As Iowa gears up for a key Big Ten showdown on the road against Oregon, both teams have released their final availability reports - and there’s no shortage of impact news, especially on the Ducks’ side.
Let’s start with Iowa. The Hawkeyes are heading into Sunday’s matchup at full strength, with no players listed as questionable or out for the game.
The only absence is freshman guard Peyton McCollum, who remains out for the season. While McCollum hasn’t been a regular contributor in the rotation, his season-long absence still trims depth at the guard spot - something that could matter in a physical, up-tempo game like this.
Now, Oregon’s availability report tells a very different story. The Ducks are dealing with a heavy dose of attrition, especially among key contributors. Five players are officially out for the season, including two major pieces in Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle.
Shelstad, who’s been averaging 15.6 points per game, had emerged as a dynamic scoring threat and floor general. His absence leaves a noticeable void in Oregon’s backcourt - not just in scoring, but in leadership and tempo control.
Bittle, meanwhile, was putting up 16.3 points per game and anchoring the frontcourt. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim made him a matchup nightmare, and Oregon will have to dig deep to replace that kind of two-way presence.
Also out for the season are Ege Demir (2.2 ppg), Devon Pryor (2.9 ppg), and Miles Johnson, who hasn’t seen the floor this year. While those three weren’t major statistical contributors, they still represent depth - and in a long, grinding season, that matters.
The Ducks also list Takai Simpkins as questionable. Simpkins has been averaging 12.4 points per game and has played a key role in Oregon’s perimeter attack.
Whether or not he suits up could swing the balance even further. If he’s unavailable, Oregon would be without three of its top four scorers - a brutal blow against an Iowa team that’s been picking up steam offensively.
So what does this all mean heading into Sunday? For Iowa, it’s a chance to capitalize on health and cohesion.
The Hawkeyes have their full rotation available and are catching an Oregon team that’s trying to patch together a competitive lineup. But don’t expect the Ducks to roll over - even short-handed, they’ve shown the ability to compete with grit and pace.
Still, the availability report paints a clear picture: Iowa enters this Big Ten matchup with a significant edge in roster stability. And in February, when every possession and every player matters just a little more, that could be the difference.