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Mar 8, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) shoots a three-point shot against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during overtime at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

The Iowa Hawkeyes' ideal scenario isn't what one might expect.

Mar 8, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) shoots a three-point shot against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during overtime at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes' ideal scenario isn't what one might expect.

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Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Jan Jensen celebrates Saturday, March 7, 2026, during a Big Ten women's basketball tournament semifinals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Michigan Wolverines, 59-42.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes know they'll be hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

Mar 7, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Hannah Stuelke (45) celebrates after a play against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes need to take advantage of this time to rest and recover.

Feb 28, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum looks on from the bench during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes could still fall to a double-digit seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Iowa guard Taylor McCabe (2) reacts during a basketball game against the Michigan State Spartans Jan. 18, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

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On SI's Jordon Lawrenz spoke with Iowa Hawkeyes' Taylor McCabe and Hannah Stuelke ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots a free throw against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes remain in the "should be in" category but aren't a lock.

Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots the basketball as Michigan guard Nimari Burnett (4) and Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. (21) defend March 5, 2026 during a Big Ten basketball game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes must find a way to replace Bennett Stirtz next season.

Iowa forward Hannah Stuelke (45), Iowa guard Taylor McCabe (2), Iowa guard Taylor Stremlow (1) and Iowa center Ava Heiden (5) react Nov. 26, 2025 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

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On SI's Jordon Lawrenz had a chance to speak with these Iowa Hawkeyes seniors ahead of the NCAA Tournament.

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Jan Jensen celebrates Saturday, March 7, 2026, during a Big Ten women's basketball tournament semifinals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Michigan Wolverines, 59-42.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes have a new projected first round opponent.

Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum on the bench against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes should absolutely be in the NCAA Tournament, it's just undecided what seed they'll be.

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) dunks the ball on Ohio State Buckeyes center Christoph Tilly (13) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes no longer control their own destiny.

Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) drives to the basket against Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes won't be raising a trophy in Chicago.

Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots a free throw against the Maryland Terrapins during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes must do these three things in order to take down Ohio State.

Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) forward Cam Manyawu (3 )and Maryland Terrapins forward Solomon Washington (9) go for the ball during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes eye a second win in the B1G Tournament.

Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum directs his team against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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Two things stood out in the Iowa Hawkeyes' B1G tournament victory over Maryland.

Iowa forward Cooper Koch (8) high-fives Iowa’s Tavion Banks (6) during a Big Ten basketball game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers Feb. 17, 2026 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

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Things weren't looking good to start but the Iowa Hawkeyes took care of business against Maryland.

Mar 5, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) is defended by Michigan Wolverines guard Elliot Cadeau (3) during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes are looking to avoid being one and done in the B1G Tournament.

Feb 25, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) goes to the basket as Ohio State Buckeyes forward Colin White (20) defends during the second half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes enter the 2026 B1G Tournament as the No. 9 seed.

Feb 11, 2026; College Park, Maryland, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Isaia Howard (#23) controls the ball while being defended by Maryland Terrapins center Colin Metcalf (45) in the first half at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes can't afford to needlessly fall to the Maryland Terrapins in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament.

Mar 5, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) is recognized at senior day before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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This Iowa Hawkeyes team simply wouldn't be the same without Bennett Stirtz.

Mar 8, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) reacts after a three-point shot to force overtime against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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Getting hot at the right time is the name of the game in March.

Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz (14) looks at a replay March 5, 2026 during a Big Ten basketball game against the Michigan Wolverines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes would be little without Bennett Stirtz's excellent efforts this season.

Mar 5, 2026; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum reacts during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes head into the B1G Tournament as the No. 9 seed.

Mar 8, 2026; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots a three-point basket against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

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The Iowa Hawkeyes recent cold stretch is doing them no favors.

UCLA Bruins forward Sienna Betts (16) rushes up the the paint against Iowa Hawkeyes forward Hannah Stuelke (45) and Iowa Hawkeyes center Ava Heiden (5) on Sunday, March 8, 2026, during the Big Ten Tournament Championship game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

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The Iowa Hawkeyes may have been embarrassed in the B1G Championship but they still delivered in the tournament.