Florida vs. Iowa: NCAA Tournament Second Round Preview & How to Watch

March 22, 2026 Emma Walker – News Editor News

TAMPA, Fla. – The Florida Gators and the Iowa Hawkeyes will meet for the first time in NCAA Tournament play on Monday night at Benchmark International Arena, with a Sweet 16 berth on the line. Florida, the top seed in the Southeast Region, dominated Prairie View A&M 114-55 in the first round, even as ninth-seeded Iowa upset Clemson 67-61.

The matchup presents a stark contrast in styles. Florida (27-7) aims to push the pace and capitalize on transition opportunities, leveraging a potent frontcourt. Iowa (22-12), under first-year coach Ben McCollum, prefers a deliberate, half-court approach. McCollum, who previously coached at Drake and Northeast Missouri State, boasts a career record of 448-107.

Florida’s offensive attack is led by junior forward Thomas Haugh, averaging 17.0 points, and 6.2 rebounds per game. Junior forward Alex Condon contributes 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds, while junior center Rueben Chinyelu averages a double-double with 11.2 points and 11.5 rebounds. Guards Xaivian Lee (11.4 ppg, 3.4 apg) and Boogie Fland (11.7 ppg) direct the offense. Against Prairie View A&M, Fland shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor, finishing with 16 points, while Lee added 10 points and five assists.

Iowa’s offense revolves around guard Bennett Stirtz, who averages 19.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. Stirtz, who followed McCollum from Drake, plays nearly every minute for the Hawkeyes, logging 93.5% of available minutes. Senior Tavion Banks adds 10.3 points and 4.7 rebounds, and is the team’s best three-point shooter at 44.7%. Forward Cam Manyawu and Cooper Koch each average 4.7 rebounds.

Florida’s victory over Prairie View A&M was historic, marking the second-largest margin of victory in NCAA Tournament history. The Gators posted program records for points, shooting percentage (64.3%), and assists (29). Seven Florida players scored in double figures, and the team dominated the paint 38-0. They also held Prairie View to just one three-pointer in the game’s final 33 minutes.

Iowa’s win against Clemson was a tighter contest. Stirtz led the Hawkeyes with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals. McCollum’s team is known for its physical and disciplined style of play, forcing turnovers on 20.6% of possessions.

The Gators are seeking their first consecutive Sweet 16 appearances since a four-year run from 2011-2014. Iowa, in its 30th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance, is aiming for its first Sweet 16 berth since 1999. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Florida last faced a Big Ten opponent in 2025, defeating Maryland in the Sweet Sixteen. The Hawkeyes will face a defending national champion for the first time in 70 years.

The game will be televised on TBS, with Tom McCarthy, Candace Parker, Dan Bonner, and AJ Ross on the call. It can also be heard on the Gator Sports Network from LEARFIELD, with Sean Kelley, Lee Humphrey, and Steve Egan providing radio coverage.