Iowa Hawkeyes Face Florida Gators in March Madness

0:00On March 22nd, the Iowa Hawkeyes faced a massive challenge on Sunday against the top-seated Florida Gators in the second round of March Madness. A win would mark Iowa's biggest victory since 1999 and send them to the tournament's second weekend for the first time in 25 years. The Hawkeyes finished their season at 22 wins and 12 losses going 10-10 and big 10 play. In the first round, Iowa edged out Clemson 67-61. Senior guard Bennett Sturge struggled, shooting just 4-17 from the field. But juniors, K.O. Combs, and Alvaro Fulgeras stepped up big, combining for 29 points to keep the team alive. Experts nationwide see this as a tough matchup for Iowa. Pundits from USA Today Sports, CVS Sports, the New York Post, and the Topeka Capital Journal, all predict a Florida victory. One analyst even likes the Gators to win, but thinks the Hawkeyes could cover the spread as underdogs.

1:00Iowa has battle top seeds before, going 1-7 against them lately, with most losses coming by single digits. They have held their own on the boards and rely on Sturge's smart play and a controlled offense to stay competitive. As tip-off approaches, the Hawkeyes know they need Sturge at his best to pull off the upset and keep their dream run going.