Iowa Hawkeyes Topple Western Illinois 77-58

Hawkeyes Secure Convincing Victory Behind McCollum's New Era

The University of Iowa men's basketball team continued its strong start to the 2025-26 season, defeating Western Illinois 77-58 in a non-conference showdown at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win marks second-year head coach Ben McCollum's second victory since taking over the Hawkeyes program, following their season-opening 101-69 rout of Robert Morris.

Friday night's contest served as a crucial evaluation opportunity for McCollum, who implemented a fresh system after a successful tenure at Drake. With 12 newcomers on Iowa's 14-man roster—including six key transfers from his MVC-champion Drake squad—the coach used the matchup against the Leathernecks to fine-tune rotations and test defensive schemes against a Horizon League opponent.

Game Highlights

Despite a slow start from three-point range, Iowa asserted control through relentless defensive pressure and transition offense. The Hawkeyes forced 23 turnovers against the Leathernecks, mirroring their defensive intensity from the Robert Morris game. Senior guard Bennett Stirtz continued his early-season dominance, contributing with efficient scoring and playmaking while leading a balanced attack that saw multiple Hawkeyes find their rhythm.

Western Illinois, coming off an 80-75 loss at Radford, struggled to contain Iowa's length and pace. The Leathernecks shot 47.5% from the field but couldn't overcome 21 turnovers that fueled Iowa's fast-break opportunities.

Making History in Hawkeye Debut

McCollum joined elite company with his first two wins at Iowa, becoming just the third coach in program history to achieve a pair of 20-point victories in his debut season, joining legends Ralph Miller (1965) and Lute Olson (1975). The transfer portal class ranked eighth nationally by 247Sports has already shown immediate chemistry, with Drake alumni seamlessly integrating into McCollum's up-tempo style.

"We're building something special here. The guys are buying into the system, and the defensive intensity sets the tone for everything we do." - Ben McCollum

What's Next for Iowa?

The Hawkeyes (2-0) now shift focus to a challenging stretch that begins with a matchup against Xavier on November 14. After facing Southeast Missouri and Chicago State, Iowa will compete in the Acrisure Classic against Ole Miss before a highly anticipated road game at Michigan State on December 2.

With Carver-Hawkeye Arena buzzing early in the season and the team receiving votes in both preseason AP and Coaches' polls, McCollum's Hawkeyes are establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the competitive Big Ten Conference.

How to Watch Future Games

Fans can continue following Iowa's journey through multiple platforms:

• TV: FS1 (Xavier), Big Ten Network (Southeast Missouri)
• Streaming: B1G+ for select games
• Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network with Gary Dolphin and Bobby Hansen