In a bounce-back season for Iowa, the Hawkeyes’ main objective now is to see if their resurgence can lead to an NCAA Tournament berth.
Iowa can take an important step toward that goal Saturday when it faces Penn State at University Park, Pa.
Entering Friday No. 26 in the NET rankings, Iowa (20-8, 10-7 Big Ten) has reached the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2022-23 season. With a win at Penn State, it can guarantee an above .500 record in Big Ten play to add to its NCAA Tournament resume.
With an upcoming home game against league champion and No. 3 Michigan, as well as a road contest at No. 12 Nebraska remaining, Saturday’s game is the Hawkeyes’ clearest chance at a victory to close out the regular season.
“We’ve just got to keep getting better,” first-year Iowa coach Ben McCollum said. “Try to extend your season as long as you can and if we keep improving, we can do that.”
The biggest adjustment McCollum has made at Iowa is on defense. Known as a high-scoring team under former coach Fran McCaffery, Iowa is allowing the fewest points per game in the Big Ten (64.8).
Iowa is also getting strong play from one of the league’s best guards in Bennett Stirtz, who has 20 or more points in 10 of Iowa’s last 11 games and has averaged 25.3 points in the stretch.
Penn State (11-17, 2-15) enters the game at the bottom of the conference standings and hasn’t played since an 87-64 loss at Nebraska last Saturday.
“I really commend these guys and their approach to a tough two months here results-wise,” Penn State coach Mike Rhoades said. “But the way these guys have approached things, have been coachable, the way they have come into the gym and worked, I really appreciate their approach and their effort.”
Freddie Dilione V and Kayden Mingo average 13.9 points each to lead Penn State in scoring. The Nittany Lions have one home victory in Big Ten play, against Minnesota on Feb. 1.
