Iowa star Bennett Stirtz shares incredible message after Sweet 16 win vs. Nebraska

Iowa basketball star Bennett Stirtz and head coach Ben McCollum have taken a one-of-a-kind path to the Elite Eight, and they have stayed together every step of the way. From Division II powerhouse Northwest Missouri State to the Big Ten in less than four years, this celebrated duo and the entire Hawkeyes program are now just one win away from reaching the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. This story feels even too far-fetched for March Madness.

Stirtz is keeping perspective amid this magical journey. He knows where he started, and he knows that Thursday’s 77-71 Sweet Sixteen victory over Nebraska is about more than just him. The First-Team All-Big Ten selection and former Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year offered some profound words of wisdom, while also shining the light on his teammates and the Hawkeyes community.

“First off, God is good,” Stirtz told reporter Lauren Shehadi after scoring a team-high 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting. “He’s gonna test you — not everything’s perfect in life — but He’s good. This is so worth it for my teammates and they deserve every bit of it, and especially our fans.”

Stirtz also expressed gratitude for the only head coach he has known during his illustrious college hoops career. “That’s my guy,” the 22-year-old guard said of McCollum. “It’s been a long four years, but it’s also been a short four years. I’ve grown not just as a basketball player, but as a man. Credit to him.”

"I've grown not just as a basketball player, but as a man. Credit to him."

Bennett Stirtz tells @LaurenShehadi what his head coach Ben McCollum means to him pic.twitter.com/8YfVacYEw8

— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) March 27, 2026

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