IOWA CITY — The first year of the Ben McCollum era is over. The Iowa men’s basketball team went 24-13 in its first year under the four-time Division II national champion and advanced to its first Elite 8 in 39 years.
Iowa's Bennett Stirtz (14) goes up for a layup during the second half of an NCAA men's basketball tournament Elite 8 game against Illinois at the Toyota Center in Houston, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
NIKOS FRAZIER, THE WORLD-HERALD
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Iowa's Tavion Banks (6) boxes out Illinois' David Mirkovic (0) from the rebound during the first half of an NCAA men's basketball tournament Elite 8 game at the Toyota Center in Houston, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Iowa's Tate Sage (24) reacts after falling to Illinois, 71-59, in the NCAA men's basketball tournament Elite 8 at the Toyota Center in Houston, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Iowa's Bennett Stirtz (14) goes up for a layup during the second half of an NCAA men's basketball tournament Elite 8 game against Illinois at the Toyota Center in Houston, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Iowa's Tavion Banks (6) boxes out Illinois' David Mirkovic (0) from the rebound during the first half of an NCAA men's basketball tournament Elite 8 game at the Toyota Center in Houston, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Iowa's Tate Sage (24) reacts after falling to Illinois, 71-59, in the NCAA men's basketball tournament Elite 8 at the Toyota Center in Houston, on Saturday, March 28, 2026.