It was a cold, gray afternoon in Bloomington, the kind of mid-January day where the air inside Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall feels a little electric before the doors even open. If you’re checking the scores to see who won the Iowa game today, the answer is finally in: The Indiana Hoosiers took down the Iowa Hawkeyes 76-71 in a game that felt more like a March Madness slugfest than a regular-season Saturday matinee.
It was intense. Brutal, actually.
Iowa came into this one reeling a bit from a three-game skid, and honestly, the desperation was visible from the opening tip. They needed this. Indiana, on the other hand, was fighting to keep their own season from slipping into the "what if" category after a blowout loss to Michigan State earlier in the week.
A Tale of Two Halves in Bloomington
If you only watched the first ten minutes, you probably thought Iowa was going to cruise. Bennett Stirtz, who has basically been the heartbeat of this Hawkeye offense all year, started like he was shot out of a cannon. He hit a couple of early triples that quieted the home crowd, and for a second, it looked like Iowa’s road woes (they were 0-4 on the road coming into today) might finally be over.
But Indiana’s defense is a different beast at home.
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The Hoosiers started sagging off the perimeter and dared someone other than Stirtz to beat them. It worked. Iowa’s shooting went ice-cold midway through the first half. They went nearly six minutes without a field goal. You could see the frustration on Coach Fran McCaffery's face—the classic "Francon" level was rising.
The Turning Point
The momentum swung for good late in the second half. Indiana’s Tayton Conerway, who had been struggling with his shot lately, found his rhythm at the absolute worst time for Hawkeye fans. He wasn’t just scoring; he was orchestrating. Every time Iowa tried to mount a comeback, Conerway or Tucker DeVries had an answer.
DeVries is a name you've probably heard a lot if you follow Big Ten basketball. He’s been the stabilizing force for the Hoosiers. Today, he didn't put up 30, but he hit the "dagger" three-pointer with about 45 seconds left that effectively ended Iowa's hopes.
By the Numbers: How it Happened
Looking at the box score doesn't always tell the whole story, but today, it kind of does.
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Iowa actually out-rebounded Indiana. Usually, that’s a winning formula for the Hawkeyes. However, they turned the ball over 14 times, and Indiana turned those mistakes into 18 points. You just can’t do that on the road in this conference. Not in 2026, when the Big Ten is as deep as it's ever been.
- Iowa Leading Scorer: Bennett Stirtz (22 points, 5 assists)
- Indiana Leading Scorer: Tucker DeVries (19 points, 7 rebounds)
- Key Stat: Iowa shot just 28% from beyond the arc.
The absence of Alvaro Folgueiras in the starting lineup was a major talking point before the game. He's been dealing with some lingering issues, and while he played some minutes off the bench, he didn't look like his usual explosive self. Without that secondary scoring threat, the weight on Stirtz's shoulders was just too heavy.
What This Means for the Hawkeyes
This loss drops Iowa to 12-6 overall and a concerning 2-5 in conference play. It’s not time to panic—yet—but the path to the NCAA Tournament is getting narrower. They are 9-1 at home but haven't found a way to win a true road game all season. That’s a massive red flag for the committee.
Basically, they have to protect Carver-Hawkeye Arena at all costs now.
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Other Iowa Sports Action Today
While the men's basketball team was battling in Indiana, there was plenty of other Hawkeye action going on.
- Women’s Wrestling: They were competing over in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, starting early this morning. The program has been a juggernaut lately, and today was no different.
- Swimming & Diving: The Hawkeyes hosted a tri-meet against Nebraska and Illinois. It’s always a loud atmosphere at the CRWC, and the mid-distance group looked particularly sharp today.
- Women's Basketball (The Big One Tomorrow): If you're looking for the women's hoops score, they don't play until Sunday night. Mark your calendars for 8 p.m. EST. It’s No. 11 Iowa vs. No. 15 Michigan State. That game is going to be massive for Big Ten standings. Grace Vanslooten is coming off a monster 22-point game for the Spartans, so Iowa’s defense—led by Hannah Stuelke—is going to have its hands full.
Misconceptions About This Season
There’s a lot of chatter online that this Iowa team is "soft" on defense. Honestly, I think that’s a bit of an oversimplification. They’re actually ranking fairly well in adjusted defensive efficiency. The problem today wasn't a lack of effort; it was a lack of execution in transition.
Indiana is a team that thrives on chaos. They want you to play fast and sloppy. Iowa fell into that trap in the second half. When the Hawkeyes play at their pace, they can beat anyone in the country. When they let the opponent dictate the speed? Well, we saw what happened today.
Looking Ahead
The Hawkeyes don't have long to lick their wounds. They head back to Iowa City to prepare for a Tuesday night clash with Rutgers. Rutgers is always a "grind-it-out" type of game, which might be exactly what Iowa needs to get their rhythm back.
If you're planning on heading to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday, expect a rowdy crowd. The fans know the season is at a bit of a crossroads.
Next Steps for Hawkeye Fans:
Keep a close eye on the injury report regarding Alvaro Folgueiras over the next 48 hours. His ability to stretch the floor is the "secret sauce" that opens up the lane for Stirtz. Also, make sure to tune into the women's game tomorrow night; it’s a top-15 matchup that could have huge implications for hosting rights in the tournament later this spring.