IOWA CITY, Iowa —

We're nearing basketball season, and college conferences are beginning to release preseason awards.

Video above: 'Lot of pukers': Hawkeyes describe Ben McCollum's summer workouts

The new-look Iowa Hawkeyes bring over plenty of talent from Drake thanks in large part to new coach Ben McCollum. Chief among those transfers is Bennett Stirtz, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 2024-25 .

Big things are expected of Stirtz in the Big Ten, too. He was named to the preseason All-Big Ten team when it was released Tuesday.

Stirtz averaged 19.2 points, 5.7 assists and 2.1 steals in his lone season at Drake. He led the nation in minutes per game at 39.4.

2025-26 Preseason All-Big Ten team

Bennett Stirtz, Sr., G, Iowa

Yaxel Lendeborg, Grad., F, Michigan

Nick

See Full Page