Iowa reach Elite Eight as McCollum and Stirtz continue remarkable run
Head coach Ben McCollum and senior guard Bennett Stirtz have led Iowa to their first Elite Eight appearance since 1980 following a dramatic comeback victory over Nebraska.
The Hawkeyes recovered from an early 10-point deficit in their Sweet 16 clash to continue an unlikely postseason journey.
The crucial turnaround was sparked by an explosive mid-game tirade from their demonstrative manager.
Fire and ice partnership
Stirtz watched unfazed as his coach smashed a whiteboard and shattered a marker pen on the hardwood floor.
“That’s what he likes to do,” Stirtz said following the victory.
“He’s the negative guy, and then our assistant coaches are the positive people. He was just telling us we sucked and we were soft.”
McCollum offered a much lighter interpretation of the pivotal huddle.
“We called the team into the huddle and just said very nicely, ‘I would like you to play harder, guys,'” the coach joked.
From Division II to the grand stage
The contrasting duo are currently at their third school together after previous stints at Northwest Missouri State and Drake.
Despite an underwhelming 10-10 record in the Big Ten conference, the team are now on the brink of a historic Final Four berth.
This marks the fourth consecutive year the manager and player have advanced together in an elimination tournament.
Their journey began in Division II, suffering a second-round exit in 2023 before losing to the eventual national champions in the 2024 Sweet 16.
Stepping up when it matters
Following their jump to Division I with Drake last season, the perpetually cool playmaker carried his former team to a first-round upset over Missouri.
The transition to Iowa has proved equally seamless for the former MVC Player of the Year.
Stirtz earned second-team All-Big Ten honours after averaging 19.7 points per game during the regular season.
The prolific scorer delivered once again against the Cornhuskers, sinking a crucial three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining to secure Iowa’s first lead of the contest.
The Hawkeyes will now face Illinois on Saturday with a coveted Final Four spot on the line.
