US EditionBen McCollum Sparks Another Turnaround as Iowa Returns to the NCAA Tournament, Clemson on Deck
Coach Ben McCollum led Iowa back to the NCAA Tournament as a 9-seed after two years, with transfers boosting the team’s performance this season.
- On March 16, 2026, the Iowa men's basketball team returned to the NCAA Tournament as a 9 seed, opening against Clemson in Tampa. McCollum led the revival after missing the tournament for two seasons.
- Rebuilding via transfers, Ben McCollum moved from Drake to Iowa and took control of a program that had leveled out under Fran McCaffery.
- McCollum's résumé includes 4 Division II national titles, and only Tom Davis about 39 years ago matched a first-year Iowa coach reaching the NCAA Tournament.
- McCollum said the immediate goal is simple, and a win would likely set up a second-round clash with Florida, the defending champion, in the bracket.
- After a three-game skid in January, the Hawkeyes regrouped, and their 72-69 Big Ten Tournament loss to Ohio State last week gave them extra rest and a week to prepare.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier
Ben McCollum, Hawkeyes react to NCAA Tournament bracket
The Iowa men's basketball team earned a nine seed in the NCAA Tournament in its first season under head coach Ben McCollum. The Hawkeyes will face Clemson on Friday.
Associated Press News
Ben McCollum sparks another turnaround as Iowa returns to the NCAA Tournament, Clemson on deck
Ben McCollum took Drake to the NCAA Tournament in his first season a year ago, making the jump from Division II more successfully than anyone could have imagined.
Iowa men's basketball selected as No. 9 seed in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, set to face No. 8 seed Clemson
The Iowa men’s basketball team earned the No. 9 seed in the South region of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. The Hawkeyes will face No. 8 seed Clemson in the first round on Friday, March 20, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, marking the first time Iowa has made the tournament since the 2022-2023 season. After beating Maryland in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, Iowa fell to Ohio State in the third round, 72…
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