Iowa Upsets Defending Champ Florida to Reach Sweet 16

Alvaro Folgueiras hits game-winning 3-pointer in final seconds to send Iowa to first Sweet 16 since 1999

Mar. 23, 2026 at 8:55am

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The 9th-seeded Iowa Hawkeyes pulled off a dramatic 73-72 upset over the top-seeded and defending national champion Florida Gators in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Alvaro Folgueiras hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds left to send Iowa to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. Tavian Banks led Iowa with 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Folgueiras added 14 points. Alex Condon had 21 points and 7 assists for Florida, but the Gators were unable to get a final shot off in the closing seconds.

Why it matters

This is a massive upset in the NCAA Tournament, with a 9-seed knocking off the defending national champions. Iowa's run to the Sweet 16 is their first since 1999, marking a significant milestone for the program under first-year head coach Ben McCollum. The loss is a tough end to Florida's season, as they were expected to make a deep tournament run after winning the national title last year.

The details

Iowa shot 51% from the field and led for over 26 minutes in the game. The Hawkeyes built a 46-37 lead early in the second half, but Florida rallied with a 21-7 run to take a 60-58 advantage. The game came down to the final seconds, with Folgueiras hitting the game-winning 3-pointer after Iowa got the ball back following a missed free throw by Florida.

  • The game was played on March 23, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
  • Iowa reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.

The players

Alvaro Folgueiras

A key player for Iowa who hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds to send the Hawkeyes to the Sweet 16.

Tavian Banks

Iowa's leading scorer with 20 points and 6 rebounds in the upset win.

Alex Condon

Florida's leading scorer with 21 points and 7 assists in the losing effort.

Ben McCollum

Iowa's first-year head coach who led the Hawkeyes to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999.

Todd Golden

Florida's head coach who saw his defending national champion team suffer a tough second-round loss.

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What they’re saying

“As far as my guys go, it's just tough. That's all it is. It's just tough kids. They fight. They compete. They stick with it. They exemplify everything that we've wanted in Iowa basketball. They've established the foundation that we've desperately needed, and (I) couldn't be any more proud of them.”

— Ben McCollum, Iowa Head Coach

“As I told the team, it was a 67-possession game and a lot is going to be made out of the last possession, as it should in a game like this. But there were a lot of things that we did not do in the other 66 possessions that allowed the game to be in that type of situation where they could hit a three to walk us off.”

— Todd Golden, Florida Head Coach

“Yeah, the play was drawn up for me to get downhill, and then this dude came up to me and he's like, 'I'm going to be ready and I'm going to make it.' That's what he actually did.”

— Bennett Stirtz, Iowa Player

“I don't trust in confidence. It's as simple as that. I'm the same player. I make it or I miss it. With that mentality, I just don't let mistakes affect me a lot. Sometimes I do a better job than other times, but that's the intention.”

— Alvaro Folgueiras

What’s next

Iowa will face 4th-seeded Nebraska in the Sweet 16 on Thursday in Houston.

The takeaway

This upset victory showcases the resilience and competitive spirit of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who have established a strong foundation under first-year coach Ben McCollum and are now headed to the Sweet 16 for the first time in over 20 years. The loss is a tough end to Florida's title defense, but the Gators will look to regroup and come back stronger next season.