Iowa advances to Elite Eight after upset win over Nebraska
PUBLISHED Mar 25, 2026, 6:09 PM ET
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Houston — Ninth-seeded Iowa defeated Nebraska 77-71 Thursday at the Toyota Center to reach the Elite Eight. Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points and Alvaro Folgueiras added 16, while coach Ben McCollum’s first-year program advanced after previously upsetting top-seeded Florida in the tournament’s second round. The Hawkeyes (24-12) will play Illinois on Saturday for a Final Four berth; McCollum’s team became the lowest-seeded Big Ten program to reach a regional final since 1979. Players referenced heightened intensity following a sideline confrontation with Florida’s staff on Sunday, and the program gained national attention.
By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News
Aggregated From:
Timeline of Events
- Last summer: Bennett Stirtz mowed lawns while home in Liberty, Mo., per profile.
- Regular season: Iowa compiled a season record that qualified them for the NCAA Tournament.
- Sunday (second round): Iowa upset top-seeded Florida on Folgueiras's late 3-pointer; a sideline confrontation occurred between coaching staffs.
- Thursday (South semifinal): Iowa defeated Nebraska 77-71 at the Toyota Center to reach the Elite Eight.
- Saturday: Iowa is scheduled to play Illinois for a chance to advance to the Final Four.
News Intelligence
- Iowa's Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament is a testament to hard work and resilience. It's a reminder that even the underdog can triumph with the right mindset and determination. If you're a sports fan, this is a story of inspiration. If you're from the Midwest, it's a source of regional pride.
- Articles Published:
- 6
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 1
- Neutral:
- 5
- Distribution:
- Left 17%, Center 83%, Right 0%
Iowa University's men's basketball program, coach Ben McCollum, and its players benefited with tournament advancement, increased national exposure, and momentum for recruiting and program profile.
The University of Nebraska men's basketball program suffered elimination from the NCAA Tournament and the loss of its best season's chance to advance to the Final Four.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
From mowing lawns to the Elite Eight, Iowa's Bennett Stirtz is college hoops' Cinderella story
The New York TimesFrom Center
Iowa advances to Elite Eight after upset win over Nebraska
ESPN.com Sportsnet Times-Republican WPLG Northwest Arkansas Democrat GazetteFrom Right
No right-leaning sources found for this story.
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