Banks' physical play was crucial during Iowa's Elite Eight run.
The classic 1993 baseball film "The Sandlot" features the protagonists trying to rescue a Babe Ruth-signed baseball from a decrepit junkyard that is home to a dog nicknamed "The Beast."
Near the end of the movie, the dog escapes and causes a panic in the local community. The panic is only short-lived, however, and the film ends on a happy note.
You're now probably wondering why I'm using this analogy for an article talking about the Iowa Hawkeyes, but this makes perfect sense for our penultimate 2025-26 Iowa men's basketball player grade - Tavion Banks.
Banks' physical play was always a grind for opposing players, but the end result was more than good for the Hawkeyes. Some fans have also called Banks a "junkyard dog" for his tough play, and you only have to watch one game to see that well-documented on the court.
Here's Banks' 2025-26 season grade:
The rundown
Banks was one of six players to follow head coach Ben McCollum from Iowa. Hawkeye fans were skeptical if Banks and the others could carry over their strong play from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Big Ten, but Banks quickly proved them wrong.
The 6-foot-7 senior was in the starting lineup for the entire season, posting 10.2 points, 1.1 assists, and a team-high 4.6 rebounds per game. The season produced plenty of ups-and-downs for Banks, but the Hawkeyes don't make the Elite Eight without his stellar play against Florida in the second round.
The top-seeded Gators presented a difficult challenge for Iowa in many ways, but their large frontcourt seemed like a daunting obstacle for the Hawkeyes. But right from the opening tip, Banks showed no fear driving into the teeth of the Florida defense, collecting 20 points and six rebounds.
Alvaro Folguieras' game-winning triple overshadowed Banks' incredible night, but he didn't mind that at all.
I chatted with him before Iowa's Sweet 16 showdown against Nebraska, and he told me that he loves to play with an underdog mentality. He did play two seasons of junior college basketball, after all.
Banks is out of college eligibility as of May 2026, but he's currently applying for a waiver to play a fifth season. That decision will ultimately be up to the NCAA, and if they somehow grant Banks another year, the Hawkeyes will be in very good shape in 2027.
But if 2026 was Banks lone season, it should be chalked up as a solid one.
Grade: B
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io