HOUSTON — According to Nebraska’s coach, Fred Hoiberg, a crucial misstep in the game’s waning moments that resulted in his squad having merely four athletes on the floor prior to a pivotal three-point score during the last minute of Iowa’s 77-71 triumph against the Cornhuskers in the Sweet 16 on Thursday evening, was his responsibility.
At the 58.8-second mark remaining, Kael Combs of Iowa positioned himself on the baseline while his colleagues gestured towards Alvaro Folgueiras — the player who clinched victory with a game-winning shot in his squad’s upset against 1-seed Florida on Sunday — who sprinted unchecked down the court, prior to executing a vital layup and converting a three-point play, thereby expanding his team’s advantage to six points. Rienk Mast of Nebraska seemingly attempted to substitute into the contest before the basket, but was unsuccessful due to timing.
Following the contest, Mast was queried about that particular sequence, though Hoiberg stepped in.
“Assign that responsibility to me,” he declared. “There was a breakdown in communication, and as the lead coach, I accept the blame.”
Additionally, Hoiberg mentioned he questioned if the referees ought to have verified that his squad possessed five players on the hardwood prior to resuming play.
“I have never encountered such a circumstance. I understand they consistently count to ensure there aren’t six individuals,” Hoiberg remarked. “I am unaware of the regulation concerning merely four players. However, indeed, it was another instance of poor communication, and regrettably, it transpired. Regarding the specific rule, though, I’ve never been involved in such an occurrence.”
Iowa seized its initial advantage in the contest via Bennett Stirtz’s three-point shot with 2:10 remaining. Tate Sage broadened that margin to six scores with an additional long-range attempt less than sixty seconds thereafter. However, Pryce Sandfort — an Iowa player from the previous season — counteracted with his own three-pointer, thus paving the way for the chaotic sequence in the last minute.
Stirtz and Sage, both indicating towards the opposing end of the court upon observing Folgueiras sprinting unattended while Combs delivered a long pass his way, expressed astonishment at finding their colleague unhindered.
“I was quite stunned to witness [Folgueiras] completely unguarded,” Stirtz remarked. “I wasn’t even aware they possessed only four players until we reached the changing room.”
Sage further commented: “Our intention was to pass to [Stirtz], but upon glancing, we noticed [Folgueiras] was completely uncovered, so our thought was, ‘Kael, pass it,’ and he ultimately secured the points.””
Peyton McCollum pondered if his squad could eventually become the focus of a motion picture. Both he and Stirtz have now progressed in the NCAA tournament for the third successive year, representing their third different organization after achieving postseason triumphs with Division II Northwest Missouri State in 2024 and Drake during the previous year.
Folgueiras, acclaimed for his game-winning 3-pointer against Florida in the second round and his crucial late three-point play against Nebraska, would undeniably feature in such a cinematic endeavor. His exceptional deeds for the second successive match propelled Iowa to an achievement not seen in almost four decades.
“I believe he’s simply unafraid in critical situations and possesses no timidity,” Stirtz articulated. “My perception is that many individuals retreat or withdraw when circumstances become overwhelming, whereas he welcomes them and aims to perform capably in these significant settings.””
This marked the climax of a strenuously contested victory for an Iowa squad that forged new historical ground. The Hawkeyes, designated a 9-seed, now stand as the Big Ten team with the lowest seeding ever to reach the Elite Eight, surpassing Wisconsin, which advanced to the Final Four as an 8-seed in 2000, according to ESPN Research. Furthermore, the Hawkeyes have achieved a journey to the Elite Eight for the initial time since 1987. Stirtz, who tallied 20 points, remained on the court for the entirety of the 40 minutes, thus accumulating three full-game appearances in the NCAA tournament. He is presently level with the record for most 40-minute games played by a Big Ten athlete in the NCAA tournament across the last 45 seasons, as per ESPN Research.
Iowa has enjoyed a providential stretch, having endured a 3-7 period preceding the NCAA tournament. The Hawkeyes have since vanquished Clemson, Florida, and Nebraska, the latter of which reached the Sweet 16 for the inaugural time in its institutional history.
Much discussion has revolved around the scarcity of mid-major teams that have endured through March this season. Only a solitary double-digit seed, Texas, progressed to the Sweet 16. Nevertheless, the Longhorns were defeated by Purdue on Thursday evening in an exhilarating contest, positioning Iowa as the lowest-ranked seed still competing.
Does this render the Hawkeyes the Cinderella story of the current year? McCollum stated his acceptance of the designation.
“We were highly competitive in numerous matches, and I prefer not to dwell on that. We were on the verge of success. Subsequently, we forfeited certain contests which, arguably, we should have won,” McCollum reflected on the current season. “Indeed, whether they choose to label us ‘Cinderella’ or anything else. We’ve reached the Elite Eight. That is the appropriate appellation for us.””