If Tavion Banks returns in 2026-27, we would have 0 Open Roster Spots (14 players are officially signed)
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
April 10, 2026 Update:
Alvaro Folgueiras entered the transfer portal this morning.
Assuming Tavion Banks is back & no one else departs, we would have 13 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (12 on scholarship, 1 walk on).
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)
6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)
6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)
6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)
6'7 SF Jaidyn Coon (FR)
Alvaro Folgueiras entered the transfer portal this morning.
Assuming Tavion Banks is back & no one else departs, we would have 13 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (12 on scholarship, 1 walk on).
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)
6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)
6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)
6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)
6'7 SF Jaidyn Coon (FR)
Look at teams like Indiana who have been desimated by the portal. They will build a new team for more money. No loyalty there.
I think you have to assume Tavion Banks is gone until we hear otherwise. At face value, he's out of eligibility. His statements on a possible return have been inconsistent.
I think you are right.
And from what I have seen written by some of the beat writers, this might be it for departures.
Will be interesting if a SG is added, too (with the PG and center).
I also think Tavion’s body is pretty beat up. He struggled physically down the stretch and he played banged up a lot at Drake as well in addition to also playing against bigger stronger guys the last 2 years.
Yes, seems like this is it for departures.
I thought we might see one more departure just due to BM telling a kid I don't think you're going to get a lot of playing time, but I do think you could get more playing time and $ somewhere else (something like that). I assume they talk with every player about growth / performance and goals / expectations for next year. Maybe he has had some tough conversations and the guy(s) decide to stay anyway?
Interesting as he had a coupleoff the court issues but Ben stuck with him. Part of me wants him back but if its a headache off the court maybe its best to part ways regardless what the NCAA rules. Not really sure on this one.
That’s a rumor. If he was a headache off the court would he have brought him from Drake?
I really thought we would have an NCAA ruling on Banks by now.
Bottom line is we have 2 open roster spots right now; could be 3 if Banks' request is denied. And Ben does not have to fill all 15 spots, of course.
He sure sucked it up against Florida though.....
I think Banks sucked it up all season. He hit the floor more frequently than any Hawkeye player in my memory.
I was referring to the post that he was beaten up and struggled "down the stretch" Hence his physical play against the Florida bigs being the outlier.....
I think we will need a booster to step up for Banks to return... Ben has to assume he will be unavailable(although I would say it is a 95% certainty he is granted another year).
Thus BMC needs to spend all we have to get the guys we need. Then when Banks is granted that additional year, coach goes and shakes down some boosters to step up!
Would love to have Tavion back for another year! He good.
It's nice to spend others money
Only when you have enough NIL money to cover the costs! It is crazy out of control. Not good. Kansas just spent $5M on a C1. Yikes!
Schools are going to spend their way out of cash... And a lot won't be able to catch up.
These "student athletes" don't give 2 sh its about education, the free ride they get, the chicks they get to bang, and my guess is their GPA is near 0, if they actually attend any classes, which I bet they don't.
College sports, for both genders, is a farce. Just a bunch of rich, entitled, dumb as ses supported by fans who love them some college sports and paying 19 year old illiterates and gargling their sacks like Al Bundy.
College sports, for both genders, is a farce. Just a bunch of rich, entitled, dumb as ses supported by fans who love them some college sports and paying 19 year old illiterates and gargling their sacks like Al Bundy.
I'd need to check this season, but through last year the women's team has an outstanding GPA, and they graduate. Ava is some biology or chemistry wiz or something. Basically from the women's side your talking out you back side. For ALOT of transfers its probably a mess but there are guys getting degrees as well....
So clarify for me. He entered the portal BUT if he actually gets another year granted he wants to be a Hawkeye? SO, why would you go in the portal? If he doesn't get the extra year, then he's not eligible anyway, so??
Possibly: If Iowa fills all its roster spots before the NCAA rules, this would allow Tavion to talk to other teams.
By then he'd probably have few options. I don't see him going to a top 15 team either. He's basically a hard working big, whose undersized and trying to make it on effort.
I'm guessing that is exactly why he entered the portal.
I think the issue is that the portal could be closed before the decision is made on whether he could return for another year of college. If he waits too long, he is shut out.
AND yet again, he said, "if he gets another year, he wants to be a Hawkeye". So basically the issue is whether or not Ben wants to keep a spot open for him in the event he gets the 5th year.
There’s 3 open roster spots. If McCollum gets a guard and a center he really likes, that leaves one spot remaining without needing to be in a rush to fill it. The roster would be in a pretty good position, and they can wait for Banks, another player, or just leave the last spot unfilled.
We lost a 6’10 guy and now cannot replace him. Well that’s fantastic!
I have a feeling if BM can fill Banks spot with a good young player that he likes he will fill it. BM may think the odds of Banks getting another year are low. I have to assume he told Banks he can't wait forever but if a spot is still left when the NCAA decides it's his.