Fans fill the arena during March Madness first- and second-round games, as teams compete for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Photo by Alexander Felski
By Kendall Bulkiewicz
The University of South Florida hosted NCAA Tournament’s first and second rounds at the Benchmark International Arena, bringing March Madness to Tampa Bay with a mix of dominant performances and late-game drama.
Fans filled the arena throughout the weekend as teams battled for a spot in the next round, creating an electric atmosphere from start to finish.
Round One – Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Akron Zips
In the opening game, 5-seed Texas Tech defeated 12-seed Akron, 91–71, behind a dominant and balanced offensive performance. Jaylen Petty led the Red Raiders with 24 points, shooting an efficient 9 of 14 from the field and 5 of 7 from three-point range.
Christian Anderson added 18 points, while Josiah Moseley contributed a career-high 16 off an impressive 7 of 8 shooting. Donovan Atwell chipped in 15 points and LeJuan Watts added 14, as five Texas Tech players finished in double figures.
Despite the final score, Akron remained competitive for much of the game. Amani Lyles led all scorers with 26 points, and Shammah Scott added 20, accounting for the majority of the Zips’ offense.
Josiah Moseley goes for a layup during round one against Akron. Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
Akron closed the first half on a 10–3 run to cut the deficit to 40–35 and later trimmed the lead to just four points midway through the second half. However, Texas Tech pulled away late with a decisive 14–2 run, fueled by hot shooting and strong offensive execution.
The Red Raiders shot a season-best 64.2% from the field and 55% from beyond the arc, while Akron struggled with efficiency outside of its top two scorers, ultimately sealing the 91–71 result.
Akron head coach John Groce praised his seniors, saying, “Our guys kept playing, kept fighting, and gave us a chance until late. Credit to Texas Tech—they made big plays.”
“I thought we had a real chance when Watts fouled out,” he added “He was so effective early in the second half, but we just weren’t able to capitalize.”
Round One – Alabama Crimson Tide vs Hofstra Pride
Later in the Midwest Region, 4-seed Alabama defeated 13-seed Hofstra, 90–70, using a dominant second-half performance to secure the win. Labaron Philon Jr. led the Crimson Tide with a game-high 29 points, including 21 after halftime, while also contributing eight rebounds and seven assists.
Aiden Sherrell recorded an impressive double-double with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, and Taylor Bol Bowen added 15 points on efficient shooting. Amari Allen and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. each chipped in 11 points, giving Alabama five players in double figures.
Akron closed the first half on a 10–3 run to cut the deficit to 40–35 and later trimmed the lead to just four points midway through the second half. However, Texas Tech pulled away late with a decisive 14–2 run, fueled by hot shooting and strong offensive execution.
The Red Raiders shot a season-best 64.2% from the field and 55% from beyond the arc, while Akron struggled with efficiency outside of its top two scorers, ultimately sealing the 91–71 result.
Akron head coach John Groce praised his seniors, saying, “Our guys kept playing, kept fighting, and gave us a chance until late. Credit to Texas Tech—they made big plays.”
“I thought we had a real chance when Watts fouled out,” he added “He was so effective early in the second half, but we just weren’t able to capitalize.”
Round One – Alabama Crimson Tide vs Hofstra Pride
Later in the Midwest Region, 4-seed Alabama defeated 13-seed Hofstra, 90–70, using a dominant second-half performance to secure the win. Labaron Philon Jr. led the Crimson Tide with a game-high 29 points, including 21 after halftime, while also contributing eight rebounds and seven assists.
Aiden Sherrell recorded an impressive double-double with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, and Taylor Bol Bowen added 15 points on efficient shooting. Amari Allen and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. each chipped in 11 points, giving Alabama five players in double figures.
Josiah Moseley goes for a layup during round one against Akron. Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
Hofstra was led by Preston Edmead’s 24 points, with Cruz Davis adding 14, as the Pride built a 10-point lead in the first half. However, Alabama responded with a late first half run to take a 37–35 lead into the break before taking control in the second half.
The Crimson Tide shot significantly better after halftime and dominated the glass, finishing with a 46–34 rebounding advantage. A late 19–4 run sealed the 20-point victory, as Alabama’s physicality, depth, and second-half efficiency proved too much for Hofstra.
Wrightsell emphasized focus and teamwork.
“We came out with an energy and effort that wasn’t matched,” Wrightsell said. “We played for each other, one possession at a time, focusing on defense and getting stops.”
Round One – Iowa Hawkeyes vs Clemson Tigers
In the South Region, 9-seed Iowa defeated 8-seed Clemson, 67–61, in a physical, low-scoring matchup where neither team shot above 41% from the field. Bennett Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 16 points despite an inefficient shooting night, while Kael Combs added 15 points on an efficient 5 of 7 performance. Alvaro Folgueiras also contributed 14 points, giving Iowa three players in double figures.
The game remained tight throughout, but Iowa’s second-half adjustments proved to be the difference. After struggling to score inside early, the Hawkeyes found success attacking the rim and capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 17 of 22 attempts in the second half.
Ace Buckner scans the court for Clemson Tigers during their game against Iowa Hawkeyes. Photo by Alexander Felski
Iowa also dominated the offensive glass, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds that led to key second-chance points. Clemson kept pace but ultimately could not overcome Iowa’s physicality and late-game execution, as the Hawkeyes closed out the 67–61 victory.
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell credited Iowa’s toughness.
“Their kids played really hard. Very physical team—nothing we didn’t expect,” He added. “We just didn’t seem comfortable early and missed shots we normally make. Defensive rebounding and fouling were the big differences.”
Round One – Florida Gators vs Prairie View A&M Panthers
Top-seeded Florida closed out the first round with a dominant 114–55 win over 16-seed Prairie View A&M, delivering one of the most lopsided performances of the tournament. The Gators shot an efficient 64% from the field and showcased their depth with seven players scoring in double figures.
Boogie Fland led the way with 16 points, while Rueben Chinyelu recorded his 19th double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon added 14 and 13 points, respectively, as Florida’s balanced attack overwhelmed Prairie View A&M.
Isaiah Brown dunks for the Gators against the Panthers in round one. Photo by Kendall Bulkiewicz | The Crow’s Nest
After a brief tie, Florida took complete control with a massive first-half surge, including a 27–2 run to enter halftime with a commanding 60–21 lead. The Gators continued to dominate in the second half, finishing with program NCAA Tournament records in points scored, assists (29), and margin of victory (59). Prairie View A&M struggled to keep pace after its early shooting success, as Florida’s defense, ball movement, and depth sealed the emphatic 114–55 victory.
Chinyelu reflected on fundamentals.
“After a game where we didn’t play our best, we knew we had to focus on taking care of the ball, rebounding, and making good decisions,” Fland said. “Controlling what we could control allowed us to play our game.”
“We knew the team coming in and setting that record tonight was a big statement to the world,” he added.
Round Two – Iowa Hawkeyes vs Florida Gators
The second round delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets as 9-seed Iowa stunned top-seeded Florida, 73–72, on a clutch late three-pointer. With just 8.9 seconds remaining and Iowa trailing by two, Alvaro Folgueiras knocked down a corner three to silence the pro-Florida crowd and give the Hawkeyes the lead for good.
Tavion Banks led Iowa with 20 points on an efficient 7 of 10 shooting performance, including 14 in the second half.
“Watching film, I saw the physicality. I knew we were more physical and had the opportunity to win,” Banks said. Folgueiras added 14 points, while Bennett Stirtz and Cooper Koch contributed 13 and 12 points, respectively, as Iowa placed four players in double figures.
Alvaro Folgueiras shares his victory with Hawkeye fans that came to support. Photo by Alexander Felski
Stirtz also explained the final shot with Folgueiras, “The play was drawn up for me to get downhill and then this dude came up to me. He’s like, I’m going to be ready and I’m going to make it. That’s what he did.”
The Hawkeyes built momentum early and maintained composure late, knocking down key shots and executing under pressure.
Florida mounted a strong second-half comeback but ultimately fell short. Alex Condon led the Gators with 21 points and seven assists, while Thomas Haugh added 19 points after a quiet first half. Xaivian Lee contributed 17 points, including a key late three to keep Florida within striking distance. However, a final possession fell apart, as Florida was unable to get a shot off in time, sealing the 73–72 upset and ending the Gators’ tournament run.
Round Two – Alabama Crimson Tide vs Texas Tech Red Raiders
In the final game in Tampa, 4-seed Alabama defeated 5-seed Texas Tech, 90–65, to advance to the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive year.
The Crimson Tide controlled the game from the start, building a commanding 49–25 halftime lead behind strong shooting and dominance on the boards. Alabama connected on 19 three-pointers and exploited its size advantage, outrebounding Texas Tech 47–35.
Latrell Wrightsell Jr. led Alabama with 24 points, knocking down six shots from beyond the arc, while Houston Mallette added 15 points off the bench, including five three-pointers. Labaron Philon Jr., coming off a strong first-round performance, contributed nine points and a team-high 12 assists.
Wrightsell described the team’s mindset.
“You don’t want it to end, so you fight to move on. We played for each other, one possession at a time, focusing on defense and getting stops,” Wrightsell said.
Amari Allen screams in excitement during round two game against Texas Tech Raiders. Photo by Alexander Felski
“We’ve been incredibly prepared. Trell’s presence set the tone—he’s elite defensively, and that helped us win,” Mallette added.
Texas Tech struggled to find offensive rhythm, shooting just 34.4% from the field and 4 of25 from three-point range. LeJuan Watts led the Red Raiders with 16 points, while Donovan Atwell added 12. Alabama’s defensive pressure and efficient scoring proved overwhelming, as the Crimson Tide pulled away early and never looked back in the 90–65 victory.
Alabama and Iowa advanced out of Tampa, each building momentum heading deeper into the tournament. The Sweet 16 is being held across four cities, Houston, San Jose, Chicago and Washington, for the regional semifinals from March 26 to March 29.
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Written by: Kendall Bulkiewicz on March 25, 2026.
Last revised by: Julia Ferrara