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2w ago

Iowa Stuns No. 1 Florida on Folgueiras' Late Three After Double-Technical Dispute

The first-half scuffle ruling has become the flashpoint over referee discretion.

Florida Gators forward Alex Condon (21) and Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) force a jump ball.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 20: Head coach Todd Golden of the Florida Gators looks on during the first half against the Prairie View A&M Panthers in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Benchmark International Arena on March 20, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Florida forward Thomas Haugh (10) reacts after the last second 73-72 loss to Iowa during the NCAA March Madness second round at Benchmark international Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden looks on against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Iowa, which won Sunday 73-72 on Alvaro Folgueiras’ 3 with 3.9 seconds left, advanced to its first Sweet 16 since 1999 and will face No. 4 Nebraska on Thursday.
  • A first-half loose-ball tangle with Florida’s Alex Condon led officials to a video review and a double-technical, which drew a profane sideline outburst from coach Todd Golden.
  • Golden said refs told him Folgueiras “threw a punch but it didn’t connect,” and TBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said only a connecting blow would trigger an ejection.
  • Golden said he wanted to foul to prevent a three, yet Florida pressed and lost position, and Charles Barkley later questioned the decision that freed up the corner look.
  • Coverage diverged, with the New York Post zeroing in on Golden’s language, Yahoo Sports defending the no-ejection call, and ClutchPoints highlighting the failed endgame plan.