A new era of Iowa basketball is set to begin as Ben McCollum directs a program that finished tied for 12th in the Big Ten last season and missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons. McCollum has built a roster that includes six players from his Drake team that won the Missouri Valley title.

McCollum’s success at Drake and Northwest Missouri State was based on defense and offensive efficiency. That won’t change at Iowa.

McCollum says the focus during preseason practice has been on how they will play more than who will play.

McCollum has been impressed with the freshman class and says six-11 former West Des Moines Valley star Trevin Jirak  has stood out.

The Hawkeyes open the season at home against Robert Morris on November fourth.