Iowa Looks to Bounce Back in a Big Way Against Purdue After Maryland Setback
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Iowa’s six-game winning streak came to a screeching halt in College Park, and while the 77-70 loss to Maryland doesn’t undo the momentum the Hawkeyes had built, it does serve as a reality check - and a timely one.
The loss marked the end of a favorable six-game stretch that Iowa largely capitalized on, going 5-1 and picking up a couple of road wins along the way. But the stumble against Maryland wasn’t just a blip - it was a reminder. This is still the Big Ten, and nothing comes easy.
“I think you win enough games and you kind of think that you’ve arrived to a certain level,” head coach Ben McCollum said after the game. “You forget that it’s still the Big Ten.
It’s still a tough league. That’s part of it.”
McCollum’s message was clear: Iowa is still building. The Hawkeyes are learning what it takes to bring it every single night - and they weren’t there against Maryland. Now, the question is how they respond.
The Road Ahead: Tougher, But Full of Opportunity
With the Maryland game in the rearview, Iowa’s schedule shifts into a much tougher gear. The final seven games of the regular season are loaded with heavyweights: two matchups with No.
8 Nebraska, a clash with No. 12 Purdue, a showdown with No.
2 Michigan, plus Wisconsin and Ohio State. As of February 12, every one of those teams is at least 8-6 in Big Ten play.
That’s a gauntlet. But it’s also a golden opportunity.
Iowa has yet to notch a true signature win under McCollum, and while they’ve got two Quad I victories on the résumé, the loss to Maryland took some shine off their NCAA Tournament case. Still, the chance to change that narrative is right in front of them - starting with a massive home game against Purdue on February 14, followed by another big one against Nebraska on February 17. Michigan looms after that on March 5.
One thing that hasn’t been talked about enough? Iowa hasn’t had many marquee home games.
Of the four ranked teams they’ve faced this season, only one - Illinois - came to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. That changes now.
Purdue Brings the Heat - and the Boards
Purdue rolls into Iowa City fresh off an overtime road win against Nebraska, a game where the Boilermakers flexed their muscle on the glass with 21 offensive rebounds and a 54-37 rebounding edge overall. That kind of physicality is Purdue’s calling card, and it’s the kind of thing that can bury a team if they’re not ready.
Iowa, to its credit, held its own on the boards the last time these two met in January. The Hawkeyes were only outrebounded by three and even led by as many as nine in the second half at Mackey Arena before things unraveled late.
“We were in it at Mackey the last time,” said guard Bennett Stirtz. “So we know we can hang with these guys. But we’ve got to play a lot better than we did tonight (against Maryland).”
He’s not wrong. The Maryland game exposed several issues - shaky defense, poor rebounding, inconsistent offense, and a lack of production beyond Stirtz. Those are the areas that have to tighten up if Iowa wants to pull off an upset.
The X-Factor: Carver-Hawkeye Crowd
This one’s got the feel of a turning point - and the atmosphere should reflect that. It’s the first home sellout of the McCollum era, and the energy in the building could be a real factor. For a team coming off its most frustrating loss of the season, that kind of environment can be the spark that reignites momentum.
Despite the Maryland slip-up, Iowa is still 18-6 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play. They’ve won six of their last seven.
The margin for error is slimmer now, sure, but the sky isn’t falling. This is still a team that’s shown growth from its setbacks - and now it has a chance to do it again when the stakes are even higher.
Staying Locked In
Senior guard Brendan Hausen kept it simple after the loss: “Stay together. The only thing that matters is what’s going on with the coaches and with the players and everything that’s going on in the locker room.
That’s the most important thing. Keeping the morale high.
Just staying together. Nothing else matters.”
That mindset will be crucial. The Big Ten doesn’t allow much time to sulk. And with Purdue on deck, Iowa needs to be locked in.
Iowa vs. Purdue: What to Watch
Let’s be clear - Iowa can’t afford a repeat of the Maryland performance. The defense has to be sharper.
They’ve got to be tougher on the glass. The offense needs better rhythm.
And the supporting cast has to show up around Stirtz.
Purdue, meanwhile, has the momentum. They just went into Lincoln and outlasted a strong Nebraska team in overtime. But this is their second straight road game, and they needed every ounce to get that win.
The Big Ten is unpredictable - that’s part of its charm and its chaos. One night, you’re rolling.
The next, you’re reeling. That’s what makes this matchup so intriguing.
If Iowa shows up with urgency, feeds off the home crowd, and plays to its potential, this could be the night the Hawkeyes notch that elusive signature win. A victory over Purdue wouldn’t just boost their tournament hopes - it would send a message that McCollum’s program is building something real.
Now, it’s time to prove it.