Iowa Hawkeyes Prepares for Challenge Against Ole Miss Rebels

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Iowa Hawkeyes, under first-year head coach Ben McCollum, have started their season with an impressive 5-0 record. They’ve opened the year with five consecutive home games, winning their first three matchups by significant margins.

In their season opener, the Hawkeyes routed the Robert Morris Colonials, winning 101-69. They followed this victory with convincing wins against the Western Illinois Leathernecks, defeating them by 19 points. Iowa is currently favored in their next two games against Southeast Missouri State and Chicago State, which could set the stage for a 6-0 start.

Next week, the Hawkeyes will face their first true test of the season when they hit the road to play the Ole Miss Rebels. The Rebels, also undefeated at 5-0 and competing in the Southeastern Conference, are known for their strong defensive style under head coach Chris Beard.

Both teams will be looking to maintain their unbeaten streaks, making the upcoming matchup a compelling clash of undefeated teams. Ole Miss, with a narrow victory against the Memphis Tigers as their highlight, poses a different challenge for Iowa’s typically dominant play.

The key to Iowa’s success against the Rebels lies in their ability to speed up the game, forcing mistakes from their opponents. Iowa has consistently scored over 80 points in their games, while Ole Miss has limited their opponents to below that mark. For Iowa to win, they will need strong performances from key players like senior guard Bennett Stirtz and forward Alvaro Folgueiras.

This showdown is expected to draw significant attention nationally and could provide valuable experience as the season progresses. Regardless of the outcome, the game will be an important benchmark for McCollum’s squad as they continue to establish their identity in the 2025-26 season.