If Banks comes back are we done?

TampaHawkFan

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2025
607
1,691
93
14 of the 15 roster spots are filled.

Banks would fill the final spot if the NCAA gives him another year.
After getting McKeever and Coleman, it feels like they're in a spot where they can roll with what they have and still be in pretty good shape.

If there's another obvious fit available and the funds are there, then sure, make a move.. That's said, I wouldn't be surprised if the staff feels like they can be patient and see what happens with Banks at this point. If he comes back, great. If he can't.. The obvious urgent needs at PG and C have been addressed already.

Stinks not knowing for sure, though.
 

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,877
22,205
113
Assuming Tavion Banks is back & no one else departs, we would have 15 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (14 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)
7'3 C Andrew McKeever (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)
6'2 G Ty'Reek Coleman (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)
 

Max Rebo

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2022
680
1,821
93
14 of the 15 roster spots are filled.

Banks would fill the final spot if the NCAA gives him another year.
For the record, the portal closes on Tuesday. While I doubt it, it’s still possible that we could have a departure up until then. That could theoretically open another roster spot.

As a reminder, Tuesday’s deadline is just for players to enter the portal. There’s no deadline for players to commit, other than the start of classes in the fall, I suppose.
 

Matt1nb7

All-Conference
Mar 29, 2024
399
1,032
93
My prediction is we are done now.. unless we are redshirting Coon or something.
 

Hawklove

Senior
Jul 11, 2018
249
528
93
Assuming Tavion Banks is back & no one else departs, we would have 15 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (14 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)
7'3 C Andrew McKeever (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)
6'2 G Ty'Reek Coleman (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)
Nice size now. I saw McKeever play in person. Hawk fans will love him. I really liked Jirak. I hope he makes that huge leap to become an All Big Caliber player. I think we got two solid bigs.
 

jedhawk77

All-Conference
Iowa Swarm member
Jun 7, 2015
1,205
2,470
113
That’s what I was thinking.

It would be nice if Ben was able to know for sure if his roster is able to be set.

F#ck the NCAA.
Granted I haven't read everything and am no longer in the lounge. But the Banks situation seems odd. Hearing rumors all over the place. But I def agree with the last line. How are you supposed to finish your roster when one potential piece is in limbo? He would be a pretty nice piece to add.

I'm curious to see the rotation. There seem to be a lot of able contributors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RagnarLothbrok

TampaHawkFan

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2025
607
1,691
93
Count me among those that thinks we need another guard. I suspect Banks is not returning to IA even if granted an extra year. Just my got feeling is all.
I like Banks but it kind of seems like we have enough guys in 6'7 to 6'9 range. Agreed that another guard would be nice, even if it's just a depth piece that Ben can use to give Combs or Coleman a breather.
 

The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
1,723
3,219
113
I like Banks but it kind of seems like we have enough guys in 6'7 to 6'9 range. Agreed that another guard would be nice, even if it's just a depth piece that Ben can use to give Combs or Coleman a breather.
We do but Banks was by far our best and most physical front court defender. Without him we are now probably counting on a redshirt Frosh to bang in the Big Ten.
 

uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
2,378
3,560
113
Granted I haven't read everything and am no longer in the lounge. But the Banks situation seems odd. Hearing rumors all over the place. But I def agree with the last line. How are you supposed to finish your roster when one potential piece is in limbo? He would be a pretty nice piece to add.

I'm curious to see the rotation. There seem to be a lot of able contributors.
IIRC the Ncaa took 15 years to inform Drew Ott that he could not get a redshirt. The ncaa has tons or lawyers and compliance people or at least they used to but their rules are riddled with holes worse than swiss cheese, plus roadblocks
 

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,877
22,205
113
Banks can guard anyone on the court...makes him very valuable to hawkeyes.
He is a proven vet, a good free throw shooter, even shoots great from field and stays disciplined..no hero ball bad shots.
Hope he returns.

I have no faith in the NCAA. They have a habit of screwing over Iowa coaches and players.
 
Last edited:

Hawktech

Senior
Dec 18, 2022
509
659
93
Assuming Tavion Banks is back & no one else departs, we would have 15 of the 15 roster spots filled for 2026-2027 (14 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)
7'3 C Andrew McKeever (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)
6'2 G Ty'Reek Coleman (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)
Can we start a group-funded lawsuit against the NCAA to sue for Banks to get another year??

I would gladly donate for the retainer!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DukeSlater

DukeSlater

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2023
1,794
4,144
113
When will we know if Banks gets the extra year?
As soon as Iowa fills his spot. Banks wants to come back, but he's in the portal in the likely event that, even if granted futher eligibility, Iowa won't have a roster spot availalble by then. The NCAA is such bullshitt bunch, I can't understand why the schools haven't torn it down and created an actual, functioning, adult, fair-minded, progressive organization to replace it. And the evidence makes it clear--see the Drew Ott and Kirk Ferentz decisions, for example--that the NCAA has seldom come close to treating Iowa fairly.
 

Roncuba65

All-Conference
Aug 15, 2022
1,042
1,764
113
And the evidence makes it clear--see the Drew Ott and Kirk Ferentz decisions
And that decision does and should still piss people off... The NCAA decisions are ridiculous, Ott played 3 seasons in 4 years and got screwed and now you have people playing 5 and sometimes 6 seasons and transferring 4 times. Make it, MAKE SENSE!!!
 

wilson reborn

All-Conference
Feb 26, 2009
950
2,004
93
As soon as Iowa fills his spot. Banks wants to come back, but he's in the portal in the likely event that, even if granted futher eligibility, Iowa won't have a roster spot availalble by then. The NCAA is such bullshitt bunch, I can't understand why the schools haven't torn it down and created an actual, functioning, adult, fair-minded, progressive organization to replace it. And the evidence makes it clear--see the Drew Ott and Kirk Ferentz decisions, for example--that the NCAA has seldom come close to treating Iowa fairly.
Iowa did pretty well in the portal this year. But the NIL is awful. Other teams did not fare well. No more team loyalty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Todd-Mar....

binsfeldcyhawk2

All-Conference
Oct 13, 2006
9,630
2,906
113
Banks can guard anyone on the court...makes him very valuable to hawkeyes.
He is a proven vet, a good free throw shooter, even shoots great from field and stays disciplined..no hero ball bad shots.
Hope he returns.
In addition, he turned into a decent 3pt shooter this year. Just didn’t take many.

Went from 9% last year to 44% this year.

Still a lot of upside and room for improvement in his offensive game.

Would like to see him back.
 

Rambler Hawk

All-Conference
Oct 10, 2001
2,036
2,739
113
And that decision does and should still piss people off... The NCAA decisions are ridiculous, Ott played 3 seasons in 4 years and got screwed and now you have people playing 5 and sometimes 6 seasons and transferring 4 times. Make it, MAKE SENSE!!!
1776732511277.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: AndreTheHawk

Rambler Hawk

All-Conference
Oct 10, 2001
2,036
2,739
113
Banks can guard anyone on the court...makes him very valuable to hawkeyes.
He is a proven vet, a good free throw shooter, even shoots great from field and stays disciplined..no hero ball bad shots.
Hope he returns.
Not to mention valuable tourney experience….👍😎
 
  • Like
Reactions: Todd-Mar....

AndreTheHawk

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
1,050
2,159
113
Not to mention valuable tourney experience….👍😎
He's a good player and I too hope he returns. But he's not Michael Jordan, and if he doesn't come back it's not something to fret about IMO. Iowa's roster "on paper" is pretty damn solid.

I'm probably more excited to see what we have in Trey Thompson than anybody else coming in (pretty good recruit and around for over a year before he hits the court), though would be great to see Coleman and McKeever step in and be really good. I really don't expect much from Harris or Coon, their minutes are going to be limited stepping into a pretty solid returning core + the portal additions.