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Iowa 3 sends No. 1 seed Florida home. See the shot that shocked defending champs
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- Iowa 3 sends No. 1 seed Florida home. See the shot that shocked defending champs
On the final day of the first week of the 2026 NCAA Tournament , the reigning national champion saw its dream of a repeat come to an end.
In arguably the biggest upset of the opening week of the tournament, No. 9 seed Iowa knocked off No. 1 seed Florida 73-72 thanks to a 3-pointer from Alvaro Folgueiras with 4.5 seconds remaining.
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The Hawkeyes had led by as many as 12, but saw the Gators claw back to take a two-point lead with eight seconds remaining after Isaiah Brown split two free throws.
Iowa guard Bennett Stirtz took the inbound pass and had a two-on-two in front of him, after Florida had opted to press and Stirtz's primary defender, Boogie Fland , gambled to try to get a steal. As Stirtz took the ball up the court near the 3-point arc, Gators forward Thomas Haugh bit to cut off Stirtz's path to the basket, leaving Folgueiras wide open in the corner to knock down the go-ahead 3 with four seconds remaining.
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.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Tavion Banks #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dunks the ball against Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
Alvaro Folgueiras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a three point basket against the Florida Gators with under five seconds left during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) makes a go-ahead three-point basket against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
Alvaro Folgueiras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a three point basket against the Florida Gators with under five seconds left during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) dribbles the ball against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots against the Florida Gators in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) holds his follow through on a shot against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) and Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) celebrate 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
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) is seen against the Florida Gators in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) dunks the ball past Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) makes a go-ahead three-point basket against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) reacts 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
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) passes the ball around Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) in the final seconds as Florida Gators was unable to get a shot off in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) reacts after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators reacts after being defeated by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
Thomas Haugh #10 of the Florida Gators reacts after being defeated by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
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.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
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.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Tavion Banks #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes dunks the ball against Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) celebrates after defeating the Florida Gators in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Alvaro Folgueiras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a three point basket against the Florida Gators with under five seconds left during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) makes a go-ahead three-point basket against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Alvaro Folgueiras #7 of the Iowa Hawkeyes attempts a three point basket against the Florida Gators with under five seconds left during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) dribbles the ball against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Bennett Stirtz (14) shoots against the Florida Gators in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) holds his follow through on a shot against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) and Iowa Hawkeyes guard Kael Combs (11) celebrate 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
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
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
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) is seen against the Florida Gators in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Florida Gators guard Isaiah Brown (20) dunks the ball past Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cooper Koch (8) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) makes a go-ahead three-point basket against the Florida Gators in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
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.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) reacts 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
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Florida Gators guard Xaivian Lee (1) passes the ball around Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) in the final seconds as Florida Gators was unable to get a shot off in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) reacts after losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena.
(Matt Pendleton, Imagn Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Alex Condon #21 of the Florida Gators reacts after being defeated by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
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Iowa shocks Florida with statement NCAA tournament upset
Thomas Haugh #10 of the Florida Gators reacts after being defeated by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
(Mike Carlson, Getty Images)
Florida had a chance to pull out a win, but was unable to even get a shot off, with Xaivian Lee driving to the basket and trying to dump it off to Haugh, only for an Iowa defender to stick his hand in to block the pass as time expired.
It served as the highlight of an eventful day for Folgueiras, who was involved in a tussle with Florida forward Alex Condon earlier in the game that resulted in a double technical.
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With the win, Iowa earned a trip to its first Sweet 16 since 1999, a milestone it reached in just its first season under coach Ben McCollum. It became the ninth No. 9 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed since 1979.
The Gators became the first No. 1 seed to lose in the tournament this season. Since Villanova in 2017, only one reigning national champion — UConn in 2024 — has advanced past the second round of the tournament.
Folgueiras' triple was one of two game-winning shots Sunday, with St. John's guard Dylan Darling giving his team a 67-65 victory over Kansas earlier in the day on a layup as time expired.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa basketball upsets Florida in March Madness with 3 heard 'round the world
