Toggle sidebar

IOWA will be spending over $10M on the 2026-27 roster (Portal opens on Tues, April 7)

I

iahawkeyes17

All-Conference
Apr 22, 2014
603
1,591
83
83Hawk said:
There are a lot of kids who think they are going to get big bucks that are in for a rude awakening.

I have been saying all along....there are not enough roster spots available at the top schools for all the kids that want to play there. And there are not enough teams that can/will shell out millions for every player that thinks they deserve it. There are plenty of quality players out there that can be had without breaking the bank. Ben just has to find them.
Click to expand...
Plenty left in the cold with no school but even productive players leave and realize what people around them are saying isn’t always the case. Rumor has it Entringer in football was example of this. he did get a bump at L’ville over Iowa from source I heard but nothing substantial. He felt he would get a lot more if he entered the portal and did not get what he was seeking. Guess we will see if taking little bit more at L’ville was worth it long run staying to play for one of the top DC/DB coach in America.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 83Hawk and Franisdaman
M

MAXIMUSHAWKEYE

Senior
Jan 3, 2004
370
765
93
iahawkeyes17 said:
Plenty left in the cold with no school but even productive players leave and realize what people around them are saying isn’t always the case. Rumor has it Entringer in football was example of this. he did get a bump at L’ville over Iowa from source I heard but nothing substantial. He felt he would get a lot more if he entered the portal and did not get what he was seeking. Guess we will see if taking little bit more at L’ville was worth it long run staying to play for one of the top DC/DB coach in America.
Click to expand...
Makes no sense why he left then. Learn from the best and then get drafted and make big bucks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hawksbyamillion_rivals316961 and Franisdaman
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,125
20,525
113
J.Hawkeye said:
I just hate this
Click to expand...

I am excited about Ben as our coach and the Elite 8 run that we made.

Everything else I hate, too.

If we are spending $12M next season, just imagine where things might be a few years from now.

It's no wonder players don't want to sit down and bargain and put up guard rails; they don't want this gravy train to end.

And now we know why Brendan Hausen was not pissed about not playing; he got paid regardless.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hawksbyamillion_rivals316961, SB_SB and ClarindaA’s
H

Hawkangler

All-Conference
Mar 16, 2014
1,470
3,312
113
Franisdaman said:
Our roster now sits at 14 (assuming Tavion Banks is back). 13 on scholarship, 1 walk on.

How do you allocate the $10M to $12M?
Click to expand...

Franisdaman said:
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR) $700K
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (SR) - leaves
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR) $700K
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR) $700K

6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR) $400K
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR) - $50K

6'7 G Tate Sage (SO) $800K
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO) $800K
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO) $150K
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO) $300K

6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR) $400K
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR) $300K
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR) $100K
6'7 SF Jaidyn Coon (FR) $300K
Click to expand...
New PG - $1.8M
New Big $2.2M

This would be slightly under $10M at $9.7M

Depending on the other players contracts and new portal compensation there could be funds to retain Alvaro, who will only get better. I envy the staff doing this, it is stressful dealing with the human element but exciting putting the pieces together.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Franisdaman, BigOHawk1 and doughuddl2_rivals
Zach Jump

Zach Jump

All-Conference
Jun 24, 2022
2,720
4,644
113
Franisdaman said:
Yeah, I don't see 9 pts & 6 rebs commanding $3M/year
Click to expand...

I could see him getting something in that range. His last year in the Bundesliga he has named the best German in the league.

doughuddl2_rivals said:
One year player so Iowa may want a player with more years.
Click to expand...

I would assume he still has 3 years of eligibility left. If he is draft ready yea a one and done, maybe.
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,125
20,525
113
Hawkangler said:
New PG - $1.8M
New Big $2.2M

This would be slightly under $10M at $9.7M

Depending on the other players contracts and new portal compensation there could be funds to retain Alvaro, who will only get better. I envy the staff doing this, it is stressful dealing with the human element but exciting putting the pieces together.
Click to expand...

Can you imagine trying to come up with the puzzle pieces to fit within that $12M budget?

I would imagine Ben's top 8 players would get most of the money?

Crazy to see what college sports have become.
 
B

BigOHawk1

Senior
Oct 27, 2001
413
722
93
Ben has some cash to play with...apparently Iowa raised more in last month than with Fran ALL of last year. Again, obviously he isn't taking kids who are just chasing $$$, so he has a starter kit in mind much like Kirk and Co. on the football side.

I think we get a PG and a C with some experience but maybe not a lot, both of these additions can't be green, need some results but not necessarily high end unless all works out. Hausen's cash is going back to the pool along with Bennet's + Folgy (pay cut or all of it if he goes). Not sure what Banks was making, maybe 250-500k?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Franisdaman
OnlyTheObscure

OnlyTheObscure

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
2,563
3,730
113
BigOHawk1 said:
What about NIL package based on performance? Escalator clauses for minutes and points, rebounds etc.
Click to expand...
You can certainly do that. If a kid has two offers, one guaranteed and the other performance based, what do you think he will pick?

great players from the past likely lay awake at night dreaming about what could have been.

imagine what Roy Marble, BJ Armstrong, and others would have got. They were basically rock stars.
 
Last edited:
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,125
20,525
113
Ok, I need you all to pretend to be Ben's right hand man.

He has $12M to spend and he wants you to allocate it to the entire roster!

Assume Tavion is back and remove one player to get to 15 roster spots.

Consider this your intial draft because, of course, things will change (Alvaro may leave, etc).

Here is your initial 16 man roster:

Point Guard from portal
Center from portal
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (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)
 
H

Hawkangler

All-Conference
Mar 16, 2014
1,470
3,312
113
Franisdaman said:
Ok, I need you all to pretend to be Ben's right hand man.

He has $12M to spend and he wants you to allocate it to the entire roster!

Assume Tavion is back and remove one player to get to 15 roster spots.

Consider this your intial draft because, of course, things will change (Alvaro may leave, etc).

Here is your initial 16 man roster:

Point Guard from portal
Center from portal
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (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)
Click to expand...
I did that back at post #52.
 
  • Love
Reactions: Franisdaman
B

Burgers

Sophomore
Jul 22, 2025
46
118
33
Franisdaman said:
Ok, I need you all to pretend to be Ben's right hand man.

He has $12M to spend and he wants you to allocate it to the entire roster!

Assume Tavion is back and remove one player to get to 15 roster spots.

Consider this your intial draft because, of course, things will change (Alvaro may leave, etc).

Here is your initial 16 man roster:

Point Guard from portal
Center from portal
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (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)
Click to expand...

  • Folgueiras - happy to retain him at the right price.
    • Obviously talented, but I don't think he is a great fit for McCollum's system. Also have a good amount of players that can play a similar role - e.g., Koch, Thompson, Harris.
  • Matteoni - I do not see him being a contributor.
    • I've seen him play all of maybe 5 minutes, so would obviously defer to BM's evaluation.
  • Jacob Koch - same as Matteoni.

I think Jirak is a big wild card. He has skill and size. Lacks athleticism, and the game looked like it was going too fast for him this year. I think he has potential. If the coaches think he could be a contributor next year, could we roll with Manyawu / Jirak at the 5? That would be a weak rotation at 5, but we had that this year and still won because we had an elite PG. If the coaches think Manyawu / Jirak at the 5 can at least be serviceable, then perhaps they go all in on trying to get an elite guard.
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: doughuddl2_rivals, Franisdaman and BigOHawk1
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,125
20,525
113
Burgers said:
  • Folgueiras - happy to retain him at the right price.
    • Obviously talented, but I don't think he is a great fit for McCollum's system. Also have a good amount of players that can play a similar role - e.g., Koch, Thompson, Harris.
  • Matteoni - I do not see him being a contributor.
    • I've seen him play all of maybe 5 minutes, so would obviously defer to BM's evaluation.
  • Jacob Koch - same as Matteoni.

I think Jirak is a big wild card. He has skill and size. Lacks athleticism, and the game looked like it was going too fast for him this year. I think he has potential. If the coaches think he could be a contributor next year, could we roll with Manyawu / Jirak at the 5? That would be a weak rotation at 5, but we had that this year and still won because we had an elite PG. If the coaches think Manyawu / Jirak at the 5 can at least be serviceable, then perhaps they go all in on trying to get an elite guard.
Click to expand...


Besides a center and a PG, do we need another shooting guard?
 
B

BigOHawk1

Senior
Oct 27, 2001
413
722
93
Burgers said:
  • Folgueiras - happy to retain him at the right price.
    • Obviously talented, but I don't think he is a great fit for McCollum's system. Also have a good amount of players that can play a similar role - e.g., Koch, Thompson, Harris.
  • Matteoni - I do not see him being a contributor.
    • I've seen him play all of maybe 5 minutes, so would obviously defer to BM's evaluation.
  • Jacob Koch - same as Matteoni.

I think Jirak is a big wild card. He has skill and size. Lacks athleticism, and the game looked like it was going too fast for him this year. I think he has potential. If the coaches think he could be a contributor next year, could we roll with Manyawu / Jirak at the 5? That would be a weak rotation at 5, but we had that this year and still won because we had an elite PG. If the coaches think Manyawu / Jirak at the 5 can at least be serviceable, then perhaps they go all in on trying to get an elite guard.
Click to expand...
I think the Cam/Jirak combo is simply a backup plan at Center. That big and rim protector is a MUST this portal cycle and it has to be someone with P4 production IMO - yet it's a 2-3 million dollar investment. Yet with a proven PG keep that budget to 5 mil with those two spots and you have 7 mil to go to rest of roster. We saw this vs. Mich and Illinois especially. Now, if Jirak continues to get stronger and better and game slows down, even better as we have a 1-2 punch at Center. What about that Colorado PG who is in portal?
 
  • Like
Reactions: HawkFan10 and Franisdaman
Max Rebo

Max Rebo

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2022
580
1,467
93
Franisdaman said:
Ok, I need you all to pretend to be Ben's right hand man.

He has $12M to spend and he wants you to allocate it to the entire roster!

Assume Tavion is back and remove one player to get to 15 roster spots.

Consider this your intial draft because, of course, things will change (Alvaro may leave, etc).

Here is your initial 16 man roster:

Point Guard from portal
Center from portal
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (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)
Click to expand...
I'll only say that if both Folgueiras and Banks return, along with Koch, Sage, Thompson, Harris, and Coon, that's a lot of forwards. Somebody's not going to play much. Sure, some of those guys can play different positions, sliding over to the 3, and even the 2. But still, with a portal PG, Combs, and Howard all likely getting a lot of playing time in the backcourt, and with Ben's preference for a short bench, somebody's going to get left out. Maybe multiple somebodies.

Good problem to have?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Franisdaman
nu2u

nu2u

All-Conference
Aug 10, 2006
10,193
2,145
113
83Hawk said:
There are a lot of kids who think they are going to get big bucks that are in for a rude awakening.

I have been saying all along....there are not enough roster spots available at the top schools for all the kids that want to play there. And there are not enough teams that can/will shell out millions for every player that thinks they deserve it. There are plenty of quality players out there that can be had without breaking the bank. Ben just has to find them.
Click to expand...
I can’t agree more and especially “there are quality players out there that can be had without breaking the bank”. This is where I trust Coach McCollum’s player evaluation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 83Hawk
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,125
20,525
113
Max Rebo said:
I'll only say that if both Folgueiras and Banks return, along with Koch, Sage, Thompson, Harris, and Coon, that's a lot of forwards. Somebody's not going to play much. Sure, some of those guys can play different positions, sliding over to the 3, and even the 2. But still, with a portal PG, Combs, and Howard all likely getting a lot of playing time in the backcourt, and with Ben's preference for a short bench, somebody's going to get left out. Maybe multiple somebodies.

Good problem to have?
Click to expand...

Good questions.

If Ben continues to only play up to 9, who's the 9?

Possible 9 man rotation:
Point Guard from portal
Center from portal
6'7 G/F Tavion Banks (SR)
6'9 F Alvaro Folgueiras (SR)
6'4 G Kael Combs (SR)
6'8 F Cam Manyawu (SR)
6'5 G Isaia Howard (JR)
6'7 G Tate Sage (SO)
6'8 F Cooper Koch (RS SO)

Other options:
6'8 F Trey Thompson (RS FR)
6'11 C Trevin Jirak (SO)
6'8" PF Ethan Harris (FR)
6'7 SF Jaidyn Coon (FR)

End of bench:
6'9 F Joey Matteoni (RS SO)
6'2 G Peyton McCollum (RS FR)
6'2 G Jacob Koch (JR)
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,125
20,525
113
I see that one of Iowa's targets is 6'4" Butler guard Finley Bizjack.

This season he averaged 17.1 pts, 2.5 assists, 2.2 rebs. He shot 43% overall and 35% from three.




www.espn.com

Finley Bizjack - Butler Bulldogs Guard - ESPN

View the profile of Butler Bulldogs Guard Finley Bizjack on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: WestCoastHawkI
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
14,125
20,525
113
There's a report that Iowa has also targeted 6'1" Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson (was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention).

He has 3 years left.

This season he averaged 16.9 pts, 3.0 assists and 2.9 rebs. He shot 49% from the field and 38% from three.





www.espn.com

Isaiah Johnson - Colorado Buffaloes Guard - ESPN

View the profile of Colorado Buffaloes Guard Isaiah Johnson on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigOHawk1 and HawkFan10
B

BigOHawk1

Senior
Oct 27, 2001
413
722
93
Franisdaman said:
I see that one of Iowa's targets is 6'4" Butler guard Finley Bizjack.

This season he averaged 17.1 pts, 2.5 assists, 2.2 rebs. He shot 43% overall and 35% from three.




www.espn.com

Finley Bizjack - Butler Bulldogs Guard - ESPN

View the profile of Butler Bulldogs Guard Finley Bizjack on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
Asking price will be big yet he's testing NBA waters as well. Other PG targets I'm hearing include Colorado PG Johnson and Georgia PG Wilkinson. Iowa is/was looking at the Center from Boise State.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Franisdaman
Max Rebo

Max Rebo

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2022
580
1,467
93
Franisdaman said:
There's a report that Iowa has also targeted 6'1" Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson (was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention).

He has 3 years left.

This season he averaged 16.9 pts, 3.0 assists and 2.9 rebs. He shot 49% from the field and 38% from three.





www.espn.com

Isaiah Johnson - Colorado Buffaloes Guard - ESPN

View the profile of Colorado Buffaloes Guard Isaiah Johnson on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
I've seen this name pop up a few times.

I kind of like the idea of bringing in a younger guy like this, who would fit into a young core that already includes Sage, Koch, Thompson, Harris, Coon, Jirak, etc., and then look toward a 3-year build.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hawksbyamillion_rivals316961 and Franisdaman
D

doughuddl2_rivals

All-Conference
Sep 5, 2009
837
1,196
93
BigOHawk1 said:
Ben has some cash to play with...apparently Iowa raised more in last month than with Fran ALL of last year. Again, obviously he isn't taking kids who are just chasing $$$, so he has a starter kit in mind much like Kirk and Co. on the football side.

I think we get a PG and a C with some experience but maybe not a lot, both of these additions can't be green, need some results but not necessarily high end unless all works out. Hausen's cash is going back to the pool along with Bennet's + Folgy (pay cut or all of it if he goes). Not sure what Banks was making, maybe 250-500k?
Click to expand...
Iowa is stuck with Folgy and his contracted amount if he has not found a new home by Aug 1. Meaning someone has contacted his agent and willing to pay more than Iowa will.

I don't see him leaving if his Iowa NIL deal is truly over a million.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Franisdaman
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom