J.R. Koch’s Son Rekindles Hawkeye Legacy in Sweet 16 Journey

Cooper Koch matched a family milestone with 12 points in Iowa’s 2026 second-round win over Florida. The victory, 73-72, sent the Hawkeyes into the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.

Stat line and season form

Cooper is a second-year freshman forward who started all 35 games this season. He averaged 7.8 points per game and made 61 of 151 three-point attempts.

That translates to a 40.4 percent mark from long range. He struggled in February but drilled 24 of 43 from three over his last seven games.

Family echoes from 1999

Cooper’s 12 points mirrored the output of his father, J.R. Koch, in Iowa’s 1999 second-round win. J.R. was a senior starting forward on that team.

J.R. later worked as a real estate broker in Peoria, Illinois. He still recalls the emotions from that run to the Sweet 16.

1999 context

The 1999 second-round victory came in Denver. Iowa rallied from a 47-34 second-half deficit to beat Arkansas 82-72.

A 16-0 Iowa run highlighted the comeback. Kent McCausland hit three 3-pointers during that stretch.

Coaching change and roster turnover

Fran McCaffery was fired roughly a year earlier. Ben McCollum was hired the following week.

McCollum shifted the team toward a more deliberate, defense-first approach. Most scholarship players with eligibility left the program.

Cooper was among the few who stayed connected to the new staff. He attended McCollum’s introductory press conference at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Transfers and personal moves

Josh Dix transferred to Creighton to be near his mother in Council Bluffs. She had cancer and died last month.

Graham Ike Sandfort now leads Nebraska in scoring. Nebraska is Iowa’s opponent in Houston on Thursday.

Cooper’s recruitment and adaptation

Cooper played in 10 games last season before taking a medical redshirt. He briefly entered the transfer portal before McCollum’s hire.

Another program offered more money, but Cooper chose to meet with Coach McCollum. The family studied McCollum’s work at Northwest Missouri State and Drake.

The transition was difficult at first. McCollum’s staff was patient and Cooper gradually grew more comfortable on the court.

J.R. said his son added drives, spins, and a firmer handle to his game. Those traits showed up late in the season.

Support system and emotional ties

The Koch family traveled from Tampa to attend the first two NCAA rounds. They planned to go on to Houston for the Sweet 16 game.

J.R.’s former Iowa teammates joined the band of supporters. Names included Jess Settles, Dean Oliver, Ryan Luehrsmann, and Kent McCausland.

J.R. received more than 300 messages after the Florida win. Former Hawkeyes like Andre Woolridge reached out to congratulate him.

Legacy and perspective

J.R. averaged 10.4 points per game in his senior season. Dean Oliver led the 1999 team at 11.9 points per game.

Jess Settles averaged 4.8 rebounds as the team’s leading rebounder. The 1999 group emphasized role acceptance and unity.

Cooper’s performance rekindles Hawkeye legacy as the son helps carry the program on its Sweet 16 journey. Filmogaz.com will follow Iowa’s next matchup in Houston.