Iowa men’s basketball team is taking a well-earned nine-day vacation before playing UMass Lowell at home to end the 2025 season. The program’s momentum has been steadily increasing under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, despite the pause giving players a chance to refuel.
Under McCollum’s direction, Iowa basketball has found new life after going through a number of challenging seasons that left the program looking for direction. Both on the court and in the enthusiasm for the program, the change has been apparent. After years of inconsistent performance, McCollum inherited a disgruntled and disengaged fan base. However, he has made it clear from day one that reviving pride in Iowa basketball is a shared responsibility.
McCollum has repeatedly stressed that coaching choices won’t be the only factor in the program’s long-term success. Fans, staff, players, and alumni must all support it. Rebuilding that relationship has been a top priority, and early results indicate that the message is getting through. The Hawkeyes are playing with a newfound sense of purpose, and interest in the program is starting to rise again.
However, a significant portion of that reconstruction is taking place outside of Carver-Hawkeye Arena. As they strive to create a solid foundation for the future, McCollum and his team have made recruiting a top priority. Iowa has continued to be active on the recruiting trail even over the holiday season. The esteemed City of Palms Basketball Classic in Fort Myers, Florida, has been one important destination. College coaches can assess prospects against elite competition at this annual event, which brings together some of the best high school talent in the country. Throughout the week, Iowa’s staff has been busy keeping a close eye on a number of elite players.
Kevin Savage III, a 2027 point guard, is one of Iowa’s most intriguing prospects. At the City of Palms Classic, the four-star standout attracted attention with a powerful all-around performance that affected games on both ends of the court. Savage demonstrated his playmaking instincts, defensive intensity, and scoring prowess—qualities that are highly transferable to the Big Ten level. Savage admitted that Iowa is one of several programs that have regularly communicated with him, according to League Ready’s Sam Kayser. The level of competition for Savage’s recruitment is highlighted by the Hawkeyes’ rivalry with Purdue, Auburn, Oklahoma, Oregon, Cincinnati, and Ole Miss.
Savage is regarded as one of the best point guard prospects in the 2027 class. He is a junior at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia. His performance in Fort Myers further solidified his reputation as a standout on the national circuit thanks to his blend of quickness, court vision, and defensive toughness.
Savage’s high ceiling is acknowledged by recruiting services. He is ranked as Georgia’s No. 8 overall player, the No. 19 point guard nationally, and the No. 75 overall player in the 2027 class by Rivals, which rates him as a four-star prospect. Savage is ranked even higher by 247Sports, which ranks him as Georgia’s No. 4 prospect, the nation’s No. 7 point guard, and the class’s No. 31 overall player. Every ranking service agrees that Savage is a top talent.
The interest makes sense for Iowa. The Hawkeyes will soon require a new backcourt leader as star point guard Bennett Stirtz is nearing the end of his college career. Savage may be a long-term solution at the position given his skill set and maturity, as he can both set the tone defensively and anchor the offense. Iowa’s continued involvement in Savage’s recruitment speaks volumes about the program’s direction under McCollum, even though no commitments are expected anytime soon. It indicates that the Hawkeyes are meticulously planning for the future in addition to rebuilding for the present.
The work behind the scenes continues as Iowa gets ready to play UMass Lowell on the floor after the holiday break. Momentum is just as important as wins, of course. Ben McCollum’s vision for Iowa basketball is beginning to take shape thanks to increased fan involvement, better on-court performance, and significant recruiting traction.
