The foundation has been laid, but now it's time for the Hawkeyes to add to it next season.
Expectations were low at the beginning of last season for Ben McCollum and the Iowa men's basketball program last season, but they quickly showed they were not going to lie down and get bullied by anyone.
There were plenty of highs and lows in McCollum's first year in charge, but there is no doubt the excitement surrounding the program is back, and it is a prove-it year for everyone next season.
Iowa is now firmly on everyone's radar, and one way-too-early rankings list gave the Hawkeyes some love before next season
Iowa checks in at No. 25 in ESPN's way-too-early top 25
Even though we are only a short time removed from Michigan's thrilling win over UConn in the 2026 National Championship game, rankings are already popping up for next season, and Iowa isn't flying under the radar anymore
Here is how ESPN's Jeff Borzello has his way-too-early rankings before the start of the 2026-2027 season:
- Michigan Wolverines
- Duke Blue Devils
- Florida Gators
- UConn Huskies
- Arizona Wildcats
- Michigan State Spartans
- Arkansas Razorbacks
- Illinois Fighting Illini
- Virginia Cavaliers
- Houston Cougars
- St. John's Red Storm
- Iowa State Cyclones
- Texas Longhorns
- Purdue Boilermakers
- Saint Louis Billikens
- TCU Horned Frogs
- USC Trojans
- Nebraska Cornhuskers
- North Carolina Tar Heels
- Alabama Crimson Tide
- Gonzaga Bulldogs
- BYU Cougars
- Missouri Tigers
- Vanderbilt Commodores
- Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa checks in at No. 25 on Borzello's list, and even without star guard Bennett Stirtz, there is confidence in what McCollum has built.
It will be interesting to see what McCollum does next season without Stirtz for the first time in four years, but the supporting cast stepped up during the NCAA Tournament, which is a great sign for the team going forward.
Iowa still has holes to fill on the roster, including a replacement for Stirtz, more size on the interior, and more shooting depth, but McCollum always gets the most out of his guys.
The foundation has been laid, and now it's time to take the next step.