The Iowa Hawkeyes are heating up at just the right time. Winners of four straight in Big Ten play, they’re sitting at 16-5 overall and 6-4 in the conference - and looking every bit like a team starting to find its identity under first-year head coach Ben McCollum.
Their latest performance? A commanding 84-66 win over Oregon that was as complete a showing as we’ve seen from this group all season.
This wasn’t one of those grind-it-out, back-and-forth battles. Iowa took control early and never let go, executing their game plan with precision on both ends of the floor.
Let’s break down what made this win so impressive - and why it might just be a sign of things to come.
Bennett Stirtz: The Engine That Drives Iowa
When you talk about Iowa’s recent surge, it starts - and frankly, ends - with Bennett Stirtz. The sophomore guard has been on a tear, and against Oregon, he delivered a performance that felt like something out of a clinic.
Stirtz logged 38 minutes and dropped 32 points on a blistering 12-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. But it wasn’t just the scoring.
He dished out seven assists, swiped two steals, and didn’t commit a single turnover. That’s elite-level guard play - the kind that sets the tone for an entire team.
He’s not just filling up the stat sheet - he’s managing the game, controlling tempo, and making everyone around him better. When Stirtz is playing like this, Iowa becomes a different kind of problem.
A Defensive Statement
Iowa’s offense tends to grab headlines, but don’t sleep on what they did defensively in this one. Holding Oregon to just 26 points in the first half set the tone early, and they kept the clamps on for all 40 minutes.
The Ducks shot just 41% from the field and a cold 24% (6-of-24) from three. Iowa’s perimeter defense was locked in, closing out hard and forcing tough looks. The rotations were sharp, the communication was crisp, and they made life miserable for Oregon’s shooters.
This kind of defensive intensity is what can turn Iowa from a good team into a dangerous one - especially in a conference as rugged as the Big Ten.
Balanced Scoring Builds Confidence
While Stirtz was the star, he didn’t carry the load alone. Iowa got meaningful contributions across the board, which is exactly what you want to see as the season wears on.
Freshman Cooper Koch chipped in 10 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting night. Alvaro Folgueiras was a force inside, adding 15 points on 6-of-9 from the field. And sharpshooter Brendan Houson knocked down three triples en route to 11 points.
That kind of balanced scoring matters - not just for the box score, but for the confidence it builds in the supporting cast. Because let’s face it: Stirtz won’t be perfect every night.
Whether it’s foul trouble or an off shooting game, Iowa’s going to need others to step up. And right now, those guys are showing they’re ready for the moment.
Taking Care of Business
Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Iowa fans? This team is taking care of the games they should win.
That’s four straight victories in Big Ten play, and none of them were flukes. The Hawkeyes are playing with purpose, poise, and a growing sense of belief.
Looking ahead, the schedule sets up favorably. They’ll hit the road to face Washington, then return home to host Northwestern before heading out again to take on Maryland. All three are winnable games - and if Iowa can keep this momentum rolling, they’ll be in a great spot heading into the back end of the season.
Because that’s when things get real: matchups with Purdue, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Michigan are still looming. But if the Hawkeyes can stack a few more wins now, they’ll give themselves some breathing room for what’s shaping up to be a brutal stretch run.
Bottom Line
This win over Oregon wasn’t just another W in the standings - it was a statement. Iowa is clicking offensively, locking in defensively, and getting contributions from up and down the roster. Bennett Stirtz is playing like one of the best guards in the conference, and the rest of the team is feeding off that energy.
If they keep this up, the Hawkeyes won’t just be a tough out - they’ll be a team no one wants to see come March.