Summer Workouts
The Iowa Hawkeyes' run to the Elite Eight in the 2025‑26 season has set a high bar for the program, and the excitement is already spilling into the summer months as head coach Ben McCollum opens the gym for a revamped roster.
McCollum faces the immediate task of replacing Bennett Stirtz, whose lone year carried the bulk of the team's interior production, and he is doing so while weaving in a handful of newcomers from the transfer portal and the fresh recruiting class.
Ty'Reek Coleman is slated to assume the lead guard role, but the coaching staff is emphasizing that the load will be distributed, requiring contributions from several players to fill the void left by Stirtz.
Among the additions, Andrew McKeever, a transfer from Saint Mary's, brings a presence down low, while four‑star freshmen Ethan Harris and Jaidyn Coon arrive with high expectations, and Cooper Koch looks to build on his three‑point confidence from last season.
The projected starting five currently features Coleman alongside Cam Manyawu, McKeever, and a choice between Kael Combs and Tate Sage, with Isaia Howard also in the mix, creating a competitive battle for minutes as the team gels.
Beyond the on‑court X's and O's, the summer workouts serve as a crucible for chemistry, allowing McCollum to experiment with lineups and assess how quickly the new pieces can adapt to the Hawkeyes' system before the next campaign begins.