Ben McCollum is making waves in the college basketball world, solidifying his reputation as one of the sharpest minds in the game. After leading Northwest Missouri State to four Division II National Championships, he took the Drake Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament win in four decades. Now, he's crafting a new chapter with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
In his debut season with Iowa, McCollum has joined the legendary Tom Davis as the only coaches in program history to reach the Sweet 16 in their first year. As Iowa prepares to face Nebraska on March 26, 2026, McCollum is poised to add to his NCAA Tournament win total-a prospect Nebraska fans would rather not entertain.
Iowa's journey to the Sweet 16, their first since 1999, is significant for several reasons. A victory would mark their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987 and further enhance McCollum's impressive resume.
In an intriguing twist, McCollum's NCAA Tournament wins at Iowa already match Nebraska's all-time total. If the Hawkeyes manage another upset against their rival, McCollum would secure his third tournament win as head coach, a milestone that would be celebrated with gusto.
Iowa and Nebraska have clashed twice this season, including a nail-biting overtime finale to the regular season. The rivalry is heating up, and if McCollum can engineer another strategic triumph, discussions about a statue outside Carver-Hawkeye Arena might just be on the horizon.