Iowa's Sweet Sixteen Stunner: Hawkeyes Upset Nebraska in NCAA Thriller
In a dramatic and unpredictable Sweet Sixteen matchup, the ninth-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes continued their fairytale run in the NCAA Tournament, securing a hard-fought 77-71 victory over the fourth-seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers on Thursday night. Under the guidance of first-year coach Ben McCollum, Iowa showcased resilience and clutch performance to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.
Folgueiras and Stirtz Shine in Critical Moments
Alvaro Folgueiras emerged as a key player once again, converting a critical three-point play late in the game when Nebraska was caught with only four defenders on the floor. His emphatic dunk and subsequent free throw gave Iowa a six-point lead, sealing the win. Folgueiras, who moved to the United States as a 16-year-old to pursue his basketball dreams, finished with 16 points, including another dunk in the final minute that extended the lead to 76-68.
Bennett Stirtz led the scoring for Iowa with 20 points, including a crucial three-pointer that gave the Hawkeyes their first lead of the game at 68-65 with just over two minutes remaining. Sage Tate added another three-pointer to cap a decisive 9-0 run, putting Iowa ahead 71-65 and shifting momentum firmly in their favour.
Nebraska's Cold Shooting Proves Costly
Despite taking an early 10-point lead against their Big Ten rival, Nebraska struggled offensively in the second half. The Cornhuskers shot a dismal 9 of 32 (28.1%) from the field after halftime, with most attempts coming from beyond the arc where they made only 6 of 24 three-pointers. This cold shooting allowed Iowa to mount a second-half rally, tying the game four times before finally taking control.
Braden Frager managed to bring Nebraska within three points with a second-chance three-pointer late in the game, but disorganisation on the inbound play left Folgueiras unguarded for his game-changing dunk. Nebraska, who finished the season with a 28-7 record, were unable to recover from Iowa's late surge.
McCollum's Coaching Mastery Continues
Ben McCollum, who previously won four Division II national titles at Northwest Missouri State, has now led Iowa to their fifth Elite Eight appearance in program history. This victory follows their stunning second-round upset of top-seeded Florida, secured by Folgueiras' last-second three-pointer. Iowa, with a record of 24-12, will face either Illinois or Houston on Saturday for a chance to reach the Final Four.
Purdue Edges Texas in Another Sweet Sixteen Nail-Biter
In other Sweet Sixteen action on Thursday, second-seeded Purdue narrowly avoided an upset by eleventh-seeded Texas, winning 79-77. Trey Kaufman-Renn tipped in a miss by Braden Smith with just 0.7 seconds remaining to secure the victory. Kaufman-Renn was exceptional, hitting his first seven shots and finishing with 20 points.
Texas, who finished the season at 21-15, had tied the game moments earlier when Dailyn Swain completed a three-point play with 11.9 seconds left. Smith, who scored on a drive with 38 seconds remaining, contributed 16 points for Purdue. The Boilermakers now advance to face the winner of another matchup in their quest for the championship.
Iowa's remarkable tournament run has captivated college basketball fans, demonstrating that seedings can be defied with determination and strategic play. As they prepare for their Elite Eight showdown, the Hawkeyes will look to continue their improbable journey toward NCAA glory.
