Carver-Hawkeye Arena was pulsing with emotion late Tuesday when the Iowa Hawkeyes victory celebration took hold. After Iowa’s gritty 68–62 win over Rutgers (improving the Hawkeyes to 14–5 overall and 4–4 in the Big Ten), coach Ben McCollum did something nobody expected. He gathered his players, linked arm-in-arm with them, and faced the packed student section. Then, quietly at first, McCollum began to chant, “IOWA… HAWKEYES!”
His voice was modest at first, but every word was filled with relief and pride. Players joined shoulder-to-shoulder, some with tears in their eyes and jerseys drenched in perspiration. Raising in unison, the crowd pumped their fists and waved black and gold flags. That steady chant quickly turned into a thunderous roar that reverberated throughout the arena.
What began as a straightforward rallying cry swiftly evolved into a memorable pledge of solidarity between the team and its city. Since then, a video of the incident has gone viral, and commentators and fans have described it as “one of the most powerful postgame moments college basketball has seen in years.” It was more than just a chant; it served as a reminder of the pride and tenacity of the Hawkeye.
Iowa Hawkeyes victory celebration: Coach McCollum leads chant after win
This scene embodied the essence of McCollum, a coach renowned for his steady leadership, quiet intensity, and unwavering faith in his players. He has already changed the culture at Iowa in just one season. He just displayed a different side on Tuesday. McCollum turned to face the roar of the crowd and led the chant himself while grinning gently and putting his arm around star guard Bennett Stirtz.
After the game, McCollum remarked, “It really shows the bond we have.” Even though things didn’t go as planned on offense, he commended his team’s effort. McCollum acknowledged that the Hawkeyes “weren’t clicking” at times despite their 47% shooting percentage for the game. Despite the lineup’s recent illness and weariness, he told reporters, “our effort was there and we did come ready.” The team was “probably tired with a bunch of games in a row and that sickness for a little bit,” according to McCollum’s joke, and the short break before their next game would be a welcome respite.
The victory seemed like a standard Big Ten battle on paper. Rutgers rallied with a 9-0 run to start the second half after Iowa had a seven-point lead at the half. However, the Hawkeyes responded to every challenge from the Scarlet Knights. Guard Tavion Banks scored 12 points, freshman guard Tate Sage scored a career-high 17 points (including four 3-pointers), and Bennett Stirtz led all scorers with 20 points. The Hawks forced 19 turnovers overall and held Rutgers to 62 points, which is eight fewer than the Knights’ season average. Rutgers got within 64–62 in the last minute, but Sage coolly made two free throws to seal the win.
What was meant as a simple rally cry quickly turned into an unforgettable promise of unity between the team and its city. Video of the moment has since gone viral, with fans and commentators calling it “one of the most powerful postgame moments college basketball has seen in years.” It wasn’t just a chant it was a reminder of Hawkeye pride and resilience.
Iowa Hawkeyes victory celebration: Coach McCollum leads chant after win
This scene was classic McCollum a coach known for quiet intensity, steady leadership, and unwavering belief in his players. In his first season at Iowa, he’s already reshaped the culture. On Tuesday, he simply showed a different side. With a gentle smile and his arm around star guard Bennett Stirtz, McCollum turned to face the roar of the crowd and led the chant himself.
“It really shows the bond we have,” McCollum said after the game. He praised his team’s effort even when things didn’t flow smoothly on offense. The Hawkeyes shot 47% for the game, and McCollum admitted they “weren’t clicking” in stretches. But as he told reporters, “our effort was there and we did come ready” despite fatigue and recent illness in the lineup. In fact, McCollum joked the team was “probably tired with a bunch of games in a row and that sickness for a little bit,” and that the brief break before their next game would be a welcome rest.
On paper the win was a typical Big Ten struggle. Iowa led by seven at halftime, then saw Rutgers storm back with a 9–0 run to open the second half. But each time the Scarlet Knights challenged, the Hawkeyes fought back. Bennett Stirtz led all scorers with 20 points, while freshman guard Tate Sage poured in a career-high 17 points (including four 3-pointers) and guard Tavion Banks chipped in 12 points. The Hawks held Rutgers to 62 points – eight below the Knights’ season average – and forced 19 turnovers overall. In the final minute, Rutgers closed within 64–62, but Sage calmly sank two free throws to ice the victory.
The victory seemed like a standard Big Ten battle on paper. Rutgers rallied with a 9-0 run to start the second half after Iowa had a seven-point lead at the half. However, the Hawkeyes responded to every challenge from the Scarlet Knights. Guard Tavion Banks scored 12 points, freshman guard Tate Sage scored a career-high 17 points (including four 3-pointers), and Bennett Stirtz led all scorers with 20 points.
The Hawks forced 19 turnovers overall and held Rutgers to 62 points, which is eight fewer than the Knights’ season average. Rutgers got within 64–62 in the last minute, but Sage coolly made two free throws to seal the win.
Final Score: Iowa 68, Rutgers 62
Top Scorers: Bennett Stirtz (20), Tate Sage (17), Tavion Banks (12)
Team Record: Iowa improves to 14–5 (4–4 Big Ten) and is 10–1 at home this season.
Key Stats: Iowa forced 19 turnovers for 19 points and held Rutgers below its season scoring average.
Game Finish: After Rutgers got within 64–62 with seconds to play, Sage hit two free throws to seal the win.
Even though the game was stressful, everyone felt relieved in the postgame scene. At the game, a Hawkeye employee told reporters that it felt “like a weight lifting off,” as if the entire program was revitalizing itself on the court. On social media, fans posted videos of the chant, with many commenting that it gave them chills. It was obvious that this was more than just another victory as McCollum and his players walked off the court holding hands.
The Iowa Hawkeyes’ victory celebration following the Rutgers game exemplified the team’s values of solidarity, pride, and mutual trust. Tuesday night felt like a fresh start for a program that has experienced its fair share of highs and lows. The victory gave Iowa City something to remember and ended a three-game losing streak. “This is what Iowa City is all about,” as one fan put it on Twitter, and no one could argue with such a strong chant.
