Iowa Hawkeyes Reach First Final Four Since 1980

The 2025-26 team looks to end a 46-year drought and return to the national stage

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:56pm

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The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team has reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987, marking their deepest NCAA Tournament run in 46 years. Led by first-year head coach Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes overcame a coaching change and roster overhaul to put together an impressive postseason surge as a No. 9 seed, including a historic upset of the defending national champion Florida Gators. Now Iowa faces in-state rival Illinois in the Elite Eight, with a chance to advance to the program's first Final Four since 1980.

Why it matters

Iowa's unexpected tournament run has reignited excitement around the program and provided a rare opportunity to reach the Final Four, an accomplishment the Hawkeyes have not achieved in nearly half a century. The team's success has also highlighted the program's resilience after a coaching change, as well as the growing parity in college basketball that has allowed a lower-seeded team to make a deep postseason push.

The details

After finishing the regular season 24-12 overall and 10-10 in Big Ten play, the 2025-26 Iowa Hawkeyes entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed in the East Region. They opened with a 67-61 win over Clemson, then pulled off a 73-72 upset of No. 1 seed and defending champion Florida on a late three-pointer from Alvaro Folgueiras. Iowa followed that with a 77-71 comeback victory over Nebraska in the Sweet 16, setting up an Elite Eight matchup with in-state rival Illinois.

  • The 1980 Iowa Hawkeyes reached the Final Four, the last time the program has accomplished that feat.
  • The 2025-26 Iowa Hawkeyes are making their first Elite Eight appearance since 1987.

The players

Ben McCollum

The first-year head coach who has led the Iowa Hawkeyes to their deepest NCAA Tournament run in 46 years.

Alvaro Folgueiras

The Iowa guard who hit the game-winning three-pointer to upset No. 1 seed Florida in the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“This team has shown so much heart and resilience to get to this point. We're not done yet, and we're excited for the opportunity to keep making history.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

“Hitting that shot against Florida was an unbelievable moment, but we know the job isn't finished. We're focused on taking down Illinois and reaching the Final Four.”

— Alvaro Folgueiras, Guard, Iowa Hawkeyes

What’s next

The Iowa Hawkeyes will face the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Elite Eight on Saturday, March 29, 2026, with a trip to the Final Four on the line.

The takeaway

Iowa's unexpected tournament run has reignited excitement around the program and provided a rare opportunity to reach the Final Four, an accomplishment the Hawkeyes have not achieved in nearly half a century. The team's success has also highlighted the program's resilience after a coaching change, as well as the growing parity in college basketball that has allowed a lower-seeded team to make a deep postseason push.