Iowa's Season Ends with Promise for the Future
HOUSTON - For the second consecutive year, Iowa's basketball journey concluded at the hands of Illinois. Yet, this year's exit felt markedly different.
The Hawkeyes' electrifying NCAA Tournament run came to a halt just shy of the Final Four, falling to the Fighting Illini 71-59. While last year's loss in the Big Ten Tournament left fans questioning the program's direction, this year's defeat paints a brighter picture for the future.
Under the guidance of one of college basketball's most promising young coaches, Iowa's trajectory is on the upswing. The optimism is palpable, and there's a strong belief in what lies ahead.
Senior Tavion Banks expressed this sentiment, saying, “I feel like this program is going to be a big program and everybody is going to look and know who Iowa is. I believe the next two to three years - not even two to three years - next year, they’re going to be really good.”
The game itself highlighted Iowa's need for more size, as Illinois dominated the boards 38-21, including a 16-8 advantage on the offensive glass. Despite standout performances from Bennett Stirtz (24 points) and Illinois' Keaton Wagler (25 points), Wagler's team had more depth, with three additional players scoring at least nine points. Meanwhile, Iowa struggled to find offensive support beyond Tate Sage.
In a tightly contested game, Illinois delivered a decisive 8-0 run late in the second half, sealing Iowa's fate for the season.
Redshirt freshman Cooper Koch reflected on the season, saying, "We've got a lot of good guys coming back, a lot of hungry guys. No one's really satisfied with this.
Yeah, it was a really good season. But we don't want to just get here.
We wanted to make it further. This one definitely stung and we're going to remember this."
This season was a breakthrough for Iowa, shattering previous NCAA Tournament barriers. They secured their first tournament win since 2021, reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.
The turnaround under coach Ben McCollum has been nothing short of remarkable. Tasked with revitalizing a struggling program, McCollum has transformed Iowa into a contender, earning their first tournament berth since 2023. Their impressive run this year has elevated expectations and belief in the program's future.
McCollum praised his team, stating, "I'm obviously very proud of the foundation that they've built. I think right afterwards you're always disappointed.
You wanted to win that game. But certainly understand what they've done for the University of Iowa, what they've done for this foundation, how much they've sacrificed for it, and then, obviously, to get them to this point, to an Elite Eight."
McCollum's coaching journey has been impressive, with four Division II national titles to his name. His first season at Iowa has already surpassed his initial years at previous stops, setting a strong foundation for future success.
Looking ahead, Iowa faces some roster changes. Stirtz, a projected first-round NBA Draft pick, leaves a significant void, and Banks' future remains uncertain.
However, the potential return of key players like Cam Manyawu, Kael Combs, Alvaro Folgueiras, Tate Sage, Cooper Koch, and Isaia Howard provides a solid core. Additionally, young talents like Trevin Jirak and Trey Thompson offer promise for the future.
McCollum emphasized the importance of leadership and culture, saying, “I think when you have, obviously, Bennett (Stirtz) and Tavion (Banks) and Brendan (Hausen) kind of teaching those guys how to be a winner in a lot of ways, it’ll carry us into the future of that.”
Iowa's tournament journey was nothing short of thrilling, highlighted by Folgueiras’ game-winning 3-pointer against top-seeded Florida and a gritty victory over rival Nebraska.
As Iowa closes the chapter on McCollum's first season, the foundation is set for something even greater. Manyawu captured the essence of their journey, saying, “That’s what it’s all about: Bringing joy to everybody.
It’s a game at the end of the day. So, making sure we have fun, bringing joy to our fans.”
Indeed, this season may be over, but for Iowa, it's just the beginning of an exciting new era.