Lineup guesses?

IAHawkGrad2000

Freshman
Jan 12, 2014
22
78
13
Love seeing our shortest guy is 6'3" and a bunch in the 6'7"-6'9" range, should be good defensively assuming their feet are quick enough to switch/stay in front... lots of options but curious who the starting 5 and end of game lineups will be.
 
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2432Hawk

Heisman
Jun 22, 2002
6,719
12,444
113
To me it really comes down to matchups on who we'll see on the floor.

In the scrimmage with Texas Tech and the upcoming one with Saint Louis we're struggling with guard heavy teams as we are more forward/big heavy at the moment. If we can get better defending quickness with our size we may stay with a bigger line-up but my feeling is we may have to play smaller.

Right now, I'd go:

McKeever
Koch
Sage
Howard
Combs

off the bench

Manyawu
Jirak
Thompson/Coon
Harris
Coleman

But as we get to BigTen play and teams with more traditional C/PF parings, then we may see the bigger lineup.

McKeever
Manyawu
Koch
Sage
Combs

off the bench

Jirak
Thompson
Harris/Coon
Howard
Coleman
 

Hawksfor3

Heisman
Dec 5, 2016
9,082
10,027
113
To me it really comes down to matchups on who we'll see on the floor.

In the scrimmage with Texas Tech and the upcoming one with Saint Louis we're struggling with guard heavy teams as we are more forward/big heavy at the moment. If we can get better defending quickness with our size we may stay with a bigger line-up but my feeling is we may have to play smaller.

Right now, I'd go:

McKeever
Koch
Sage
Howard
Combs

off the bench

Manyawu
Jirak
Thompson/Coon
Harris
Coleman

But as we get to BigTen play and teams with more traditional C/PF parings, then we may see the bigger lineup.

McKeever
Manyawu
Koch
Sage
Combs

off the bench

Jirak
Thompson
Harris/Coon
Howard
Coleman
I agree with the second lineup.
 

Bro D

All-American
Nov 17, 2003
1,757
6,635
113
I think Combs, Sage, Coop, Cam and McKeever is going to be the starting lineup but man I hope Thompson turns into a stud. If he does.... a lineup with him, Coop and Sage would be extremely tough to guard.

This team is going to be very good
 
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Palmerhawk

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
2,440
4,851
113
Howard is one of the keys to a good season
Last year he flashed at times but his 3 pt shooting and foul trouble limited him.
This team is thin in backcourt.
We need Howard,kael combs,tyreke coleman and sage/ coon to be solid on defense and shoot the ball.
The cliche still is true...guards rule the college game
 

CyberJJJ

Redshirt
Jan 18, 2002
18
13
3
To me it really comes down to matchups on who we'll see on the floor.

In the scrimmage with Texas Tech and the upcoming one with Saint Louis we're struggling with guard heavy teams as we are more forward/big heavy at the moment. If we can get better defending quickness with our size we may stay with a bigger line-up but my feeling is we may have to play smaller.
I think you just summed up the issue that will determine how far this team can go.
 

Max Rebo

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2022
851
2,332
93
Things we know about McCollum’s lineup choices, based on last year:
  • He prioritizes defense
  • He favors guys who know his system and he trusts
  • He’s not afraid to keep hyped transfers on the bench
Based on this, I predict this lineup, at least early in the season:

Combs
Howard
Sage
Koch
Manyawu
 

Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
2,730
2,238
113
Combs
Sage
Koch
Manyawu
McKeever

6th man will likely be Howard because of all of the off season buzz, with Jirak and Coleman behind him. Really interested in what Ben does with the Thompson, Harris, and Coon trio. All guys with major upsides.
Your proposed starting lineup could be correct? However, I’m just wondering if Manyawu’s role may be a bit more limited this season compared to last season? Particularly, if Iowa is looking for more offense in certain situations.
 

Hawkmanic23

All-Conference
Mar 11, 2026
2,730
2,238
113
Things we know about McCollum’s lineup choices, based on last year:
  • He prioritizes defense
  • He favors guys who know his system and he trusts
  • He’s not afraid to keep hyped transfers on the bench
Based on this, I predict this lineup, at least early in the season:

Combs
Howard
Sage
Koch
Manyawu
I don’t think Iowa spent the big $ on McKeever to have him not start. 😳
 
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