Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum looks on in the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

What’s going on, y’all? We are back once again with another Summertime Big Ten basketball preview! Today’s lucky team is the Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes finished last season with a 24-13 record, but just a 10-10 record in conference. None of that seemed to matter, though, as Iowa had a fairly magical run in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Elite Eight, before falling to conference foe Illinois.

And, as 2nd year head coach Ben McCollum looks to build on their success from last season, the Hawkeyes are bringing back a bulk of that Elite Eight roster. But, unfortunately, they will be without guard Bennett Stirtz, their leading scorer from last season at just under 20 points a game.

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Looking to take over some of that scoring load will be Illinois State transfer Ty’Reek Coleman, a 6’2” sophomore guard who averaged 10 points per game last season, but in just 23 minutes a contest. Coleman shot an impressive 50.4% from the field last season, so if he maintains a majority of that efficiency in an expanded role with the Hawkeyes, I could see him turning some heads this season.

They also secured Saint Mary’s big man Andrew McKeever, a 7’3”, 285 lb behemoth of a man, who averaged a solid 8.2 points and 9.2 rebounds in 23 minutes a game last season, while shooting 50% from the floor. McKeever is a true throwback big man, with a decent amount of low-post scoring options and a soft touch around the rim.

Iowa will also be able to call on a pair of 4-star recruits in 6’9” Ethan Harris, a PF from Camas, WA who chose Iowa over Gonzaga and Washington (haha suck it, Dawgs), as well as Jaidyn Coon, a 6’6” wing from Storm Lake, IA, who de-committed from Creighton to stay home at Iowa.

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I personally love Ben McCollum as a coach. I think he is on a definite upward trajectory, and that Iowa will finish in the top third of the Big Ten this season, and maybe able to go on an even deeper run in the tournament. The Ducks will be traveling to Iowa this season, but at time of writing, it is unknown when.

And, as always, ‘Sco Ducks