Hawkeyes Fly to Third Round of Big Ten Tournament

The No. 9 seed Hawkeyes are moving on to the third round of the 2026 TIAA Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament following a 75-64 win over No. 17 seed Maryland. The Terps started strong, using a 15-0 run to build a double-digit lead midway through the first half. They shot 67% from the floor early, with their bench contributing 15 of their first 21 points. However, Iowa chipped away with points in the paint and closed the gap to just one by halftime, 31-30 Maryland.

The second half belonged to Iowa, fueled by a 21-0 run that included back-to-back triples from Cooper Koch, who finished with a career-high 19 points. Maryland struggled with turnovers, giving up 21 points off 16 miscues, and went scoreless for over six minutes during Iowa’s surge. Despite late pushes from Darius Adams (14 points) and David Coit (12 points), the Terps couldn’t recover. Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz added 17 points, including 13 in the second half, as the Hawkeyes secured a 75-64 victory to advance.

No. 9 seed Iowa now plays No. 8 seed Ohio State in the third round at 11 a.m. CT tomorrow on Big Ten Network. The Hawkeyes defeated the Buckeyes 74-57 in the regular season. Want to see the rematch in person in Chicago?  Click here .

Full breakdown below. 👇 Get more tournament stories here .

First Half: Big defense and a one-point edge

• Solomon Washington scores the games first three points for the Terps before Bennett Stirtz and Cam Manyawu tie it back up. A David Coit free throw makes it 4-3 Maryland at the media timeout (15:12).
• Isaia Howard slams one down off a Terps turnover, and the teams trade three-pointers. Maryland goes on a 15-0 run to take a 21-10 lead with 8:40 remaining in the first half!
• Notable: We've seen four lead changes already!
• Notable: Maryland is shooting 67% from the floor compared to Iowa's 27%. The bench is currently carrying with 15 of Maryland's first 21 points. Five different Terps have scored.
• Iowa chips away at the Terps' lead with quick 6-0 and 5-0 runs. The Hawkeyes pull within one with 1:09 remaining!
• Notable: Iowa is controlling the paint. They have 18 points down low vs. Maryland's six.
• Notable: Maryland has held Stirtz to just four first-half points, while Iowa has kept yesterday's star, Coit, to a zero.

Second Half: Here come the Hawkeyes

• The teams trade buckets to open the half before Cooper Koch nails back-to-back threes for the Hawkeyes to take the lead! 36-34 Iowa at the first media (15:15).
• It's back-to-back, back-to-back triples for Iowa! They're part of a 21-0 Hawkeye run that puts Iowa up 51-34 with 11:42 left. 🤯
• Notable: The Hawkeyes held Maryland scoreless for over six minutes.
• Key Contributor (Iowa): Cooper Koch currently has 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three.
• The Terps inch closer to the Iowa lead. 👀 They go on short 5-0 and 6-0 runs to pull within single digits. 56-47 Iowa with 7:10 remaining.
• Notable: After being held scoreless in the first half, Coit has a team-leading eight points in the second so far.
• Each squad throws punches, but Iowa maintains an 11-point lead with 3:35 left.
• Notable: Iowa has 21 points off of 15 Maryland turnovers.
• Iowa closes out the 75-64 win to advance!
• Key Contributors (Iowa): Koch (career-high 19 points), Stirtz (17 points, 13 in second half).
• Notable: Three Terps finished in double figures: Darius Adams (14 points), Isaiah Watts (12), and David Coit (12).

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