Pregame shows entertain sports audiences of all ages with a variety of topics, from serious subjects to funny moments that lighten the mood. TNT Sports’ March Madness pregame show for the Illinois-Iowa Elite Eight clash on Saturday featured a priceless moment before the showdown when they had a chance to talk to Hawkeyes star Bennett Stirtz.
Charles Barkley Asks Iowa Guard Bennett Stirtz About His March Madness Stat
NBA legend and former MVP Charles Barkley asked the 6-foot-4 guard about an incredible stat he shared during the pregame show with Kenny Smith, Bruce Pearl, and Clark Kellogg. The Auburn alumnus, who works as an analyst for CBS Sports and TNT Sports, mentioned he had one foul in three NCAA Tournament games and inquired whether he played any defense during that stretch.
“But I noticed one thing on your stat sheet, you only got one foul. Are you playing any defense?” Barkley asked, with Smith, Pearl, and Kellogg laughing in the background.
“Are you playing any defense?”
Chuck had jokes for Bennett Stirtz only having 1 foul in 120 minutes of the tournament đŸ¤£ pic.twitter.com/x1QLk7oo4o
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) March 28, 2026
Stirtz responded to the question, saying, “I usually guard the shooter, so I don’t know. Hopefully you’re not jinxing me.”
Barkley was wrong about the stat, though, as the Drake transfer had 0 fouls and 1 turnover while playing without rest in the games against Clemson, Florida, and Nebraska during March Madness.
READ MORE: College Basketball World Reacts to Nebraska’s ‘All-Time Blunder’ Late in Sweet 16 Loss to Iowa
Stirtz has had an exceptional NCAA Tournament, playing a key role in Iowa’s success. In the Sweet 16 game against Nebraska, Stirtz scored 20 points, pulled down 2 rebounds, and handed out 4 assists to help the Hawkeyes advance past the Cornhuskers.
Stirtz’s Amazing Run Ends in Elite Eight Loss to Illinois
However, good things came to an end for the guard in the Elite Eight showdown with Illinois. Stirtz had his first foul in the first half when he fouled Andrej Stojakovic.
Stirtz, who ended up committing 2 fouls in the 71-59 loss to the No. 3 seed Fighting Illini, had a total of over 125 foul-less minutes to begin the tournament.
The senior guard played the distance for the fourth straight game. Stirtz still led Iowa’s offense with 24 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-11 from deep. He also went 4-of-4 from the free-throw line and had 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the defeat.
Stirtz ended his NCAA Tournament with averages of 18.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. His ability to endure the 40 minutes stood out as one of the best stories in this year’s staging of the basketball showcase.
