Bennett Stirtz stats today: Iowa senior gets red hot in Elite Eight game vs. Illinois originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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In the Iowa Hawkeyes’ biggest game of the season, their leading scorer was at his best.
Bennett Stirtz couldn’t miss in the first half vs. Illinois in Saturday’s Elite Eight matchup, lighting it up from deep to give his team an early advantage.
Iowa opened the game on a 12-2 run, and Stirtz continued to pour it on with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
Here’s a look at Stirtz’s hot start vs. Illinois in the Elite Eight.
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Bennett Stirtz stats today
- Points: 15
- Rebounds: 2
- Assists: 2
- Steals: 0
- Blocks: 0
- FG: 6-9
- 3PT: 3-6
- FT: 0-0
In the first half alone, Stirtz was already approaching his season-long average of 19.7 points per game, also putting up nearly half of Iowa's points in the first half.
He put up 15 points before halftime, including six-of-nine shooting from the floor and three 3-pointers. He also played a full 20 minutes.
Bennett Stirtz from distance 🎯#MarchMadness@IowaHoopspic.twitter.com/tj1ZFR07f0
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
He and Illinois star Keaton Wagler were virtually going shot-for-shot, with Wagler also totaling 11 points in the first half.
Perhaps the best indication of the night Stirtz was having was a late-shot-clock heave he downed with ease.
Stirtz hits a wild triple 🤯#MarchMadness@IowaHoopspic.twitter.com/GVPWTKmU2a
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
Iowa took an advantage into halftime, looking to reach its first Final Four since 1980.
That's a quick 🔟 for Stirtz 🙌#MarchMadness@IowaHoopspic.twitter.com/L9fDBA9xrQ
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2026
Bennett Stirtz season stats
Stirtz, in his first year at Iowa as a transfer, has been the focal point of the Hawkeyes' offense. As the lead guard for the squad, he's averaged nearly 20 points per game.
Particularly known for his outside shooting, Stirtz has remained every bit of the player he was at Drake in 2024-25.
Here's a look at his 2025-26 numbers:
| Games | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
| 36 | 37.7 | 19.7 | 2.6 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 47.7% | 35.8% | 84.5% |
How old is Bennett Stirtz?
Stirtz, a senior, is 22 years old. He spent two seasons at Northwest Missouri State and one at Drake before joining Iowa.
Why did Bennett Stirtz transfer from Drake to Iowa
Stirtz enjoyed a breakout season at Drake in 2024-25, being named the MVC Player of the Year and the MVC Newcomer of the Year while leading the Bulldogs to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Given his success at a smaller school, Stirtz was expected to draw plenty of interest in the transfer portal among the Power 4 conferences. He landed at Iowa, where he's been able to maintain his elite production on one of the best teams in the Big Ten.