The Iowa basketball scene is buzzing, and for good reason. Senior guard Bennett Stirtz put on a clinic Tuesday night, leading the Hawkeyes to a stunning 57-52 upset over ninth-ranked Nebraska at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Stirtz was the undeniable star, racking up 25 points-nearly half of Iowa’s total. His defensive prowess was on full display too, with two steals and two blocks, all while playing the entire 40 minutes.
Nebraska's head coach, Fred Hoiberg, couldn’t help but sing Stirtz’s praises after the game. Hoiberg, who knows a thing or two about talent, was candid in his admiration, calling Stirtz "an animal" and placing him among the nation's elite.
Stirtz's exceptional play hasn't just caught Hoiberg's eye. He's firmly in the conversation for prestigious accolades like the Bob Cousy, Wooden, and Naismith Awards, which honor the best in college basketball each season.
Lately, Stirtz has been on a tear, crucially lifting the Hawkeyes with his performances. After a rocky 2-4 start in Big Ten play, Iowa has won seven of their last nine games, thanks in no small part to Stirtz’s jaw-dropping average of 25.9 points per game. This surge has the Hawkeyes inching closer to an NCAA Tournament berth, a feat that seemed distant not long ago.
In Iowa City, Stirtz is following in the footsteps of greats like Luka Garza and Keegan Murray, cementing his status as one of the top players in the country. Hawkeye fans should savor each moment he dons the black and gold, as an NBA future seems almost inevitable.