Iowa Basketball Aims for March Madness Upset Over Florida

Hawkeyes look to continue Cinderella run in NCAA Tournament matchup

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:24am

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The Iowa men's basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will face off against the Florida Gators in a regional semifinal matchup in Tampa, Florida. The Hawkeyes, a lower-seeded team, will look to pull off an upset victory and continue their Cinderella run in the tournament.

Why it matters

Iowa's unexpected tournament success has captivated fans and media alike, as the team was not expected to advance this far. A win over the higher-seeded Florida squad would cement the Hawkeyes' status as a true March Madness contender and potentially set them up for an even deeper run in the tournament.

The details

The Hawkeyes earned their spot in the Sweet 16 with a pair of close wins over higher-seeded opponents in the opening rounds. Now they'll face a tough challenge against a Florida team that is making its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 12 years under head coach Billy Donovan.

  • The Iowa vs. Florida Sweet 16 matchup will take place on March 27, 2026.
  • The winner of this game will advance to the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament.

The players

Iowa Hawkeyes

The men's basketball team from the University of Iowa, competing in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Florida Gators

The men's basketball team from the University of Florida, a perennial NCAA Tournament contender.

Billy Donovan

The head coach of the Florida Gators men's basketball team, with a long history of tournament success.

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What they’re saying

“We're not satisfied with just making it to the Sweet 16. We believe we can keep this run going and make some more noise in the tournament.”

— Kael Combs, Iowa Basketball Player

What’s next

The winner of the Iowa vs. Florida game will advance to the Elite Eight round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, which is scheduled for March 29, 2026.

The takeaway

Iowa's unexpected tournament success has captivated fans and media alike, and a win over the higher-seeded Florida squad would cement the Hawkeyes' status as a true March Madness contender. The team is determined to continue its Cinderella run and prove it belongs among the nation's elite programs.