Entering the bulk of Big Ten conference play on Saturday, No. 23 Iowa basketball (12-2, 2-1 Big Ten) opened 2026 with a dramatic 74-61 win over UCLA (10-4, 2-1 Big Ten) from a jam-packed Carver-Hawkeye Arena that created quite the buzz on social media from Hawkeyes fans.
Senior point guard Bennett Stirtz was the leading scorer for Iowa on the night, as he contributed 27 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the floor, 4-for-6 from 3-point territory, and 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, to go along with five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in 34 minutes of action.
Typically, the 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard plays close to the entirety of the game, but his four fouls landed him on the bench in the latter portion of the second half.
With it an energetic-turned-nerve-racking victory, here are some of the best social media reactions to Saturday’s Iowa basketball win over UCLA:
This is the best crowd I’ve seen for a men’s basketball game at Iowa in a LONG time.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) January 3, 2026
The crowd immediately after Tavion Banks’ dunk until the end of the game.
Man, were the fans terrific tonight. Great atmosphere all night long. pic.twitter.com/pkgHEVHY9q
— Brad Schultz (@BradMSchultz) January 4, 2026
Carver is rocking. Hawkeyes take down UCLA, 74-61, to improve to 2-1 in Big Ten play and 1-0 in 2026. pic.twitter.com/qXEOfHo2uo
— Sean Bock (@SBock247) January 4, 2026
Iowa-UCLA under bettors, look away 😭
Bennett Stirtz nails a 36-foot dagger with six seconds left to cash the over 💰pic.twitter.com/pkZJAMwiAZ
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 4, 2026
Rockstar move by @bennett_stirtzhttps://t.co/gQ4kioeJTx
— Hawkeyes Wire (@HawkeyesWire) January 4, 2026
Really great crowd tonight.
This is the type of edge we have at Kinnick.
This is what we need at Carver every game. https://t.co/HgOAfwoAvA
— Stirtz SZN (@TheMcCollumEra) January 4, 2026
“Ahhh…that’s where Caitlin Clark used to hit em”
Hawkeye royalty
Great win for the men’s Hawkeye team 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/87HCQDOJyg
— ericaf455 (@ericaf455) January 4, 2026
Stirtz said postgame he was actually a little surprised it went in.
“I asked Coach Mac, like, ‘do I shoot it or not?’ He’s like, ‘shoot it.'” https://t.co/Neho6wvS6R
— Madison Hricik (@SportingMads) January 4, 2026
Ben McCollum was signing autographs and taking selfies with fans after leaving his postgame presser.
Just one of many reasons why this program is in good hands with McCollum at the helm.
— Brad Schultz (@BradMSchultz) January 4, 2026
Ben McCollum has tried to re-invite fans and has done everything he could be asked thus far. Massive win against UCLA tonight in front of a great crowd. It was a tall task— but he has passed every one of them so far.
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) January 4, 2026
B1G shoutout to Coach McCollum & his staff and team for their win over ucla! Keep it rollin’, Fellas!👊🏼 So happy for ya!
— Jan Jensen (@goiowa) January 4, 2026
Bennett Stirtz is more valuable to his team than any other player in America. https://t.co/f6fHSdhCBj
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 4, 2026
RIP pic.twitter.com/oLsVR85s8w
— Mossed by Jettas (@MossedByJettas) January 4, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Best social media reactions from Iowa basketball win vs. UCLA
