representatives

After its first trip to the Elite Eight in 39 years, Iowa basketball is readying for the encore act under second-year head coach Ben McCollum.

McCollum and a pair of Hawkeyes will be making their way to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, Ill., on Thursday, Oct. 8 for 2026 Big Ten media days.

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Third-year forward Cooper Koch and fourth-year guard Kael Combs will be accompanying McCollum to Big Ten media days.

Koch, a 6-foot-8, 228-pound forward, started all 37 games last season, averaging 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game on 43.7% field goal shooting and 40.2% 3-point marksmanship. The Peoria, Ill., native scored in double figures in 13 games last season, including against both Florida and Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament.

Combs, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound guard, started 33 of Iowa’s 37 games last season, scoring in double figures in six games and registering five games with five or more assists. The Nixa, Mo., product began his collegiate career at Wyoming before joining McCollum at Drake and now Iowa.

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Combs scored 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting in Iowa’s first-round NCAA Tournament win over Clemson. Then, he notched a career-high six assists in the Hawkeyes’ Round of 32 victory over the Gators.

That duo helps comprise a group of returnees that also features Tate Sage, Cam Manyawu, Isaia Howard, and Trevin Jirak, Jacob Koch, Trey Thompson, Peyton McCollum, and Joey Matteoni. The Hawkeyes added transfers Ty’Reek Coleman and Andrew McKeever and signed Ethan Harris and Jaidyn Coon.

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Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices

From left, Iowa’s Cam Manyawu, Ty’Reek Coleman, and Peyton McCollum huddle during a summer basketball practice July 8, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

(JULIA HANSEN, Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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Best photos of Iowa basketball July practices

From left, Iowa’s Cam Manyawu, Ty’Reek Coleman, and Peyton McCollum huddle during a summer…

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Publish date : 2026-09-30 20:50:00

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