Ben McCollum Talks Road Challenges, Player Growth, and Iowa’s Midseason Adjustments
As Iowa gears up for a tough West Coast swing against Oregon and Washington, head coach Ben McCollum took time Friday morning to break down where his team stands - and where it needs to go - in the thick of Big Ten play. From the development of key players like Trey Thompson and Alvaro Folgueiras to how the Hawkeyes are handling travel and late-game decision-making, McCollum gave a candid look at the state of the program.
Here’s what stood out from his conversation with the media.
Alvaro Folgueiras Finding His Rhythm
One of the more promising developments for Iowa in recent weeks has been the emergence of freshman forward Alvaro Folgueiras. McCollum noted that Folgueiras had a breakout second half at Indiana, stringing together a series of “winning plays” that helped the Hawkeyes stay competitive.
His performance against USC was another step forward - not just in terms of production, but in how he approached the game. “He attacked the rim first and didn’t just settle for threes,” McCollum said.
“And then the threes ended up finding him.” That’s a subtle but important shift in mentality, especially for a young player still learning how to pick his spots.
The Value of Closed Scrimmages
Before the season tipped off, Iowa took part in a series of closed scrimmages - and while the results don’t show up in the win-loss column, McCollum believes they played a critical role in shaping the team’s identity.
“We try not to over-scout those things,” he explained. “They expose what needs to be exposed.”
The point, McCollum said, isn’t about winning those scrimmages - it’s about identifying weaknesses before they become problems in conference play. “It doesn’t always feel good,” he admitted, “but it definitely helps us in the long run.”
Trey Thompson’s Steady Climb
If there’s a player quietly rounding into form, it’s freshman Trey Thompson. McCollum had high praise for the young forward, especially on the defensive end where he’s putting in extra work after every practice.
“He’s doing great. He’s getting better every day.
He’s getting stronger,” McCollum said. “Defensively, he’s getting exponentially better.”
Offense has never been a concern for Thompson, who McCollum described as a complete package - able to post up, shoot, drive, and finish. But the real story here is his resilience.
Thompson battled through a lengthy illness earlier this season that caused him to lose around 15 pounds. Now healthy, he’s starting to look like the player Iowa hoped he’d be.
Scouting an Oregon Team Missing Key Pieces
Oregon might be shorthanded, but McCollum isn’t taking them lightly. The Ducks have shown they can still defend at a high level, even without some of their top players.
“They’ll mix between man and matchup zone,” McCollum said. “They’re a little bit unique in that.” He compared their defensive versatility to USC, noting that Oregon will switch, hedge, and throw in different looks to disrupt rhythm.
“They did a good job against UCLA of getting stops,” McCollum added. “They’ll be tricky to score on consistently.” Offensively, Oregon has simplified things a bit due to injuries, but McCollum emphasized the importance of protecting the rim and not giving up easy looks inside.
Rim Decisions and Shot Selection Late in the Clock
One of the areas McCollum is zeroing in on is decision-making around the rim - particularly when the shot clock is winding down. He pointed out that Iowa has been forcing too many contested shots at the rim instead of kicking out to open shooters.
“When we get to the rim, it doesn’t mean you’re entitled to shoot the shot,” he said. “If there’s no one there, sure. But we tend to take the shot when there’s people there.”
He cited a few specific examples from recent games, including a missed opportunity from Cooper Koch at the top of the key. “We talked to him about it - you need to shoot that,” McCollum said. “That’s just Coop still being a freshman.”
It’s a learning curve, but one that McCollum believes the team is starting to navigate better, especially after halftime adjustments.
The Challenge of Replay Reviews
When it comes to in-game replay challenges, McCollum admitted the process can be a bit of a guessing game. “I just have to trust my players,” he said. “It doesn’t come across quick enough.”
He mentioned that some arenas display replays almost immediately on the video board, which can give teams a split-second advantage in deciding whether to challenge. But even with that, there’s no guarantee the right camera angle will be available.
“There’s a lot that goes into it and it’s quick,” McCollum said. “You just try to save it and make sure you get the obvious ones right.”
From Bus Rides to Big Ten Flights: Life on the Road Then vs. Now
McCollum also reflected on the contrast between road trips during his Division II coaching days and the travel grind of the Big Ten. Back then, five-day bus trips were the norm - long hours, hotel rooms, and a whole lot of film study.
“It’s a fairly bleak existence, if you will, on the road,” he joked. “I think everybody else has a little more fun than I do.”
Still, those trips came with their own kind of charm. After wins, the bus would come alive with music and card games - spades, 500, euchre.
“Some of those memories were as good as it gets,” McCollum said. “Now, I’d probably still rather fly a plane back.”
Looking Ahead
As Iowa heads west for a critical stretch of conference play, McCollum’s message is clear: keep growing, keep adjusting, and don’t shy away from the uncomfortable lessons. Whether it’s a freshman learning when to shoot, a big man finding his confidence, or a team figuring out how to close games, the Hawkeyes are still very much a work in progress - but one that’s starting to find its stride.