Iowa shocks Florida
Iowa stunned defending champions Florida with a go‑ahead three from Alvaro Folgueiras, knocking the Gators out and locking the Sweet 16 — the weekend set the field and pushed Michigan to the favorite spot at +325. (x.com) (cbssports.com) (covers.com)
No. 9 Iowa closed out No. 1 Florida 73–72 to reach the Sweet 16 — the Hawkeyes’ first trip to the regional semifinals since 1999. (espn.com) Tavion Banks led Iowa with 20 points, Alvaro Folgueiras finished with 14 and Bennett Stirtz scored 13, while Florida’s Alex Condon poured in 21. (sportsdata.usatoday.com) Bennett Stirtz brought the ball up the floor and recorded the assist on the final possession that created the open shot. (espn.com) Stirtz had been recognized nationally this month as an AP All‑America honorable mention. (hawkeyesports.com) A physical tie‑up between Folgueiras and Florida forward Alex Condon in the first half sparked a scuffle and resulted in double technicals, briefly intensifying the matchup. (jsonline.com) Iowa now travels to Houston to face No. 4 Nebraska in the South-region Sweet 16 on Thursday, a matchup scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. CT tip and a TBS broadcast. (hawkcentral.com) The upset was one of several that left the Big Ten with six teams in the Sweet 16, the most the conference has had in this round this season. (elevenwarriors.com)
