Bennett Stirtz is heating up at just the right time-and the rest of the Big Ten is starting to feel it.
Coming off a monster stretch that included a 32-point explosion against Oregon, the Iowa point guard is not only leading the Hawkeyes to wins-he’s doing it with poise, pace, and a whole lot of confidence. His recent performances have earned him Big Ten Player of the Week honors, and frankly, it’s hard to argue with the recognition.
Stirtz has been the engine behind Iowa’s recent surge. Against Oregon, he logged 38 minutes and delivered a balanced stat line: 20 points, three rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
And just when you thought he might cool off, he turned it up another notch-dropping 32 points and adding seven assists in a second matchup against the Ducks. That’s not just stuffing the stat sheet; that’s commanding the floor and dictating the game’s rhythm.
Under head coach Ben McCollum, Iowa’s offense is built to flow through its lead guard, and Stirtz is proving he’s more than capable of running the show. He’s quick in transition, decisive in the half court, and showing a growing ability to read defenses and exploit mismatches. Whether it’s pulling up in rhythm or finding the open man, Stirtz is making the right plays-and making them look smooth.
Thanks to his recent tear, Iowa has rattled off four straight wins in Big Ten play, improving to 16-5 overall and 6-4 in conference. That puts them squarely in the mix as the season starts to hit its most critical stretch. And with upcoming games against Washington, Northwestern, and Maryland-all matchups where Iowa should feel confident-they’ve got a real shot to keep the momentum rolling.
Next up: a road trip to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies on Wednesday, February 4. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m.
CT on the Big Ten Network. If Stirtz keeps playing at this level, don’t be surprised if the Hawkeyes keep climbing-and if more weekly honors come his way.