TAMPA, Fla. – In a thrilling conclusion that epitomized the spirit of March Madness, Alvaro Folgueiras stepped up when it mattered most. With just 4.5 seconds remaining on the clock, Folgueiras sank a pivotal 3-pointer, leading Iowa to a stunning 73-72 victory over the defending national champion Florida Gators.
Under the guidance of first-year coach Ben McCollum, the Hawkeyes advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999, marking a significant achievement in the program’s history. Meanwhile, Florida (27-8) became the first No. 1 seed to exit this year’s NCAA Tournament, a shocking twist in the tale of March Madness.
“This is really special,” Folgueiras expressed. “March is for the dreamers and there’s no better dreamer than us. It’s incredible. We have to keep going. We are one of the 16 best teams in the country. We’re still hungry.”
Iowa (23-12) had built a 12-point lead in the second half but found themselves in a tight contest as the game drew to a close. In a dramatic moment, they became the first No. 9 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed since 2018, when Florida State upset Xavier in the same tournament.
“They fight, they compete, they exemplify everything we want in Iowa basketball,” McCollum noted, reflecting on his team’s resilient performance. McCollum brought several players, including Bennett Stirtz, from Drake, showcasing his commitment to building a competitive squad.
The Gators briefly surged ahead with a driving layup by Xaivian Lee, bringing the score to 71-68. However, Stirtz quickly responded with a floater, narrowing the gap to 71-70 with less than a minute remaining.
After a missed 3-pointer by Thomas Haugh, Iowa secured a crucial rebound, and with 8.9 seconds left, Isaiah Brown made a free throw, setting the stage for Folgueiras’ game-winning shot. Iowa broke through Florida’s full-court press, and when the defense collapsed on Stirtz, he found Folgueiras wide open in the corner.
“We’re unselfish. We like to see each other succeed,” Stirtz remarked, highlighting the team’s chemistry and mutual support.
When McCollum learned that Folgueiras had asked for the ball, he responded with a grin, calling it “irrational confidence.”
Florida failed to get a shot off before the buzzer sounded, with Lee’s last-ditch effort ending in a failed pass that Haugh could not handle.
“A disappointing result for us tonight, but credit Iowa,” Gators coach Todd Golden stated. “I thought they played well, especially in the first half. They had us on our heels a little bit, and I thought they were physically tougher than us in the first half.”
Coming off a dominant 59-point victory over Prairie View A&M, Florida appeared unprepared for the fierce competition presented by Iowa. “Five grown men vs. five grown men and we wanted it more,” Folgueiras said, encapsulating the spirit of their victory.
The atmosphere in the Benchmark International Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, felt like a home game for Florida, with a sea of orange and blue fans in attendance. As the final buzzer sounded, stunned silence enveloped the arena.
“We’re the only ones who believed in us and it’ll probably stay that way,” Stirtz reflected, emphasizing the underdog mentality that fueled Iowa’s remarkable run.
In terms of individual performances, Tavion Banks led Iowa with 20 points, followed by Folgueiras with 14 and Stirtz contributing 13, despite an off night shooting. Cooper Kock also added 12 points, showcasing Iowa’s depth.
For Florida, Alex Condon topped the scoring chart with 21 points, while Haugh and Lee added 19 and 17 points, respectively.
The match wasn’t without its moments of tension; a scuffle broke out midway through the first half when Condon and Folgueiras battled for a loose ball. Both players were assessed technical fouls, but cooler heads prevailed as the game continued.
“I didn’t throw a punch,” Folgueiras stated, defending his competitive spirit. “It’s March Madness. Everybody wants to win.”
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