2026 Recruiting: Colin Rice + Other Offers, Prospects & Commits (Ben McCollum era)

[Max_Rebo]

I forget the stories. Was he going to Kansas no matter what?

I think you have to remember that back then, local stars from Iowa almost always went to Iowa. That said, I think Raef and his family always had some loftier ambitions. But then Roy Williams made Raef a top priority, traveling to Iowa many times to watch him play. Meanwhile, Tom Davis dispatched his assistants. It kind of gave off the vibe that Iowa got “outhustled” for Raef, even if he might have ended up at Kansas either way. All the same, having a top prep player from Iowa snub the Hawkeyes stung pretty badly. That move was followed by Collison and Hinrich doing the same thing a few years later, which kind of made it a trend for top local talent to head out of state.

 

[TritonHawkeye]

I think you have to remember that back then, local stars from Iowa almost always went to Iowa. That said, I think Raef and his family always had some loftier ambitions. But then Roy Williams made Raef a top priority, traveling to Iowa many times to watch him play. Meanwhile, Tom Davis dispatched his assistants. It kind of gave off the vibe that Iowa got “outhustled” for Raef, even if he might have ended up at Kansas either way. All the same, having a top prep player from Iowa snub the Hawkeyes stung pretty badly. That move was followed by Collison and Hinrich doing the same thing a few years later, which kind of made it a trend for top local talent to head out of state.

Then Barnes and Paige...

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

Then Barnes and Paige...

Always disliked Uncle Roy.

 

[bowlhawk]

I think you have to remember that back then, local stars from Iowa almost always went to Iowa. That said, I think Raef and his family always had some loftier ambitions. But then Roy Williams made Raef a top priority, traveling to Iowa many times to watch him play. Meanwhile, Tom Davis dispatched his assistants. It kind of gave off the vibe that Iowa got “outhustled” for Raef, even if he might have ended up at Kansas either way. All the same, having a top prep player from Iowa snub the Hawkeyes stung pretty badly. That move was followed by Collison and Hinrich doing the same thing a few years later, which kind of made it a trend for top local talent to head out of state.

If I remember correctly Roy flew into Dubuque 5 times recruiting Raef. I also remember listening to 1040 WHO when he announced for Kansas. I cried as he was the missing piece to Iowa going places. Just needed a big. The next time I cried was when Chris Street passed away. Raef was the first huge domino to fall.

 

[jasonrann]

If I remember correctly Roy flew into Dubuque 5 times recruiting Raef. I also remember listening to 1040 WHO when he announced for Kansas. I cried as he was the missing piece to Iowa going places. Just needed a big. The next time I cried was when Chris Street passed away. Raef was the first huge domino to fall.

LaFrentz was soft. Collison was a bigger loss.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

LaFrentz was soft. Collison was a bigger loss.

while true the bolded is not. you don't play in the NBA for 10+ years and be too soft for iowa.
Collison is the best big (and imho best hs player to come out of the state). He was certainly a bigger loss. If you get lafrentz you night get collison though.

 

[RocknRollface]

LaFrentz was soft. Collison was a bigger loss.

Yes, Nick was better but losing Lafrentz lead to losing Collison.

If Davis had gotten Larfentz to Iowa he doesn't get fired and Collison who was a Hawkeye fan then comes to Iowa.

 

[HoustonREDHawk]

LaFrentz was soft. Collison was a bigger loss.

Hinrich could also play.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Always disliked Uncle Roy.

He cheated at Kansas and North Carolina.

 

[Max_Rebo]

Yes, Nick was better but losing Lafrentz lead to losing Collison.

If Davis had gotten Larfentz to Iowa he doesn't get fired and Collison who was a Hawkeye fan then comes to Iowa.

If we had simply fired Davis, instead of doing the one-year lame-duck period while he finished his contract, we might have had a new coach who could have kept Collison home. But with no coach in place the year Collison was picking a school, it’s no wonder that he ended up elsewhere.

 

[GunnerHawk]

Yes, Nick was better but losing Lafrentz lead to losing Collison.

If Davis had gotten Larfentz to Iowa he doesn't get fired and Collison who was a Hawkeye fan then comes to Iowa.

Collison reminded me a lot of Chris Street.

 

[DougFHawkeye]

agreed; the future looks bright

I gotta wear shades

 

[Franisdaman]

Then Barnes and Paige...

too soon.

 

[jerbob36]

Nathan Funk also a really good guard that had a nice career at Creighton. Kyle Korver as well.
From about the 10 year window from '96-2005 or so there was some great high school boys' talent in the state.
The players mentioned already. Gatens, Horner, Haluska, undersized post that went to Iowa whose name is slipping my mind... those were good years.

 

[hawkfan1963]

Interesting that, as of now, Rivals shows Cael with no offers, with Iowa & Nebraska showing interest.

View embedded media

With 15 spots available for now on. Iowa should be the first offer no matter what happens.

 

[hawkfan1963]

I forget the stories. Was he going to Kansas no matter what?

I know someone who knew Raef's dad. Raefs dad hated Tom Davis and was close friends with Roy Williams.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

I think you have to remember that back then, local stars from Iowa almost always went to Iowa. That said, I think Raef and his family always had some loftier ambitions. But then Roy Williams made Raef a top priority, traveling to Iowa many times to watch him play. Meanwhile, Tom Davis dispatched his assistants. It kind of gave off the vibe that Iowa got “outhustled” for Raef, even if he might have ended up at Kansas either way. All the same, having a top prep player from Iowa snub the Hawkeyes stung pretty badly. That move was followed by Collison and Hinrich doing the same thing a few years later, which kind of made it a trend for top local talent to head out of state.

He was coming to Iowa until Tom Davis got canned. This was according to Gary Close couple months ago.

 

[Franisdaman]

With 15 spots available for now on. Iowa should be the first offer no matter what happens.

It would be kinda cool to land him; is he projected to be a D1 player?

 

[herkhatescy2]

I have no idea if Cael is good enough for the B1G, but it would be nice to get him, if for no other reason but to exorcise the demon of having lost his father to Kansas all those years ago.

Ben would get him in the weight room for his redshirt year.

 

[Franisdaman]

Ben would get him in the weight room for his redshirt year.

it will be interesting to see how Cooper Koch's body develops

 

[Bloody Run Hawk]

I know someone who knew Raef's dad. Raefs dad hated Tom Davis and was close friends with Roy Williams.

Raefs Dad Ron was a very strongly opinionated know it all. Probably pretty much told Raef he was going to Kansas.

 

[RocknRollface]

Nathan Funk also a really good guard that had a nice career at Creighton. Kyle Korver as well.
From about the 10 year window from '96-2005 or so there was some great high school boys' talent in the state.
The players mentioned already. Gatens, Horner, Haluska, undersized post that went to Iowa whose name is slipping my mind... those were good years.

Ricky Davis was probably the most talented guy to come out of Iowa in that time span.

 

[BlameIt]

Ricky Davis was probably the most talented guy to come put of Iowa in that time span.

#NotAHawkeye

 

[Franisdaman]

Raefs Dad Ron was a very strongly opinionated know it all. Probably pretty much told Raef he was going to Kansas.

that sucks; should be the kid's decision

 

[Franisdaman]

If we had simply fired Davis, instead of doing the one-year lame-duck period while he finished his contract, we might have had a new coach who could have kept Collison home. But with no coach in place the year Collison was picking a school, it’s no wonder that he ended up elsewhere.

That was a serious fook up by the AD, Bob Bowlsby.

 

[Birky]

I forget the stories. Was he going to Kansas no matter what?

As legend has it…

Mac McCausland begged Tom Davis to recruit LaFrentz. Said, “just go to a game.”

Roy Williams was recruiting Raef as a Freshman, but Davis refused to recruit a Freshman in high school. I can understand. It was a time when you generally didn’t recruit kids that young, but he was clearly an elite player.

This was possibly a major factor in what ended Davis’ career at Iowa.

 

[GunnerHawk]

As legend has it…

Mac McCausland begged Tom Davis to recruit LaFrentz. Said, “just go to a game.”

Roy Williams was recruiting Raef as a Freshman, but Davis refused to recruit a Freshman in high school. I can understand. It was a time when you generally didn’t recruit kids that young, but he was clearly an elite player.

This was possibly a major factor in what ended Davis’ career at Iowa.

Yep, too many T-times.

 

[Max_Rebo]

That was a serious fook up by the AD, Bob Bowlsby.

It was said at the time that the university president was the one who blocked the firing, forcing the “lame-duck” year.

FWIW.

 

[GunnerHawk]

It is key for Ben and staff to focus on Iowa's top talent first. They seem to have good ties to KC, hope they can get back in the Chicago suburbs.

 

[kceasthawk]

I think you have to remember that back then, local stars from Iowa almost always went to Iowa. That said, I think Raef and his family always had some loftier ambitions. But then Roy Williams made Raef a top priority, traveling to Iowa many times to watch him play. Meanwhile, Tom Davis dispatched his assistants. It kind of gave off the vibe that Iowa got “outhustled” for Raef, even if he might have ended up at Kansas either way. All the same, having a top prep player from Iowa snub the Hawkeyes stung pretty badly. That move was followed by Collison and Hinrich doing the same thing a few years later, which kind of made it a trend for top local talent to head out of state.

There was lot of pressure from folks in Iowa to be "the guy" if he went to Iowa. Even Hayden jumped in and made some comment about how ridiculous it would be for Raef to even consider not going to Iowa, mentioning keeping Dwight and Banks on the football team, and how there was no way they were going elsewhere. He also made some comment about Raefs dad being a teacher at an Iowa high school, so he should stay home. One of my wifes sisters worked with his dad at MFL Marmac in Monona. After he announced to KU he faced a lot of angry Iowa fans. Would have been way worse now in the internet age though, but it REALLY soured him on Iowa. Supposedly he talked to Collison and Heinrich about NOT attended Iowa....

 

[eyesofhawk]

There was lot of pressure from folks in Iowa to be "the guy" if he went to Iowa. Even Hayden jumped in and made some comment about how ridiculous it would be for Raef to even consider not going to Iowa, mentioning keeping Dwight and Banks on the football team, and how there was no way they were going elsewhere. He also made some comment about Raefs dad being a teacher at an Iowa high school, so he should stay home. One of my wifes sisters worked with his dad at MFL Marmac in Monona. After he announced to KU he faced a lot of angry Iowa fans. Would have been way worse now in the internet age though, but it REALLY soured him on Iowa. Supposedly he talked to Collison and Heinrich about NOT attended Iowa....

If true, another example of "fans" sabatoging their own team.

It's truly amazing. Be positive and support the Hawks or keep the mouth shut. It's that simple.

Carry on though, since fans are incapable of doing anything wrong

 

[kwik44]

Nathan Funk also a really good guard that had a nice career at Creighton. Kyle Korver as well.
From about the 10 year window from '96-2005 or so there was some great high school boys' talent in the state.
The players mentioned already. Gatens, Horner, Haluska, undersized post that went to Iowa whose name is slipping my mind... those were good years.

Brunner?

 

[perryhawk]

Yes, Nick was better but losing Lafrentz lead to losing Collison.

If Davis had gotten Larfentz to Iowa he doesn't get fired and Collison who was a Hawkeye fan then comes to Iowa.

That is factually correct.

Lafrentz specifically asked Iowa to back off and give him space……not true that Dr. Tom wasn’t all in. Raef just wanted to go to Kansas all along because his dad loved Kansas.

 

[bobchawk]

If we had simply fired Davis, instead of doing the one-year lame-duck period while he finished his contract, we might have had a new coach who could have kept Collison home. But with no coach in place the year Collison was picking a school, it’s no wonder that he ended up elsewhere.

exactly this---Collison was coming to Iowa but we fired Davis and that did not sit well with him---firing Davis at that time turned out to be not good everyone would agree in hindsight.
He probably should have been given a rain check and allowed to keep fixing what ailed the team--I have heard him say he did not realize at the time how much CS had affected him and it took a few years for him to shake this--as evidenced by his recruiting uptick at the end and him getting to the sweet 16--then going to Drake and kicking butt for a few more years....

I think Heinrich was the same way except for ISU--the coach that recruited him left so he did too....

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

It is key for Ben and staff to focus on Iowa's top talent first. They seem to have good ties to KC, hope they can get back in the Chicago suburbs.

I think they should be able to recruit the entire state of Missouri including St Louis - a place where Iowa basketball has had very little success over the years. Given the fact Missouri is currently top 10 for producing NBA talent, that's a big deal. Adding Missouri as a legitimate recruiting ground should have been a priority for previous coaches as proximity is still the most important factor in recruiting. The fact Iowa has been unable to recruit this border state has certainly been a competitive disadvantage.

NBA players by state (from 2023)
NBA players per capita - 2023

 

[ICWestfan]

It is key for Ben and staff to focus on Iowa's top talent first. They seem to have good ties to KC, hope they can get back in the Chicago suburbs.

AAU basketball is now more important and is basically what the Chicago city and suburbs leagues used to be. Kids are now spread out all over the country and not necessarily confined to their HS team.

Your point does remain that Iowa needs to identify and recruit talent, no matter where it is.

 

[BigOHawk]

Is Iowa State the leader for his services?

No. Per family connection, at least as of a month ago he liked LSU and Creighton. That was before the Ben hire and of course Ben's connection to NW Iowa, etc. I'd say we are making up ground yet as mentioned ISU in that mix. Creighton worries me as LSU would be far for family to travel, etc.

 

[onionman1]

If true, another example of "fans" sabatoging their own team.

It's truly amazing. Be positive and support the Hawks or keep the mouth shut. It's that simple.

Carry on though, since fans are incapable of doing anything wrong

"...or keep the mouth shut. It's that simple."

It's not nearly that simple.

People have the right to say what they want to.

if the players chose Kansas because Roy was a better recruiter, or for other Kansas-based reasons, or due to the Iowa coaching lame duck status, that's another thing entirely.

But small segments of a fan base don't wield that kind of power, and I'm pretty sure you know that.

Carry on though, since you are incapable of saying anything wrong.

 

[eyesofhawk]

"...or keep the mouth shut. It's that simple."

It's not nearly that simple.

People have the right to say what they want to.

if the players chose Kansas because Roy was a better recruiter, or for other Kansas-based reasons, or due to the Iowa coaching lame duck status, that's another thing entirely.

But small segments of a fan base don't wield that kind of power, and I'm pretty sure you know that.

Carry on though, since you are incapable of saying anything wrong.

Our rights aren't the issue.

However large of a segment of the fanbase, again if the story is accurate, it had an effect on Raef.

And if he communicated that to Nick and Kirk, then the fan behavior had a tangible negative effect on the program.

Regardless of how big a part it was in their calculus, they at least heard it noted, and the fact is that the poor behavior ended up being used against Iowa

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

There was lot of pressure from folks in Iowa to be "the guy" if he went to Iowa. Even Hayden jumped in and made some comment about how ridiculous it would be for Raef to even consider not going to Iowa, mentioning keeping Dwight and Banks on the football team, and how there was no way they were going elsewhere. He also made some comment about Raefs dad being a teacher at an Iowa high school, so he should stay home. One of my wifes sisters worked with his dad at MFL Marmac in Monona. After he announced to KU he faced a lot of angry Iowa fans. Would have been way worse now in the internet age though, but it REALLY soured him on Iowa. Supposedly he talked to Collison and Heinrich about NOT attended Iowa....

Well of course he'd talk to them about not attending Iowa - he was at Kansas. If Kansas was recruiting them - would anyone expect him to push them toward Iowa?

And it's a bit surprising that he supposedly was so soured by Iowa fans that he moved back to Iowa to be surrounded by Iowa fans. Quite possibly, a few comments are being run with to make a much bigger story than actual reality.