Iowa eliminates defending champ Florida from March Madness
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Alvaro Folgueiras hit a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds left, leading No. 9 seed Iowa to a 73-72 upset over No. 1 seed and defending champion Florida in the NCAA Tournament's second round.
- Iowa, coached by Ben McCollum in his first year, reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999 and will face No. 4 seed Nebraska next.
- Florida struggled despite a strong start to the tournament and became the first No. 1 seed eliminated in this year's March Madness, with coach Todd Golden crediting Iowa's physicality and toughness.
- The game featured intense moments, including a scuffle between players in the first half and clutch plays by Iowa’s Bennett Stirtz and Isaiah Brown leading up to the winning shot.
- Iowa’s victory marked the first time since 2018 that a No. 9 seed defeated a No. 1 seed, highlighting their resilience after blowing a 12-point second-half lead but rallying late.
