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A seismic shift in Iowa’s basketball program has culminated in standout guard Josh Dix securing a fresh start elsewhere, marking a pivotal moment in the Hawkeyes’ tumultuous offseason. After a dismal 2025 campaign—their worst by winning percentage since 2018—Iowa dismissed longtime coach Fran McCaffery and ushered in a new era under Drake’s Ben McCollum.
Amid sweeping changes, Dix, who averaged 14.3 points per game as a rare bright spot, opted to exit the turbulence. Now, the coveted transfer has landed at a program poised to amplify his talents. Where will the Iowa native take his game next? Here’s the inside scoop.
Josh Dix’s pivot to a rising contender
The answer lies just across the Missouri River. Dix, a Council Bluffs, Iowa native, is headed to Creighton, trading the Hawkeyes’ chaos for the Bluejays’ stability. The move brings him closer to home—Omaha sits a mere 15 miles from his hometown—while slotting him into a program fresh off a Sweet 16 run and a No. 14 AP Poll peak in 2025. For Josh Dix, the transfer offers a chance to reboot under coach Greg McDermott, whose system thrives on versatile guards.
Dix’s decision follows Iowa’s swift roster overhaul under McCollum, who lured Missouri Valley Player of the Year Bennett Stirtz to Iowa City. While Stirtz’s arrival signals a rebuild, Dix’s departure underscores the fallout from McCaffery’s exit. Despite his productivity, the Hawkeyes’ 11-21 record and fractured identity left little incentive to stay.
Why Creighton?
The Bluejays’ pitch was undeniable. A first-round NCAA Tournament win over Louisville showcased their grit, and McDermott’s track record of developing backcourt stars (think Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander) aligns perfectly with Josh Dix’s slashing style and improved three-point shot (37% in 2025). Creighton’s roster, anchored by veteran playmaker Isaac Traudt, also lacks a true alpha scorer—a void Dix could fill.
Iowa’s Rebuild: McCollum’s Challenge
McCaffery’s departure left a fractured locker room, but McCollum is wasting no time reshaping the Hawkeyes. Stirtz, a dynamic 6’4” guard, brings MVC dominance (18.1 PPG, 5.3 APG) to a backcourt now missing Dix’s firepower. Yet questions linger: Can McCollum’s defensive-minded approach revive a team that ranked 289th in points allowed? And will Dix’s exit trigger more transfers?
For Josh Dix, Creighton offers proximity, pedigree, and a platform to shine on March’s biggest stages. For Iowa, his departure underscores the steep climb ahead. As McCollum molds his roster, the Bluejays’ gain might just be the Hawkeyes’ most glaring loss—a reminder that in today’s portal-driven landscape, loyalty is fleeting, and reinvention is relentless.
