The Iowa Hawkeyes Men's Basketball program started the week on the right foot. The Hawkeyes hired Ben McCollum on Monday to fill their head coach vacancy.
McCollum joins the Iowa staff after having success at Division II Northwest Missouri State and this past season at Drake University. McCollum was 394-91 with four Division II National Championships at Northwest Missouri State.
McCollum went 31-4 with a Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) regular season and conference tournament title in his lone season with Drake.
Iowa hired McCollum as the transfer portal opened on March 24. Several players nationwide are looking for new homes, and Iowa must take advantage.
The Hawkeyes only have six remaining players and no returning starters for next season. The transfer portal is open, and it is time for Iowa to use it.
Oscar Cluff, Center (South Dakota State)
Iowa consistently struggled in the paint under previous head coach Fran McCaffery. Oscar Cluff, a six-foot-11 big man from South Dakota State would fix that weakness.
Cluff began his playing career with Washington State in 2023. As a freshman, Cluff averaged 7.0 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in a reserve role. Cluff transferred to South Dakota State for the 2024-2025 season and dominated.
Cluff was named the Summit League Newcomer of the Year after averaging 17.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game for the Jackrabbits. He also racked up a massive 22 double-doubles this past season.
The University of Iowa is close to seven hours from South Dakota State University. If Cluff wants to stay close to South Dakota, the Hawkeyes would be happy to have him.
Josh Pascarelli, shooting guard (Marist)
One of the top-scoring guards in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) would be a great fit for the Hawkeyes. Josh Pascarelli is a six-foot-three combo guard who can score at all levels.
Pascarelli's scoring increased by 5.2 points from 10.7 points per game his freshman year to 15.9 points during his sophomore year. He scored 20-plus points in seven games this season for the Marist Red Foxes.
Pascarelli's scoring is a must-have for the Hawkeyes' rebuild next season.
Blake Harper, forward (Howard)
There is no guarantee Blake Harper will leave the Howard Bison, but he will have multiple suitors if he decides to leave. Harper was a superstar for the Bison last season in his freshman year.
Harper got it done on both ends, averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game for the Bison last season. Harper displayed his smooth shooting touch as a six-foot-eight big man, shooting 45 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc.
Harper was also an ironman for the Bison this past season. He averaged 34 minutes per game this past season.
Harper's length and athleticism will be highly coveted this offseason, and the Hawkeyes must enter the Harper sweepstakes if he decides to leave Howard.
Noah Williamson, center (Bucknell)
The Iowa Hawkeyes struggle to compete in the paint in a tough Big Ten Conference. Seven-foot big man Noah Williamson can fix that. Willamson only has one year of eligiabiliy remaining, but his two-way domination cannot be overlooked.
Willamson played sparingly in his freshman season at Bucknell. Williamson averaged 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds in five minutes per game in his freshman season.
His numbers took a massive jump in his sophomore season. In 27 minutes per game, Williamson averaged 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Willamson's numbers jumped again this past season. in 30 minutes per game, Williamson averaged 17.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Williamson also added a three-point shot to his arsenal. He made 20 threes during Patriot League play.
Williamson could provide a two-way star that the Hawkeyes desperately need.
Kaleb Glenn, shooting guard (Florida Atlantic)
After a rocky start to his college basketball career at Louisville, Kaleb Glenn became a force for the Florida Atlantic Owls in his sophomore season.
Glenn is a three-point marksman who can fill the scoresheet quickly. Glenn averaged 12.6 points per game, shooting 53 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range.
With his six-foot-eight frame, Glenn can also help on the glass. He averaged 4.8 rebounds per game last season.
Glenn's numbers might not jump off the page because the FAU Owls were a deep team last season. With two seasons of eligibility and the ability to fill it up from beyond the arc, Glenn will be a coveted transfer.
Quimari Peterson, point guard (East Tennessee State)
One of the most-coveted transfer signings will be East Tennessee State guard Quimari Peterson. Peterson entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer, and will have one year of eligibility remaining.
Peterson can flat-out shoot the basketball. He averaged 19.5 points per game, shooting 46 percent from the floor and 42 percent from three-point range, en route to being named the Southern Conference (SoCon) Player of the Year.
Peterson can get hot in a hurry, and cannot be given space to shoot the basketball. He is also a terror on the defensive end, averaging 2.0 steals per game last season.
Peterson's leadership, shooting ability, and defensive prowess will be high-coveted this offseason.
New Iowa Men's Basketball Head Coach Ben McCollum will have plenty of players to choose from as the transfer portal has opened. McCollum is staunch in his recruitment of players, but this list of six players is a solid place to start.