After dodging a close call at home against USC, Iowa hit the road for a two-game swing through the Pacific Northwest-and they opened the trip with authority.
The Hawkeyes rolled into Eugene and left with a commanding 84-66 win over Oregon, a performance that was as emphatic as it was efficient. The Ducks never really threatened, and the night belonged to Bennett Stirtz, who delivered a career-high 32 points and officially joined the 2,000-point club. It was a milestone moment for the senior, and he did it in style-leading Iowa with poise, precision, and a scorer’s touch that Oregon simply couldn’t contain.
But even in a blowout win, there was one noticeable absence that had fans asking questions: where was Tavion Banks?
The senior guard, who’s been a consistent force for Iowa all season, played just 11 minutes and sat out the entire second half. After the game, head coach Ben McCollum shed some light on the situation-but his comments left more questions than answers.
McCollum confirmed that Banks is “dealing with some stuff,” and while he didn’t go into specifics, he made it clear that it’s not something with a clear rehab path. “We just have to give him rest and hope it goes away,” McCollum said postgame, referencing a similar issue Banks dealt with during his time at Drake. That previous stint required patience, and it sounds like this one might too.
That’s not the kind of update Iowa fans were hoping for-especially given Banks’ importance to this team. He’s been the Hawkeyes’ second-most impactful player behind Stirtz, providing steady scoring, physical rebounding, and elite efficiency from beyond the arc.
Through 21 games, Banks is averaging 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He’s shooting a blistering 53.8% from the field and leading the team with a 52% clip from three-point range.
In short, he’s been a two-way difference-maker.
If Banks is forced to miss time, Iowa’s rotation will have to adjust. Look for Isaia Howard and Tate Sage to take on larger roles, especially in the backcourt. Both have shown flashes this season, but filling Banks’ shoes-especially on both ends of the floor-won’t be easy.
For now, Iowa enjoys a strong win to open the road trip, but the uncertainty around Banks casts a shadow over what was otherwise a dominant night. The Hawkeyes will need to lean on their depth, and hope their senior guard gets the rest-and recovery-he needs to return soon.