As the Hawkeyes gear up for the 2026‑27 season, the coaching staff has turned its attention to the incremental improvements that can turn promising flashes into consistent contributions.
A Focused Offseason
Tavion Banks illustrates that trajectory vividly; after a rocky start that saw his three‑point percentage linger around 21 percent, he closed the year at 44.2 percent, a jump that has injected confidence into the backcourt.
Cam Manyawu, meanwhile, has experienced a dip in his free‑throw accuracy, sliding to 57.5 percent after an early‑season surge, a trend the staff hopes he can reverse through targeted work in the gym.
Defensive intensity is another focal point, and Trevin Jirak’s progress will be measured against the standards set by head coach Ben McCollum, who expects his players to be as relentless as they are skilled.
Tate Sage has begun to show the playmaking instincts that could fill the void left by departing veterans, positioning himself as a potential catalyst for the offense.
Isaia Howard’s three‑point efficiency also took a step back, falling from 31.1 percent to 28.1 percent, prompting the team to explore new shooting drills to restore his earlier form.
Depth and Future Prospects
Beyond the headline names, the roster includes veterans such as Trey Thompson, emerging guards Kael Combs and Ty’Reek Coleman, and versatile forwards Peyton McCollum and Bennett Stirtz, each of whom brings a piece of the puzzle that could prove decisive.