Iowa Basketball Slides Out of Top 25 After Back-to-Back Losses, Faces Crucial Week Ahead
It’s been a tough stretch for Iowa basketball. After a promising run, the Hawkeyes (19-7, 8-6 Big Ten) took a hard fall this past week, dropping two straight - first a 77-70 road loss at Maryland, then a lopsided 78-57 defeat at home to Purdue.
The result? Iowa has slipped out of the Top 25 entirely in the latest USA Today Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, released Feb. 16, and now finds itself among the “others receiving votes” category with just seven nods.
There’s no sugarcoating it - these weren’t just losses, they were setbacks that exposed some deeper issues. Against both the Terrapins and Boilermakers, Iowa started slow and struggled to find rhythm offensively. Long scoring droughts and a lack of consistent production beyond their top two guards have become a recurring problem.
Senior guard Bennett Stirtz continues to play at an elite level. Over the two games, he averaged 25.5 points while shooting a scorching 60.6% from the field - numbers that speak to both his efficiency and his importance to this team.
Tavion Banks, another senior in the backcourt, chipped in with 11 points per game on 66.7% shooting. But beyond that duo, the scoring well runs dry.
And in the Big Ten, where depth often separates contenders from pretenders, that’s a problem.
The drop in the rankings reflects that. Iowa, which was sitting at No. 25 last week, is now on the outside looking in. They’re still in the conversation, but barely - and they’ll need to make a statement soon if they want back in.
The good news? Opportunity knocks this week.
The Hawkeyes have two marquee matchups on deck that could flip the narrative fast. First up: a home showdown with No.
9 Nebraska at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday. Then it’s a road trip to take on No.
25 Wisconsin on Sunday. Both games offer a chance for Iowa to not only bounce back but also boost their resume as March approaches.
Zooming out to the rest of the Big Ten, the conference is still flexing its muscle in the Top 25. Michigan leads the way - not just in the Big Ten, but nationally - claiming the No. 1 spot.
Purdue surged five spots to No. 7 after dismantling Iowa. Nebraska (No.
9), Illinois (No. 10), Michigan State (No. 15), and Wisconsin (No. 25) round out the Big Ten’s ranked teams, making it one of the most well-represented conferences in the poll.
For Iowa, the path forward is clear. The talent is there - especially in the backcourt - but they need more consistent contributions across the board. If they can find a third scoring option and tighten up the offensive execution, there’s still time to turn this slide into a springboard.
This upcoming week could define their season.