Everything Ben McCollum, Bennett Stirtz, Cam Manyawu Said Following Iowa's Elite Eight Loss To Illinois
247Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Iowa's historic NCAA Tournament run ended with a loss to No. 3 Illinois, with head coach Ben McCollum praising Illinois' performance and acknowledging missed opportunities on Iowa's part, particularly in boxing out and rebounding.
- Coach McCollum reflected on the program's progress, crediting players like Bennett Stirtz and Tavion for laying a foundation for future success, and expressed hope for Iowa basketball's continued growth toward Final Fours and championships.
- Bennett Stirtz highlighted the importance of support from teammates and coaches throughout his career, emphasizing the collective effort behind his individual success and the team's enjoyable tournament run.
- Cam Manyawu identified Illinois' aggressive offensive rebounding as a key challenge, noting Iowa's struggles with boxing out and securing defensive rebounds throughout the game.
- McCollum addressed several game factors including a horn malfunction, substitution decisions, and shooting struggles in the second half, while also discussing the difficulty of managing player frustration during critical moments and reflecting on the personal and professional journey of building the Iowa basketball program.
