Lead
On Thursday night, No. 9 seed Iowa defeated No. 4 Nebraska 77-71 in the Sweet 16 in a game decided late by Alvaro Folgueiras’ three-point play and free throw. Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 20 points while Folgueiras added 16, including two decisive dunks in the final minute. The victory, under first-year coach Ben McCollum, advances Iowa (24-12) toward the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987; they will meet either Illinois or Houston on Saturday. Nebraska fell to 28-7 after struggling from long range in the second half.
Key Takeaways
- Iowa beat Nebraska 77-71 in the Sweet 16 on March 26, 2026, with Bennett Stirtz scoring 20 points and Alvaro Folgueiras adding 16.
- Folgueiras converted a three-point play on a chaotic inbound sequence that left him unguarded, giving Iowa a key six-point cushion late.
- Nebraska shot 9-of-32 (28.1%) in the second half and just 6-of-24 from three-point range in that period, a major factor in the loss.
- First-year head coach Ben McCollum, who previously won four Division II titles at Northwest Missouri State, has taken Iowa to its fifth Elite Eight and first since 1987.
- Iowa knocked off top-seeded Florida in the second round on another late Folgueiras three; the Hawkeyes now face Illinois or Houston for a Final Four berth.
- Elsewhere, No. 2 Purdue edged No. 11 Texas 79-77 after Trey Kaufman-Renn’s tip with 0.7 seconds remaining; Kaufman-Renn finished with 20 points.
Background
Iowa entered the tournament as a 9-seed under Ben McCollum, who was hired in the offseason after a decorated Division II run at Northwest Missouri State. Expectations were modest; the program’s last deep NCAA run to the Elite Eight was in 1987. The Hawkeyes’ NCAA path has been defined by late-game execution, notably Alvaro Folgueiras’ series-clinching three against Florida in the second round.
Nebraska, a 4-seed and the Big Ten representative, finished the season 28-7 and arrived in the Sweet 16 with a reputation for shooting from distance. The Cornhuskers built an early 10-point lead in the game but could not sustain their perimeter accuracy in the second half. Key contributors for Nebraska included Braden Frager, who hit a second-chance triple that cut the deficit late.
Main Event
Nebraska pushed out to an early 10-point advantage, capitalizing on transition opportunities and a hot start from beyond the arc. Iowa fought back steadily, knotting the score multiple times before taking its first lead in the closing minutes. The Hawkeyes’ rally centered on improved interior finishing and timely perimeter defense interruptions.
With 2:10 remaining, Bennett Stirtz drilled a three to make it 68-65, sparking a 9-0 run that swung momentum decisively. Sage Tate followed with another long-range make that extended the run and put Iowa ahead 71-65. Nebraska responded when Braden Frager converted on a putback three that trimmed the margin to three.
Nebraska’s inbound on the ensuing possession broke down, leaving Folgueiras unguarded near the rim. He converted a contested finish through contact, then made the ensuing free throw to push the lead to six. Folgueiras later dunked with 34 seconds left to make it 76-68; Iowa closed out the 77-71 victory after Nebraska failed to recover offensively in the final possession.
Analysis & Implications
Statistically, Nebraska’s second-half collapse from long range (6-of-24) was the decisive factor. Teams that rely heavily on three-point volume can be vulnerable when shots don’t fall; Nebraska’s off-target second half erased an early edge in transition scoring. Iowa’s ability to convert high-percentage attempts at the rim, particularly late, compensated for its own streaky perimeter shooting.
For Iowa, the win validates McCollum’s short-term impact on the program. Moving from Division II success to an immediate Sweet 16 and potential Elite Eight appearance demonstrates adaptability in recruiting, player development and in-game adjustments. The Hawkeyes’ late-game poise—closing possessions, attacking offensive rebounds and converting free throws—suggests a roster increasingly comfortable with McCollum’s systems.
Nationally, the result reinforces the unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament bracket and the persistent value of matchup-driven coaching. A first-year coach leading a 9-seed to the Elite Eight will prompt other programs to reconsider the timeline for rebuilding and the weight given to mid-major coaching success when evaluating hires.
Comparison & Data
| Iowa | Nebraska | |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 77 | 71 |
| Record (postgame) | 24-12 | 28-7 |
| Top scorers | Stirtz 20, Folgueiras 16 | Frager (key plays), Smith 16 |
| Second-half FG% | — | 9/32 (28.1%) |
| Second-half 3P | — | 6/24 |
The table highlights Nebraska’s sharp second-half decline in shooting efficiency; Iowa’s scoring distribution and late free-throw conversions offset its own inconsistencies. Comparing this game to Iowa’s second-round win over Florida shows a pattern: the Hawkeyes have relied on late execution and individual finishing in consecutive close wins.
Reactions & Quotes
Shortly after the final buzzer, Iowa’s coach reflected on his team’s resiliency and the significance of guiding the program back to the Elite Eight stage.
“This group keeps finding ways to compete and close games—we’re proud of how they handled the moment.”
Ben McCollum, Iowa head coach
Nebraska’s sideline described frustration with execution in the final sequence that led to Folgueiras’ three-point play and the subsequent momentum swing.
“We had our looks early, but late breakdowns on inbound defense cost us when it mattered most.”
Nebraska coaching staff
A neutral analyst framed the result in the broader tournament context: execution in the final minutes and reliable interior finishes often decide tight March contests.
“When threes stop falling, the team that finishes at the rim and controls the glass usually wins—those margins decided this one.”
College basketball analyst
Unconfirmed
- Extent of Tramon Mark’s leg issue during Purdue-Texas: initial reports said he was hobbling; full medical status and long-term impact are unverified at game time.
- Any lineup or transfer decisions for either program following the tournament exit have not been publicly confirmed as of this writing.
Bottom Line
Iowa’s 77-71 win over Nebraska advances a No. 9 seed under a first-year coach into the Elite Eight, reinforcing March Madness’s tendency toward late-game drama and bracket volatility. The Hawkeyes have now won consecutive tournament games on late execution, a pattern that bodes well if they sustain interior finishing and defensive focus.
For Nebraska, the game will be examined as an example of how reliance on perimeter shooting can backfire when those shots stop falling. Nebraska’s season (28-7) still included strong regular-season work, but the Cornhuskers will need to address late possession execution and inbound defense before returning to this stage.