In Houston on Thursday night, ninth-seeded Iowa extended an unlikely NCAA Tournament surge by defeating fourth-seeded Nebraska 77-71 to reach the Elite Eight. Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 20 points and Alvaro Folgueiras added 16, including a decisive three-point play in the closing minutes. The win sends Iowa (24-12) into a South Region final against Illinois on Saturday, and marks coach Ben McCollum’s first season milestone at the Power Five level. The result also made Iowa the lowest-seeded Big Ten team to reach a regional final since seeding began in 1979.
Key Takeaways
- Iowa beat Nebraska 77-71 to advance to the Elite Eight; Iowa is now 24-12 and will face Illinois on Saturday for a Final Four berth.
- Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points; Alvaro Folgueiras finished with 16, including a late three-point play and a closing dunk that sealed the game.
- Nebraska finished 28-7 on the season; Pryce Sandfort led the Cornhuskers with 25 points and Braden Frager added 16.
- Nebraska led by 10 early; Iowa tied the game four times and did not take its first lead until Stirtz’s 3-pointer made it 68-65 with 2:10 remaining.
- Nebraska shot 9 of 32 (28.1%) after halftime and 6 of 24 from three in the second half, a cold stretch that fueled Iowa’s comeback.
- Ben McCollum, in his first year at Iowa after success at Northwest Missouri State and Drake, has guided the Hawkeyes to the school’s fifth Elite Eight and the program’s first regional final since 1987.
Background
The 2026 NCAA Tournament has been notable for upsets and breakout coaching narratives, and Iowa’s run fits that pattern. Ben McCollum arrived from a decorated Division II tenure at Northwest Missouri State, where he won four national titles, and had success most recently at Drake before taking the Iowa job this season. Expectations for Iowa were modest entering the tournament; the Hawkeyes were seeded ninth and viewed as an underdog in the South Region.
Nebraska entered the semifinal with program-best momentum, having posted a 28-7 record and notched the first NCAA tournament wins in the program’s history earlier in the bracket. Head coach Fred Hoiberg’s turnaround has drawn praise, and Nebraska’s fan base traveled in force through the tournament. The matchup carried extra weight as a Big Ten intra-conference pairing, guaranteeing that the conference would have a representative in the South Region final.
Main Event
Nebraska grabbed an early 10-point advantage and controlled stretches of the first half, but Iowa chipped away and tied the game four separate times. The Hawkeyes did not lead until late in the second half, when Bennett Stirtz buried a 3-pointer to put Iowa up 68-65 with 2:10 remaining. That shot altered the flow and forced Nebraska into higher-pressure possessions down the stretch.
Sage Tate followed with a 3 to cap a 9-0 run and give Iowa a 71-65 edge. Nebraska responded when Braden Frager hit a second-chance three to pull within three, but an inbound sequence shortly afterward broke down defensively. Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras was left unguarded near the rim, finished through contact to complete a three-point play and converted the free throw to extend the lead to six.
Folgueiras later threw down another dunk with 34 seconds left that effectively ended the contest, sending Iowa fans into a roar. The Hawkeyes’ balanced attack and timely defense in the final minutes outweighed Nebraska’s earlier lead and late attempts at a rally. Nebraska’s game plan relied heavily on perimeter shooting in the second half, and when that cooled the Cornhuskers were unable to regain control.
Analysis & Implications
McCollum’s coaching fingerprint was evident in Iowa’s poise down the stretch. His experience winning titles at lower divisions and building programs translated into disciplined late-game execution in a pressure environment. For a first-year head coach at a Power Five program, guiding a ninth seed to the Elite Eight dramatically raises expectations and strengthens McCollum’s profile nationally.
For Nebraska, the season represents clear progress under Fred Hoiberg: program-best win totals, the first NCAA tournament victories in school history and a deep postseason run. The Cornhuskers’ reliance on perimeter offense produced high variance—when threes fell they were dangerous; when they didn’t, the team struggled to manufacture points. That shooting inconsistency was decisive in the semifinal loss.
The matchup versus Illinois on Saturday will test Iowa in new ways. Scouting will emphasize ball-screen defense, perimeter containment and how each team defends transition. If Iowa can sustain efficient late-game execution and limit opponent three-point runs, it will have a clear path to the Final Four. Conversely, Illinois will seek to push tempo and force Iowa into more contested looks.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Seed | Record | Leading Scorers (game) | 2H FG% | 2H 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | 9 | 24-12 | Stirtz 20, Folgueiras 16 | — | — |
| Nebraska | 4 | 28-7 | Sandfort 25, Frager 16 | 9/32 (28.1%) | 6/24 (25.0%) |
The table highlights the contrast between Nebraska’s cold second half and Iowa’s late scoring that shifted the final minutes. Nebraska’s 9-for-32 shooting after halftime (28.1%) and 6-for-24 on second-half threes (25.0%) limited its ability to respond once Iowa took control. Iowa’s ability to convert high-percentage plays—especially in the paint during crunch time—offset Nebraska’s early lead and perimeter production.
Reactions & Quotes
“Cinderella, whatever they want to call us, just we’re in the Elite Eight.”
Ben McCollum, Iowa head coach
McCollum framed the win as the team continuing a surprising run rather than a finished story, emphasizing focus on the next matchup rather than labels.
“They just did so many things to elevate our program. I’m really proud of them.”
Fred Hoiberg, Nebraska head coach
Hoiberg praised his players for historic achievements this season, noting program milestones despite the semifinal loss.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,”
Bennett Stirtz, Iowa guard
Stirtz acknowledged the emotional and personal dimensions of the run, deferring fuller reflection until after the season concludes.
Unconfirmed
- Whether Nebraska’s inbound miscommunication that left Folgueiras unguarded was a substitution error, blown coverage, or a strategic gamble has not been officially clarified.
- Any short-term injury or fatigue concerns for either squad that might affect Saturday’s matchup have not been reported or confirmed by team medical staff.
Bottom Line
Iowa’s 77-71 victory over Nebraska advances a narrative of rapid program ascension under Ben McCollum and highlights the volatility of single-elimination tournament basketball. The win depended on late-game composure, high-percentage finishes in the paint and Nebraska’s inability to find consistent perimeter rhythm after halftime.
Against Illinois, Iowa will need the same balance between outside shooting and interior scoring while avoiding turnovers and defensive lapses. For Nebraska, the season represents a meaningful step forward; the Cornhuskers leave with program-first NCAA wins and a platform to build on under Fred Hoiberg. The South Region final on Saturday will determine whether Iowa’s Cinderella run continues or whether Illinois will halt it.
Sources
- NBC Sports (media/press)