
Iowa Hawkeyes basketball has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years. The team has a rich history dating back to 1901, with notable successes in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, including multiple Big Ten championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. However, in recent years, they have struggled to replicate those achievements, missing out on the NCAA Tournament and experiencing early exits in conference tournaments. Iowa has recently appointed a new head coach, Ben McCollum, who is tasked with turning the team's fortunes around and bringing a winning culture back to Iowa City. With a focus on process, work ethic, and a positive mindset, Coach McCollum aims to lead the Hawkeyes back to their former glory and fill up the Carver-Hawkeye Arena with enthusiastic fans once again.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team | Part of the University of Iowa athletics department |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' record | 17-16 and 7-13 in the Big Ten |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' ranking | No. 2 in the country |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' consecutive wins at home | 21 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' head coach | Ben McCollum |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' notable players | Don Nelson, Connie Hawkins, Lester |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' notable coaches | Sam Barry, Ralph Miller, Lute Olson, George Raveling, Tom Davis |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' arena | Carver-Hawkeye Arena |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' capacity | 15,400 seats |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' National Invitation Tournament appearances | 8 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' Big Ten regular-season conference championships | 8 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' Big Ten tournament championships | 3 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments | 29 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' Final Four appearances | 3 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes' best season | 1980s |
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What You'll Learn

Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team history
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has a long and storied history, with the roots of the programme stretching back to 1901 when Ed Rule coached the team to a 10-2 record in their inaugural varsity basketball season. The team has had its share of successes and challenges over the years, with notable coaches and players leaving their mark on the programme.
One of the earliest highlights for the Hawkeyes came during the 1923 season when, under the leadership of coach Sam Barry, they won the Big Ten championship for the first time in school history. Barry, who was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979, also guided Iowa to a tie for the Big Ten championship in 1926, showcasing the team's early prowess in the conference.
The Hawkeyes continued to build on their success in the following decades, with notable coaches such as Rollie Williams, Bucky O'Connor, and Lute Olson leaving their mark on the programme. Olson, a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, led the Hawkeyes to their last Big Ten regular-season championship and a Final Four appearance in 1980. The team even reached the semifinals in 1955 and 1980 and played in the championship game against the University of San Francisco in 1956. Iowa basketball saw a period of widespread success in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, thanks to the efforts of coaches like Olson, George Raveling, and Tom Davis.
The team has also produced talented players who have gone on to have successful careers. Don Nelson, a two-time All-American at Iowa and a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, played for the Hawkeyes from 1959 to 1962. Nelson had a remarkable coaching career in the NBA, becoming the coach with the most wins in the league's history. Another notable player is Connie Hawkins, who was recruited by Coach Scheuerman in 1960. While Hawkins' collegiate career was cut short due to a gambling investigation, he went on to have a successful professional career and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In recent years, the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has continued to strive for excellence. The team currently plays in the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena and is coached by Ben McCollum, who took over the programme in 2022. With a focus on process and a competitive mindset, Coach McCollum aims to bring a winning culture to Iowa City and build on the team's rich history.
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Iowa Hawkeyes player transfers
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has had its fair share of successes and setbacks over the years. With a history dating back to 1901, the team has seen several talented players and coaches come through its ranks. While the team enjoyed notable triumphs in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, recent searches indicate a focus on transfers and roster changes.
In 2023, several football players transferred to Iowa, including Terry Roberts, Zach Brand, Kaleb Brown, Carson May, Nick Jackson, Rusty Feth, and more. These transfers brought new talent and energy to the team.
Looking at the 2025 season, Iowa has seen several notable transfers impacting their men's basketball program. Traore, a sophomore from New York, transferred from Manhattan a year ago and has been a valuable addition, averaging 5.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. Another key transfer is Robert Morris forward Alvaro Folgueiras, an international prospect who has committed to Iowa. Additionally, Owen Freeman, a leading scorer and rebounder for Iowa, entered the transfer portal and has since committed to Creighton.
The team has also gained players like Hausen, a talented outside shooter, and Banks, a junior forward from Drake, who will provide depth and defensive prowess. Howard, a freshman guard from Drake, will also bolster the team's lineup. These transfers suggest a strategic approach by the coaching staff to strengthen the roster and compete at a higher level.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are currently led by head coach Ben McCollum, who previously coached at Drake and Northwest Missouri State. Coach McCollum is known for his focus on process and culture, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset, competitiveness, and consistent effort from his players. His approach extends beyond the basketball court, as he aims to build a winning culture within the entire athletic program.
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Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has a rich history, with eight National Invitation Tournament appearances, eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships, and three Big Ten tournament wins. They have a strong following and play in the 15,400-seat Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The team has seen success in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s under coaches like Lute Olson, George Raveling, and Tom Davis.
Iowa State, on the other hand, is a formidable rival. The rivalry between the two teams is intense and has a long history. While Iowa Hawkeyes have had more success over the years, Iowa State has dominated in recent meetings, with eight straight home wins over the Hawkeyes.
The Iowa-Iowa State rivalry extends beyond basketball and into football as well. The football rivalry between the two schools dates back to 1894, with the Cy-Hawk Trophy being awarded to the winner since 1977. The games are often close, regardless of the teams' rankings, and the trophy represents more than just the game, depicting a farm family and their connection to Iowa's hard-working culture.
Both teams have passionate fan bases and have had their fair share of success and struggles over the years. The rivalry adds an extra layer of intensity to their competitions, and it will be interesting to see how the teams perform against each other in the future, with Iowa State currently on a winning streak.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are currently led by Coach Ben McCollum, who is focused on building a winning program and has a process-oriented approach. He emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset, hard work, and competitiveness. With his experience and dedication, Coach McCollum aims to bring a winning culture to Iowa.
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Iowa Hawkeyes head coaches
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has had several notable head coaches throughout its history, with varying degrees of success and impact on the program.
One of the most renowned coaches is Lute Olson, who led the team to significant achievements. Under Olson, the Hawkeyes won their last Big Ten regular-season championship and advanced to the Final Four in 1980. Olson's success continued, and he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
George Raveling is another prominent figure in Iowa's basketball history. During his tenure, the Hawkeyes made two trips to the NCAA Tournament. Raveling recruited future NBA players, including B.J. Armstrong and Roy Marble. Like his predecessor, Raveling was also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in the contributor category.
Following Raveling's departure, Dr. Tom Davis took over as head coach. Davis had a remarkable coaching career before arriving at Iowa, coaching at Lafayette, Boston College, and Stanford. At Iowa, he became the all-time victory leader, accumulating an impressive 269 wins during his 13-year tenure.
More recently, Ben McCollum has taken on the role of head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team. McCollum previously led Drake to the NCAA Tournament's round of 32 and is known for his process-focused approach, emphasizing consistent effort and a positive mindset.
Other notable mentions include Sam Barry and Ralph Miller, who were also inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as coaches, and Kirk Ferentz, who has been the head football coach at Iowa for over a quarter of a century and is the longest-active-serving head coach in the sport.
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Iowa Hawkeyes game results
The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has a rich history, with varying degrees of success over the years. The team has had its fair share of notable achievements, but how have their game results been recently?
The Iowa Hawkeyes, led by their new coach Ben McCollum, are aiming to build a winning culture and establish a competitive program. In recent times, the Hawkeyes have experienced a mix of victories and setbacks. One notable victory was their freshman Lindell Wigginton's impressive performance, scoring 24 points to lead Iowa State to an 84-78 win over their rival Iowa. This marked their eighth straight home win over the Hawkeyes.
However, the team has also faced some challenges, such as a loss to their in-state rival, Northern Iowa, ending their 21-game winning streak at home back in 2006. The Hawkeyes have had their fair share of success over the years, with eight National Invitation Tournament appearances and three appearances in the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. They have also won the Big Ten regular-season conference championships eight times and the Big Ten tournament three times.
Under the leadership of Lute Olson, the Hawkeyes experienced a resurgence, winning their last Big Ten regular-season championship and advancing to the Final Four in 1980. Olson's impact extended beyond the court, as their current home arena, Carver-Hawkeye Arena, is often nicknamed "The House That Lute Built." After Olson, George Raveling took over as head coach and led the Hawkeyes to two NCAA Tournaments. Raveling recruited future NBA players such as B.J. Armstrong, Roy Marble, and Kevin Gamble during his tenure.
Overall, the Iowa Hawkeyes have had their highs and lows, with recent results under Coach McCollum showing promise. While they have suffered some defeats, they also have notable wins and a history of success to build upon.
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Frequently asked questions
29 times.
Iowa has had a successful history in basketball, especially in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The team has made it to the Final Four three times, won eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships, and won the Big Ten tournament three times. They play in the 15,400-seat Carver–Hawkeye Arena. Iowa has also had four head coaches inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Ben McCollum.
Iowa has had a mixed run of form recently. In 2025, Iowa State was in the middle of a record-setting season, with a 27-game home winning streak. However, in the same year, Iowa missed out on the NCAA Tournament after an early exit in the conference tournament, finishing with a 17-16 record.










































