Last season the Iowa Hawkeyes exposed a glaring vulnerability: a lack of height and rebounding that left them near the foot of the national rankings.
The program responded by tapping the transfer portal, securing Andrew McKeever, a 7‑foot‑3 center who spent the previous year at Saint Mary's.
A Towering Presence in the Paint
McKeever's numbers at Saint Mary's were modest but telling: he posted 8.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, figures that hint at a player comfortable battling for boards.
Iowa's placement at No. 354 out of 361 teams in rebounding underscores the magnitude of the task ahead, a challenge that the new center is expected to alleviate.
Coach Ben McCollum, who has been guiding the Hawkeyes through a transitional phase, believes McKeever's presence will not only boost rebounding but also alter the team's defensive identity.
The roster already boasts a deep group of guards — Ty'Reek Coleman, Kael Combs, Tate Sage and Cooper Koch — who can create scoring opportunities and stretch the floor, allowing the big man to operate more effectively near the rim.
Beyond the statistical impact, the move signals a cultural shift: a willingness to invest in size and interior defense in a league where perimeter play often dominates.