Bennett Stirtz is in the zone right now-and the rest of the Big Ten is feeling it.
The Iowa point guard has been nothing short of sensational during the Hawkeyes’ current six-game winning streak, emerging not just as the team’s floor general, but as one of the hottest players in college basketball. His recent performances haven’t just helped Iowa climb the Big Ten standings-they’ve put him squarely in the national spotlight.
This past week, Stirtz delivered back-to-back statement games that earned him both Big Ten Player of the Week and the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors. And when you dive into the numbers, it’s easy to see why.
Against Washington, Stirtz poured in 22 points with his usual poise and control. But it was his follow-up performance against Northwestern that turned heads across the country. He dropped a career-high 36 points, showcasing a complete offensive package-dribble penetration, catch-and-shoot threes, and a calmness at the free-throw line that belies his age.
In total, Stirtz racked up 58 points over the two games on a blistering 60.6% shooting clip (20-of-33). He was deadly from deep, hitting 8-of-14 from beyond the arc (57.1%), and nearly automatic at the stripe, going 10-of-12 (83.3%).
But it wasn’t just the scoring-his overall efficiency was elite. Just four turnovers to seven assists across both games, all while running Iowa’s offense with the kind of command you expect from a seasoned veteran.
This isn’t just a hot streak. This is a player stepping into a starring role at the perfect time for a surging Iowa team that now sits at 18-5 overall and 8-4 in Big Ten play. Stirtz isn’t just riding the wave-he’s driving it.
Next up, Iowa heads to College Park for a Wednesday night showdown with Maryland. Tipoff is set for 5 p.m.
CT on FS1. If Stirtz keeps playing like this, the Hawkeyes are going to be a tough out for anyone in the Big Ten-and maybe beyond.