After a frustrating road loss to Maryland, Iowa has a golden opportunity to reset the narrative - and it comes in the form of a marquee matchup against Purdue this weekend. It’s not just a chance to bounce back; it’s a shot at a signature win that could reshape the season’s trajectory.
The Maryland game? That one had all the signs of a team looking ahead.
Iowa never quite found its rhythm, and it showed. Now, with Purdue coming to town and Carver-Hawkeye Arena expected to be rocking, the Hawkeyes need to bring their best - and then some - if they want to pull off the upset.
Let’s rewind for a second. In their first meeting with Purdue, Iowa actually had the game in hand for most of the night.
They defended well, moved the ball with purpose, and looked like a team ready to make a statement. But a late collapse flipped the script, and Purdue walked away with the win.
The margin was slim, but the lesson was clear: playing well for 30 minutes isn’t enough against a team as disciplined and dangerous as the Boilermakers.
Head coach Ben McCollum knows that better than anyone. He’s been candid about what’s gone wrong lately - especially on the offensive end.
Over the past two games, against Northwestern and Maryland, Iowa has looked out of sync. The ball movement that defined their early-season success has stalled, and possessions have too often ended in isolation plays or forced shots.
McCollum pointed out that the offense has become too reliant on Bennet Stirtz to create something out of nothing. That kind of approach might work in spurts, but it’s not sustainable - especially not against a team like Purdue.
What McCollum wants to see is a return to rhythm. That means better spacing, quicker decisions, and more off-ball movement - the kind of offensive flow that keeps defenses guessing and opens up clean looks. Against Purdue, those looks won’t come easy, but they’ll be there if Iowa can generate them through purposeful play.
Defensively, there’s reason for optimism. In their previous matchup, Iowa held their own against Purdue’s potent attack.
McCollum liked the intensity and execution on that end - they just needed a few more shots to fall on offense to finish the job. That’s the blueprint heading into this rematch.
But make no mistake: it’s going to take “elite intensity,” as McCollum put it, on both ends of the floor. Purdue is too good, too experienced, and too well-coached to beat with anything less. The Boilermakers will go on runs - they always do - and Iowa’s ability to weather those storms without losing their composure will be critical.
This one’s about rhythm, resilience, and rising to the moment. If Iowa can rediscover the offensive flow that made them dangerous earlier in the season, and pair it with the kind of defensive energy they showed in the first meeting, they’ve got a real shot. And with a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena behind them, the stage is set for something special.