Iowa stuns Nebraska
Iowa knocked off No. 4 Nebraska 77-71 to reach the Elite Eight — their first Elite Eight since 1987 — thanks to lockdown ball control (just five turnovers) and a late pullaway in Houston. Coaches and analysts are raving about Ben McCollum’s impact after a rapid program turnaround, and Iowa now draws Illinois in the next round as the Big Ten’s surge reshapes the bracket. (ncaa.com) (nytimes.com)
Guard Bennett Stirtz played all 40 minutes and led Iowa with 20 points, while Tate Sage added 19 points and eight rebounds and Alvaro Folgueiras chipped in 16 off the bench. (espn.com ) Pryce Sandfort paced Nebraska with 25 points — drilling 6-of-10 from long range — and Braden Frager scored 16 off the bench as the Cornhuskers closed the season 28-7, a school-record number of wins and the program’s first Sweet 16 appearance. (huskers.com ) Iowa’s bench actually provided the late spark: Folgueiras and Tate Sage combined for 35 points, while Nebraska held a 35-26 rebounding edge. (sportingnews.com ) Ben McCollum arrived in Iowa City March 24, 2025 after a 31-4 season at Drake and a run that included four Division II national titles at Northwest Missouri State. (hawkeyesports.com ) Stirtz’s presence in the Hawkeye backcourt traces to McCollum’s coaching moves: Stirtz followed McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake and then into the transfer portal to join Iowa after earning Missouri Valley Player of the Year honors at Drake. (espn.com ) Iowa’s next opponent is No. 3 Illinois on Saturday, March 28 at 5:09 p.m. CT at the Toyota Center in Houston with the game on TBS; Illinois advanced after a 65-55 win over Houston in which David Mirkovic posted 14 points and 10 rebounds and Keaton Wagler had 13 points and 12 boards. (hawkeyesports.com )
