Sports

Iowa Basketball Mocked Florida After Beating Gators’ Big Brain Strategy With Controversial Player

#Iowa Hawkeyes
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The Iowa basketball team upset top-seeded Florida in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday night to provide viewers with madness in March.

The Hawkeyes brutally mocked the Gators following a game-winning shot in the final moments of a chippy contest. A controversial player put his team ahead after Iowa beat Florida’s analytical last-second strategy.

College basketball brackets have officially been busted with the unexpected outcome. A new champion will be crowned. Nearly 90% of fans had the defending champs advancing to the Sweet 16. Instead, the Gators will go home after the Round of 32.

Had Florida been able to execute its coach’s final play call, the result might’ve been different. We’ll never know. Iowa thwarted Todd Golden’s plan to hit the dagger.

Florida was supposed to foul.

The Gators led by two points on Iowa’s last possession. Golden wanted to send the Hawkeyes to the free throw line.

That strategy is one that is highly debated. It gives the opponent a free pass to tie the game at the stripe as opposed to running an offensive set. It also, however, ensure that they do not take the lead while also preserving time for one final shot.

It’s something that Golden has done in the past. He would rather take his chances on the last possession of a tie game than risk losing the lead. Overtime is the worst-case scenario.

Florida had the momentum in a quasi-home game in Tampa. It overcame a double-digit deficit to go ahead late. Golden was more than happy to play an extra five minutes.

He would not get the chance. Iowa evaded defenders to avoid the foul and set up a wide open three. The player that hit that shot was involved in controversy earlier in the matchup.

Should Iowa basketball player Alvaro Folgueiras been ejected?

Bennett Stirtz beat the Florida defense down the court before finding Folgueiras in the corner for a go-ahead three. That shot put the Hawkeyes up 73-72. They’d then end the game with a defensive stop.

Folgueiras was involved in a scuffle with Alex Condon during the first half that led to double technical fouls. A punch was thrown after Folgueiras was tossed to the ground during a tie up.

The definition of “punch” is loose here. It was not a haymaker in any sense of the word. It appeared more a swipe at the ball, which had been stolen from Folgueiras’ hands.

Still, officials reviewed the play. They told Golden that Folgueiras would remain in the game since his punch didn’t land.

“I was told that they threw a punch, but it didn’t connect, so it didn’t go any higher than Flagrant 1. I’m not exactly sure what that means…

“It was a confusing play. I’m not really sure how it landed on that result.”

-Todd Golden

Had the swipe made contact, a Flagrant 2 could’ve been warranted. That would’ve led to an ejection. According to officiating, intent had no determination. The punch missed. Folgueiras remained on the floor.

About 30 minutes of game action later, he’d end Florida’s season. His teammates trolled the Gators after the fact.

Emotions were high. Chomps were directed at the Florida faithful in attendance. Those onlookers went home sad having seen the Hawkeyes celebrate in the Sunshine State.

Iowa, meanwhile, will advance to the Sweet 16 to face Big Ten rival Nebraska. Their season lives on for at least one more game.