Iowa stuns No.1 Florida with last-second three shot
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Tampa, Fla. Alvaro Folgueiras hit a three-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining, giving No.9 Iowa a 73-72 win over defending champion No.1 Florida on Sunday in the NCAA Tournament second round, eliminating the Gators and sending the Hawkeyes into the Sweet 16.
Iowa, now 23-12 under first-year coach Ben McCollum, will face No.4 Nebraska on Thursday in Houston; Florida, 27-8, became the first No.1 seed knocked out this year, ending its defense of the national title and concluding the Gators’ tournament run.
More context
Timeline
- 1. Florida entered the tournament as the defending national champion and No.1 seed.
- 2. Iowa entered the tournament as the No.9 seed and advanced through the first round.
- 3. March 22, 2026: Iowa defeated Florida 73-72 in Tampa after Folgueiras’ 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds left.
- 4. Following the game, Iowa advanced to the Sweet 16 to face No.4 Nebraska in Houston on Thursday.
- 5. Florida’s season ended with the second-round loss, eliminating the defending champions from this year’s tournament.
Why it matters
This game is a reminder of the unpredictability and thrill of sports. Whether you're an Iowa supporter, a Florida fan, or just a lover of basketball, this upset shows why we watch. It's a great conversation starter for your next sports chat.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.
