Iowa head coach Ben McCollum sure knows how to rally his team.
I love this F ing guy — wake up Hawks! pic.twitter.com/rZ3AK2Lgws
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) March 26, 2026
Looking irate as his team dug itself into a 10-point deficit, McCollum rallied the troops to an eventual win over the higher-seeded Nebraska squad.
Ben McCollum is coaching his ass off this man is a GODDDD
THE CURT CIGNETTI OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL. WINNERS WIN.pic.twitter.com/ueJoFnZ7kh
— Nick Bateman (CBB guru) (@nickbateman33) March 27, 2026
Iowa star Bennett Stirtz, who scored 20 points and played all 40 minutes, spoke about the pep talk in his post-game presser:
What did McCollum say to his team when they were down 10?
“He slammed his white board and broke his marker on the floor. Ink everywhere. … He was just telling us we sucked, and we were soft.” https://t.co/0com8yRf6m pic.twitter.com/DjPynEifXA
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) March 27, 2026
While McCollum’s speech worked, his anger caused a lot of laughter amongst fans online.
How I talk to my kids when they say their room is clean. https://t.co/HtUboRpQ1d
— Society of Golf Historians (@SHistorians) March 27, 2026
— ericaf455 (@ericaf455) March 26, 2026
McCollum and the Hawkeyes play Illinois Saturday for a spot in the Final Four.
