After a pair of gritty wins over Washington and Northwestern, Iowa basketball is officially back in the national conversation. The Hawkeyes, now 18-5 overall and riding a six-game Big Ten winning streak, have reentered the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll at No. 25 - a well-earned nod to a team finding its rhythm at the right time.
The catalyst behind Iowa’s recent surge? Senior guard Bennett Stirtz, who’s playing the best basketball of his career and doing it with style.
Across Iowa’s two wins this past week, Stirtz dropped a combined 58 points, shooting a scorching 20-of-33 from the field, including 8-of-14 from deep and 10-of-12 from the line. He capped the week with a career-high 36-point performance against Northwestern, a game where he simply took over down the stretch.
Stirtz isn’t just putting up numbers - he’s controlling the tempo, making smart decisions, and rising to the moment when Iowa needs him most. His scoring outburst against the Wildcats wasn’t just about volume; it was about efficiency, poise, and leadership. When a senior guard gets hot like this in February, it’s the kind of thing that can change the trajectory of a season.
With their recent run, the Hawkeyes have joined a stacked group of Big Ten teams in the Top 25. Michigan leads the charge at No. 2, followed by Illinois (No.
7), Nebraska (No. 8), Michigan State (No. 10), and Purdue (No.
12). That’s six Big Ten teams in the rankings - and Iowa’s return only reinforces how deep and competitive the conference is this season.
Looking ahead, Iowa has a chance to keep climbing. First up is a road trip to Maryland on Wednesday.
The Terrapins are struggling in conference play, sitting at 2-10 in the Big Ten, but road wins in February are never a given - especially in a league as unpredictable as this one. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.
CT on FS1.
Then comes the marquee matchup: a home showdown with No. 12 Purdue on Saturday.
The Boilermakers are 19-4 and right in the thick of the Big Ten title race. It’s a sold-out affair at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and the energy is expected to be electric.
Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT on Fox.
These next two games offer Iowa a real opportunity - not just to solidify their place in the rankings, but to prove they belong in the conversation with the conference’s elite. If Stirtz keeps playing like this and the supporting cast continues to step up, the Hawkeyes could be a dangerous team heading into March.
Here’s how the full USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll shakes out this week:
- Arizona (23-0)
- Michigan (22-1)
- Houston (21-2)
- Iowa State (21-2)
- UConn (22-2)
- Duke (21-2)
- Illinois (20-4)
- Nebraska (21-2)
- Kansas (18-5)
- Michigan State (20-4)
- Gonzaga (23-2)
- Purdue (19-4)
- North Carolina (19-4)
- Florida (17-6)
- Virginia (20-3)
- Texas Tech (17-6)
- St.
John's (18-5)
18.
Clemson (20-4)
19.
Saint Louis (23-1)
20.
Vanderbilt (19-4)
21.
Arkansas (17-6)
22.
BYU (17-6)
23.
Louisville (17-6)
24.
Miami (OH) (24-0)
25.
Iowa (18-5)
With momentum on their side and a star guard playing at an elite level, Iowa is peaking at just the right time. The road ahead won’t be easy, but the Hawkeyes are showing they’re more than capable of handling the pressure.