Iowa's Cooper Koch Enters Season as Hawkeyes' Leading Returning Scorer
With the Iowa Hawkeyes set to open the 2026-27 men's basketball season on November 3, forward Cooper Koch stands out as the team's top returning scorer and one of just three starters back from last year's squad. The junior from Peoria, Illinois started all 37 games last season and averaged 7.8 points per game while logging the second most minutes on the roster, according to Yahoo Sports.
Koch, a 6-foot-8, 228-pound legacy forward, is entering his third year with the program. He is one of only two players on the current roster who began their Iowa careers under former head coach Fran McCaffery before Ben McCollum took over, Blackheartgoldpants reported.
Koch's 2025-26 Season in Numbers
As a sophomore, Koch posted 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He shot 43.7 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from three-point range, and 83.3 percent from the free throw line, according to his official Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics profile.
His best game of the season came in Iowa's lone conference tournament win against Maryland, where he scored a season-high 19 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. He made four or more three-pointers in just four games all season.
Defensively, Koch held his own despite regularly guarding bigger opponents. He fouled out only once all season, and that came in the final game of the year against Illinois.
What Changes for Koch This Season
The roster around Koch looks different this year. Bennett Stirtz, Tavion Banks, and Alvaro Folgueiras are gone, leaving Koch as the top leading scorer from last season's team. That means his role in the offense will expand, and he will need to increase his shot volume.
There is evidence he can handle a bigger load. From February onward last season, Koch scored in double figures in eight of 17 games. He had reached double digits just five times in the first three months of the year.
Another question mark is his defense. With true center Andrew McKeever now on the roster, Koch is more likely to guard smaller forwards than the bigger post players he matched up against last season. Whether his solid interior defense translates to the perimeter remains to be seen.
Can Koch Become a Number One Option?
Koch's game has leaned heavily on outside shooting. Nearly 75 percent of his shot attempts last season came from three-point range. For Iowa to take a step forward, he will need to diversify his offensive game, score more off the dribble, and find open teammates as McCollum's offensive system continues to develop, according to the Yahoo Sports preview.
The stakes are real for an Iowa program looking to return to the NCAA Tournament under McCollum. Koch's development into a true number one scoring option could be the difference between a middling season and a March Madness berth.
The Hawkeyes tip off the new season on November 3 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cooper Koch?
Cooper Koch is a 6-foot-8 junior forward for the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team. He is from Peoria, Illinois and attended Metamora Township High School. He is a legacy player whose family has ties to the Iowa program.
What were Cooper Koch's stats last season?
During the 2025-26 season, Koch started all 37 games and averaged 7.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. He shot 40.2 percent from three-point range and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.
When does Iowa basketball start the 2026-27 season?
The Iowa Hawkeyes open the 2026-27 men's basketball season on November 3.