Iowa Shocks Nebraska, Reaches Elite Eight in NCAA Tournament After Folgueiras’ Key Play

TAMPA, Fla. – Iowa’s improbable March continues. Fueled by a late surge and the clutch play of forward Alvaro Folgueiras, the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes ousted fourth-seeded Nebraska 77-71 in a Sweet Sixteen thriller Thursday night, securing a spot in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987.

The victory, a testament to first-year coach Ben McCollum’s leadership, sends Iowa (24-12) into a Saturday matchup against either Illinois or Houston with a Final Four berth on the line. It also marks the Hawkeyes’ second win against a top-four seed since seeding began in 1979, following a 1980 regional semifinal upset of Syracuse.

Iowa’s path to the Elite Eight wasn’t without its challenges. Nebraska jumped out to an early 10-point lead, and while the Hawkeyes repeatedly battled back to tie the score, they didn’t take the lead until guard Bennett Stirtz connected on a crucial three-pointer with 2:10 remaining, making it 68-65. That basket ignited a 9-0 run capped by a three-pointer from Sage Tate, extending Iowa’s advantage to 71-65.

The Cornhuskers (28-7) refused to go quietly, narrowing the gap to three points with a second-chance three-pointer from Braden Frager. However, a critical breakdown in Nebraska’s inbound play left Folgueiras unexpectedly open near the basket. The forward seized the opportunity, slamming home a dunk through contact and converting the ensuing free throw to push Iowa’s lead to six.

Folgueiras, who finished with 16 points, punctuated the victory with another dunk with 34 seconds left, extending the lead to 76-68 and effectively sealing the outcome. His performance underscored a remarkable journey that began when he left his home in Málaga, Spain, at the age of 16 to pursue his basketball dreams in the United States.

“Where the world would be without the moms?” Folgueiras said, reflecting on the support of his mother, Beatriz Campos, who was in attendance. “She’s super tough. She’s been through a lot of things in life. Sometimes when I struggle through basketball, and basketball is life, I think of my mom as an example of resilience, and that really inspires me and gives me confidence.”

Iowa’s second-half comeback was largely fueled by Nebraska’s struggles from the field. The Cornhuskers shot a dismal 9 of 32 (28.1%) in the second half, with a particularly poor performance from beyond the arc, where they connected on just 6 of 24 attempts. Stirtz led all Iowa scorers with 20 points.

The Hawkeyes’ success builds on McCollum’s impressive coaching pedigree. Prior to arriving at Iowa, McCollum led Northwest Missouri State to four Division II national titles, and he’s now guiding the Hawkeyes on a similarly unexpected tournament run.

Elsewhere in the Sweet Sixteen, Purdue edged Texas 79-77 in a tightly contested game. Trey Kaufman-Renn provided the game-winning play for the second-seeded Boilermakers, tipping in a missed shot by Braden Smith with just 0.7 seconds remaining. The Longhorns, led by the hobbled Tramon Mark, had tied the game moments earlier on a three-point play by Dailyn Swain. Smith finished with 16 points, while Kaufman-Renn led Purdue with 20, hitting his first seven shots.

Iowa’s victory over Nebraska continues a captivating NCAA Tournament narrative, showcasing the impact of international players like Folgueiras and the ability of a first-year coach to quickly elevate a program. The Hawkeyes now face a challenging Elite Eight matchup, but their resilience and clutch performances suggest they are capable of continuing their improbable run towards the Final Four.