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Iowa's Stirtz Shines Despite Elite Eight Loss to Illinois

3/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Iowa Hawkeyes, led by Bennett Stirtz (Iowa), reached the Elite Eight but lost 71-59 to the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Stirtz scored a team-high 24 points and averaged 19.7 points this season.
He had only one turnover in the tournament, drawing significant attention from NBA scouts.
Coach Ben McCollum emphasized the bond with Stirtz, pivotal in their rise from Division II to the NCAA.

History

Historical Context

The 1985 NCAA Tournament marked a pivotal expansion to 64 teams, enhancing visibility for players like Villanova's Ed Pinckney, who scored 16 points in the championship game. Villanova's stunning victory over Georgetown, characterized by a record 78.6% shooting, remains one of the greatest upsets in NCAA history. This shift has since influenced NBA scouting, highlighting individual talent like Iowa's Bennett Stirtz, who averaged 19.7 points.

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Story summary

The Iowa Hawkeyes, led by Bennett Stirtz (Iowa), reached the Elite Eight but lost 71-59 to the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Stirtz scored a team-high 24 points and averaged 19.7 points this season.
He had only one turnover in the tournament, drawing significant attention from NBA scouts.
Coach Ben McCollum emphasized the bond with Stirtz, pivotal in their rise from Division II to the NCAA.

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