Do we now have the size (and pieces) to reach the Final Four?

[Franisdaman]

We obviously needed a true center vs Illinois in the Elite 8.

Now we have a 7'3" and 6'11" guy (who's hopefully ready to play some minutes) to help Cam man the paint.

It's still kinda surreal to think that with 7:27 to go in the game and a Final Four berth on the line, IOWA was leading Illinois 51-50.

Unfortunately, we got outscored 21-8 the rest of the way.

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 71-59, from March 28, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[TrojanHawkeye]

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

We obviously needed a true center vs Illinois in the Elite 8.

Now we have a 7'3" and 6'11" guy (who's hopefully ready to play some minutes) to help Cam man the paint.

It's still kinda surreal to think that with 7:27 to go in the game and a Final Four berth on the line, IOWA was leading Illinois 51-50.

Unfortunately, we got outscored 21-8 the rest of the way.

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 71-59, from March 28, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

I will say this: any team that prioritizes defense, has enough size and scoring to compete at the P4 level, and is led by an elite coach can make a run in March.

So, can they? Sure. The problem is plenty of other teams are capable as well. And in the end, the same factors apply as they always do—who’s healthy, who’s hot, who’s seeded where, and what upsets occur that can help a team like Iowa win four games in a row.

And then there’s the truly elite teams (like Michigan last year) who would have sent any team packing and heading home early regardless of round.

In short, you have to be both lucky and good.

 

[Hawkangler]

I will say this: any team that prioritizes defense, has enough size and scoring to compete at the P4 level, and is led by an elite coach can make a run in March.

So, can they? Sure. The problem is plenty of other teams are capable as well. And in the end, the same factors apply as they always do—who’s healthy, who’s hot, who’s seeded where, and what upsets occur that can help a team like Iowa win four games in a row.

And then there’s the truly elite teams (like Michigan last year) who would have sent any team packing and heading home early regardless of round.

In short, you have to be both lucky and good.

Totally agree, good defense wins championship.

Defense
Rebounding
Ability to create and pass in the paint
Perimeter Shooting - have to knock down threes.

 

[nu2u]

Totally agree, good defense wins championship.

Defense
Rebounding
Ability to create and pass in the paint
Perimeter Shooting - have to knock down threes.

Thanks for breaking it down Coach.

 

[oldxbbc]

We obviously needed a true center vs Illinois in the Elite 8.

Now we have a 7'3" and 6'11" guy (who's hopefully ready to play some minutes) to help Cam man the paint.

It's still kinda surreal to think that with 7:27 to go in the game and a Final Four berth on the line, IOWA was leading Illinois 51-50.

Unfortunately, we got outscored 21-8 the rest of the way.

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 71-59, from March 28, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

I think it’s too early to predict. Can the 7’3” guy play in the BIG and replacing Stirtz is still a big? IMO.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Under Ben, anything is possible. Maybe even a National Championship? EMITC might have some insight on this @EvilMonkeyInTheCloset.

 

[TampaHawkFan]

We obviously needed a true center vs Illinois in the Elite 8.

Now we have a 7'3" and 6'11" guy (who's hopefully ready to play some minutes) to help Cam man the paint.

It's still kinda surreal to think that with 7:27 to go in the game and a Final Four berth on the line, IOWA was leading Illinois 51-50.

Unfortunately, we got outscored 21-8 the rest of the way.

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 71-59, from March 28, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

With a big guy that could have held his own against Illinois' bigs, I'm convinced Iowa wins that game.

But, this year? What player(s) will step up to replace Stirtz's leadership and production? Also Banks, who I'm assuming is gone unless I missed some news. What obstacles will Iowa have to get through on their way back to even the Elite 8? New year, no guarantees obviously, but I wouldn't be too shocked at anything Ben accomplishes given his track record. Could also lose in the 2nd round.. The NCAA Tournament is so unpredictable.

 

[Hawx224]

I hope having the Elite Eight run so early in Ben’s tenure doesn’t cause fans to throw a fit if they don’t make it back to that point or better in the next few years. I think he’ll continue to have tremendous success, but in a one and done tournament you just never know

 

[Hawksfor3]

With a big guy that could have held his own against Illinois' bigs, I'm convinced Iowa wins that game.

But, this year? What player(s) will step up to replace Stirtz's leadership and production? Also Banks, who I'm assuming is gone unless I missed some news. What obstacles will Iowa have to get through on their way back to even the Elite 8? New year, no guarantees obviously, but I wouldn't be too shocked at anything Ben accomplishes given his track record. Could also lose in the 2nd round.. The NCAA Tournament is so unpredictable.

I doubt there was much physicality in the WCC compared to the BIG. If he can handle that, then he should be ok. As far as replacing Bennett at the point, that's another issue. Combs will have to step up big time to come close to what Bennett provided, starting with shooting. Banks? No news yet, and I doubt he comes back.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I doubt there was much physicality in the WCC compared to the BIG. If he can handle that, then he should be ok. As far as replacing Bennett at the point, that's another issue. Combs will have to step up big time to come close to what Bennett provided, starting with shooting. Banks? No news yet, and I doubt he comes back.

I wouldn't underestimate Coleman having a big impact either.

 

[Hawksfor3]

I wouldn't underestimate Coleman having a big impact either.

I hope so. Combs will need good support from the bench.

 

[DuddyB]

I hope having the Elite Eight run so early in Ben’s tenure doesn’t cause fans to throw a fit if they don’t make it back to that point or better in the next few years. I think he’ll continue to have tremendous success, but in a one and done tournament you just never know

True to an extent. I do know that coaching matters greatly in the tournament. They won 3 games as the underdogs I believe. Not to bag on the guy, but I’m not sure Fran won as an underdog in the tournament his entire tenure at Iowa?

 

[The Big Z]

True to an extent. I do know that coaching matters greatly in the tournament. They won 3 games as the underdogs I believe. Not to bag on the guy, but I’m not sure Fran won as an underdog in the tournament his entire tenure at Iowa?

Think we were favored over Clemson. Could be wrong though.

 

[HawkInDenver]

I doubt there was much physicality in the WCC compared to the BIG. If he can handle that, then he should be ok. As far as replacing Bennett at the point, that's another issue. Combs will have to step up big time to come close to what Bennett provided, starting with shooting. Banks? No news yet, and I doubt he comes back.

Do we have the guys? Who knows? The coach has the guys he wants and we will see what happens. It's very hard to replace a Bennett Stirtz but we got better and more experienced in other areas. It feels like whack-a-mole where every year there are multiple weaknesses you have to overcome. I liked the Coleman addition -not Bennett but a pretty good looking PG. I'm looking forward to finding out!

 

[Hawksfor3]

Just watched a podcast from 6 days ago where the host talked about Daughtry. Iowa was mentioned a couple of times, but at the end of the pod, the host emphasized that the Big Dogs are going to come out of their pens and offer up. Arrrgh. But, we expected that.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Yes.

 

[Franisdaman]

True to an extent. I do know that coaching matters greatly in the tournament. They won 3 games as the underdogs I believe. Not to bag on the guy, but I’m not sure Fran won as an underdog in the tournament his entire tenure at Iowa?

Think we were favored over Clemson. Could be wrong though.

IOWA was a

.....1.5 point favorite vs Clemson
10.5 point underdog vs Florida
.....1.5 point underdog vs Nebraska

and then a

.....6.5 point underdog vs Illinois

Iowa 67-61 Clemson (Mar 20, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Clemson Tigers NCAAM game, final score 67-61, from March 20, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Iowa 73-72 Florida (Mar 22, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators NCAAM game, final score 73-72, from March 22, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Iowa 77-71 Nebraska (Mar 26, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers NCAAM game, final score 77-71, from March 26, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 71-59, from March 28, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

 

[DukeSlater]

We obviously needed a true center vs Illinois in the Elite 8.

Now we have a 7'3" and 6'11" guy (who's hopefully ready to play some minutes) to help Cam man the paint.

It's still kinda surreal to think that with 7:27 to go in the game and a Final Four berth on the line, IOWA was leading Illinois 51-50.

Unfortunately, we got outscored 21-8 the rest of the way.

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 71-59, from March 28, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Exactly. Iowa was a few minutes--and a few inches--from the Final Four with a largely mid-major roster. The more I think about it, the more amazing Ben's tourney run becomes. McCollom is that rare coach who's in the right place at the right time. Iowa will be a force not only in the BIG but on the national scene as long as Ben is the coach, and that should be for quite a long time. If you can't get excited about Iowa men's basketball now, you never will. IMHO, of course.

 

[DukeSlater]

Just watched a podcast from 6 days ago where the host talked about Daughtry. Iowa was mentioned a couple of times, but at the end of the pod, the host emphasized that the Big Dogs are going to come out of their pens and offer up. Arrrgh. But, we expected that.

Iowa is a big dog now. Just having a legit shot at Daughtry seems proof of that. Someday Iowa is gonna find that special kid who understands what an opportunity there is in Iowa City under Ben McCollom. Maybe it'll be Daughtry.

 

[HawksRule73]

We lost our top 3 scorers from a year ago. Going to need to replace that production.

We lost really good senior leadership in Bennett and Banks. Who steps up there?

I'm encouraged with the emergence of Jirak in the summer and the addition of McKeever along with Tate and Coop making good strides.

 

[TampaHawkFan]

True to an extent. I do know that coaching matters greatly in the tournament. They won 3 games as the underdogs I believe. Not to bag on the guy, but I’m not sure Fran won as an underdog in the tournament his entire tenure at Iowa?

I think Iowa was a 10 seed when they beat Cincy, but that's the only NCAA tournament upset going by seed, that comes to mind. They took Tennessee to OT in the 2nd round in the next game. 2019 I think. So they played pretty well that year. Other years, not so much.

Ben, on the other hand, has 3 already in two years. Drake over Missouri, and then FL and Nebraska. Good sign.

 

[Franisdaman]

Are they going to end up being right?

 

[Ty7]

 

[Hawksfor3]

Are they going to end up being right?

These dudes might get a surprise. Bennett's gone, but we have a C-O-A-C-H who knows how to utilize the roster to get the best from them, and a tough and talented group. We have a tournament experienced roster, and Ben will not be satisfied until, that's right, until they win it all. There, I said it.

 

[TheGuy9]

IOWA was a

.....1.5 point favorite vs Clemson
10.5 point underdog vs Florida
.....1.5 point underdog vs Nebraska

and then a

.....6.5 point underdog vs Illinois

Iowa 67-61 Clemson (Mar 20, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Clemson Tigers NCAAM game, final score 67-61, from March 20, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Iowa 73-72 Florida (Mar 22, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators NCAAM game, final score 73-72, from March 22, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Iowa 77-71 Nebraska (Mar 26, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers NCAAM game, final score 77-71, from March 26, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Illinois 71-59 Iowa (Mar 28, 2026) Final Score - ESPN

Game summary of the Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game, final score 71-59, from March 28, 2026 on ESPN.

www.espn.com

Ahhhh, but according to the seeding, Iowa was the underdog. 8 v 9.

 

[herkhatescy2]

Are they going to end up being right?

Can't be right.I don't know any of those jabroni's.

 

[Bro D]

Who knows if it will happen but we finally have a system that will put us in a position to go on a run every year. That's what's so refreshing and exciting

Love me some Tate Sage.. cant wait to see what him and Coop do this season. Really hope Thompson makes an immediate impact because those 3 on the court together with Combs distributing the ball and the behemoth down low, we're gonna be a problem