If you’ve walked near Carver-Hawkeye Arena lately, you can practically feel the shift in the air. The era of Fran McCaffery is in the rearview mirror, and the Ben McCollum era is officially in full swing. It’s weird, honestly. After years of high-octane, sometimes chaotic offensive flurries, Iowa men’s basketball is suddenly one of the most defensive-minded teams in the country.
The numbers don't lie.
As of mid-January 2026, the Hawkeyes are allowing just 60.8 points per game, ranking them 4th nationally in scoring defense. That’s not a typo. Ben McCollum, the man who dominated the DII ranks at Northwest Missouri State, has brought his "smash-mouth" defensive philosophy to Iowa City, and it’s working better than anyone expected.
The Bennett Stirtz Factor and the Men's Midseason Grind
The heart of this University of Iowa basketball news cycle is undoubtedly Bennett Stirtz. The senior guard has been a revelation. On January 7, 2026, he was named to the Wooden Award Top 25 Midseason Watch List, a feat that seemed unlikely when he followed McCollum from Maryville to Iowa City. Stirtz is currently averaging 18.0 points and 5.0 assists, but more importantly, he’s the "coach on the floor" that McCollum’s system requires.
It hasn't been all roses, though.
Iowa recently took a tough 70-67 loss at Minnesota on January 6. That "Barn" in Minneapolis continues to be a house of horrors for the Hawkeyes. They currently sit at 12-4 overall and 2-3 in Big Ten play.
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The road hasn't been kind. Iowa is 0-3 in true road games this season. To make matters worse, the injury bug just took a huge bite out of the backcourt depth. Peyton McCollum, the freshman guard and son of the head coach, suffered a foot injury in practice on January 8. He’s officially out for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. That puts even more pressure on guys like Tavion Banks—who recently battled through a nasty bout of the flu that saw him lose nearly 10 pounds—to stay healthy and productive.
Rotation Shakeups
Coach McCollum isn't afraid to tinker. On January 11 against Illinois, he swapped the starting lineup for the third time this year. Alvaro Folgueiras, the 6'9" junior from Spain, earned his first start over Banks. Folgueiras brings a different dimension with his length, and while the Hawkeyes are still finding their identity in a loaded Big Ten, the defensive floor remains incredibly high.
Jan Jensen and the Post-Caitlin Era Powerhouse
While the men are reinventing themselves, the Iowa women’s basketball team is busy proving that the program didn't leave with Caitlin Clark. Jan Jensen has this squad humming at 13-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in conference play.
They just handled Northwestern 67-58 on January 5, led by the sheer force of nature that is Audi Crooks.
Watching Crooks work in the post is like watching a masterclass in leverage. She’s the anchor of a team that is currently ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll. They aren't just winning; they are winning the right way. They are playing a grueling schedule—ranked 9th in Strength of Schedule—and still putting up over 82 points per game.
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The 2026 Recruiting Jackpot
If you want a reason to stay excited about University of Iowa basketball news, look at the recruiting trail. Jan Jensen just landed arguably the biggest commitment since #22 herself. McKenna Woliczko, the five-star forward from California and the No. 6 recruit nationally, officially signed her Letter of Intent in November.
Woliczko is the second-highest rated recruit in the history of the program.
She averaged 22.2 points as a junior before an ACL injury, and she’s already been seen "heavily recruiting" other five-star targets like Addison Bjorn. The future isn't just bright; it's blinding.
Recruiting News: Ethan Harris and the Men's Class
McCollum is also making waves. He secured Ethan Harris, a 6'9" four-star power forward from Washington. Harris is a "unicorn" type—he can initiate the break, shoot the three, and protect the rim. He recently had a high school game with 32 points, 12 rebounds, 9 steals, and 7 blocks.
Basically, he's the exact type of versatile athlete McCollum needs to bridge the gap between his disciplined system and the raw athleticism of the Big Ten.
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What Most Fans Are Missing
People keep talking about what Iowa lost. They lost the all-time leading scorer in college basketball. They lost a long-time head coach. But what they gained is a new kind of grit.
The men’s team is playing at a much slower tempo—ranking 354th in field goal attempts—but they are 11th in field goal percentage. They don't take bad shots. They don't give up easy ones. It’s "boring" to some, but it’s winning basketball in a year where the Big Ten is as deep as it's ever been.
Key Upcoming Games to Watch:
- Jan 14: Men at No. 5 Purdue (The ultimate test for McCollum’s defense)
- Jan 15: Women vs. Oregon (A chance to stay atop the Big Ten standings)
- Jan 18: Women vs. No. 15 Michigan State (Carver will be rocking for this one)
Critical Insights for Hawkeye Fans
Honestly, the best way to track the progress of these teams isn't just looking at the final score.
For the men, watch the turnover margin. Under McCollum, they are currently 33rd in the country in forcing turnovers while staying disciplined themselves. If they can start stealing a few wins on the road, they are a lock for the NCAA Tournament.
For the women, it’s all about the bench development. With Hannah Stuelke graduating soon, seeing how underclassmen like Reagan Wilson and Aili Tanke handle Big Ten pressure in January will tell us everything we need to know about their Final Four ceiling.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official Hawkeye Sports game notes released 24 hours before tip-off. They contain efficiency data from sources like KenPom and Torvik that the coaching staff actually uses to gameplan. If you're heading to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, remember the "White Out" themes are becoming more common this year—check the social media feeds for jersey color schedules before you leave.