Ben says Stirtz & Banks took Significant Pay Cuts to come to Iowa. That & more in the Postgame Press Conference after Michigan Loss
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Michigan coach Dusty May:
“I grew up watching Dr. Tom Davis’ teams. The pressing, the energy. So my perception of Iowa basketball is this and with what they have going on now, it’s going to look like this frequently, in my opinion… This is a really good Big Ten environment and it’s only going to get better.”
“I grew up watching Dr. Tom Davis’ teams. The pressing, the energy. So my perception of Iowa basketball is this and with what they have going on now, it’s going to look like this frequently, in my opinion… This is a really good Big Ten environment and it’s only going to get better.”
What Ben McCollum meant when he said he had fun coaching tonight vs. Michigan.
“That's how our teams are going to be. We went down 10 to arguably the best team in the country. … And then you come back. When you coach that, and those guys fight for you, and you're fighting for them. Like, that's what's so cool. It’s fun. I enjoy coaching that. Do you enjoy coaching when they're going half speed in other games? Not a lot, to be perfectly honest.”
“That's how our teams are going to be. We went down 10 to arguably the best team in the country. … And then you come back. When you coach that, and those guys fight for you, and you're fighting for them. Like, that's what's so cool. It’s fun. I enjoy coaching that. Do you enjoy coaching when they're going half speed in other games? Not a lot, to be perfectly honest.”
Full quote from McCollum:
“Some of them took shocking, shocking essentially pay cuts to come here, to represent Iowa and to lay a foundation. And I don't think people realize that.
That team at Drake that we had was 31 wins. From a portal standpoint, that's a very expensive team. And they chose to believe in us, to believe in Iowa.
I'm not sure that even from an external standpoint, fans quite can even understand why those kids would do that? You know, why Bennett Stirtz and Tavion Banks … would choose to come here when they had millions of other options and probably more money. But they chose to build Iowa and build this foundation for myself, for my team, for the players, and for the state of Iowa and the community.
I really want to make sure that they're appreciated, and hope that people understand how much they actually have given, legitimately given, to be a part of this. Given BACK to be a part of this. … That’s a big deal. I think in years coming, we'll realize how big of a deal that is.”
“Some of them took shocking, shocking essentially pay cuts to come here, to represent Iowa and to lay a foundation. And I don't think people realize that.
That team at Drake that we had was 31 wins. From a portal standpoint, that's a very expensive team. And they chose to believe in us, to believe in Iowa.
I'm not sure that even from an external standpoint, fans quite can even understand why those kids would do that? You know, why Bennett Stirtz and Tavion Banks … would choose to come here when they had millions of other options and probably more money. But they chose to build Iowa and build this foundation for myself, for my team, for the players, and for the state of Iowa and the community.
I really want to make sure that they're appreciated, and hope that people understand how much they actually have given, legitimately given, to be a part of this. Given BACK to be a part of this. … That’s a big deal. I think in years coming, we'll realize how big of a deal that is.”
In last night's loss to #3 Michigan, only 3 from the bench played.
Minutes played:
40: Bennett
28: Cam
26: Tavion
22: Alvaro
22: Isaia
21: Cooper
21: Tate
20: Kael
............................................................
200: Total Minutes Available
===================
www.espn.com
Minutes played:
40: Bennett
28: Cam
26: Tavion
22: Alvaro
22: Isaia
21: Cooper
21: Tate
20: Kael
............................................................
200: Total Minutes Available
===================
Michigan 71-68 Iowa (Mar 5, 2026) Box Score - ESPN
Box score for the Michigan Wolverines vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game from March 5, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
www.espn.com
I get that he's trying to get people to really appreciate what many of these guys did but on the other hand, it's a little concerning. If this is a "discount" roster then what does that mean for ever getting a better team on the court because this one is propped up by Stirtz.
Are 6th men of the year at mid majors getting huge paydays? I'm not buying Banks took a HUGE paycut to play here. Stirtz definitely left money on the table not going to the NBA but I do feel this year only helped his stock.
It was said last year he saved money back for aggressive portal pursuits at certain position this upcoming cycle. He's planned ahead because he's smart and knows how to manage money.
I never "buy in" on a new coach, but come on, he had what, 3 months to assemble a team? Nobody apparently wanted to stay but you expected top talent to want to jump into something new?
what will a Bennett Stirtz type player cost this offseason?
Commented on this earlier but to me Stirtz is showing fatigue of the grueling BT season and what lies ahead starting with Nebby makes it tougher. He needs some help if Hawks are going to the dance.In last night's loss to #3 Michigan, only 3 from the bench played.
Minutes played:
40: Bennett
28: Cam
26: Tavion
22: Alvaro
22: Isaia
21: Cooper
21: Tate
20: Kael
............................................................
200: Total Minutes Available
===================
Michigan 71-68 Iowa (Mar 5, 2026) Box Score - ESPN
Box score for the Michigan Wolverines vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAM game from March 5, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
Agree. Too bad he's not allowed to rest at all ever during the games like 99% of other players.
/s
Well I would think coach might know what he’s talking about.
We'll make the NCAA Tournament. The problem? We'll likely be on the 8/9 line, which means IF we survive the 1st game, we won't the 2nd game.
Not concerning at all in my opinion. I don’t like the nil right now. If you wanna donate then that will help. Many of them took a big discount I do know that. Going forward it’s a money game. So either donate or deal with it. Unfortunately that’s were it’s at and I don’t like it
It's crazy, isn't it? If Stirtz had entered the portal instead of coming to Iowa, he'd be SUPER RICH right now.
I can see how fans across the country could get tired of this BS & lose interest.
It means the fans need to pony up and join SWARM, you can't just wish for a better squad you have to help fund it.