Iowa Hawkeyes Aim for Sixth Straight Win Against Northwestern

The Hawkeyes look to continue their strong start to the season against the struggling Wildcats.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has won five games in a row and is looking to add another victory against the Northwestern Wildcats. First-year head coach Ben McCollum has guided the Hawkeyes to a strong start, with their only loss coming on the road against Minnesota. The Wildcats, on the other hand, are struggling, sitting at 2-10 in conference play. Iowa will need to focus on slowing down Northwestern's leading scorer, Nick Martinelli, and getting another big game from their own star player, Bennett Stirtz, who was recently named Co-B1G Player of the Week.

Why it matters

This game represents an opportunity for the Hawkeyes to continue their winning streak and bolster their resume, as they look to make a push for the NCAA Tournament. A victory over the struggling Wildcats would also help Iowa maintain their position in the Big Ten standings.

The details

The Hawkeyes will need to focus on slowing down Northwestern's leading scorer, Nick Martinelli, who is averaging 22.8 points per game. Martinelli was held to just 8 points in the Wildcats' recent loss to Illinois, and the Hawkeyes will look to replicate that defensive effort. On the offensive end, Iowa will be counting on another strong performance from Bennett Stirtz, who has scored 121 points during the team's five-game winning streak.

  • The game will be played on Super Bowl Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • Iowa has won five games in a row heading into this matchup.

The players

Ben McCollum

The first-year head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team.

Nick Martinelli

The senior forward for the Northwestern Wildcats, who leads the team with 22.8 points per game.

Bennett Stirtz

The star player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, who was recently named Co-B1G Player of the Week after scoring 121 points during the team's five-game winning streak.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will look to continue their winning streak and improve their position in the Big Ten standings with a victory over the Wildcats. The team's next game after this matchup is a home contest against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on February 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This game represents an important opportunity for the Iowa Hawkeyes to build on their strong start to the season and solidify their position as a contender in the Big Ten. A victory over the struggling Wildcats would be a significant step forward for the team as they look to make a push for the NCAA Tournament.