McCollum & Jirak: Will they be seeing significant minutes once the tough games start?

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
18,704
28,752
113
Pretty impressive performance by both tonight.

Peyton:

21 minutes (just 1 foul committed)

4-7 (57%) from three
1-2 (50%) from inside the arc.
......................................................
5-9 (56%) Overall Shooting

0-0 (0%) FTs

14 Points
0 Assists (0 Turnovers)
1 Defensive Rebound
0 Steals

0 Blocks



Trevin:

21 minutes (just 2 fouls committed)

0-2 (0%) from three
3-3 (100%) from inside the arc.
......................................................
3-5 (60%) Overall Shooting

2-2 (100%) FTs

8 Points
8 Assists (3 Turnovers)
7 Rebounds (2 Offensive)
1 Block
0 Steals
 

Herky T Hawk

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2003
536
1,252
93
Jirak looks like he belongs out there with us, much improved over last year which is great to see. Peyton will have games where he plays up to 10 minutes when the team has foul trouble, and likely a lot of DNPs. But he looks better than you might think. He plays like a coach’s kid is supposed to play. Not reckless with the ball like Patrick. A better shooter than Connor was. Actually looks like a D1 athlete unlike Little Lick. He also wasn’t gifted an Undergraduate Coaching position like Keno or a full time basketball job like Hannah. Needless to say we’ve had a lot of coach’s kids involved in Basketball here. I could see him being a regular contributor at some point in his career.
 

Hawkfan_08*

Heisman
Jul 2, 2025
3,891
10,189
113
I love Jirak's game right now. He's a great passer to get the offense moving fun the perimeter and in the post (high/low). He's been good on the glass as well.

I said the same about McCollum. He's a better shooter than Connor and a tougher defender. I think he's going to play more than others think.

Trey Thompson was the one we all wanted to see more. He looked fine on both ends to me. Hoping he gets more time going forward.
 

RuggieC

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2014
631
1,256
93
Need Peyton to keep knocking down 3s and playing tough defense. He is fitting in nicely. I did not see that coming after the years of the previous coaches son's play. Right now he is an all effort type of young man.

Trevin is pretty smooth big right now. Great passer, can take it down low and can step out and knock down the shot. A big target from goo screens for the other guys as well. Really happy for both of these guys.

REALLY glad to see Thompson get some extended minutes and he looked pretty good on both ends of the court.

I am not smart enough to figure out how many minutes these guys will get but i DO see a DEEP team where if we are struggling with a player or two that guys like this can come in and give the team a lift. Ben has some talent to work with including a guy that can jump out of the gym AND a center we have not seen yet.
 

The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
2,280
4,401
113
This is going to be a very interesting season. Ben traditionally rarely goes more than 7-8 deep. At Drake he was barely 7. Stirtz was playing 40 minutes for him for the last 2 years. Now we have 10 guys that all look pretty equal in ability. There’s no dominant player but a lot of good ones. I really have no idea how this is going to play out. I’ll admit I’m a little concerned about McKeevers back.
 

Palmerhawk

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
2,553
5,035
113
Did Ben
This is going to be a very interesting season. Ben traditionally rarely goes more than 7-8 deep. At Drake he was barely 7. Stirtz was playing 40 minutes for him for the last 2 years. Now we have 10 guys that all look pretty equal in ability. There’s no dominant player but a lot of good ones. I really have no idea how this is going to play out. I’ll admit I’m a little concerned about McKeevers back.
Did Ben have a small rotation on those title teams at NW Mo.St?
 
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Hawk48

All-Conference
Jun 10, 2005
1,260
1,938
113
Jirk's game has really improved IMO. PM is a tough and good player his biggest challenge will be matching up with quick guards, JMO
 

DukeSlater

All-American
Jul 2, 2023
2,423
5,417
113
Pretty impressive performance by both tonight.

Peyton:

21 minutes (just 1 foul committed)

4-7 (57%) from three
1-2 (50%) from inside the arc.
......................................................
5-9 (56%) Overall Shooting

0-0 (0%) FTs

14 Points
0 Assists (0 Turnovers)
1 Defensive Rebound
0 Steals

0 Blocks



Trevin:

21 minutes (just 2 fouls committed)

0-2 (0%) from three
3-3 (100%) from inside the arc.
......................................................
3-5 (60%) Overall Shooting

2-2 (100%) FTs

8 Points
8 Assists (3 Turnovers)
7 Rebounds (2 Offensive)
1 Block
0 Steals
Based on their performance, my answer would be a resounding YES. Both guys look the part. They play smart, team basketball, and as I've said before, everyone on this roster is capable. Some need more experience, but all are talented players. And McCollum and Jirak--based on what I'm seeing--belong in the rotation.
 

DukeSlater

All-American
Jul 2, 2023
2,423
5,417
113
Is McCollum better than Hausen?
Oh, hell yes. McCollum is a WAY better defender, and he's a better shooter. His mechanics, not surprisingly, are excellent. If you didn't know he was the coach's son, you'd think he was pretty damn good--because he is.
 
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Smigamorski

Sophomore
Mar 4, 2019
110
151
43
How many minutes will Cam play once Mckeever returns? I get he can play the 4 but it appears they have a lot of capable wings.
 

hawkeyemark18

Senior
Aug 16, 2019
346
590
93
How many minutes will Cam play once Mckeever returns? I get he can play the 4 but it appears they have a lot of capable wings.
Very good question I have wondered about myself. Even in this last game Cam played just spot minutes despite starting. Jirak has really come on and I see him and McKeever playing together at times.

For me Combs seems somewhat of a wild card as well. Campbell looks the better of the two running the point. And McCollum gives us better shooting off the ball. Ben has more talent to work with now so both Cam and Combs may play more of a role giving us a steady veteran presence.
 

Rambler Hawk

All-Conference
Oct 10, 2001
2,961
3,982
113
Jirak looks like he belongs out there with us, much improved over last year which is great to see. Peyton will have games where he plays up to 10 minutes when the team has foul trouble, and likely a lot of DNPs. But he looks better than you might think. He plays like a coach’s kid is supposed to play. Not reckless with the ball like Patrick. A better shooter than Connor was. Actually looks like a D1 athlete unlike Little Lick. He also wasn’t gifted an Undergraduate Coaching position like Keno or a full time basketball job like Hannah. Needless to say we’ve had a lot of coach’s kids involved in Basketball here. I could see him being a regular contributor at some point in his career.
Well said!
 

fivecardstud14

All-Conference
Dec 1, 2008
1,866
2,523
113
That's not my personal assessment, I believe coach has mentioned this in the past.
Oh I was hoping we’d get another “In no world” comment from you. Hey if you think Manyawu should be roaming around the perimeter while another big man is on the floor all the more power to you.

In an ideal world he’s the third center behind McKeever & Jirak. He’s going to get his 10-15 minutes a game but probably nothing more when everyone is healthy.
 

Smigamorski

Sophomore
Mar 4, 2019
110
151
43
Oh I was hoping we’d get another “In no world” comment from you. Hey if you think Manyawu should be roaming around the perimeter while another big man is on the floor all the more power to you.

In an ideal world he’s the third center behind McKeever & Jirak. He’s going to get his 10-15 minutes a game but probably nothing more when everyone is healthy.
Ah ok so were just fishing for arguments? Cool, cool great commentary.
 
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AndreTheHawk

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
1,216
2,512
113
Yes. If he wasn’t McCollum’s kid and Iowa didn’t have a past with the Mccaffery boys, his minutes would be a non issue to fans, he belongs on the floor.
So far anyway. That could change once Big Ten play starts, and I suspect it will. If he can hang then, all the better.

Lot of strange minutes thus far for certain players, which will obviously change when McKeever gets healthy. I think Ben is mostly keeping his better players limited and healthy in these early games, that likely changes starting Tuesday.
 
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Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
18,704
28,752
113
So that would give Ben the same issue that Jan had with Hannah. Not exactly ideal.....I'd agree that Cam will play a leadership role, and may even start, but I think he'll play limited minutes in lots of games.

Honestly, if we are stinking it up rebounding, I would not be surprised to see Ben put Cam in.... We shall see....
 
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