Ninth-seeded Iowa defeated Nebraska 77-71 Thursday in the Sweet 16, reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987. A critical personnel error by the Cornhuskers in the final minute proved decisive. With 58.8 seconds remaining and Nebraska trailing by three, Alvaro Folgueiras sprinted downcourt completely unguarded while only four Cornhuskers were on the floor. Iowa's Kael Combs delivered a long inbound pass to Folgueiras, who converted a layup and completed a three-point play, pushing the lead to six. Nebraska coach Fred Hoiberg took full responsibility afterward. Put that one on me, Hoiberg said. It was a miscommunication and I'm the head coach, so put that one on me. Folgueiras, whose game-winning 3-pointer eliminated top-seeded Florida in the previous round, has now produced clutch performances in back-to-back tournament games. Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points and played all 40 minutes for Iowa, giving him three complete-game efforts this tournament, tied for the most by a Big Ten player over the past 45 seasons per ESPN Research. Iowa took its first lead on Stirtz's 3-pointer with 2:10 remaining. Tate Sage quickly extended that margin before Nebraska's Pryce Sandfort, a former Hawkeye, answered with a three of his own, setting up the chaotic closing sequence. The Hawkeyes, the lowest-seeded Big Ten team ever to reach the Elite Eight, previously knocked out Clemson and Florida. Iowa coach Ben McCollum embraced the Cinderella label. Yeah, Cinderella, whatever they want to call us. We're in the Elite Eight. That's what they need to call us, McCollum said. Iowa faces Illinois on Saturday in a battle of Big Ten schools with a trip to the Final Four at stake.
March 27, 2026