Ben McCollum: From Division II Dominance to NCAA Tournament Success
Few outside of Iowa believed Ben McCollum could elevate Drake University, a program with a history of inconsistent results, to the NCAA Tournament in his inaugural season after transitioning from Division II. Yet, he proved the doubters wrong. And he’s done it again, this time with the University of Iowa.
McCollum’s journey took him a short distance from the Drake campus in Des Moines to Iowa City, where he assumed control of an Iowa program that had plateaued under former coach Fran McCaffery. The Hawkeyes had missed the NCAA Tournament for two consecutive seasons and appeared to be losing ground against their Big Ten rivals in the increasingly competitive conference.
A Winning Formula: Transfers and Team Reinvigoration
However, fueled by another wave of impactful transfers – including Bennett Stirtz, who followed McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake and then from Drake to Iowa – McCollum has once again guided his team to March Madness. Iowa is a No. 9 seed in the South Region, set to face eighth-seeded Clemson on Friday in Tampa, Florida, with the possibility of a second-round matchup against defending champion Florida.
“It’s been a long road,” McCollum reflected. “It feels like two years, just because we’ve moved two straight years, and tried to reinvigorate two great programs. Obviously, we were fortunate to get this one off the ground, but we had great players help us with that, my staff, and you saw the result of that, making the NCAA Tournament.”
Beyond the Tournament Bid: A Focus on Winning
Now, the challenge lies in securing victories within the tournament itself, something Iowa hasn’t achieved in its previous two NCAA appearances. McCollum, however, brings experience in this area. Last year, he led Drake to the NCAA Tournament as an 11th seed, orchestrating a first-round upset against sixth-seeded Missouri. The Bulldogs even pushed Texas Tech to the limit in the second round before a narrow defeat.
“We’re excited to be able to play. We want to play well now,” McCollum stated. “We have an opportunity to prepare for another opponent. For our fans in Tampa, it’s a great destination. We’re excited about the opportunity and we’re going to make the most of it.”
Overcoming Obstacles and Building Momentum
The Hawkeyes’ season wasn’t without its hurdles. They experienced a three-game losing streak in January and often found themselves on the losing end of close contests, including a 72-69 defeat to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament. However, this setback provided valuable rest and time for reflection.
“I think we’ve sharpened some things the last couple of days, which is good. The guys wanted to clear their minds, and now you’ve had that opportunity,” McCollum explained. “And now you have a whole week to prepare, and we’ll be ready to go.”
A Legacy of Success
McCollum’s arrival at Iowa echoes history. The only other first-year Iowa coach to lead his team to the NCAA Tournament was Tom Davis 39 years ago, and he guided the Hawkeyes to the Elite Eight. While that level of success remains a distant goal, McCollum’s track record suggests he’s capable of achieving great things.
His success at Northwest Missouri State, where he won four national championships in six years (with one season canceled due to the pandemic), demonstrates his ability to build winning programs. “The thing with the Division II tournaments, it’s so different, because you face a team that’s almost your equal. Once we got out of the Sweet 16, it was almost easier,” McCollum said.
While the Division II Tournament differs significantly from March Madness, McCollum understands the nuances of tournament play. He knows this is a different beast altogether. “We’re excited to be able to compete,” he concluded.
Further Reading: AP March Madness Bracket and AP March Madness Coverage
