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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Photos: No. 19 Iowa men’s basketball falls to No. 16 Illinois

Samantha DeFily, Visuals Editor
January 11, 2026
Samantha DeFily
The court is seen during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Iowa now has a record of 2-3 in the Big Ten Conference. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)

The Iowa Hawkeyes fell to the Illinois Fighting Illini 75-69, during a basketball game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday. Iowa’s record now sits at 12-4. 

 

Even though Iowa head coach Ben McCollum told the media that guard Tavion Banks was sick, the Missouri native led the team with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Guard Tate Sage followed up with 13 points, and guard Bennet Stirtz had a rough day, but still managed to contribute 12 points and six assists.

 

Overall, small mistakes cost the Hawkeyes the game, including Banks’ missed dunk, a missed layup from Stritz, and unfortunate shot selections all around.

 

Iowa travels to Mackey Arena in West Lafayette to play Purdue on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 5:30 p.m. CST.

Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras attempts to push past Illinois forward Ben Humrichous during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Folgueiras added eight points. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Iowa forward Cooper Koch shoots the ball during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Koch added 10 points. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Iowa head coach Ben McCollum yells out to players during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. This is McCollum’s first season with Iowa. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Illinois head coach Brad Underwood yells out during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Underwood has been coaching at Illinois since 2017. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Iowa guard Isaia Howard goes for a layup during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Howard added seven points. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Illinois forward David Mirkovic throws up his hands during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Mirkovic added seven points. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Iowa guard Tavion Banks dunks the ball during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Banks added 16 points. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
The Iowa student section cheers during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. This was a season-high crowd, with 13,559 attendees. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Iowa guard Brendan Hausen waves his arms up and down during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Hausen had no play time. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras attempts to shoot the ball past Illinois forward David Mirkovic during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. This was Folgueiras’ first start as a Hawkeye. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)
Iowa guard Kael Combs jumps over Illinois guard Keaton Wagler during a basketball game between the No. 19 Iowa Hawkeyes and the No. 16 Illinois Fighting Illini at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Combs added three points. The Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 75-69. (Samantha DeFily/The Daily Iowan)