Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras came up clutch against Florida
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Timely shots and a gutsy performance helped the Iowa Hawkeyes defeat the NCAA men’s basketball national champion Florida Gators 73-72 on Sunday night.
Trailing by two points, Iowa got the ball to defending Bennett Stirtz, who dribbled the ball and found Alvaro Folgueiras in the corner. Folgueiras took a dribble to make sure he was on the 3-point line and nailed the go-ahead shot with just over 4 seconds remaining.
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Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) shoots a three-pointer against Florida during the second half of the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Folgueiras pointed to the sky to honor his late father. Florida couldn’t make a field goal in the last second and Iowa won the game. He was seen hugging his mother in the stands.
“It’s really special,” Folgueiras said after the match. “We’ve had a lot of moments in the season. I’ve had a lot of moments in my life. My mom is there after fighting for me her whole life. It’s really special. It’s for dreamers, and there are no better dreamers than us.”
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Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) and Florida forward Thomas Haugh (10) go after a loose ball during the first half of the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament on Sunday, March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Folgueiras recorded 14 points and 5 rebounds in the win. Iowa star Tavion Banks scored 20 points, shooting 7/10 from the field.
Florida’s Alex Condon led the Gators with 21 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. Thomas Haugh scored 19 points and Xavian Lee scored 17 points.
Iowa will be able to compete in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. That year, JR Koch and the Hawkeyes lost to the Rip Hamilton-led UConn Huskies.
Florida forward Alex Condon (21) reacts after the team’s loss to Iowa in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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Florida became the first No. 1 seed to fall in the men’s tournament.
The Gators will no longer be able to compete for a championship again. That means the Dan Hurley-led UConn team is the only team to win back-to-back titles since Florida established its dynasty in 2006 and 2007.
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