No. 23 On Monday afternoon, Iowa men’s basketball will host UMass Lowell in Iowa City to wrap up the 2025 season in a game that subtly has some historical significance. The Hawkeyes and River Hawks will play on the same floor for the first time ever, and this comes at a time when Iowa is beginning to feel very confident about its identity and future.
Today is the Hawkeyes’ last nonconference game of the season; they are 10-2 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play. Iowa’s 10-2 start is their best through 12 games since the 2020–21 squad started 12-2, demonstrating how consistent this team has been since the beginning of November. Even more impressively, Iowa has a perfect 7-0 record going into the afternoon and has been impeccable at home. The River Hawks won’t alter the atmosphere at Carver-Hawkeye Arena when UMass Lowell arrives at 5-9. This one is about Iowa maintaining positive habits before the Big Ten grind picks back up. The signs have been positive for a program that has been looking for consistency on both ends of the floor in recent seasons.
Senior guard Bennett Stirtz, who has become this Iowa team’s engine, is largely responsible for that stability. In addition to averaging 16.7 points per game, Stirtz averages 5.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. At 49.3% from the field and 42.4% from beyond the arc, he is also performing well. Stirtz has been Iowa’s steady hand when the team needs control late in a possession or a soothing presence during a run.
A look at the Hawkeyes’ ceiling was provided by their most recent game. Iowa defeated Bucknell 94-39, a victory that seemed certain from the very first few minutes. Offense wasn’t the only aspect of that performance. It confirmed what the statistics have shown throughout the season. Iowa has the third-lowest point total in the country and the lowest in the Big Ten at just 59.9 points per game. Together with an offense that seldom misses opportunities, defense has emerged as the team’s defining characteristic.
According to statistics, Iowa has been one of the most productive teams in the country. The Hawkeyes are shooting 52.9% from the floor, which ranks sixth nationally, and they’re connecting on 39.8% of their three-point attempts, good for 14th in the country. The numbers are not meaningless. They are evident in the way Iowa moves the ball purposefully, spreads the floor effectively, and corrects defensive errors.
The Big Ten Network will broadcast the game on Monday, with a tipoff time of 4 p.m. CT. Play-by-play will be handled by Kevin Kugler, and color commentary will be provided by former Hawkeye Jess Settles. The Hawkeye Radio Network will broadcast the game with Jon Swisher providing play-by-play commentary and Bobby Hansen providing analysis for fans who would rather listen to the call. There are also options for streaming. Fubo, which is providing a free trial for new subscribers, allows fans to watch Iowa vs. UMass Lowell. For people who don’t have access to television but still don’t want to miss the Hawkeyes’ season finale, it’s a simple choice.
Iowa continues to create national buzz even outside of the actual game. The Hawkeyes’ improvement in the most recent NET rankings and their rise in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll support the idea that this start is being noticed outside of the Big Ten. The Bucknell blowout’s images and lessons have gone viral, and recruiting talks are already turning to Iowa’s remaining 2026 class priorities.
There’s a feeling that this game is both a starting point and a finish line as tipoff draws near. It’s the final nonconference test, the last chance to improve before January, and a chance to give supporters confidence in this team’s performance going into the new year. The USA Today Network’s new PLAY hub provides games, puzzles, and more to keep people occupied while they wait for the ball to go up.
Even though Iowa vs. UMass Lowell has no bearing on the conference, it is still important. The Hawkeyes have another opportunity to demonstrate that their quick start is no coincidence, and it’s another step in a season that has been built on balance, effort, and belief.
