Will Iowa’s NCAA Tournament Run End vs Nebraska in the Sweet 16?
Iowa is in the Sweet 16 for the first time in 27 years, but will the music stop now for the Hawkeyes?
Mar 21, 2026; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Fred Hoiberg reacts during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores in a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Iowa fans and fans across the country.
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If you had told me back in November that Iowa would be playing in the Sweet 16 in Ben McCollum’s first year, I would have told you to put down whatever you were drinking and come back to reality. I had high hopes for McCollum and superstar Bennett Stirtz, but I don’t think anyone had ending the 27-year drought on their bingo card. And yet here we are — riding a wave of momentum that started with a gritty win over Clemson and crested with Alvaro Folgueiras burying a corner three to topple the defending national champion Florida Gators in front of their home crowd in Tampa.
As a 9-seed. I still haven’t fully processed it. But there’s no time to bask.