Hawkeyes Advance to Elite 8 with Win Over Nebraska

Iowa defeats fourth-seeded Nebraska 77-71 to reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 9:28am

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The ninth-seeded University of Iowa men's basketball team defeated fourth-seeded Nebraska, 77-71, on Thursday night at the Toyota Center in Houston to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987. Iowa overcame an early 12-2 run by Nebraska, tying the game multiple times in the second half before pulling away late with key 3-pointers from Tate Sage, Bennett Stirtz, and Alvaro Folgueiras.

Why it matters

This is a major accomplishment for the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball program, as they have not reached the Elite Eight since 1987. Their run to the regional finals marks significant progress for the team and will generate excitement and pride among Iowa fans.

The details

Nebraska opened the game on a 12-2 run, but Iowa responded with four straight field goals to cut the deficit to two. The Hawkeyes trailed by 10 with five minutes left in the first half before using back-to-back 3-pointers to trim the margin to two. Iowa tied the game at 50-50 early in the second half and again at 53-53, before taking the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Folgueiras with under two minutes remaining. Sage and Stirtz hit key 3-pointers down the stretch to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 27, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
  • This is Iowa's first Elite Eight appearance since 1987.

The players

Tate Sage

A freshman for the Iowa Hawkeyes who scored a career-high 19 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the win.

Bennett Stirtz

A senior for the Iowa Hawkeyes who led the team with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting and added 4 assists.

Alvaro Folgueiras

A junior for the Iowa Hawkeyes who scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and hit a key 3-pointer late to give Iowa the lead for good.

Cooper Koch

A redshirt freshman for the Iowa Hawkeyes who contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals off the bench.

Nebraska

The fourth-seeded Nebraska Cornhuskers, who were defeated by Iowa in the Sweet Sixteen matchup.

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What they’re saying

“This is a major accomplishment for our program and we're excited to keep dancing.”

— Fran McCaffery, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

What’s next

Iowa will face the winner of the other Sweet Sixteen matchup in the Elite Eight on Saturday, March 29th.

The takeaway

Iowa's run to the Elite Eight marks a significant milestone for the program, as they look to reach their first Final Four since 1980. The Hawkeyes' balanced scoring attack and clutch 3-point shooting down the stretch proved to be the difference in this hard-fought victory over a tough Nebraska squad.