Iowa’s first NCAA Tournament win of the Ben McCollum era? Check. Up next: a Sweet 16 trip?The Hawkeyes haven’t advanced to the second weekend since the Dr. Tom Davis era. Standing in the way are the No. 1 seed and defending national champion Florida Gators. Here’s what to know about the game and about Florida.How to watch and stream Iowa vs. Florida in the NCAA TournamentWhen: 6:10 p.m. Sunday, March 22Where: Benchmark International Arena, TampaTV channel: TBSLivestream: March Madness LiveNCAA Tournament tickets in Tampa for Iowa vs. Florida, Alabama vs. Texas TechYou can find tickets to Sunday’s game here. That ticket will also get you into the Alabama vs. Texas Tech game at 8:45 p.m.What to know about Florida basketball Florida won the national title last season and figures to be one of the top contenders to cut down the nets again.The Gators earned another No. 1 seed this season following a 26-7 record leading up to Selection Sunday. They dealt with early season struggles before turning it on as conference play got closer. In fact, Florida enters Sunday’s game having won 22 of its last 25 games after a 5-4 start.Florida’s biggest strength is, well, its strength. The Gators are tall — three starters clock in at 6-foot-9 or taller — and they use that size to their advantage. Florida ranks No. 7 in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage and No. 2 in offensive rebounding percentage. Offensively, the Gators rank outside the top 300 nationally in 3-point percentage (31.5%), but they more than make up for it by being one of the most efficient teams in America at scoring inside the arc (17th in 2-point field goal percentage). Big man Reuben Chinyelu averages 11.5 rebounds per game and has the most total rebounds of any player in the country.If there’s one weakness for Florida, it’s backcourt play. Both starting guards — Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland — are transfers who were not with the team last year when Florida won the national title. Neither Lee nor Fland shoots even 30% from beyond the 3-point line and both had struggles offensively in the regular season. Iowa vs. Florida series historyThese two teams have never met.Florida last played a Big Ten team in last year’s Sweet 16, taking down No. 4 seed Maryland 87-71.Iowa has played one other SEC team this year. The Hawkeyes beat Mississippi 74-69 on Nov. 25 behind 29 points from Bennett Stirtz and a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double from Cooper Koch.
TAMPA, Fla. —
Iowa’s first NCAA Tournament win of the Ben McCollum era? Check. Up next: a Sweet 16 trip?
The Hawkeyes haven’t advanced to the second weekend since the Dr. Tom Davis era. Standing in the way are the No. 1 seed and defending national champion Florida Gators.
Here’s what to know about the game and about Florida.
How to watch and stream Iowa vs. Florida in the NCAA TournamentWhen: 6:10 p.m. Sunday, March 22Where: Benchmark International Arena, TampaTV channel: TBSLivestream: March Madness LiveNCAA Tournament tickets in Tampa for Iowa vs. Florida, Alabama vs. Texas Tech
You can find tickets to Sunday’s game here. That ticket will also get you into the Alabama vs. Texas Tech game at 8:45 p.m.
What to know about Florida basketball
Florida won the national title last season and figures to be one of the top contenders to cut down the nets again.
The Gators earned another No. 1 seed this season following a 26-7 record leading up to Selection Sunday. They dealt with early season struggles before turning it on as conference play got closer. In fact, Florida enters Sunday’s game having won 22 of its last 25 games after a 5-4 start.
Florida’s biggest strength is, well, its strength. The Gators are tall — three starters clock in at 6-foot-9 or taller — and they use that size to their advantage. Florida ranks No. 7 in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage and No. 2 in offensive rebounding percentage. Offensively, the Gators rank outside the top 300 nationally in 3-point percentage (31.5%), but they more than make up for it by being one of the most efficient teams in America at scoring inside the arc (17th in 2-point field goal percentage). Big man Reuben Chinyelu averages 11.5 rebounds per game and has the most total rebounds of any player in the country.
If there’s one weakness for Florida, it’s backcourt play. Both starting guards — Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland — are transfers who were not with the team last year when Florida won the national title. Neither Lee nor Fland shoots even 30% from beyond the 3-point line and both had struggles offensively in the regular season.
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Cam Manyawu — a 60% free throw shooter — is taking some friendly ribbing from his teammates after missing three in a row during Iowa’s win over Clemson 😆
While the FTs may not have fallen for Manyawu, the Hawkeye did more than his fair share, scooping up a game-high 10 boards. pic.twitter.com/HWvrzc85ww
— KCCI News (@KCCINews) March 21, 2026
Iowa vs. Florida series history
These two teams have never met.
Florida last played a Big Ten team in last year’s Sweet 16, taking down No. 4 seed Maryland 87-71.
Iowa has played one other SEC team this year. The Hawkeyes beat Mississippi 74-69 on Nov. 25 behind 29 points from Bennett Stirtz and a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double from Cooper Koch.