Iowa basketball enters 2025-26 as a program rewriting itself from scratch. Six players arrived from Drake alone under new head coach Ben McCollum, the roster carries a mix of transfers, local recruits, and walk-ons, and the team faces an exhibition against Robert Morris before anyone knows which TV channels will carry Big Ten games.
Big Ten Championships: 8 · NIT Appearances: 8 · Roster Size (2025-26): 14 listed players · Official Roster Site: Hawkeye Sports · ESPN Team ID: 2294
Quick snapshot
- No TV schedule published for 2025-26 season (Wikipedia)
- Exact transfer portal entry dates for basketball players not specified (Wikipedia)
- Limited info on prior season departures or net transfer gains (Wikipedia)
- Roster published on Wikipedia and sports sites — early 2026 (Sports Illustrated)
- Football transfer portal opened November 30, 2025 (Sports Illustrated)
- Exhibition game against Robert Morris scheduled
- Full non-conference and Big Ten schedules pending release
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Team Site | hawkeyesports.com |
| ESPN Page | ESPN |
| Wikipedia | en.wikipedia.org |
| facebook.com/hawkeyehoops | |
| instagram.com/iowahoops |
Iowa men’s basketball roster
The 2025-26 roster lists 14 players, with cross-verification across ESPN, CBS Sports, and the official Hawkeye Sports site confirming names and positions. The roster composition breaks down to 4 freshmen, 2 sophomores, 3 juniors, 3 seniors, and 2 redshirt freshmen — a blend that mixes experienced transfers with developing young talent.
2025-26 Roster Players
| Player | Position | Height | Class | Prior School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Manyawu | F | 6’9″ | Jr | Drake | Kansas City, MO |
| Tavion Banks | G/F | 6’7″ | Sr | Drake | Kansas City, MO |
| Alvaro Folgueiras | F | 6’10” | Jr | Robert Morris | Málaga, Spain |
| Cooper Koch | F | 6’8″ | R-Fr | Metamora Township HS | Peoria, IL |
| Jacob Koch | G | 6’2″ | So | Iowa City West HS | Iowa City, IA |
| Kael Combs | G | 6’4″ | Jr | Drake | Nixa, MO |
| Bennett Stirtz | G | 6’4″ | Sr | Drake | Liberty, MO |
| Brendan Hausen | G | 6’4″ | Sr | Kansas State | Amarillo, TX |
| Isaia Howard | G | 6’5″ | So | Drake | Plattsburg, MO |
| Tate Sage | G/F | 6’7″ | Fr | Weatherford HS | Weatherford, OK |
| Trevin Jirak | C | 6’11” | Fr | Valley HS | West Des Moines, IA |
| Joey Matteoni | F | 6’9″ | R-Fr | Drake | Overland Park, KS |
| Peyton McCollum | G | 6’2″ | Fr | Waukee Northwest HS | Maryville, MO |
| Trey Thompson | F | 6’8″ | Fr | Greeneville HS | Greeneville, TN |
Trevin Jirak stands tallest on the roster at 6’11”, anchoring the center position as a freshman from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. The team’s average height checks in around 6’6″ based on roster measurements, with Cam Manyawu at 250 lb providing the most size among forwards. Three walk-ons — Peyton McCollum, Jacob Koch, and Trey Thompson — round out the roster without scholarship status.
Key Returning Players
The Drake pipeline dominates the roster. Six players — Cam Manyawu, Tavion Banks, Kael Combs, Bennett Stirtz, Isaia Howard, and Joey Matteoni — transferred together from Drake University, giving the Hawkeyes immediate experience at the Division I level. Brendan Hausen, a senior guard from Kansas State, represents the only confirmed transfer from another major conference program. Alvaro Folgueiras arrived from Robert Morris in Málaga, Spain, providing international experience at the forward spot.
Six of 14 roster players hail from Missouri, creating a geographic concentration that reflects the Drake connection. For Iowa fans, the practical question is whether this Missouri-heavy roster adapts quickly to Big Ten competition or needs a full season to find chemistry.
Iowa basketball transfer portal
The transfer portal reshaped Iowa basketball drastically for 2025-26. Rather than building through high school recruiting alone, head coach Ben McCollum — hired from Northwest Missouri State — pieced together the roster by pulling six players from Drake, his former conference rival. This approach prioritizes immediate eligibility and experience over developmental projects.
Recent Transfers In
The Drake contingent arrived together, suggesting coordinated movement rather than isolated decisions. Cam Manyawu and Tavion Banks, both Kansas City natives, provide immediate frontcourt and wing depth. Bennett Stirtz and Kael Combs add shooting and ball-handling from the guard positions. Isaia Howard and Joey Matteoni round out the group as sophomores with prior college experience.
Brendan Hausen represents the highest-profile acquisition, moving from Kansas State (Big 12) to Iowa (Big Ten). His Amarillo, Texas background adds geographic diversity to a roster otherwise concentrated in the Midwest.
Portal Activity
Basketball-specific transfer portal dates are not listed in available sources, but the roster construction pattern suggests assembly occurred during the offseason following the 2024-25 campaign. This contrasts sharply with Iowa football, which announced 16 transfer additions on January 28, 2026 — a reminder that transfer activity across sports can overlap in timing but differ in volume.
“We are excited to welcome 16 new transfer student-athletes to the University of Iowa football program.” — Coach Barnes, Hawkeye Sports
Search results frequently confuse Iowa football transfer portal activity with basketball. The football portal opened November 30, 2025, according to Sports Illustrated, but basketball portal tracking is less documented publicly.
Where to watch Robert Morris Colonials men’s basketball vs Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball
The exhibition matchup against Robert Morris gives fans their first look at the reshaped roster before official games count in the standings. Exhibition games typically stream through the same channels as regular-season contests, though broadcast details vary by institution and conference agreements.
Streaming Options
For exhibition games, the primary streaming avenues include ESPN networks, Big Ten Network (BTN), and the official Hawkeye Sports channel. Direct inquiries to Hawkeye Sports provide the most current broadcast confirmation. Third-party aggregators like ESPN list team schedules and channel assignments as they become available.
TV Channels
Exhibition games occasionally appear on regional sports networks or university-owned channels rather than national outlets. Checking the official schedule page within 48 hours of tip-off typically reveals the confirmed channel or streaming platform. CBS Sports maintains schedule listings that update as broadcast agreements finalize.
Alvaro Folgueiras’ prior connection to Robert Morris adds context to the exhibition — he played there before joining Iowa, making this a reunion game of sorts. For Robert Morris fans crossing over to watch their former player, the streaming setup should mirror standard NCAA exhibition broadcasts.
Iowa men’s basketball tv schedule today espn
As of early 2026, no TV schedule information is published for the 2025-26 Iowa men’s basketball season in available search results. The lack of published broadcast details reflects a common reality for mid-major programs: schedule release timing depends on conference coordination and network rights negotiations.
Today’s Games
For current-day game access, checking ESPN’s Iowa team page (Team ID: 2294) provides the most reliable real-time schedule and broadcast status. The page updates to show same-day matchups with channel assignments once confirmed.
Full Schedule
The full non-conference and Big Ten schedules will populate on official channels once released. Hawkeye Sports serves as the authoritative source for home game ticketing and broadcast links. CBS Sports cross-references with national listings for away games.
The absence of a published schedule in April 2026 does not indicate cancellation — it reflects typical release timing for summer basketball schedules. Fans should monitor Hawkeye Sports and ESPN starting in late summer for confirmed tip times and channel assignments.
Iowa men’s basketball exhibition game
The exhibition against Robert Morris marks the first public test of the new roster under Ben McCollum. Exhibition games allow teams to play regulation minutes against live competition before the official season opener, giving coaches real data on rotations and combinations that practice alone cannot provide. For the latest Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball roster and schedule, check out Miami FL vs Indiana.
Game Preview
Iowa’s exhibition opponent, Robert Morris, represents a familiar stepping stone for programs rebuilding through transfers. The matchup serves double duty for Alvaro Folgueiras, who spent time at Robert Morris before transferring to Iowa. The Hawkeyes’ six-player Drake block should have significant minutes to build on-court chemistry early.
Recent Exhibitions
Historically, Iowa’s exhibition slate has included regional opponents and occasionally international teams. For 2025-26, the Robert Morris matchup fits the pattern of scheduling known quantities from mid-major conferences. The lack of extensive prior data on the new roster makes this exhibition more evaluative than typical — coaches will use it to identify starter combinations and bench rotations.
“With the transfer portal officially open, the Iowa Hawkeyes know they have their work cut out for them.” — Jordon Lawrenz, Sports Illustrated
Timeline
Three milestones shape the current moment for Iowa men’s basketball: roster assembly, upcoming exhibition, and the pending full schedule release.
| Period | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 Season | Roster announced with 14 players including 6 from Drake | Wikipedia |
| Today | Exhibition vs Robert Morris pending; TV schedule TBD | Hawkeye Sports |
| Early 2026 | Roster published across ESPN, CBS, official site | ESPN |
The timeline shows a program in active transition — roster finalized, coaching staff installed, exhibition scheduled, but broadcast details still outstanding. The gap between roster completion and schedule release is normal for mid-major programs negotiating television rights.
Confirmed vs Unclear
The research surfaces clear facts alongside acknowledged gaps — transparency helps readers calibrate their expectations.
Confirmed
- 8 Big Ten championships in program history
- Roster of 14 players verified across multiple sources
- Ben McCollum as head coach from Northwest Missouri State
- 6 transfers from Drake University
- 1 transfer from Kansas State (Brendan Hausen)
- 3 walk-on players: Peyton McCollum, Jacob Koch, Trey Thompson
- 8 NIT appearances in program history
Unclear
- TV schedule for 2025-26 season not published
- Exact transfer portal entry dates for basketball players
- Prior season departures and net transfer gains
- Performance statistics or recruiting rankings for new players
- Exhibition game broadcast channel confirmed
- Non-conference schedule opponents beyond exhibition
The data shows Iowa fans know exactly who is on the roster and where they came from, but will need to wait for broadcast confirmations and game results to evaluate how the pieces fit together competitively.
Summary
Iowa men’s basketball enters 2025-26 as a roster in transition — rebuilt around a Drake transfer bloc, led by a new head coach, and still awaiting published television schedules. The six Missouri-born transfers give the team immediate experience, while local Iowa talent and walk-ons provide depth. For fans planning to watch, the Robert Morris exhibition offers the first look; for schedule details, monitoring Hawkeye Sports and ESPN remains the most reliable path to confirmed broadcast information. The Drake-heavy roster suggests a team built to compete immediately rather than develop slowly — but whether Ben McCollum’s transfer-heavy approach translates to Big Ten wins will define whether this gamble pays off.
Related reading: March Madness 2025 Dates · Orlando Magic vs Milwaukee Bucks Match Player Stats
en.wikipedia.org, hawkeyesports.com, hawkfanatic.com, on3.com, 247sports.com
While the men’s roster and 2025-26 schedule take shape, Iowa’s women’s basketball schedule wrapped a 27-6 season with an NCAA Tournament run under new coach Jan Jensen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball roster?
The 2025-26 roster lists 14 players including Cam Manyawu (F, Jr, Drake), Tavion Banks (G/F, Sr, Drake), Alvaro Folgueiras (F, Jr, Robert Morris), and others verified across ESPN, CBS Sports, and Hawkeye Sports.
How can I watch Iowa men’s basketball games on ESPN?
Check the ESPN team page for Iowa (ID 2294) for same-day broadcast assignments. Full season TV schedule pending release.
What are the latest transfer portal news for Iowa basketball?
Six players transferred from Drake University (Cam Manyawu, Tavion Banks, Kael Combs, Bennett Stirtz, Isaia Howard, Joey Matteoni), with Brendan Hausen arriving from Kansas State as the only other Division I transfer.
When is Iowa men’s basketball exhibition game?
The exhibition against Robert Morris is scheduled, though exact date and broadcast channel require confirmation through Hawkeye Sports.
Where to find Iowa Hawkeyes basketball scores?
ESPN’s Iowa team page and CBS Sports maintain live score updates during games.
What is the Iowa men’s basketball schedule for today?
The full 2025-26 TV schedule has not been published as of early 2026. Check ESPN’s Iowa page for same-day game listings and channel assignments once the season approaches.
Who are the new players on Iowa Hawkeyes roster?
Key newcomers include Cam Manyawu (6’9″ forward from Drake), Brendan Hausen (6’4″ guard from Kansas State), and Alvaro Folgueiras (6’10” forward from Robert Morris), alongside five other Drake transfers and four true freshmen.