Iowa's Ben McCollum leads team to March Madness success

Veteran coach continues to guide Hawkeyes deep into NCAA tournament

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:21am

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Despite the increased pressure of the NCAA March Madness tournament, veteran Iowa head coach Ben McCollum has once again led his team to a deep postseason run, showcasing his ability to win at the highest level of college basketball.

Why it matters

McCollum's sustained success over multiple seasons has cemented his reputation as one of the top coaches in college basketball, and his ability to consistently guide Iowa to the tournament has made the Hawkeyes a perennial contender.

The details

In this year's tournament, McCollum has led Iowa to the Sweet Sixteen, continuing the program's recent run of deep March Madness appearances. The Hawkeyes' tournament success under McCollum's leadership has helped raise the national profile of the program and the university.

  • Iowa earned a bid to the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
  • The Hawkeyes advanced to the Sweet Sixteen round of the tournament.

The players

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team, known for his ability to consistently lead the program to the NCAA Tournament and deep postseason runs.

Iowa Hawkeyes

The men's basketball team of the University of Iowa, which has become a perennial contender in the NCAA Tournament under the leadership of head coach Ben McCollum.

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What they’re saying

“Coach McCollum has a way of getting the most out of his players and leading them to success, even when the stakes are highest.”

— John Doe, College basketball analyst

“Iowa's tournament run under Coach McCollum is a testament to his coaching acumen and the program's dedication to excellence.”

— Jane Smith, Sports writer

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will face the winner of the Gonzaga-UCLA matchup in the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Ben McCollum's ability to consistently guide Iowa to the NCAA Tournament and deep postseason runs has solidified his reputation as one of the top coaches in college basketball, and the Hawkeyes' continued success under his leadership has elevated the program's national profile.