By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – It was easy to assume that Brendan Hausen would be a key contributor, maybe even a starter, for the Iowa men’s basketball team this season.

He transferred from Kansas State where he started all 33 games last season, averaged 10.9 points per game and made 90 3-point baskets.

He also saw action in 66 games during two seasons at Villanova from 2022 to 2024.

So with his experience, and with his 3-point shooting prowess, it just made sense to believe that the 6-foot-4 Hausen would have significant impact in Ben McCollum’s first season as the Iowa head coach.

And as it turns out, Hausen has made an impact, just probably not how most had envisioned since he has only played sparingly off the bench and has not started a game for the 12-3 Hawkeyes, who host Illinois on Sunday.

Hausen’s name came up in McCollum’s press conference on Friday and McCollum used it as an opportunity to explain just how valuable Hausen has been, even without playing much.

McCollum was asked to expand on a comment he made about Hausen’s defense on his post-game radio show following the 70-67 loss at Minnesota this past Tuesday. McCollum gave the impression on the radio that he was pleased for most part with Hausen’s defense in the loss.

“I think he kind of exemplifies what we want from a kid from a character perspective,” McCollum said. “He’s a really good basketball player that averaged nine, ten points per game at Kansas State and he comes here and he’s not playing as much as he probably would like, obviously. I mean he shouldn’t like it. But he is probably our most vocal player on the bench. He’s one of our most vocal players in the huddle.

“And it’s not an act. It’s genuine things that he’s saying and engagement that he gives. So when he comes in, he knows the scout as good as anybody. He’s going to fight and he’s going to defend and he’s going to do the things that he needs to do.

“But I thought he did a good job of executing the scout. I thought he did a good job of keeping that (Minnesota) guy out of the paint for the most part. And then obviously, offensively, he can really fill it up.”

McCollum said in the weeks leading up to this season that Hausen could really fill it up from three, and that just added to the belief that Hausen would have a key role playing alongside star point guard Bennett Stirtz.

And while it still could happen, Iowa is nearly halfway through the regular season and Hausen is averaging just 10.8 minutes per game, which is less than the points he averaged per game at Kansas State last season.

Hausen didn’t even play in the 74-61 win over UCLA last Saturday in Iowa City.

But even with his limited minutes, Hausen still ranks fourth on the team with 16 3-point baskets and he’s made all 11 of his free throw attempts.

But it’s his unselfishness and his willingness to put the team first, that has really impressed McCollum.

“He’s been awesome for us,” McCollum said. “I can’t say enough about how hard that has to be for him and the character that he has and how he shows that to his teammates is pressy impressive. I wish people could see that because that’s as impressive as it gets.”

Hausen wasn’t made available to the media on Friday. But the Amarillo, Texas native has said multiple times in interviews that he just wants to do whatever it takes to help the team win. And if that means cheering from bench, then so be it.

McCollum is fortunate that Hausen has high character and is mature enough to accept his role because some players might not be as agreeable and understanding, especially in this age of the transfer portal, and could be a distraction.

But if you watch Brendan Hausen during the course of a game, whether he’s playing much or not, he always seems upbeat, locked in and willing to encourage his teammates, even the ones taking his minutes on the court.

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Peyton McCollum injury: Iowa announced Friday morning that freshman guard Peyton McCollum will miss at least six-to-eight weeks due to a foot injury.

Peyton is the son of Ben McCollum.

He was expected to redshirt this son and that will certainly happen now.

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