Winning on the road in the Big Ten is never easy - and Iowa just got a tough reminder of that in College Park.
The Hawkeyes came into Wednesday night riding a six-game winning streak and seemingly primed to keep rolling against a Maryland team that had struggled mightily in conference play. But instead of capitalizing, Iowa found itself playing catch-up from the jump and never fully recovered, falling 77-70 in a game that leaves more questions than answers.
With Purdue looming on Saturday, there’s no time to dwell. But first, let’s break down what went wrong for Iowa in a loss that could prove costly down the stretch.
Bennett Stirtz is doing everything - and that’s the problem
It’s hard to ask much more from Bennett Stirtz. The senior guard was once again sensational, pouring in 32 points on an efficient 13-of-21 shooting, while adding four rebounds and six assists. He played all 40 minutes and was the engine, the spark, and the lifeline for Iowa in this one.
Stirtz has been exactly what the Hawkeyes hoped for when he transferred in - a steady, high-level scorer who can create his own shot and make plays for others. But here’s the issue: he’s doing it all, and he’s doing it alone far too often.
Outside of Tavion Banks, who added 13 points, no other Hawkeye reached double figures. That lack of balance has been a theme throughout the season, and it showed up again in a big way against Maryland.
If Iowa wants to make any noise in March, they can’t keep leaning this heavily on Stirtz. He’s been brilliant, but even the best need help - especially in the Big Ten.
Rebounding remains a red flag
One of the biggest swing factors in this game? The battle on the boards - and Iowa lost it decisively.
Maryland outrebounded the Hawkeyes 34-25, including 10 offensive rebounds that led to a flurry of second-chance points. That kind of margin isn’t just a stat - it’s a momentum killer. Several of those extra possessions came in the first half, allowing the Terrapins to build a lead and control the tempo.
Rebounding has been a season-long concern for Iowa, and it’s not hard to see why. This isn’t a particularly big or physical team, and that’s showing up in the numbers.
Head coach Ben McCollum and his staff will need to find creative ways to close that gap - whether it’s better positioning, more aggressive box-outs, or committing more bodies to the glass. Because come tournament time, giving away second chances is a recipe for an early exit.
Cold shooting night comes at the worst time
For a team that’s been one of the better three-point shooting squads in the Big Ten - hitting at a 38% clip coming in - Iowa picked a bad night to go cold.
The Hawkeyes finished just 7-of-28 from deep (25%), and if you take out Stirtz’s 4-of-10 effort, the rest of the team went a combined 3-of-18. That’s not going to cut it, especially against a team like Maryland that was vulnerable coming in.
Cooper Koch and Brendan Hausen, two guys who have the green light from beyond the arc, struggled to find their rhythm. Koch went 1-of-5, Hausen 2-of-7 - and several of those misses came on clean looks.
The good news? This feels like the most fixable issue from the night.
Iowa has shooters. They’ve proven it.
Sometimes the shots just don’t fall. But they’ll need to get back on track quickly, especially with Purdue’s defense up next.
The pressure is officially on
This wasn’t just a loss - it was a Quad 3 loss, and that’s a blemish Iowa didn’t need on its NCAA Tournament resume. Now sitting at 18-6 overall and 8-5 in Big Ten play, the Hawkeyes are entering a stretch that will define their season.
Of the seven regular-season games left, four are against ranked opponents. Two others are against solid Big Ten teams in Ohio State and Wisconsin. The only “favorable” matchup on paper is a road trip to Penn State - and even that isn’t a guaranteed win, especially after what just happened in Maryland.
Iowa is 0-4 against ranked teams this season. That number has to change - and fast.
The committee looks for signature wins, and the Hawkeyes need one to bolster their case. That opportunity comes immediately, with Purdue and Nebraska coming to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
Win one - or both - and the narrative shifts. Lose again, and the margin for error shrinks even more.
This team has talent. It has a star in Stirtz.
But now it needs answers - and urgency. The next few weeks will tell us if Iowa is built for March or just another team on the bubble.