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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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an Iowa basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of black, gold, and white, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.Iowa's breakout basketball season showcases the program's rising talent and bright future.Houston Today

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.