Clemson, Iowa set for March Madness Round 1 clash

No. 8 Clemson, No. 9 Iowa to battle for spot in South Region second round

Mar. 20, 2026 at 7:20am

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The No. 8 seed Clemson Tigers and No. 9 seed Iowa Hawkeyes will meet in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with the winner likely facing the defending champion Florida Gators in the second round. Clemson, making its third straight tournament appearance under Brad Brownell, boasts a stout defense led by veterans RJ Godfrey and Nick Davidson. Iowa, in Ben McCollum's first season as head coach, is led by the high-level playmaking of point guard Bennett Stirtz and aims to build on last year's tournament win with Drake.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams looking to make a deep run in the South Region, with the winner potentially facing the defending champion Florida Gators in the second round. Both Clemson and Iowa have experienced rosters and proven tournament pedigree, setting the stage for an intriguing first-round clash.

The details

Clemson (24-10) enters the tournament following a strong run to the ACC Tournament semifinals, where they notched a signature victory over North Carolina. The Tigers are known for their defensive grit, currently ranking as a top-20 defensive unit nationally. Iowa (21-12) navigated a challenging Big Ten slate to earn their first tournament appearance since 2023, relying on a revitalized rotation and the high-level playmaking of point guard Bennett Stirtz.

  • The Clemson vs. Iowa game is set to tip off at 6:50 p.m. ET on Friday, March 20, 2026.
  • The winner of this first-round matchup will likely face the defending champion Florida Gators in the second round.

The players

Bennett Stirtz

The point guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, known for his high-level playmaking ability.

Ben McCollum

The first-year head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes, who previously led Drake to an NCAA Tournament win in 2025.

RJ Godfrey

The veteran interior presence for the Clemson Tigers, leading their stout defense.

Nick Davidson

The redshirt senior center for the Clemson Tigers, part of their top-20 ranked defense.

Brad Brownell

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers, leading them to their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a tough, physical battle against a well-coached Clemson team. They've proven they can compete with the best in the country.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

“Our defense is going to be the key against an Iowa team with so many talented scorers. We have to be locked in from the opening tip.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach, Clemson Tigers

What’s next

The winner of the Clemson vs. Iowa matchup will face the defending champion Florida Gators in the second round of the South Region on Sunday, March 22.

The takeaway

This first-round clash between Clemson and Iowa features two teams with tournament experience and the potential to make a deep run in the South Region. The winner will have the opportunity to test themselves against the defending champion Florida Gators, setting the stage for an exciting second-round showdown.