Iowa basketball opens its season on November 3, and one of the biggest reasons for optimism in Iowa City wears No. 11. Senior guard Kael Combs, who followed head coach Ben McCollum from Drake to the Hawkeyes, is drawing praise as the steady presence who keeps the offense humming around star point guard Bennett Stirtz.
According to Yahoo Sports, which profiled Combs on October 23 as part of its countdown to the opener, the 6-foot-4, 204-pound guard from Nixa, Missouri started 33 games last season and ranked third on the team in minutes. He averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 83.7 percent from the free throw line.
Why Combs Matters Alongside Bennett Stirtz
The numbers do not jump off the page, and that is sort of the point. Combs arrived in Iowa City without the pedigree of a featured scorer. He put up modest stats at Wyoming and then Drake before making the move with McCollum, and few expected him to lock down a starting job next to Stirtz.
He did exactly that. Yahoo Sports noted that Combs rarely tried to do more than his role required, played tough defense, and flashed real scoring ability when called upon. He dropped a career-high 18 points at Nebraska in the regular season finale and scored 16 at Purdue's Mackey Arena, one of the toughest road environments in the Big Ten.
His left-handed stroke also quietly earns him a basket a game, as defenses tend to forget which hand he favors, the report added.
Combs Proved Himself in the Tournament
The biggest question entering last postseason was whether Combs could handle the load when opponents sold out to stop Stirtz. Iowa's three tournament wins answered it.
Combs scored 15 points in an isolation-heavy role against Clemson after the Tigers loaded up on Stirtz, and he dished out 11 combined assists in wins over Florida and Nebraska. Black Heart Gold Pants highlighted that stretch as proof Combs can stir the drink for the Hawkeyes: get Iowa into its offense, drive and finish, kick out to open shooters, and defend consistently on the other end.
What Iowa Needs From Him This Season
Given the talent Iowa returns around him, Combs may not need to carry a heavy scoring burden. The Hawkeyes bring back enough firepower that a steady hand at the guard spot could be all this team needs for a successful season, as HawkeyeInsider put it in describing Combs as a stabilizing presence heading into the year.
But the ceiling rises considerably if Combs takes a leap. Yahoo Sports laid out the scenario plainly: if he grows from a six-point, two-assist player into something closer to 14 points and six assists per game, the Hawkeyes become a much harder team to project against in the Big Ten.
That kind of jump is not unheard of for players in McCollum's system. The report pointed to the mold of the Iron Man point guard McCollum has traditionally leaned on, a durable, reliable floor leader who plays big minutes and makes few mistakes. Combs showed flashes of that identity in March.
A Homegrown Midwest Path to Iowa City
Combs' route to Iowa is a familiar one for Hawkeye fans who have followed McCollum's roster building. He started his career at Wyoming, transferred to Drake when McCollum ran the Bulldogs, and then followed the coach to Iowa City when McCollum took over the Hawkeyes program.
The official Iowa Hawkeyes athletics site lists Combs as a fourth-year player out of Nixa High School in Missouri. He appeared in 37 games last season and averaged 26.1 minutes per contest.
That loyalty and continuity matter for a program trying to build a consistent winner. Combs knows McCollum's system as well as anyone on the roster, and that familiarity shows in how comfortably he fits next to Stirtz.
Season Opener Set for November 3
The countdown is nearly over. Iowa tips off the new season on November 3, with Combs expected to once again anchor the starting backcourt alongside Stirtz.
Hawkeye fans hoping for a return to NCAA tournament relevance will be watching closely. If Combs builds on his strong finish to last season, Iowa's floor is high and its ceiling might be higher than anyone in the preseason rankings expects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kael Combs?
Kael Combs is a 6-foot-4 senior guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes from Nixa, Missouri. He played at Wyoming and Drake before following head coach Ben McCollum to Iowa, where he started 33 games last season.
What were Kael Combs' stats last season?
Combs averaged 6.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three, and 83.7 percent from the free throw line across 37 games.
When does Iowa basketball start the season?
The Hawkeyes open the season on November 3. Combs is expected to start in the backcourt alongside Bennett Stirtz.