As Penn State gears up for their Saturday showdown against Iowa, they're looking to bounce back from a tough 23-point loss to Nebraska. The Nittany Lions have had a week to regroup, while the Hawkeyes are coming off a victory over Ohio State and have little time to rest.
Iowa, boasting a 20-8 record, is led by senior guard Bennett Stirtz. Stirtz is lighting up the Big Ten, averaging 20.7 points per game, ranking him among the nation’s top scorers. The 6-foot-4 transfer from Drake has been a force on the court, notching a career-high 36 points against Northwestern and maintaining a 50.9% shooting percentage.
While Stirtz is the focal point of Iowa's offense, the team sees a significant drop in scoring with their next top contributor, Tavion Banks, who averages 10.6 points and leads the team with 4.6 rebounds per game. Banks, a 6-foot-7 senior, is also Iowa’s most efficient three-point shooter, hitting 43.8% from deep, though he doesn’t shoot frequently.
Stirtz is also a threat from beyond the arc, shooting 39.9% and having a standout performance against Ole Miss with a 75% success rate on threes. His prowess contributes to Iowa’s status as the fourth-best three-point shooting team in the Big Ten, a stark contrast to Penn State's struggles in that area.
Penn State’s defense against the three-pointer is a concern, as they rank near the bottom nationally. This could give Stirtz and the Hawkeyes plenty of opportunities to capitalize from long range.
On the Nittany Lions' side, guards Freddie Dilione V and Kayden Mingo are both averaging 13.9 points per game. Mingo also leads the team in assists and steals but has struggled with turnovers, tallying 48 this season. As Penn State’s top on-ball defender, Mingo will likely be tasked with containing Stirtz.
Dilione, who had a quiet game against Nebraska, will aim to rediscover his scoring touch against Iowa’s formidable defense, which allows just 65.1 points per game.
With big man Tibor Mirtič sidelined, Penn State will rely on seven-footer Ivan Jurić to dominate inside. Jurić is coming off a double-double performance against Nebraska and will be key in matching up against Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras, a reliable shooter and important rotation player.
This matchup also marks the first visit to Happy Valley for Iowa's first-year coach Ben McCollum, who is looking to notch a win against a struggling Big Ten opponent. Meanwhile, Penn State's Mike Rhoades aims to even his record against Iowa, having previously secured a home victory against them.
This clash of styles promises to be an intriguing battle, with both teams eager to make a statement as they approach the season's home stretch.