Iowa Hawkeyes Punch Elite Eight Ticket

0:00On March 27, the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team punched their ticket to the Elite 8 for the first time since 1987, edging. Out the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 77-71 in the South Regional Semifinal at the Toyota Center. As the ninth seed, Iowa made history as the lowest-seated Big Ten team to reach this stage and just the sixth-ninth seed ever in Tournament Lortu. Gid here, knocking off higher seeds, including eighth-seated Clemson, top-seated Florida, and fourth-seated Nebraska. Fans are buzzing over the Hawkeyes turnaround, now sitting at 24 wins and 12 losses, matching the fifth-most victories in program. History, with a strong 7-1 mark on neutral courts after just three tournament wins in the prior 20 years. Key players stepped up big, like Bennett Sturts, with 20 points and four assists. Freshman Tate Sage, notching a career-high 19 points, and eight rebounds. Alvaro Fulgeris, adding 16 on sharp shooting, and Cooper Koch with 11.

1:02As four guys had double figures in a gritty comeback, from an early deficit. Iowa drained a program record, 13-3 pointers, on 52% overall shooting, while clamping down Nebraska to 25 second half. Points, next up, they face Big Ten rival Illinois for a shot at the final four, marking the first conference rematch in the Sweet 16 and Elite. Eight in 40 years.