In Year 2 of the Ben McCollum era, Iowa is looking to take a step forward . Yes, the Hawkeyes did just make a run to the Elite Eight, but they left much to be desired in the regular season – especially during Big Ten play.  Iowa wound up finishing squarely in the middle of the pack, completing the 2025-26 season as the lone 10-10 squad in conference play, good for a ninth-place finish. Seven of their ten losses in the Big Ten came by single digits – including a six-point loss to Illinois, a seven-point falter at Purdue and a three-point blemish against Michigan. Two of those three nail-biter losses (Illinois and Michigan) came at home – which is where Iowa naturally was its most competitive.  On the road, though, the Hawkeyes struggled mightily, winning just three Big Ten contests away from Iowa City – none of which came against teams in the top half of the conference.…