Iowa basketball is Elite: Fans react to March Madness win vs. Nebraska

[ASFN Admin]

There's no denying it anymore. Iowa men's basketball is elite.

For the first time in 39 years, the Hawkeyes are heading to the Elite Eight after an exhilarating 77-71 win over rival Nebraska. The game lived up to all the hype, as both teams traded haymakers in a wild back-and-forth affair. It was Iowa who landed the knockout blow in the final two minutes, ending the game on a 12-6 run to keep this magical NCAA Tournament ride going.

As you can imagine, social media was ablaze after the game. A win over the rival Cornhuskers to claim ultimate bragging rights while also reaching the Elite Eight is a perfect scenario for Iowa fans. Here are some of the best social media reactions to the Hawkeyes' massive win over Nebraska.

Social media reacts to Iowa basketball making Elite Eight​

I actually can’t believe this is really happening

I LOVE THIS TEAM

— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) March 27, 2026

Let’s Keep Dancin’ pic.twitter.com/Ew8I2YXJ96

— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 27, 2026

It really took Ben McCollum one year to go two rounds further in the NCAA tournament than Fran McCaffery ever did in 15 years at Iowa.

— Tucker Harlin (@TuckerHarlin) March 27, 2026

Nebraska's best season ever not only ends at the hands of the Iowa Hawkeyes, but due to them only putting 4 players on the court?!

YOU CANT MAKE THIS UP

Nebraska always gonna Nebraska

— Riley Donald (@rileydonald7) March 27, 2026

In Ben McCollum’s first season— Iowa is headed to the Elite Eight. Unreal.

— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) March 27, 2026

Cinderella Story: 2 years ago Alvaro Folgueiras averaged 5 points per game at Robert Morris. Now the Spaniard is leading Iowa to the Elite 8. With another game-sealing basket. What a run.pic.twitter.com/yVjYVFaFzC

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) March 27, 2026

“Cinderella’s are dead” a 9 seed just made the Elite 8

— Josh Berman (@NextNetworkJosh) March 27, 2026

The Iowa Hawkeyes are going to the Elite Eight.

CINDERELLA IS AT THE BALL.

— Brad Schultz (@BradMSchultz) March 27, 2026

YEAR 1 — ELITE 8 (and counting) pic.twitter.com/G6qXDRXFFa

— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) March 27, 2026

Iowa just slammed the damn door man. 12 straight when they needed it most.

Their Bench:

38 points on 13/19 FG (7/12 3P) 10 rebounds 6 ast 2 TO

Stirtz & McCollum. Not much more you can say.

— Mike LaTulip (@LaTulip_Mike) March 27, 2026

IOWA WINS
IOWA WINS

IOWA OWNS NEBRASKA
NEBRASKA CORN SUCKS

IOWA TO THE ELITE 8
MARCH IS FOR DREAMERS

LETS GO HAWKS

— B1G Mhawk (@B1G_Mhawk) March 27, 2026

Ben McCollum is such a basketball psycho. What a performance with this Iowa team

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 27, 2026

This Iowa team is so, so tough, man. Banged with Florida inside and pulled the upset. Hung in there when Nebraska was red hot and worked their way back. Ben McCollum is such a good coach.

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 27, 2026

Ben McCollum. The Natural.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 27, 2026

IOWA BASKETBALL IS GOING TO THE ELITE 8!!!!!!!

— FELTS (@Zhoops44) March 27, 2026

Is Ben McCollum the Curt Cignetti of basketball?

Was coaching D2 basketball 2 seasons ago and won 4 D2 national titles.

Goes to Drake takes them to round of 32 year one.

Then goes to Iowa and takes them to the elite 8 year one with lots of slept of players.

— Garrett Armbrust (@4thandsaturday) March 27, 2026

Bennett Stirtz IS Cinderella.

Two D-2 offers out of HS. Goes to NW Missouri State.

Follows Coach to Drake, leads Bulldogs to NCAA tourney.

Coach goes to Iowa, he doesn’t go to NBA Draft, instead takes millions less to follow McCullum to Iowa.

Leads Hawkeyes to Elite 8. pic.twitter.com/bi3q1uvkrp

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 27, 2026

Coach Ben McCollum and the #9-seed Iowa Hawkeyes are on to the Elite Eight!!!

Winners win!!!

— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) March 27, 2026

YOUR IOWA HAWKEYES ARE ELITE EIGHT BOUND

— Ben Houselog (@benlikessport) March 27, 2026

Ben McCollum and the Iowa Hawkeyes are headed to the Elite Eight. pic.twitter.com/cxaWWCv1Vp

— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) March 27, 2026

Iowa did not take a lead on Nebraska until 2:11 was left in the game.

The ninth-seeded Hawkeyes just upset their hated corn-fed rivals 77-71.

They're just the ninth 9 to ever make the Eight.

Holy Hawkeyes! How you living, @Hassel_Chris!!

— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) March 27, 2026

The Iowa freaking Hawkeyes. LIke we all knew would happen.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 27, 2026

In a rivalry game that lived up to the hype, Iowa hands Nebraska more misery, 77-71. THE HAWKEYES ARE GOING TO THE ELITE EIGHT!

Bennett Stirtz scored 20, Tate Sage 19 off the bench, and Alvaro Folgueiras made more big-time plays with 16 points. Pryce Sandfort had 25 for… pic.twitter.com/CLiPvV7JJX

— Keith Murphy (@MurphyKeith) March 27, 2026

Never say DIE Iowa Hawkeyes!

Don’t you ever stop believing Hawk fans, this is only the beginning

Ben McCollum is in a class all by himself.

— Joe Hugen (@Joe_Hugen) March 27, 2026

IOWA HAWKEYES, ELITE 8

— Rick Webster (@TheRickWebster) March 27, 2026

What a run this has been for Iowa. Hawkeyes knock off Nebraska, 77-71, to advance to the Elite Eight.

Winner of #Illini-Houston will meet the No. 9 seed Hawkeyes on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four.

— Kyle Tausk (@ktausk13) March 27, 2026

Incredible game!

The IOWA HAWKEYES are heading to the ELITE EIGHT!

— Jake Marsh (@JakeMarsh18) March 27, 2026

The Iowa Hawkeyes are in the Elite Eight.

I just typed that for real.

— Ray Ortega (@RayJOrtega) March 27, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball fans react to March Madness win vs. Nebraska

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