Iowa basketball vs. Florida: Expert predictions in March Madness

[ASFN Admin]

Iowa (22-12, 10-10 Big Ten) has a chance to capture its biggest win since 1999 on Sunday.

With a victory over the top-seeded Florida Gators, the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes would be dancing into the tournament's second weekend for the first time since 1999.

In order to conquer one of the nation's best teams in the second round of March Madness, the Hawkeyes need senior guard Bennett Stirtz to deliver his best performance. Stirtz was just 4-of-17 shooting in Iowa's 67-61 first-round win over Clemson.

But, Stirtz got key help from juniors Kael Combs and Alvaro Folgueiras, who combined for 29 points to keep the Hawkeyes afloat.

As tipoff between Iowa and Florida nears, here's a look at the expert predictions nationally.

USA TODAY Sports​

It's a clean sweep in favor of the Gators by the USA TODAY Sports crew:

• John Leuzzi: Florida
• Jordan Mendoza: Florida
• Ehsan Kassim: Florida
• Blake Schuster: Florida

CBS Sports​

Another full set of predictions picking the Gators courtesy of CBS Sports:

• Gary Parrish: Florida
• Matt Norlander: Florida
• Chip Patterson: Florida
• David Cobb: Florida
• Cameron Salerno: Florida
• Isaac Trotter: Florida

New York Post​

Howie Kussoy of the New York Post likes the Gators to win, but is taking Iowa and the points.

The Hawkeyes have gone 1-7 against top four seeds in this tournament, but five of those losses came by single digits, including a three-point loss to No. 1 Michigan earlier this month.

The Gators have the advantage over almost any frontline in the nation, but the Hawkeyes have held their own on the glass in battles with some of the top rebounding teams in the nation, and may have the best player on the court in soon-to-be-first-round pick Bennett Stirtz, a senior guard whose uncanny decision-making maximizes Iowa’s slow-paced attack.

The Gators will advance, but the Hawkeyes should hang around, happily trading 3s for 2s.

Howie Kussoy: Florida

Topeka Capital-Journal​

Like the rest of the experts nationally, the Topeka Capital-Journal is rolling with Florida.

Wyatt D. Wheeler: Florida

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa basketball vs. Florida: Expert predictions in March Madness

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