Iowa Basketball: Can McCollum Meet Expectations in Year 2at Iowa?
As the Hawkeyes turn to year two of Ben McCollum’s tenure, the bar for success has been raised.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 28: The Iowa Hawkeyes mascot performs against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Toyota Center on March 28, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Iowa fans and fans across the country.
Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. The college basketball season has finally come to an end as Michigan defeated UConn to win the National Championship on Monday night, becoming the first Big Ten team to do so in 26 years. There was little time for the Wolverines to celebrate – with the game ending shortly before midnight ET on Monday, the transfer portal officially opened within a half hour and the world turned its eyes to next season.
Such is life in a multi-billion dollar business. For Ben McCollum and the Iowa Hawkeyes, that pivot to next year started a bit sooner after Iowa’s Elite Eight loss to Illinois. But now both the Hawkeyes and the rest of the college basketball world are full steam ahead on the 2026-2027 season.
Year one under BMC was a resounding success, anchored around Iowa’s historic run in the NCAA Tournament. While the regular season ended right around where most fans expected, the tournament push leaves any memories of frustrating losses to Maryland or Penn State buried deep in a dark corner only to be scrounged up when some jerk mentions them in a story about next season. Last week we asked the fanbase just what they expect out of McCollum in year two in Iowa City.
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