With a brand-new season comes brand-new expectations, and the expectations for Ben McCollum's squad in year two are higher than they have been in a long time.
Ben McCollum's championship pedigree dates back to his time at Division II Northwest Missouri State, where he won four Division II National Championships. Still, he had the difficult task of rebuilding the program in a few months after replacing Fran McCaffery in March 2025. No one was expecting McCollum to repeat the success he had at Northwest Missouri State and Drake, and the Hawkeyes definitely outplayed those expectations.
The program has tasted success, and now wants more.
Cam Manyawu and Trey Thompson don't want the program dwelling on past success
In McCollum's first season in charge, the program made a magical run to the Elite Eight, the first time they had been there since 1987 under legendary head coach Tom Davis. After doing the improbable, a few players from last year's squad want to make sure they don't become complacent.
Trey Thompson and Cam Manyawu both emphasized that the Elite Eight run is all well and good— but that’s not the goal. They want to be in a Final Four. Every also said that Iowa’s 9th place finish in the Big ten was “abysmal” and needs to be better
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) July 8, 2026
Cam Manyawu and Trey Thompson both echoed that making the Elite Eight was nice, but that is never the goal. The goal is to make the Final Four, something that the program hasn't accomplished since 1980. They are setting the bar extremely high, while also keeping their feet on the ground. The two also want to stress that they aren't happy with where the squad finished in the Big Ten standings last season, calling a ninth-place finish "abysmal."
Iowa had an up-and-down season in McCollum's first year, but one thing is certain ahead of year two: the players now know what it takes to succeed, and aren't resting on their laurels. With the foundation set, it will take returning players like Manyawu and Thompson to bring the new players along and continue pushing forward. Even without star guard Bennett Stirtz, who is currently with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the program is more well-rounded and has the potential to make a push next season.
Iowa has the pieces, now they have to push the needle forward
The transfer portal was kind to McCollum ahead of his second year, producing Ty'Reek Coleman and Andrew McKeever. They also added 2026 Iowa Mr. Basketball Jaidyn Coon and talented forward prospect Ethan Harris via the 2026 recruiting class. With a more well-rounded roster, the squad won't have to wait around for Bennett Stirtz to do something amazing, but that also means other players must answer the call.
The most interesting players to watch next season will be Coleman in his first season with the program and as the de facto Stirtz replacement, Tate Sage after a stellar first season last year, and McKeever with his size in the paint. The program also has a plethora of talented guard-forward hybrids, creating a logjam for playing time but also providing versatility on both ends of the court.
Iowa is a very young but talented team, and it will be interesting to see how the program operates without Stirtz carrying the bulk of the offensive responsibilities. It is an exciting time in Iowa City, and all we can do is wait and see.
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