Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras came up clutch against Florida

Timely shooting and a strong performance helped the Iowa Hawkeyes knock off the reigning NCAA men’s basketball national champion Florida Gators on Sunday night, 73-72.

Down by two points, Iowa turned the ball over to guard Bennett Stirtz who dribbled down the floor and found Alvaro Folgueiras in the corner. Folgueiras took one dribble back to make sure he was above the 3-point line and scored the go-ahead goal for just over four seconds.

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Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) makes a three-point shot against Florida during the second half of the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, 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 get a last-second shot off 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 been through a lot of moments in the season. I’ve been through a lot of moments in my life. My mom is here 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) tackle a loose ball during the first half of the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Folgueiras scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds in the victory. Iowa star Tavion Banks added 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.

Florida’s Alex Condon led the Gators with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Thomas Haugh added 19 points and Xavian Lee added 17 points.

This will be the first time since 1999 that Iowa has been able to make the Sweet 16. That year, JR Koch and the Hawkeyes lost to the Rip Hamilton-led UConn Huskies.

Florida forward Alex Condon (21) reacts after the team lost to Iowa in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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Florida is the first No. 1 seed in the men’s tournament to fall.

The Gators will no longer be in contention to be repeat champions. That means the Dan Hurley-led UConn team remains the only back-to-back champions since Florida started its own dynasty in 2006 and 2007.

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