Iowa Upsets Florida in NCAA Tournament: Folgueiras Hits Buzzer-Beater

TAMPA, FL – In a stunning upset that reverberated through the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, ninth-seeded Iowa defeated the defending national champion Florida Gators 73-72 on Sunday night at the Benchmark International Arena. Alvaro Folgueiras’s clutch three-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Hawkeyes, sending them to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015 and simultaneously ending Florida’s title defense.

The victory marks a significant milestone for Iowa under first-year coach Ben McCollum. The Hawkeyes (23-12) will now face fourth-seeded Nebraska in the South Region semi-finals on Thursday night in Houston. Florida, concluding its season with a 27-8 record, became the first No. 1 seed to fall victim to an upset in this year’s March Madness.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, characterized by momentum swings and intense physicality. Iowa initially built a 12-point lead in the second half, but Florida battled back, taking a 72-70 advantage with just eight seconds left on a layup by Xaivian Lee. However, the Hawkeyes responded with remarkable poise.

Following Lee’s go-ahead basket, Iowa quickly advanced the ball upcourt, breaking Florida’s full-court press with efficiency. Folgueiras found himself open in the corner and without hesitation, launched a three-pointer that found the bottom of the net, sparking a jubilant reaction from the Iowa bench and a stunned silence from the predominantly orange and blue crowd.

Florida had one final opportunity to respond, but a desperate drive by Lee ended with a pass that Thomas Haugh couldn’t secure before the buzzer sounded, confirming Iowa’s improbable victory.

The atmosphere inside the arena, which felt like a home game for the Gators due to the large contingent of Florida fans, shifted dramatically in the final seconds. The stunned reaction of the crowd underscored the magnitude of the upset.

The game wasn’t without its moments of tension beyond the final possession. A scuffle erupted midway through the first half when Iowa’s Folgueiras and Florida’s Alex Condon became entangled even as battling for a loose ball. Folgueiras swung his arm back, but appeared to make contact only with the ball. Both players were assessed technical fouls, and the incident led to a heated exchange between the two head coaches, Todd Golden of Florida and Ben McCollum of Iowa, on the sideline.

The altercation seemed to ignite a spark in both teams, but it was Iowa who ultimately capitalized on the energy. Folgueiras finished the game with 14 points and five rebounds, his game-winning shot serving as the defining moment of his performance. He reportedly points to the sky after each three-pointer to honor his father, who passed away when he was nine years old.

Bennett Stirtz too played a crucial role for Iowa, contributing key baskets down the stretch, including a floater that cut Florida’s lead to 71-70 with 57 seconds remaining. Isaiah Brown added a free throw to tie the game before Folgueiras’s heroics.

For Florida, the loss is a bitter disappointment, ending their hopes of securing back-to-back national championships. The Gators struggled offensively at times, experiencing a prolonged scoring drought in the first half. Xaivian Lee led the team in scoring, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Iowa’s resilience and clutch shooting.

Iowa’s victory is a testament to their growth under McCollum, who has quickly instilled a winning culture in his first season as head coach. The Hawkeyes’ ability to overcome adversity and execute in critical moments will serve them well as they continue their tournament journey. Their next challenge against Nebraska promises to be another tough test, but Iowa has already proven they are capable of exceeding expectations.