Iowa Men's Basketball Season Ends, Foundation Set

Hawkeyes fall short of Division I title, but prove doubters wrong in breakout year.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:14pm

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The Iowa men's basketball team, led by head coach Ben McCollum, had a successful season focused on imposing their will and proving the doubters wrong, despite falling short of the Division I championship.

Why it matters

Iowa basketball has long been overshadowed by other Big Ten powerhouses, but this season's performance showed the program is on the rise and building a strong foundation for the future.

The details

Though the Hawkeyes did not reach the Division I summit this season, they were able to impose their style of play and silence many of their critics who doubted their abilities at the start of the year.

  • The 2025-2026 season marked the end of Iowa's campaign.

The players

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa men's basketball team who led the Hawkeyes to a successful season.

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What they’re saying

“You see that the formula works,”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach

The takeaway

Iowa basketball has established a strong foundation this season, proving they can compete with the top teams in the Division I landscape and positioning the program for continued success in the years to come.