Iowa Men's Basketball Stays Focused on Final Stretch

Head coach Ben McCollum keeps his team grounded despite March Madness predictions

Feb. 25, 2026 at 12:19am

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As Iowa men's basketball appears in March Madness predictions, head coach Ben McCollum is staying focused on the team's final four-game stretch of the regular season. McCollum is not distracted by bracket projections, instead emphasizing the need to win each upcoming game to secure a better seed in the conference tournament and NCAA Tournament. The Hawkeyes face a tough schedule to close out the season, including a key matchup against Ohio State, as they fight for a double-bye in the Big Ten tournament.

Why it matters

Iowa's strong performance this season has put them in position to make the NCAA Tournament, but they still have work to do to solidify their resume. The final four games, including a showdown with Ohio State, will be crucial in determining their seeding and chances of making a deep tournament run.

The details

The Hawkeyes are currently tied with Ohio State in the Big Ten standings, making their upcoming matchup a key game in the race for a double-bye in the conference tournament. Iowa's schedule to close out the regular season is ranked as the 14th-hardest nationally and the third-hardest in the Big Ten. Despite the tough stretch, McCollum is focused on taking it one game at a time rather than looking ahead to potential NCAA Tournament matchups.

  • The Hawkeyes face Ohio State on Wednesday, February 25.
  • Iowa's final home game of the season is against No. 3 Michigan on March 3.

The players

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa men's basketball team, who is keeping his team focused on the task at hand rather than getting distracted by March Madness predictions.

Bruce Thornton

The leading scorer for Ohio State, averaging 20.4 points per game, who presents a significant challenge for the Hawkeyes.

John Mobley Jr.

The Ohio State player who has been out for the last three games with an injury, averaging 15.1 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“I'm no Joe Lunardi, but if we win the next game, and then the next game and the next game and the next, it's going to give us a better chance to make the NCAA Tournament.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Men's Basketball

“He's comfortable in his own skin, which means he doesn't just take random shots. He's a good player, and he presents a lot of problems for everybody.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Men's Basketball

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This final four-game stretch for Iowa is crucial in determining their NCAA Tournament seeding and chances of making a deep run. While the Hawkeyes are appearing in March Madness predictions, head coach Ben McCollum is keeping his team focused on the task at hand rather than looking ahead, emphasizing the need to win each upcoming game to secure the best possible position for the postseason.