Iowa Basketball Makes a Statement: The Hawkeyes Overcome Maryland and Recover If Saturday afternoon was a test of character, Iowa basketball excelled with self-assurance and a hint of swagger. The Hawkeyes entered Carver-Hawkeye Arena knowing they needed a response after losing their conference opener away to No. 8 Michigan State. Fans were left wondering how this team, still learning under first-year Big Ten head coach Ben McCollum, would handle hardship after that defeat, which was their first setback of the 2025 campaign.
They responded with a powerful performance. Iowa’s 83-64 victory over Maryland gave McCollum his first conference victory and served as a reminder to the rest of the league that a stumble is not the same as a slide. It was a reset, not just a victory. The Hawkeyes’ roster has both star power and depth, as evidenced by the fact that they found significant production from unexpected sources in addition to heavily relying on their star guard.
Bennett Stirtz Takes Control
You look to your best player to set the tone when a team needs a boost, and Bennett Stirtz did just that from the first tip. He played with a focused aggression that felt deliberate rather than careless, hunting shots without pressing the issue and maintaining composure when Iowa’s offense faltered. Stirtz finished with a game-high 25 points, making 10 of his 17 field goals and making four of his eight three-pointers. He contributed two assists and two steals, but what really set him apart was his ability to save Iowa from difficult possessions. Stirtz calmly turned the tide of the game back in Iowa’s favor whenever Maryland threatened to close the gap.
Having a guard who can just take control not by controlling every possession, but by being there when the need arises is comforting. Stirtz had a great outing on Saturday, but it also served as a reminder of how high his ceiling is when he’s locked in.
The Emergence of Tate Sage
Every season has at least one pleasant surprise, and Tate Sage, a freshman guard for Iowa, continues to be that developing plot point. The fact that no one anticipated Sage’s production so quickly is what makes it so captivating. Sage, a three-star kid from Weatherford, Oklahoma, followed McCollum to Iowa City after first committing to Drake. Redshirting seemed plausible given the depth of the roster.
Instead, he forced his way onto the court.
In just twenty minutes against Maryland, Sage scored twelve points, pulled down four rebounds, and dished out three assists. He appeared at ease playing in traffic or spreading the floor, and he shot 5-for-9 from the field, including a seamless three-pointer. The eye test indicates upward mobility, but his season-long stats six points per game on 47.2% shooting in just over 14 minutes tell the tale of a role player flourishing. He is intelligent, adaptable, and active, and McCollum seems to trust him, which is crucial going into the grind of Big Ten play. Saturday felt like confirmation rather than an anomaly.
Rebounding Remains a Major Concern
Iowa’s performance wasn’t perfect, despite how dominant the victory appeared on the scoreboard. The Hawkeyes continued a concerning trend that started earlier in the week in East Lansing as they were out-rebounded, 39-32. Maryland created a ton of second-chance opportunities and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds. Iowa’s defensive success contributed to some of that; forcing misses results in more loose balls, but failing to close possessions is playing with fire. Maryland’s small size is what exacerbates the rebounding problem. Despite playing no players taller than six feet nine inches, the Terrapins prevailed on the glass. The issue is not hypothetical; rather, it is urgent if Iowa is losing rebounding battles to smaller teams.
McCollum sees it. He knows Big Ten basketball will punish teams that surrender extra possessions. And the schedule won’t offer much relief in the short term.
A Tough Test Ahead
The Hawkeyes will now focus on their road game on Thursday against Iowa State, a team that recently defeated Purdue, the top-ranked team. It’s never easy to win in Ames, but it’s the kind of challenge that reveals identity when you take on a team that is riding high after defeating No. 1. It could get ugly if Iowa doesn’t box out better. However, the Hawkeyes will have three lighter nonconference games after that to catch their breath, which could finally give them the time they need to address their rebounding shortcomings. Improvements to the glass could significantly increase this team’s ceiling, considering the flashes they have displayed elsewhere.
A Promising Start With Real Questions
Iowa’s victory on Saturday gave them momentum and a better idea of their potential, in addition to boosting their confidence. McCollum’s system is producing clean offense and dedicated defense, Stirtz is a star who can steer the ship, and Sage is becoming an essential bench player. However, Iowa’s success will always be limited until they address their greatest weakness. Nevertheless, this weekend offered proof of concept in a season characterized by development and change. Iowa is resilient in addition to being gifted. And that’s how you react sometimes.
