Iowa Basketball's Slow Starts Raising Questions Ahead of Key Stretch
Since November 20, when Iowa faced Chicago State, the Hawkeyes have rolled out the same starting five in every game-aside from their January 11 loss to Illinois. That group-Bennett Stirtz, Kael Combs, Tavion Banks, Cooper Koch, and Cam Manyawu-has been the foundation for head coach Ben McCollum’s rotation. But with postseason implications looming and offensive inconsistencies piling up, the question now is whether that foundation needs a shake-up.
Let’s be clear: starting lineups don’t always decide games. Coaches often emphasize finishing strong and finding the right combinations throughout the game.
But getting off to a quick start can set the tone, build momentum, and take some pressure off the bench. For Iowa, early-game offense has been a real issue lately-and it’s starting to cost them.
A Pattern of Cold Starts
The numbers don’t lie. In the loss to Purdue, Iowa opened 2-of-14 from the field.
Against Northwestern, they started 4-of-15. USC?
Just 1-of-12. Even in wins, the Hawkeyes have struggled to find rhythm early-5-of-15 against Rutgers, for example.
Those sluggish starts have put them behind the eight ball more often than not.
First-quarter scores tell the same story. Purdue jumped out to a 19-9 lead.
Iowa tied Maryland at 19, but trailed Northwestern 15-13, Washington 20-14, and USC 16-8. Against Rutgers, they barely edged out a 13-12 lead.
It’s not just about the shots not falling-it’s about the lack of offensive flow right out of the gate.
What the Data Says
Over the last month, Iowa’s go-to starting five has posted 1.14 points per possession while allowing 1.15. That’s basically a net-zero efficiency.
They’re shooting just 26.3% from beyond the arc and 57.1% at the rim when that group is on the floor. Defensively, opponents are hitting 36.8% from three and a concerning 70% at the rim.
That’s not the kind of production you want from your starters-especially when you're trying to make a push for the NCAA Tournament.
McCollum acknowledged the dilemma ahead of Tuesday night’s matchup with No. 9 Nebraska.
“We even thought [about changing the lineup] during the win streak,” he said. “It’s probably more of a defensive lineup to start, and we do get stops with that lineup, but we just don’t score.
So then you’re slow starting every time.”
Exploring Other Lineup Options
McCollum and his staff aren’t flying blind here. The data points to some intriguing alternatives.
Take the lineup of Stirtz, Combs, Banks, Koch, and Alvaro Folgueiras. They’ve been more productive offensively-scoring 1.19 points per possession, shooting 37.5% from three, and dominating the offensive glass. But they’ve also given up 1.25 points per possession, and haven’t been sharp at the rim.
Another group-Stirtz, Howard, Tate Sage, Koch, and Manyawu-has been electric. That lineup is scoring a scorching 1.63 points per possession, with a 76.6 effective field goal percentage.
They’re hitting 58.3% from three, 71.4% at the rim, and locking in defensively, allowing just 0.94 points per possession. That’s the kind of balance every coach dreams of.
Then there’s Brendan Hausen, who’s been getting more minutes lately. When he’s on the floor, Iowa’s offensive lineups are averaging 1.38 points per possession-even with a modest 30.6% from three.
If Hausen finds his shooting rhythm, those numbers could climb even higher. The trade-off?
Those lineups are surrendering 1.3 points per possession, so the defensive side still needs work.
The Margin for Error is Shrinking
Iowa has dropped two straight after a six-game winning streak that had them looking like a tournament lock. They’re still in a solid position to make the field of 68, but the path is getting tighter.
Wins over Ohio State at home and Penn State on the road would help. A marquee Quadrant 1A victory would all but seal the deal.
And that’s where the slow starts become more than just a stat-they become a storyline. Against a team like Purdue, which brings size and physicality, Iowa’s early offensive struggles were amplified.
McCollum pointed to missed opportunities-not bad looks, just missed shots. “We actually played hard,” he said.
“We didn’t play very smart in some capacity.”
He broke it down further: a missed point-blank layup, an open three that didn’t fall, a drive to the rim that stalled out against a 6’10” defender. “Our rim decisions then became difficult,” McCollum said. It’s not that the looks aren’t there-it’s that Iowa isn’t capitalizing.
Shooting Woes Adding to the Problem
Over the last five games, Iowa has hit just 31.1% of its uncontested catch-and-shoot threes. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that relies on spacing and perimeter shooting to open up driving lanes.
At the rim, they’ve dipped from 65.9% on close twos for the season to just 58.3% over the last five games. In Big Ten play, they’re converting only 54.6% of their layups.
Those numbers underscore the broader issue. It’s not just about who starts-it’s about execution. But if a lineup change can spark better starts and get Iowa playing with confidence from the opening tip, it’s something worth considering.
With Nebraska coming to town and the postseason picture tightening up, Iowa has little room for error. Whether McCollum sticks with the current starters or shakes things up, one thing is clear: the Hawkeyes need to find a way to hit the ground running. Because in the Big Ten, slow starts can lead to quick exits.