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How sweet it is! Takeaways as Iowa basketball stuns Florida for Sweet 16 ticket
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- How sweet it is! Takeaways as Iowa basketball stuns Florida for Sweet 16 ticket
How sweet it is! The Iowa Hawkeyes are going back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 with an absolutely stunning upset of the No. 1-seeded Florida Gators , the defending national champs, in a pseudo-home game in Tampa, Fla., by a score of 73-72.
In a game that was testy, physical, and saw both teams trade haymakers throughout, the Iowa Hawkeyes found a way late to get the necessary stops and hit clutch shots down the stretch. Not only did Iowa come up big late, but the Hawkeyes dominated this game from start to end.
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Iowa shot 51% to Florida's 50%; they made seven threes to Florida's six. Against one of the country's tallest teams, Iowa tied them 27-27 on the boards, and, arguably most important, they outscored them 32-30 in the paint.
This game now sets up one of the most incredible games in Sweet 16 history as the Iowa Hawkeyes stare down the trilogy against the rival Nebraska Cornhuskers .
Iowa was never afraid or intimidated
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum talks to a referee after a fight against the Florida Gators in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
From the jump, Iowa never blinked or was even once scared of the big, bad defending champs, who had the size, better roster, and were playing essentially a home game just a few hours from campus. Ben McCollum had this team fired up and ready to go.
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After some angsty moments in the first half, Ben McCollum got behind his roster and let some emotions show. Iowa responded to this, and it showed by beating Florida in its own game of physicality, points in the paint, and rebounding. Iowa wasn't scared, and they took it right to the Gators.
Cooper Koch found the clutch gene
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) celebrates after a play against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
There were grim moments for the Hawkeyes down the stretch where the Gators started making some shots and got the crowd back into things. Florida took the lead, and things were teetering on the edge of falling apart.
Cooper Koch buoyed Iowa during this onslaught and helped the Hawkeyes weather the storm with some incredibly clutch sharp-shooting down the stretch. On the day, he ended with 12 points on a 4-6 performance from three-point range, all of which proved to be massive.
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Tavion Banks played so big
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) goes to the basket against Florida Gators center Rueben Chinyelu (9) in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Despite being smaller than Florida's bigs, Tavion Banks was ready to roll in this game and may have been the best player on the court with his play beyond his size and his courage to battle in a game that took every bit of his strength and physicality.
Banks led Iowa with 20 points and did it on a very efficient 7-10 shooting performance. He added six rebounds, four of which were offensive rebounds, and helped give Iowa extra possessions against a team known for its interior presence.
Alvaro Folgueiras is an Iowa legend
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) makes a go-ahead three-point basket against the Florida Gators late in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
What. A. Shot.
Alvaro Folgueiras has sent the Iowa Hawkeyes back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 with his late shot to put Iowa up 73-72 as the clock was running out. He received the pass from Stirtz, took a step back behind the three-point line, and unleashed a shot that was good from the moment it left his fingertips.
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He played this game feisty, and it was crucial for Iowa. He ended the day with 14 points, five rebounds, and will live on as a legend in Iowa history for a shot that will live among the great moments in the history of Iowa athletics.
Iowa vs. Nebraska in the Sweet 16
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) high-fives Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cam Manyawu (3) against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Does it get better than this? Iowa and Nebraska get to settle things in their third matchup of the year. Iowa upset Nebraska in the first matchup, 57-52, when they hosted them. When things went back to Nebraska, the Cornhuskers used a late surge to get revenge on Iowa, 84-75.
Up next is a game with a lot more riding on it. Iowa and Nebraska will meet in the Sweet 16 with a spot in the Elite 8 hanging in the balance for two programs riding historic NCAA Tournament runs.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire : How sweet it is! Takeaways as Iowa basketball stuns Florida for Sweet 16 ticket
