Iowa Men's Basketball Offseason Primer: Who Stays, Who Goes and Who Arrives Under Ben McCollum
Previewing the offseason for the Iowa mens basketball program following the first season of the Ben McCollum era in Iowa City
Stay, Go, Hello: Iowa Men's Basketball Offseason Primer Following Ben McCollum's First Season In Iowa City
The first season of the Ben McCollum era at Iowa is in the books, and now the real work begins. After taking over one of the Big Ten's most storied programs, McCollum navigated the challenges of inheriting a roster in transition while implementing his own system and culture. The results on the court provided a mixed bag, but the foundation has been laid for what the coaching staff hopes will be a steady climb back toward the upper echelon of the conference. As the offseason officially gets underway, the focus now shifts to the transfer portal, recruiting, and roster management — three areas that will define the trajectory of this program moving forward.
On the retention front, McCollum and his staff face critical decisions about which players fit the long-term vision in Iowa City. Keeping core contributors who have bought into the system will be essential for maintaining continuity, something that has become increasingly rare in the era of the transfer portal. Players who showed growth throughout the season and demonstrated a willingness to embrace their roles figure to be priorities for the coaching staff as they work to build a cohesive roster rather than simply collecting talent. The conversations happening behind closed doors right now will go a long way toward shaping the identity of next year's team.
Departures are inevitable in today's college basketball landscape, and Iowa will not be immune to roster turnover. Players seeking more playing time or a change of scenery will explore their options, while the coaching staff may also make difficult decisions about roster spots as they look to upgrade at certain positions. The transfer portal has fundamentally changed how programs operate in the offseason, and McCollum will need to be strategic about both who leaves and how quickly he can identify replacements who fit his style of play. Managing this revolving door while maintaining locker room chemistry is one of the great balancing acts of modern college coaching.
Looking ahead, the incoming talent — whether through high school recruiting or the transfer portal — will tell us the most about where McCollum sees this program heading. His track record of player development at Northwest Missouri State suggests he values character, work ethic, and fit over raw star power, but competing in the Big Ten demands elite talent. The next several weeks will be a whirlwind of phone calls, campus visits, and commitments that will shape the 2025-26 roster. If McCollum can nail this first full offseason of roster construction, Iowa fans may have plenty of reasons for optimism heading into year two.