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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MARCH 21: Fred Hoiberg of the Nebraska Cornhuskers speaks to reporter after the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Vanderbilt Commodores held at Paycom Center on March 21, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Shane Bevel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images
FIRST HALF ANALYSIS:
This game features the best two defenses in the Big Ten. If you watched this first half, I have some ocean front property to sell you that exists on the top of Mount Rushmore. Nebraska started the game off on a heater, going on a 12-2 run. Berke Buyuktuncel was the catalyst, collecting 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Nebraska started 6-10 from the floor and had an offensive rebound on each of their misses. Iowa finally got its first rebound at the 5-minute mark.
The Hawkeyes would not go away that easily, as an 8-0 Iowa run, keyed by Bennett Stirtz brought them back within 5. Braden Frager came off the bench and promptly hit his first 3 attempts, all from beyond the arc. Remember I said these two defenses were good? Both offenses just decided to obliterate that notion. Both teams would shoot over 60% for the half. Iowa would hit a 3 at the horn, but Nebraska would take a 46-43 lead into the locker room.
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FIRST HALF STATS:
Iowa shot 15-25 for a blistering 60% from the floor. They went 7-11 for an impressive 64% from deep and 6-7 for 86% from the free-throw line. The Hawkeyes collected only 8 rebounds, 2 of which were offensive. Iowa had 8 assists to 4 turnovers and had 22 bench points.
The Hawkeyes were led by Tate Sage, who had 11 points. Bennett Stirtz had 10. Sage also led the way with 3 rebounds. Stirtz led Iowa with 3 assists.
Nebraska shot 15-26 for a very solid 58% from the floor. They went 7-14 for 50% from deep an a perfect 9-9 from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 13 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 12 assists to 6 turnovers and had 13 bench points.
The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort, who had 11 points. Jamarques Lawrence and Braden Frager had 9 each. Berke Buyuktuncel had 6 rebounds to lead the way. Sam Hoiberg had 4 assists.
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SECOND HALF ANALYSIS:
Nebraska got off to a really sluggish start, and the Hawkeyes hung around. The first half was played at Nebraska’s pace, but the second half was all Iowa’s. Bennett Stirtz and Pryce Sandfort would duel back and forth, with help from a key supporting cast member. For Iowa, that was Tate Sage, for Nebraska, that was Braden Frager. In a matchup of key shots, these 4 would go head-to-head from beyond the arc. Despite the game going at a much slower pace, both teams were still shooting above 50% with under 10 minutes to go.
Nebraska needed a run to put the game away but couldn’t do it. The problem for Iowa was they needed a run to tie or take the lead, but they couldn’t do that either. Finally, around the 4-minute mark, the Hawkeyes tied the game. Nebraska, who had led for the entire game, finally relinquished the lead with 2:10 remaining on a Bennett Stirtz 3. Iowa would use a 14-5 run during that to take the lead and close out the game.
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FINAL STATS AND THOUGHTS:
Iowa shot 27-52 for 52% from the floor. They went 13-30 for 43% from deep and 10-12 for 83% from the free-throw line. The Hawkeyes collected 26 rebounds, 3 of which were offensive. Iowa had 18 assists to 5 turnovers and had 38 bench points.
The Hawkeyes were led by Bennett Stirtz, who had 20 points. Tate Sage had 19 and Alvaro Folgueiras had 16. Sage led the way with 8 rebounds. Kael Combs had 5 assists to pace Iowa.
Nebraska shot 24-58 for 41% from the floor. They went 13-38 for 34% from deep and 10-11 for 91% from the free-throw line. The Huskers collected 35 rebounds, 12 of which were offensive. Nebraska had 19 assists to 10 turnovers and had 20 bench points.
The Huskers were led by Pryce Sandfort, who had 25 points. Braden Frager had 16. Berke Buyuktuncel had 10 rebounds. Sam Hoiberg had 6 assists, but also 5 turnovers.
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Pick a sport that isn’t volleyball and somehow Nebraska just can’t beat Iowa. It’s becoming absolutely soul crushing at this point. It just makes me want to crawl into a hole and let the abyss swallow me whole. One of these days Alice…one of these days. This was one that just got away. It was very much like the Michigan game, have a double-digit lead, lead for a very large portion of the game, only for it to slip away at the end.
This season will be etched into the history books for many good reasons, even if the ending sucked. I can’t believe what a season this team had. The absolute poise under pressure these guys showed almost the entire season was impressive on multiple levels. If you look at this lineup, there are no superstars. We outlasted a fair number of teams who had one or two as well. Just blue-collar attitude.
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For the Husker Seniors, thank you for leading a Nebraska team to new heights. The bar is now higher, and we love you for it. Thank you for making us dream of things that we thought weren’t possible. It has been an amazing season; one of which I will cherish for having the privilege to cover. To the Corn Nation faithful, what a fun ride this was. I hope we get to do it again soon. Until then, cheer on everything Nebraska. Wear red, be loud. In all kinds of weather. Go Big Red.
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