Year 1 of Ben McCollum at Iowa basketball injected belief into Hawkeyes again
Looking back at Ben McCollum's first season with Iowa basketball and the impact of the Hawkeyes' Elite Eight run.
IOWA CITY — Iowa basketball’s first season under head coach Ben McCollum was, in fact, a season of many firsts. First NCAA Tournament appearance since 2023. First NCAA Tournament win since 2021.
First Sweet 16 since 1999. First Elite Eight since 1987. Iowa’s thrilling March Madness run delivered a resounding message: It’s OK to believe in the program again.
There were scars from early NCAA Tournament exits under the previous regime. That’s part of the reason why the fan base became increasingly apathetic in the latter stages of the Fran McCaffery era. When McCollum took over, part of the battle he was fighting was bringing the Hawkeye faithful back.
At his introductory press conference, McCollum expressed his desire to see Carver-Hawkeye Arena full again. He worked hard to rebuild that relationship with the fan base, even going into the stands at Kinnick Stadium before kickoff of an Iowa football game. But it’s understandable if there was still some hesitancy.
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