Entering the 2025-26 college basketball season, to say that most, if not all, of the attention surrounding the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball roster was on point guard Bennett Stirtz could still be understating it.
The transfer from Drake, who came to Iowa with his head coach Ben McCollum, has flashed brilliance throughout his collegiate career and brought quite a bit of excitement with him to Iowa. Through nine games, he is commanding McCollum’s offense to an 8-1 record, while still working through some growing pains.
Advertisement
The move has been solid, though. Stirtz is a veteran, knows the offense, and pairs that with an extremely high level of talent. With a look at some of the biggest portal additions, CBS Sports gives a positive verdict on Stirtz’s early-season play with the Hawkeyes.
PG Bennett Stirtz
Transferred from: Drake | To: Iowa
The numbers: 18.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 45% from 3-point range
The scoop: Stirtz is doing what Stirtz does. The 6-4 lead guard has been excellent outside of a predictable clunker against a Michigan State defense that shuts down every driving lane. Iowa (8-1) is still very clearly figuring some stuff out, but Stirtz is keeping this train on the tracks. He has been the second-best point guard in the Big Ten. The verdict: Everyone’s happy. – Isaac Trotter, CBS Sports
It’s clear that Ben McCollum wants Bennett Stirtz on the court at nearly all times. He leads away far and away with the most minutes played and averages nearly 38 minutes of action per game so far this season.
Stirtz’s production on the offensive end is also carrying Iowa. He is more than doubling Iowa’s second-leading scorer, which shows his talent, but could raise some eyebrows about where Iowa may find buckets if Stirtz gets a tough defensive matchup or has an off night.
Nonetheless, the Hawkeyes have hit on their new point guard just as well as he is hitting from the field, shooting 50.5% overall and 45.1% from three-point range.
Advertisement
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: CBS’ early verdict on Iowa men’s basketball transfer PG Bennett Stirtz
