In January 2026, college basketball fans are once again scrutinizing team matchups, betting lines, and statistical trends as the regular season reaches its crucial stretch. This week, all eyes are on the upcoming showdown between the Washington Huskies and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Hosted in Seattle, the game promises to be a compelling contest, with the Huskies slightly favored by 1.5 points according to betting lines. With both teams boasting talented rosters and contrasting styles, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Iowa can continue its winning ways outside top-tier competition or if Washington will pull off a significant upset on their home court. As both teams navigate their seasons, understanding their recent performances, key players, and strategic approaches offers valuable insight into what sounds like a tightly contested game.
Iowa Hawkeyes 2025-26 Season Overview
The Hawkeyes enter this matchup with a balanced, albeit somewhat inconsistent, record. Their statistical profile indicates a team capable of efficiently scoring and frustrating opponents defensively, but questions about their performance on tougher competition persist.
Team Statistics and Performance Indicators
Throughout the current campaign, Iowa has averaged 78 points per game, placing them 113th nationally. Defensively, they’ve been exceptional, giving up just 63 points per game (ranked 3rd in the nation), highlighting their defensive resilience. When measuring overall efficiency, Iowa’s offense ranks 28th with an adjusted offensive efficiency of 122.3, while their defense ranks 18th in adjusted defensive efficiency at 97.2 — showing a well-rounded approach when functioning at their best. Their strength of schedule is relatively moderate, ranked 74th, which has given the Hawkeyes enough opportunities to build confidence even as they face varied opposition levels.
While Iowa’s offensive prowess is evident, their game relies heavily on a mix of inside scoring and perimeter shooting, combined with disciplined ball movement. The team’s statistical focus underscores their reputation as a disciplined, efficient squad that can capitalize on opportunities and bend but not break in defense.
Key Players and Their Impact
Several Iowa players have been instrumental this season. Among them is senior guard Bennett Stirtz, a 6’4” guard averaging 19.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Known for his incredible endurance and ability to control the tempo, Stirtz follows coach Ben McCollum’s slow-paced, deliberate style — prolonging possessions to maximize shot quality. Last season he led the country in minutes played, and this year’s numbers are nearly identical. His career-high 32-point performance against Oregon recently underscored his significance for Iowa. In wins, he averages over 20 points, shooting over 60% from the field and maintaining a solid assist-to-turnover ratio. However, in losses, his production dips, reflecting the team’s reliance on his output.
Other vital contributors include junior guard Kael Combs, a versatile 6’4” player, known for his shooting and passing, and senior forward Tavion Banks, a 6’7” rebounding threat who is currently dealing with injuries. Combs has been efficient and steady, while Banks—who has recently battled injury—offers the team extra scoring and rebounding when healthy. Freshman forward Cooper Koch and center Alvaro Folgueiras also bolster Iowa’s frontcourt, with Folgueiras providing spacing and playmaking from the stretch-five position, and Koch adding physicality and outside shooting.
The team’s rotation features seven players averaging between 17 and 27 minutes, emphasizing their depth or perhaps their reliance on a collective effort rather than star-led dominance.
Strategic Approach and Playing Style
The Hawkeyes’ strategy hinges on disciplined, efficient offense coupled with staunch, disruptive defense. Head coach Ben McCollum’s approach, unmatched at Iowa, is rooted in a slow tempo, emphasizing ball control, selecting high-quality shots, and limiting opponents’ possessions.
Offensive Tactics
Iowa is not overly reliant on three-point shooting, usually attempting a moderate number of perimeter shots per game, but they are proficient from all levels of the court. Their shooting percentages reflect this versatility, ranking 9th in two-point percentage, 29th from three, and 24th in free throw percentage nationally. Their passing game is above average, with a solid assist-to-turnover ratio that enables them to sustain offensive pressure without many mistakes.
The offensive focus is on efficient shot selection, particularly targeting effective mid-range shots and inside scoring options facilitated by their versatile big men like Folgueiras and Kepnang. This balanced attack keeps opponents guessing and makes them difficult to defend when clicking on all cylinders.
Defensive Strategy
Defensively, Iowa excels at turning opponents over, ranking 7th nationally in turnovers forced. They employ aggressive ball pressure, especially on guards, leading to opponents shooting just 28.9% from deep against them, the best defensive mark in the conference. Their perimeter defense is a critical component, forcing opponents into contested jump shots or drives into their towering front line.
However, this aggressive style comes with some trade-offs. Iowa ranks last in free throw rate allowed in conference play, meaning they frequently send opponents to the foul line. Despite this, their overall defensive efficiency is formidable, supported by disciplined rebounding, particularly on the defensive glass, and disciplined defense on shooters.
Should Iowa contain the inside threat and limit Washington’s outside shooters, especially if their top players aren’t at full strength, their chances of victory improve significantly. The matchup to watch is whether Iowa can keep the Huskies under wraps and control the pace of play.
Player Matchups and Key Factors
The game might ultimately hinge on the effective performances of several individual matchups, especially in the frontcourt.
Frontcourt Battles
One of Iowa’s potential weaknesses is rebounding, an area where Washington could gain an advantage. The Huskies have shown an improving inside presence with players like Hannes Steinbach and Franck Kepnang, both of whom are strong rebounders. Iowa tends to rotate their big men, often playing them separately rather than together, which could create rebounding gaps for Washington. Ben McCollum’s strategy involves stretching the floor and keeping rebounding edges in check by trading size for shooting space.
Kepnang’s role is extremely critical; if he can stay on the floor and capitalize on Iowa’s perimeter struggles, Washington could gain a crucial edge. Iowa’s front line, particularly Kouch and Folgueiras, are skilled but may be overwhelmed if Washington’s big men exploit the rebounding opportunities.
Guard Play and Turnovers
On the perimeter, Iowa’s guards, especially Bennett Stirtz and Combs, will be instrumental in controlling the game’s pace. Washington’s success hinges on containing Stirtz, who is repeatedly the linchpin of Iowa’s offense. Applying pressure to Iowa’s ball handlers and forcing turnovers could translate into transition opportunities for the Huskies.
Conversely, Washington needs to avoid costly turnovers, especially against Iowa’s aggressive defensive schemes. Their shooting efficiency and ability to convert inside possessions will determine whether they can keep the game competitive.
Implications and Outlook
Iowa’s recent performances reveal a team that can beat top-tier opponents but struggles somewhat against lower-tier programs. Their wins on the road against strong conference teams showcase their toughness, yet their inconsistent showings against weaker opponents raise questions about their ability to close out close games consistently.
A victory for Washington would mark a significant milestone — perhaps their best win of the season — and could impact their chances for an NCAA tournament at-large bid. Conversely, an Iowa win would solidify their standing as a formidable contender and a tough matchup for any team on the road.
While Iowa remains the favorite on paper, the game’s outcome could be decided by turnovers, rebounding, and the execution of Washington’s game plan. The Huskies’ recent improvements, particularly in perimeter shooting with Wesley Yates III and the emerging leadership of Zoom Diallo, suggest that they could challenge Iowa more than many expect.
Ultimately, fans should expect a tightly contested game with strategic battles played out on both ends. If Washington can effectively utilize their rebounding and inside presence while limiting Iowa’s efficient shot-making, they stand a solid chance of pulling off an upset and making a notable statement in the season’s remaining games.
