My New Year's Resolution for Iowa Men's Basketball

Though it's nearly February, it's not too late to talk about New Year's resolutions (yes, I'm talking about you procrastinators out there). 

I wasn't planning on writing anymore of these since we're well into 2026, but Iowa men's basketball's week-long break between games gives me the perfect time to release my New Year's resolution for Ben McCollum's Hawkeyes. 

It's a simple one, but it's something that Iowa fans have been waiting on for almost three years - a return to the NCAA tournament. 

Ben McCollum’s Hawkeyes are capable of reaching greater heights this year, but let’s set the bar as low as possible for now. Iowa hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2023, so simply making the field of 68 would be a huge win for the Hawkeyes and their starving fanbase. 

Iowa was projected as an NCAA tournament team in the preseason, and has looked every bit the part of a tournament team through 19 games, checking in at 14-5 overall and 4-4 in league play. Yes, the Hawks were blown out by Michigan State in the conference opener, but they nearly bounced back the following week against undefeated Iowa State in Ames, holding a double-digit first half lead before falling by four, 66-62. 

There are no moral victories in sports, evidenced by McCollum’s postgame press conference, but this was one his program desperately needed. Most Iowa fans (and probably even some media members) were predicting a blowout win for the Cyclones, but the Hawkeyes held their own and had numerous chances to win the game. 

Throw in the fact that Iowa State blasted then-No. 1 Purdue inside Mackey Arena in its previous game, and Iowa’s performance is even more impressive. Every loss the Hawkeyes have suffered since has been within 10 points, more evidence of the major improvement this program is showing. 

There’s plenty of reason for optimism in Iowa City, and that starts with Bennett Stirtz. The senior has anchored McCollum’s teams for his entire career, and his loyalty to his coach is a rarity in the current collegiate athletics’ landscape. 

Stirtz won Missouri Valley Player of the Year after a breakthrough 2024-25 campaign at Drake, and promptly followed McCollum to Iowa City for his final season of eligibility. A likely first round NBA Draft selection this summer, Stirtz has rewarded Iowa with terrific point guard play it hasn’t seen since B.J. Armstrong in the late 1980s. 

Stiritz is averaging 18.3 points per game through 19 games. If you combine his offensive firepower with his pure passing and strong defense, you’ve got one of the best guards in the country. Elite guard play has been one of the primary factors for the Hawkeyes’ March failures since those glory days of the ‘80s, and having a superstar talent like Stirtz will definitely help Iowa be an NCAA tournament team in 2026.  

But as we’ve seen already this season, Stirtz can’t do it all every night. Big Ten defenses have honed in on making things difficult for him, so Iowa will still need others to step up. Fortunately, the Hawkeyes have a growing supporting cast to help. 

Tavion Banks is growing into not only one of Iowa’s best players, he’s emerging as one of the most versatile players in the Big Ten. Alvaro Folguieras has encountered a rough patch scoring the basketball, but he’s been doing good things on the defensive end of the floor. Throw in role players Tate Sage, Cooper Koch, and Isaia Howard providing effort and hustle each night, and you’ve got a quality basketball team. 

There’s a lot of basketball to be played, but Iowa’s in a very good position to return to the Big Dance. 

Avoid bad losses and pull off some upsets at home (Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan), and the Hawkeyes will easily fulfill this New Year’s Resolution.