The No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes have been one of the most compelling stories of this year’s NCAA Tournament, making a run all the way to the Elite Eight, where they faced the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini on Saturday night.
In a game that featured multiple lead changes — especially in the second half — Illinois had just enough late to pull away for a 71–59 victory.
For the Hawkeyes, it was an extraordinary year in head coach Ben McCollum’s first season at the helm, with star guard Bennett Stirtz following him to Iowa and playing a central role in the team’s success.
Stirtz scored a team-high 24 points against Illinois and finished the season averaging 19.7 points, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 rebounds per game.
With this marking his final collegiate game, the NCAA shared a parting message for the star guard as he now turns his attention to the professional level.
“The engine of a legendary Hawkeye run,” the NCAA wrote. “Thank you, Bennett Stirtz.”
More news: Caitlin Clark Faces Backlash Amid Iowa’s Historic March Madness Run
More news: NCAA Sends Parting Message to Zuby Ejiofor After March Madness Loss
Fans reacted to the parting message, as Stirtz certainly left his mark on the NCAA Tournament:
“Def one of the biggest winners of March Madness in terms of stock. Gonna miss his insane and entertaining shot selection,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “Put his name on the map.”
“League him. What a career,” a fan wrote.
“LEGEND,” another commented.
Stirtz’s journey is anything but ordinary, and it has unfolded alongside Ben McCollum every step of the way. He spent his freshman and sophomore seasons at the Division II level, where McCollum coached at Northwest Missouri State, before the two moved to Drake together and then to Iowa the following year.
More news: UConn’s Geno Auriemma Slams NCAA for March Madness Decisions
