By JOHN BOHNENKAMP

IOWA CITY — Cooper Koch has become the unofficial campus guide for the new-look Iowa men’s basketball roster.

Koch is the only scholarship player left from last season’s team after the exodus of players in the wake of Fran McCaffery’s dismissal as head coach, so part of his role has been advising the new players where to go and what to do.

“It’s definitely a little weird being a redshirt freshman, knowing where everything is, and they’re all just kind of getting used to it now, but it’s been kind of cool just helping them out,” Koch said Thursday. “Helping them around, showing them campus and stuff. I’ve been showing them the spots and showing the restaurants that are good spots to eat, and just just trying to help out as much as I can.”

Koch, of course, wants to be more than that to the Hawkeyes and new coach Ben McCollum, considering how last season seemingly ended as soon as it began for him.

Koch, who suffered a collapsed lung during summer workouts and continued to struggle with the issue during the season, played in just 10 games, none after playing 10 minutes in the 116-85 loss at Wisconsin on January 3. Koch averaged 4.6 points and 2.1 rebounds, and was becoming a key part of the rotation before being sidelined.

“It was definitely frustrating from a personal side, not being able to play and having to sit out and watch,” Koch said.

Koch said he feels fine — “Been going full bore for a while now, so I’m just looking forward to being back out on the court and getting out there. So no issues, nothing like that,” he said.

Koch did entertain thoughts about leaving the Hawkeyes after McCaffery’s firing — he entered the NCAA transfer portal but decided to return.

The chance to play for McCollum convinced Koch to stay.

“It’s been everything and more,” Koch said. “He’s a great coach, and I’m looking forward to the next three, four years with him, and really looking forward to this season.

“I just like the culture that Coach Mac was bringing to the program, and I think it’s going to be something that the fans love, and that’s going to benefit the team in the long run. And I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”

The final 30 minutes of practice was open to the media, and it was clear there was an intensity to what the Hawkeyes were doing. Koch said that’s even apparent off the court.

“The weight room is definitely … we really get after it in there,” Koch said. “There’s a bunch of yelling, screaming. If someone’s having a bad day, we’re picking them up, making sure they’re having the best day they can.”

It’s been an adjustment — new coach, new players, new system — but Koch likes the fit.

“I think we’re definitely going to be overlooked,” Koch said. “I don’t know how, though, because Coach Mac has won at every level. He’s going to carry it on to the Big Ten, and we’re going to surprise some people.”

Photo: Iowa’s Cooper Koch drives to the basket in a game against New Hampshire last season. (Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire)