Star guard Bennett Stirtz of the Drake Bulldogs has announced that he will be transferring to the University of Iowa, following his coach, Ben McCollum. This move comes shortly after Drake’s exit from the NCAA tournament, where they were eliminated by Texas Tech in the second round.
In an interview with Field of 68, Stirtz expressed his decision to enter the transfer portal and confirmed his intent to join the Iowa Hawkeyes. McCollum, who had been the head coach at Northwest Missouri State and led the team to remarkable success, was recently hired at Iowa, prompting Stirtz’s move.
During the NCAA tournament, the Bulldogs, seeded 11th, made headlines by defeating the sixth-seeded Missouri Tigers in a stunning upset. Stirtz played a crucial role in that game, scoring 21 points with an impressive shooting percentage of 73%. However, in their subsequent matchup against Texas Tech, he again scored 21 points, but his shooting performance dropped below 50%, contributing to the Bulldogs’ 77-64 loss and ending their run in the tournament.
In his solitary season at Drake, Stirtz showcased his skills, earning the accolade of Missouri Valley Conference’s Larry Bird Player of the Year. Over the course of the season, he averaged 19.2 points per game and boasted a near 50% shooting rate from the field, helping lead the Bulldogs to an impressive overall record of 31 wins and just 4 losses.
Stirtz’s journey to Drake wasn’t straightforward. Originally from suburban Kansas City, he had limited scholarship offers coming out of high school. He found an opportunity at Northwest Missouri State, where he first caught the eye of McCollum. Reflecting on his relationship with his coach, Stirtz noted, “He really trusted in me, made me a better player and man.” This trust likely played a significant role in his subsequent achievements at Drake.
McCollum expressed high hopes for Stirtz during his introductory news conference at Iowa. He stated that if Stirtz is not the best point guard in the country, he certainly ranks among the top two or three. This level of praise suggests that McCollum sees immense potential in Stirtz to thrive in a power conference like the Big Ten.
Stirtz had made a significant impact at Drake after transferring from Northwest Missouri State, where he had been part of a dominant team. His smooth transition to Division I basketball has solidified his reputation as a capable player, and now, as he steps onto the court at Iowa, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he adjusts to this new challenge.
The dynamics of college basketball are shifting, especially with players moving between schools via the transfer portal. Stirtz is not the only player thought to follow McCollum; it is likely that additional transfers from Drake may join him at Iowa. As teams reconfigure and player rosters evolve, many schools are scrambling to adapt to these changes.
With the upcoming season on the horizon, Stirtz is not only aiming to showcase his skills but is also likely to participate in the NBA Draft process. His decision to test the waters could open up new opportunities for him down the line, reflecting the aspirations many young athletes hold regarding their professional futures.
In summary, Bennett Stirtz’s decision to transfer to Iowa marks a significant step in his basketball career, as he follows a coach who has believed in him and helped him develop his talents. With a solid foundation from his time at Drake, Stirtz is prepared to face the challenges ahead in the Big Ten, showcasing his skills and aiming for success both on the collegiate level and potentially in the next stages of his basketball journey.
