Overview
- The Hawkeyes are 3-0 after an 81-62 win over Xavier, shooting 56.9% from the field with a 41-24 rebounding edge and 20 made free throws.
- Senior point guard Bennett Stirtz is averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 assists and 2.7 steals while logging 115:25 of 120 possible minutes.
- Iowa ranks top 10 nationally in effective field goal percentage and is hitting 66.0% on two-point attempts through three games.
- McCollum’s group is forcing turnovers on nearly 25% of opponent possessions with an 11.9% steal rate, though the aggressive approach has produced more fouls.
- CBS Sports graded the transfer class an A-, with immediate contributions from Bennett Stirtz, Isaia Howard and Alvaro Folgueiras, while Kansas State transfer Brendan Hausen has been a deeper bench option so far; Iowa hosts Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 18 and Chicago State on Nov. 20 before the Acrisure Classic matchup with Ole Miss on Nov. 25.