Florida's Upset Loss: Press Backfires

0:00On March 24th, Florida's top-seated basketball team, the defending national champions, fell in an upset to ninth-seated Iowa in the round of 32. The game came down to the final seconds when Iowa's Alvaro Fulgeras drained a three-pointer with under four seconds left to take the lead. After Iowa made two free throws to tie it, Florida switched to a full-core press. That aggressive move backfired, letting Iowa's Bennett Sturtz speed past offenders and set up Fulgeras wide open in the corner for the winner. Hall of Famer Charles Barkley called it out, live on air, saying he predicted the press would spark a fast break in an easy three. Even his broadcast partner agreed it was a risky call with the lead on the line. Coach Todd Golden explained they planned to foul an Iowa player right away to stop any shot. But the fast break prevented that strategy from playing out. Florida got one last possession, but couldn't get a shot off before time expired, ending their tournament run short of expectations.