When you think about what fueled the Iowa Hawkeyes this season, one name stands out: Bennett Stirtz. This dynamic point guard, who transferred from Drake, came in with a lot of buzz-and boy, did he deliver. Stirtz was the engine behind Iowa’s success, often willing his team to victory.
Despite opponents knowing that McCollum’s offense revolved around him, Stirtz consistently managed to control the tempo and pace of the game. His steady hand guided Iowa to three NCAA Tournament wins, culminating in a historic run to the Elite Eight. It's no wonder he earned a spot on CBS Sports' All-Transfer Team for the 2025-26 season.
Stirtz's journey from Drake to Iowa is a testament to his resilience and skill. While Lendeborg might draw LeBron comparisons, Stirtz embodies the grit of a Cal Ripken Jr.
He was a constant presence on the court, key to the Hawkeyes’ magical postseason journey. Despite facing intense defensive pressure from Big Ten rivals who underestimated his supporting cast, Stirtz thrived.
He wasn’t just padding stats against weaker teams; he shot 62% on twos, 37% from beyond the arc, and 84% from the free-throw line in Big Ten play. In 25 games against top-100 competition, he was held under 12 points just twice.
With a 2.3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and solid defense, Stirtz was nothing short of a warrior.
In his first and only year against Power Four competition, Stirtz averaged 19.8 points per game. His shooting was impressive-47.7% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range-while also dishing out 4.4 assists per game. His performance not only set a strong foundation for the Hawkeyes but also made Ben McCollum's offense an attractive destination for point guards eyeing the transfer portal.