For at least one Iowa player, the new era of Hawkeyes basketball begins against a familiar opponent.

Ben McCollum makes his Hawkeyes' coaching debut, complete with some talented transfers, including Alvaro Folgueiras, who'll face off against his former Robert Morris squad on Nov. 4, in Iowa City.

After going 36-31 and failing to qualify for the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons, Iowa moved on from longtime coach Fran McCaffery. Enter McCollum, who went 31-4 during his one season coaching Drake in 2024-25.

"When you take over a position, there's naturally a great deal of excitement, and I think if you're not careful, it can create a sense of arrival," McCollum said.

"(Want to make) sure that we continue to have that edge, and don't have a sense of arrival."

Coming over from Drake al

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