Iowa's Cinderella Run Continues: Upset No. 2 Nebraska in Sweet Sixteen

Alvaro Folgueiras converted a critical three-point play when Nebraska only had four defenders on the floor, and ninth-seeded Iowa continued their unpredictable NCAA Tournament run under first-year coach Ben McCollum, beating Nebraska 77-71 in the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday night.

Bennett Stirtz scored 20 points and Folgueiras had 16 for the Hawkeyes (24-12), who knocked off top-seeded Florida in the second round on Folgueiras' three-pointer in the closing seconds.

The Hawkeyes, who were unranked to start the season, have been the surprise of the tournament, and their latest victory over a higher-seeded opponent has only added to their growing legend. Iowa faced an uphill battle against a Nebraska team that was widely favored, but the Hawkeyes' relentless effort and timely plays from their star players proved too much for the Cornhuskers to handle.

"We've been proving people wrong all season," said McCollum. "Our guys just refuse to quit, and they've shown that they can beat anyone on any given night. This is a special group, and they're not done yet."

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads and making critical plays down the stretch. Nebraska fought hard to try and stave off the upset, but Iowa's defense was stifling, and they were able to capitalize on several Cornhusker miscues.

"We just couldn't match their intensity and focus tonight," said Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg. "Iowa deserves all the credit. They've proven they can beat anyone, and they showed it again tonight."

The Hawkeyes' Cinderella run has captivated fans across the country, and they now find themselves in the Elite Eight, just one win away from the Final Four. With their tenacious play and unwavering belief, Iowa has shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in this year's NCAA Tournament.