Iowa's Unlikely March Madness Surge Continues With 77-71 Upset Over Nebraska
Iowa’s remarkable journey through the 2026 NCAA tournament gained another dramatic chapter as the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes upset Nebraska 77-71 in a South Region semifinal. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Ben McCollum, Iowa continued its improbable run, capturing national attention with a gutsy performance and strategic resilience.
The game turned on a decisive late sequence. With the contest hanging in the balance, Alvaro Folgueiras delivered a critical three-point play in a moment of confusion for Nebraska, which had only four defenders on the floor. This mental lapse allowed Folgueiras to capitalize, swinging momentum firmly in Iowa’s favor as the clock wound down.
- Iowa, seeded ninth, advanced further than most analysts predicted, now reaching the Elite 8.
- First-year coach Ben McCollum has guided the Hawkeyes through a string of upsets in the South Region.
- The Hawkeyes defeated Nebraska 77-71, with the game’s pivotal play coming on a rare defensive miscue by Nebraska late in the game.
The Hawkeyes’ unpredictable run has defied bracket expectations and showcased the resilience of a roster adapting quickly to McCollum’s system. Their ability to exploit Nebraska’s late-game error—playing with just four defenders—demonstrates the poise and opportunism that have defined Iowa’s tournament push.
Nebraska, favored to win, struggled to contain Iowa’s offensive execution in clutch moments. The mental lapse that led to Folgueiras’ three-point play was emblematic of the pressure Iowa applied throughout the contest, forcing mistakes and seizing on every opportunity. Iowa’s defense held strong in the closing minutes, denying Nebraska a chance to mount a comeback.
The victory propels Iowa into the national spotlight and into the Elite 8, marking a significant achievement for a program under new leadership. With each win, the Hawkeyes have grown in confidence, showing that seeding is only a number during March Madness. Their next challenge awaits as they continue their quest for a Final Four berth, building on the momentum of their biggest win yet.