IOWA will be spending over $10M on the 2026-27 Roster. Who will Ben land? (Portal opens on Tues, April 7)

[Max Rebo]

So McKeever and Glass are not in the top 100. Is either worth $2M or more? Fru was asking for $3M but he is ranked #34.

Yeah, I would have preferred to see the guys we are reportedly chasing included in this ranking. On the flip side, at least this doesn't give their agents ammunition to try to squeeze the program for more money.

At the end of the day, rankings like this don’t carry much weight. Our coaching staff evaluated these prospects long before any website weighed in -- and it’s safe to assume they’ve spent far more time studying the film. So it really comes down to one simple question: Do we trust Ben McCollum?

 

[pocha444444]

I think Combs showed a lot of promise last year. Should have more freedom to create. There are a lot of solid PGs in the portal still. A solid Big is very important.

PG is the most important position in the majority of offenses, but especially McCollum's. Combs showed he can be effective when you have a guy like Stirtz drawing away attention. You don't want a guy like Combs with the type of usage McCollum asks for from his PGs. Imo it would be much more manageable to strike out on a top big than it would be if they struck out on a top PG.

 

[DuddyB]

PG is the most important position in the majority of offenses, but especially McCollum's. Combs showed he can be effective when you have a guy like Stirtz drawing away attention. You don't want a guy like Combs with the type of usage McCollum asks for from his PGs. Imo it would be much more manageable to strike out on a top big than it would be if they struck out on a top PG.

If they don’t have a high caliber scoring guard that can get his own shot, having a very good big man is irrelevant.

A stud guard raises your floor, a stud big man in conjunction with a stud guard raises your ceiling.

 

[Franisdaman]

Native of Kansas City; has 1 year left.

Averaged 18 minutes, 4 pts, 2.5 assists. Shot 33% overall and 31% from three.

Kyan Evans - North Carolina Tar Heels Guard - ESPN

View the profile of North Carolina Tar Heels Guard Kyan Evans on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Speaking of 6'2" guard Kyan Evans:

As I type, he is on campus in Iowa City for his official visit

Kyan Evans - North Carolina Tar Heels Guard - ESPN

View the profile of North Carolina Tar Heels Guard Kyan Evans on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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[Max Rebo]

Speaking of Kyan Evans:

He is on campus in Iowa City for his official visit

Interesting. I thought the thinking was that he would be Minnesota-bound.

Nobody knows what the hell is going on.

 

[Franisdaman]

From Kyan Evans' Instagram:

 

[TampaHawkFan]

Speaking of 6'2" guard Kyan Evans:

As I type, he is on campus in Iowa City for his official visit

Kyan Evans - North Carolina Tar Heels Guard - ESPN

View the profile of North Carolina Tar Heels Guard Kyan Evans on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

Looked like he put up solid stats 2 years ago, but this past year, for whatever reason, his playing time and shooting percentages (44% from 3 down to 30%) drastically dropped. FT % also. 85% to 69%.

Anyone have the inside scoop on him? What happened to him in 25/26?

 

[Franisdaman]

Interesting. I thought the thinking was that he would be Minnesota-bound.

Nobody knows what the hell is going on.

I am glad we only have 2 spots (maybe 3) to fill....

 

[Franisdaman]

Looked like he put up solid stats 2 years ago, but this past year, for whatever reason, his playing time and shooting percentages (44% from 3 down to 30%) drastically dropped. FT % also. 85% to 69%.

Anyone have the inside scoop on him? What happened to him in 25/26?

And is he our back up plan (so to speak)?

 

[Max Rebo]

And is he our back up plan (so to speak)?

It seemed initially like maybe Kyan Evans and Drew McKeever were the top two guys we had targeted in the portal. But for Evans, it seemed like the wind was blowing in Minnesota's direction, and other names like Decker, Glass, and others started popping up. But apparently, Evans is on campus as we speak, so who knows? (From his Insta story, it looks like he was at Minnesota yesterday, FWIW. #NotAStalker)

 

[Franisdaman]

It seemed initially like maybe Kyan Evans and Drew McKeever were the top two guys we had targeted in the portal. But for Evans, it seemed like the wind was blowing in Minnesota's direction, and other names like Decker, Glass, and others started popping up. But apparently, Evans is on campus as we speak, so who knows? (From his Insta story, it looks like he was at Minnesota yesterday, FWIW. #NotAStalker)

Maybe we can finally land a guard today.

 

[Hawk4Life23]

For those who don’t know or don’t remember, Cade Tyson played his junior year at UNC played only 8mins and averaged 2.6ppg. Then transferred to Minnesota and lead them with 19.6ppg this last season. I think Ben McCollum is on to something here boys!

 

[Franisdaman]

But apparently, Evans is on campus as we speak, so who knows? (From his Insta story, it looks like he was at Minnesota yesterday, FWIW. #NotAStalker)

You are well informed (not a stalker).

 

[Franisdaman]

Interesting story

 

[Smigamorski]

Interesting. I thought the thinking was that he would be Minnesota-bound.

Nobody knows what the hell is going on.

Did Niko try to get him to Minnesota last year?

 

[Franisdaman]

Did Niko try to get him to Minnesota last year?

not sure

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

Tavion Banks’ full statement:

“As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted.

If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!

Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience. This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined.

I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey."

 

[HAWKNESS]

I assume with Banks coaches were unable to guarantee Iowa would still have a spot/funds if the NCAA doesn't have a decision in the immediate future so this gives him an option if it comes to it.

 

[RuggieC]

Tavion Banks’ full statement:

“As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted.

If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!

Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience. This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined.

I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey."

Hard to not like a guy like this.......

 

[The Big Z]

You are well informed (not a stalker).

I actually think this is hilarious that this is big news about a guy visiting who averaged 4 pts, 2 rebounds and 1 assist last year. And I'm guessing they're asking for 750-1,000,000 dollars.

 

[HawkInDenver]

And is he our back up plan (so to speak)?

If Glass is visiting I think he may be target number 1. If that is the case, then perhaps Evans is a high potential backup?? Worth noting that Evans only has one year of eligibility left.

I posted in another thread that Glass is supposedly visiting this week. Not sure how credible this source is.

 

[Franisdaman]

I assume with Banks coaches were unable to guarantee Iowa would still have a spot/funds if the NCAA doesn't have a decision in the immediate future so this gives him an option if it comes to it.

I think you are spot on.

 

[Franisdaman]

Hard to not like a guy like this.......

Agreed. I hope the NCAA comes out with a decision so Tavion can make his next move

 

[Franisdaman]

I actually think this is hilarious that this is big news about a guy visiting who averaged 4 pts, 2 rebounds and 1 assist last year. And I'm guessing they're asking for 750-1,000,000 dollars.

would not be surprised the agent would be wanting that much

 

[Franisdaman]

How much would 6'11" center/forward Sananda Fru cost?

Looks like he has 1 year left. Last season he averaged 22 minutes, 9 pts, 6.1 rebs and 1.4 blocks. He shot 75% from the floor.

Sananda Fru - Louisville Cardinals Forward - ESPN

View the profile of Louisville Cardinals Forward Sananda Fru on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Speaking of 6'11" Sananda Fru....

Marquette must have money, I guess....

Sananda Fru - Louisville Cardinals Forward - ESPN

View the profile of Louisville Cardinals Forward Sananda Fru on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

 

[Franisdaman]

At least we got some good news today....

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

Yeah, I would have preferred to see the guys we are reportedly chasing included in this ranking. On the flip side, at least this doesn't give their agents ammunition to try to squeeze the program for more money.

At the end of the day, rankings like this don’t carry much weight. Our coaching staff evaluated these prospects long before any website weighed in -- and it’s safe to assume they’ve spent far more time studying the film. So it really comes down to one simple question: Do we trust Ben McCollum?

I haven't seen anything but I wonder if McKeever has any other visits lined up this week or next week.

 

[HawkInDenver]

I haven't seen anything but I wonder if McKeever has any other visits lined up this week or next week.

I haven't seen anything either and have been wondering the same thing. For this reason I've been slightly optomistic but if we see news of another visit I suspect it means we could not come to terms with him. Fingers crossed!

 

[Franisdaman]

I haven't seen anything either and have been wondering the same thing. For this reason I've been slightly optomistic but if we see news of another visit I suspect it means we could not come to terms with him. Fingers crossed!

Crazy how things got very quiet after Drew's visit. Dealing with these agents must be a blast for Ben.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Nvhwk]

Agreed. I hope the NCAA comes out with a decision so Tavion can make his next move

Well the NCAA has already FD the football team so don’t expect them to do anything good for us.

 

[Franisdaman]

Well the NCAA has already FD the football team so don’t expect them to do anything good for us.

IOWA getting bent over by the NCAA goes way back, unfortunately.

 

[Franisdaman]

Doe this make everyone feel better?

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

Still plenty of players available to add to our $12M roster.

Do we land any of these 5?

Will it be Evans & McKeever, and we are done and everyone is happy?



Click or tap on any of the profiles to see their stats & more.

Kyan Evans - North Carolina Tar Heels Guard - ESPN

View the profile of North Carolina Tar Heels Guard Kyan Evans on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

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Andrew McKeever - Saint Mary's Gaels Center - ESPN

View the profile of Saint Mary's Gaels Center Andrew McKeever on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

Drew Scharnowski - Belmont Bruins Forward - ESPN

View the profile of Belmont Bruins Forward Drew Scharnowski on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

Ace Glass - Washington State Cougars Guard - ESPN

View the profile of Washington State Cougars Guard Ace Glass on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

Ty'Reek Coleman - Illinois State Redbirds Guard - ESPN

View the profile of Illinois State Redbirds Guard Ty'Reek Coleman on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

 

[Franisdaman]

Actually, let's get him!

 

[Max Rebo]

I haven't seen anything but I wonder if McKeever has any other visits lined up this week or next week.

Some tidbits from the Condon/Locked on Hawkeyes podcast this morning:

• McKeever has visited both Cincy and UConn this week, following his Iowa visit. As has been reported in this thread, UConn just picked up a commitment from another big man, and Cincy apparently has a couple of portal guys signed already, so Iowa remains in a good position. That said, other schools, like Michigan, are poking around, and the price may be going up.
• Sounds like maybe Iowa moved on from Ace Glass. Or at least "deprioritized" him.
• Things are "trending positively" for Kyan Evans, who visited both Iowa and Minnesota this week.
• Iowa is in a strong position for Ty'Reek Coleman, especially if he makes it to Iowa for his visit, and hasn't committed to one of the 2/3 other schools he is visiting first. McCollum's staff apparently recruited him out of high school, so there is an existing relationship.

 

[Franisdaman]

Some tidbits from the Condon/Locked on Hawkeyes podcast this morning:

• McKeever has visited both Cincy and UConn this week, following his Iowa visit. As has been reported in this thread, UConn just picked up a commitment from another big man, and Cincy apparently has a couple of portal guys signed already, so Iowa remains in a good position. That said, other schools, like Michigan, are poking around, and the price may be going up.
• Sounds like maybe Iowa moved on from Ace Glass. Or at least "deprioritized" him.
• Things are "trending positively" for Kyan Evans, who visited both Iowa and Minnesota this week.
• Iowa is in a strong position for Ty'Reek Coleman, especially if he makes it to Iowa for his visit, and hasn't committed to one of the 2/3 other schools he is visiting first. McCollum's staff apparently recruited him out of high school, so there is an existing relationship.

Thanks.

Really interesting stuff.