Iowa's magical 2025-2026 season ended in the Elite 8, and the foundation has been laid for future success.
Illinois ended Iowa's Cinderella story, but there is no doubt that Ben McCollum and the new-look Hawkeyes opened a lot of eyes this season.
Iowa's rise to the top could not have been completed without everyone buying into McCollum's system and putting in the work, with Bennett Stirtz leading the way.
Stirtz has been with McCollum at every step of his college journey, and even though Iowa has the extremely difficult task of replacing him, he is doing what he can to recruit players to Iowa.
Stirtz had nothing but high praise for Iowa, coaching staff
Stirtz is not a big talker, but when he does talk, people listen. After the Illinois loss, Stirtz had great things to say about the coaching staff and the program, and hopefully, transfers and prospects heard them.
Bennett Stirtz following Iowa’s magical run to the Elite Eight:
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) March 29, 2026
“If you wanna be a great point guard, you should come to Iowa. If you wanna be a great player, a great big, a great shooter, come play for Iowa. This coaching staff is the best in the country, so, why wouldn’t you?” pic.twitter.com/VFM4P7yHkn
After Iowa's improbable run to the Elite 8, Stirtz praised the coaching staff, calling them the best in the country.
He also stated that if you want to be a great point guard, come to Iowa. If you want to be a great player, a great big, a great shooter, come play for Iowa.
While it was probably not his intention to recruit players to Iowa, there is no doubt that talented players are taking notice of what Iowa did this year, and we shouldn't be surprised if McCollum makes a splash in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail before next season.
Stirtz was with the Iowa program for a short time, but his legacy will live on after carrying Iowa to the Elite 8 for the first time since 1987.