Folgueiras showed a glimpse of why against Western Illinois.

Folgueiras still needs to prove it against better competition, but his performance against the Leathernecks was undoubtedly a step in the right direction. The game provided a framework for how Folgueiras can be featured as a complementary piece to Bennett Stirtz, who was phenomenal, notching 24 points and seven assists.

“We have high expectations for him,” McCollum said of Folgueiras. “I think his talent says that he could be starting. The cool part about him is that it’s like, I want to earn this and I want to get in there and do that. When you challenge him, just like that, he came out and performed and was excellent. He’s seeing the work that he’s put in, in the weight room, conditioning, on the floor, attitude, all those things. He’s got a good attitude but just getting it redirected. He’s seeing the results of that now. And so, hopefully he continues to grow and get better.”

Tate Sage has been pleasant surprise

The freshman has clearly shown enough behind the scenes to earn a spot in the rotation early in his Iowa career. Though he shot just 1-of-6 from deep against Western Illinois, he still made contributions off the bench, finishing with eight points. 

Through two games, Sage is playing an average of 20 minutes.

Sage did not come to Iowa surrounded by a bunch of hype. He was ranked just 364th nationally in the 2025 high school recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Sage was signed to play for McCollum at Drake before following the head coach to the Hawkeyes. 

But he looks like someone who can help the Hawkeyes as a true freshman.

“We knew he was good,” McCollum said. “But we thought it would take him a year. But he’s got a little edge to him. He’s a 6-7 two-guard. And so, he’s got good length. He only going to get better… He’s got great energy. He’s a good competitor. I think if we’re going to be at our best, he’s going to need to be pretty good.”

Taking stock in Iowa’s offense

The Hawkeyes did not get close to reaching triple digits against Western Illinois like they did against Robert Morris, but it was still an efficient game offensively. Iowa shot 52% from the field and 40% from deep against the Leathernecks while only turning it over seven times.

“I think we were disrupted tonight,” McCollum said. “I didn’t feel good about our flow. I thought our efficiency was really good, though. I thought we scored. I thought the first game we had great rhythm, great flow, we didn’t play with disruption. Tonight, we were fairly unorganized and that’s on me. Didn’t get into our stuff quick enough. Again, on me, and their defense.”

Before Iowa’s season-opening game, McCollum stated that he thought his team was “a ways away offensively.” But through two games, it hasn’t looked that way.

Video: Ben McCollum reacts to Iowa’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois

Ben McCollum meets with media after Iowa basketball’s 77-58 win over Western Illinois.

It’s a very small sample size, but Iowa is shooting 57% from the field and 43% from 3-point range to open the season. The Hawkeyes have assisted on 42 of their 55 made field goals, which speaks to the way the ball is being shared.

The scoring output against Western Illinois was not as prolific as Robert Morris, but the Hawkeyes still delivered 77 points despite Brendan Hausen and Tate Sage going a combined 1-of-10 from deep.

It felt like there was a stigma about Iowa’s offense because of what McCollum’s team looked like at Drake last season. Granted, it’s against lesser competition, but early returns have pushed back on that perception. The Hawkeyes might not have the most explosive offense, but it looks like one with potential, at the very least.

“They go 5-for-10 on wide open and, those guys, 6-for-10 on wide open, now you’re talking a little bit different score,” McCollum said, referring to Hausen and Sage’s 3-point shooting vs. Western Illinois. “So even there, we’d have more efficiency. And that’s what our offense should be eventually. That’s what we had at Northwest (Missouri State). Like everybody compares our Drake offense, and it’s like, our Drake offense wasn’t exactly what we’re trying to get to.”

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com