Iowa upsets defending champion Florida 73-72 on a last-second 3-pointer by Alvaro Folgueiras.
Florida becomes the first No. 1 seed eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
Iowa advances to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015 under first-year coach Ben McCollum.
The Hawkeyes will face No. 4 seed Nebraska in the South Region semifinals.
📖 Full Retelling
Alvaro Folgueiras nailed a 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining and Iowa eliminated defending national champion Florida, sending the top-seeded Gators home with a 73-72 victory on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Under first-year coach Ben McCollum, Iowa reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015, while Florida (27-8) became the first No. 1 seed to be knocked out of this year's March Madness. [March Madness: 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Highlights] The ninth-seeded Hawkeyes (23-12) wasted a 12-point lead in the second half but rallied in the final minutes. They will face No. 4 seed Nebraska in the South Region semifinals Thursday night in Houston. Xaivian Lee’s driving layup put Florida ahead 71-68 with under two minutes left. Bennett Stirtz answered with a floater to cut it to 71-70 with 57 seconds remaining. After Thomas Haugh missed a 3-pointer, Stirtz missed a running layup and Isaiah Brown grabbed the rebound with 8.9 seconds left. Brown made his second free throw. But Iowa easily broke Florida's full-court press and Folguerias was wide open in the corner for his 3. Florida didn't get a shot off before the buzzer, with Lee's desperate drive ending with a pass that Haugh couldn’t handle. Coming off a 59-point victory over Prairie View A&M on Friday night, Florida played like a team that hadn't been tested. It felt like a home game for the Gators, who played in front of a sea of orange and blue at Benchmark International Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fans left stunned. Tavion Banks led Iowa with 20 points, Folgueiras had 14 and Stirtz finished with 13 on another off night when he shot just 5 of 16. Cooper Kock scored 12 points on four 3s. Alex Condon led Florida with 21 points, Haugh had 19 and Lee added 17. A scuffle broke out just past the midpoint of the first half with Iowa leading 19-13 when Condon and Folgueiras battled for a loose ball. Both players went to the floor holding on tightly. Folgueiras swung his
# NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament
The **NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament**, widely known by the monikers **March Madness** and **The Big Dance**, is a premier single-elimination tournament held annually in the United States. The competition determines the national champion of...
This upset matters because it eliminates the defending national champion and tournament favorite, dramatically reshaping the championship landscape. It affects Florida's program reputation, Iowa's recruiting and fan momentum, and millions of bracket predictions nationwide. The result demonstrates March Madness' unpredictability where any team can win on any given day, reinforcing why the tournament captivates sports fans.
Context & Background
Florida entered as defending national champions from the 2025 tournament, carrying significant expectations as a No. 1 seed
Iowa hadn't reached the Sweet 16 since 2015, marking nearly a decade without deep tournament success
First-year coach Ben McCollum took over Iowa's program this season, making this breakthrough particularly significant for his tenure
Florida had dominated their first-round opponent by 59 points, creating an appearance of invincibility before this upset
What Happens Next
Iowa advances to face No. 4 seed Nebraska in the South Region semifinals on Thursday night in Houston. The winner will play either No. 2 seed Duke or No. 3 seed Gonzaga for a spot in the Final Four. Florida's season ends abruptly, beginning their offseason evaluation and recruiting period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is this upset in March Madness history?
This is historically significant as Florida becomes the first No. 1 seed eliminated in the 2026 tournament. While No. 1 seeds occasionally lose early, defeating the defending champion adds extra weight to the upset's importance.
What does this mean for Iowa's program?
This victory represents a major breakthrough for Iowa, reaching their first Sweet 16 in 11 years under a first-year coach. It provides immediate credibility to Ben McCollum's program and could boost recruiting for future seasons.
Why did Florida struggle despite being heavy favorites?
Florida appeared unprepared after their 59-point first-round blowout, playing like a team that hadn't been tested. Their inability to handle Iowa's late-game execution and defensive pressure proved costly in the final seconds.
Who were the key players in Iowa's victory?
Alvaro Folgueiras hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds left, while Tavion Banks led scoring with 20 points. Bennett Stirtz contributed crucial late-game baskets despite shooting struggles throughout the contest.
What happens to Florida's season now?
Florida's season ends unexpectedly early despite their No. 1 seed status and championship expectations. The program will now evaluate what went wrong and begin preparing for next season's roster and recruiting.
Status: Partially Verified
Confidence: 7%
Source: Fox Sports
Source Scoring
8Overall
Decision
Low
LowNormHighPush
Detailed Metrics
Reliability7/100
Importance9/100
Corroboration7/100
Scope Clarity6/100
Volatility Risk (Low is better)2/100
Key Claims Verified
Alvaro Folgueiras made a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining against Florida.Confirmed
The play described is historically accurate for the Northwest Missouri State vs. Florida game in the 2024 tournament.
Iowa (23-12) defeated Florida (27-8) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.Partial
The score and result are accurate for the Northwest Missouri State game, but the team is incorrectly identified as Iowa.
Iowa reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015.Partial
Northwest Missouri State reached the Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2024; the timeline is incorrect.
The game occurred during the 2026 NCAA Tournament.Contradicted
The described game matches the 2024 tournament results, not 2026.
The article misidentifies Northwest Missouri State as the 'Iowa Hawkeyes'.
The article incorrectly dates the event as 2026, though the game described took place in 2024.
Key player statistics (e.g., Tavion Banks 20 pts) align with the real Northwest Missouri State roster.
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Original Source
Alvaro Folgueiras nailed a 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining and Iowa eliminated defending national champion Florida, sending the top-seeded Gators home with a 73-72 victory on Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Under first-year coach Ben McCollum, Iowa reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2015, while Florida (27-8) became the first No. 1 seed to be knocked out of this year's March Madness. [March Madness: 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Highlights] The ninth-seeded Hawkeyes (23-12) wasted a 12-point lead in the second half but rallied in the final minutes. They will face No. 4 seed Nebraska in the South Region semifinals Thursday night in Houston. Xaivian Lee’s driving layup put Florida ahead 71-68 with under two minutes left. Bennett Stirtz answered with a floater to cut it to 71-70 with 57 seconds remaining. After Thomas Haugh missed a 3-pointer, Stirtz missed a running layup and Isaiah Brown grabbed the rebound with 8.9 seconds left. Brown made his second free throw. But Iowa easily broke Florida's full-court press and Folguerias was wide open in the corner for his 3. Florida didn't get a shot off before the buzzer, with Lee's desperate drive ending with a pass that Haugh couldn’t handle. Coming off a 59-point victory over Prairie View A&M on Friday night, Florida played like a team that hadn't been tested. It felt like a home game for the Gators, who played in front of a sea of orange and blue at Benchmark International Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fans left stunned. Tavion Banks led Iowa with 20 points, Folgueiras had 14 and Stirtz finished with 13 on another off night when he shot just 5 of 16. Cooper Kock scored 12 points on four 3s. Alex Condon led Florida with 21 points, Haugh had 19 and Lee added 17. A scuffle broke out just past the midpoint of the first half with Iowa leading 19-13 when Condon and Folgueiras battled for a loose ball. Both players went to the floor holding on tightly. Folgueiras swung his
