The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Florida Gators 73-72 last night, eliminating the defending champion Gators from the 2026 NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament. The Hawkeyes advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 27 years, and will play their biggest rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
It was a thrilling game. Iowa jumped out to a 23-13 lead in the first 13 minutes, but Florida narrowed the gap to 2 by the end of the first half. The Hawkeyes were up by as many as 12 points in half 2, but the Gators stormed back and took a 3 point lead with 2 minutes to play. The Hawkeyes got a floater to bring them within 1. The Gators got the ball back, and threw up some 3-pointers. But they were no good. They got the rebounds and Iowa fouled to get the ball back. Isaiah Brown missed the first free throw, but hit the second. The Gators called timeout, and gave the ball back to the Hawkeyes for them to try to send it to overtime or go for the kill. Iowa drove down the court. Alvaro Folguieras shot a 3, and it went in, sending the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 and denying the Gators of a repeat champion.
This Iowa team is something special. Many people didn't think they deserved to make it into the dance, but they proved us all wrong. And they are hungry for more as they take on their archrivals in the Sweet 16. I can't wait for it.
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