HOUSTON — (*8*) transformed a vital three-point play when Nebraska had solely 4 defenders on the court docket, and ninth-seeded Iowa continued its unpredictable NCAA event run underneath first-year coach Ben McCollum, beating Nebraska 77-71 in a South Region semifinal on Thursday night time.
Bennett Stirtz scored 20 factors and Folgueiras had 16 for the Hawkeyes (24-12), who knocked off top-seeded Florida within the second spherical on Folgueiras’ 3-pointer within the closing seconds.
Iowa will face one other Big Ten rival, Illinois, on Saturday for a spot within the Final Four. McCollum, who received 4 Division II nationwide titles at Northwest Missouri State, has now led Iowa to its fifth Elite Eight and first since 1987.
Iowa turned the lowest-seeded crew from the Big Ten to succeed in a regional closing since seeding started in 1979.
“Cinderella, whatever they want to call us, just we’re in the Elite Eight,” McCollum stated. “That’s what they need to call us.”
Fourth-seeded Nebraska (28-7) took an early 10-point lead in opposition to its convention rival, and Iowa tied the rating 4 instances however by no means led till Stirtz buried a 3-pointer to make it 68-65 with 2:10 to go. Tate Sage hit one other 3 to cap a 9-0 run and put Iowa forward 71-65.
The Cornhuskers acquired to inside three on a second-chance 3 by Braden Frager, however they had been disorganized on the inbounds play, leaving Folgueiras unguarded close to the rim. He slammed it residence — popping up screaming after he completed by means of contact as Iowa followers roared — and transformed the free throw for a six-point lead.
Another dunk by Folgueiras with 34 seconds left made it 76-68.
For Stirtz and McCollum, this March Madness run continues a journey that started at Northwest Missouri State and continued final season at Drake earlier than the pair each moved on to Iowa.
“It’s been a hell of a ride,” McCollum stated. “But it’s far from over.”
Stirtz credited McCollum for turning him into a “great person off the court and a great player on the court,” however he had hassle sharing an excessive amount of extra about his coach.
“I don’t want to talk about it that much. I get emotional,” he stated. “That’s just another topic for after the season that we can look at. Right now, just focus on the next game.”
Iowa switch Pryce Sandfort made six 3s and scored 25 factors for Nebraska, which received the primary two March Madness video games in program historical past to get this far. Frager added 16 factors for coach Fred Hoiberg’s Cornhuskers, who delighted a touring contingent of red-clad followers all through their event run.
“These guys will be a part of history of Nebraska basketball forever, for winning the first NCAA tournament game, getting to the Sweet 16, most wins in the history of the program, highest ranking,” Hoiberg stated. “They just did so many things to elevate our program. I’m really proud of them.”
Iowa’s second-half rally was fueled by Nebraska’s chilly capturing: The Huskers had been 9 of 32 (28.1%) after halftime, with most of these makes an attempt coming from past the arc, the place they made solely 6 of 24.
“We missed some good looks,” Hoiberg stated. “I’ll go back and watch it at some point and see what we could have done better, but [it] seemed like they made all the open shots at the end, we didn’t. Again, that happens in this game. Unfortunately, that was the result tonight.”
The groups break up their earlier conferences this season, however it is going to be the Hawkeyes transferring on and attempting to symbolize the Big Ten within the Final Four.
Hoiberg raved concerning the job McCollum has finished in his first season at Iowa and all through his profession.
“I’ve got so much respect for Ben with how he has run his programs,” Hoiberg stated. “And obviously, it doesn’t matter the level, he’s going to continue to be successful wherever he is, and he’s proven that. He’s proven that at the D-II level, he proved it at a mid-major, and now he’s proving it in the Big Ten at a high-major level.”
McCollum had an analogous sentiment for Hoiberg and his crew.
“They completely turned everything around from the previous season, and they have absolutely nothing to hang their heads about or anything,” McCollum stated. “I have the utmost respect for them, all their players, and especially coach Hoiberg.”
