- Matchup: Iowa Hawkeyes vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
- Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
- Broadcast: TBS
- Betting Odds: Nebraska (-2)
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers (28-6) are set to challenge the Iowa Hawkeyes (22-12) at the Toyota Center on Thursday in the Sweet 16. The Hawkeyes enter this clash as 2-point underdogs, with the total points line established at 133.
In their previous game, the Iowa Hawkeyes narrowly defeated Florida with a score of 73-72. The game saw the Hawkeyes commit 19 personal fouls while Florida recorded 18. Iowa made 6 of 19 attempts from beyond the arc. Florida, on the other hand, shot 74.1% at the free-throw line, converting 20 of 27 attempts. The Gators managed to secure 22 rebounds (5 offensive, 17 defensive) but did not register any blocks. They assisted 18 times and had 7 steals throughout the match. Defensively, Iowa allowed Florida to shoot 50.0% from the field, hitting 23 out of 46. The Hawkeyes recorded 14 assists, forced 11 turnovers, and achieved 4 steals. On the glass, they collected a total of 24 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards. At the free-throw line, Iowa made 14 of their 22 attempts for a success rate of 63.6%. Overall, Iowa concluded the game with a field goal percentage of 51.0%, making 26 of 51 shots and converting 7 of 24 attempts from three-point range.
Tavion Banks shone in this matchup, scoring 20 points on 7 of 10 shooting. He logged 30 minutes on the floor and grabbed 6 rebounds while finishing with a shooting accuracy of 70.0% and contributing 1 assist.
The Iowa Hawkeyes bring a season record of 22-12 into this game. They average 75.0 points per game, ranking 203rd nationally, while shooting 48.8% from the field. From three-point range, they connect on 35.5% of their attempts (271 of 764) and boast a 77.0% free-throw success rate. As a team, Iowa averages 29.7 rebounds per game and has tallied 511 assists, placing them 88th for passing proficiency in the nation. They average 9.6 turnovers and commit 17.5 fouls per game.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes force 13.1 turnovers per game and draw 17.6 fouls. They limit opponents to 33.7% shooting from three-point range and are ranked 16th in college basketball, allowing an average of 65.8 points per game. Iowa’s defense permits a 45.9% shooting percentage (771 of 1,679) and gives up 28.5 rebounds per game. They currently sit at 74th in D-1 for assists allowed, having conceded 394 thus far this season.
In their last outing, the Nebraska Cornhuskers edged past Vanderbilt 74-72. Nebraska allowed Vanderbilt to grab 29 total rebounds (11 offensive). They shot 35.1% from three-point territory, making 13 out of 37 attempts and managed 11 out of 19 from the free-throw line (57.9%). Vanderbilt converted 24 out of 58 shots from the field, resulting in a 41.4% shooting percentage. In contrast, the Cornhuskers dominated with a 55.8% field goal percentage, making 29 out of 52 attempts. From beyond the arc, Nebraska hit 9 of 19 for a 47.4% success rate. The Cornhuskers benefited from 10 free-throw attempts due to 16 fouls by Vanderbilt, while they themselves committed only 10 turnovers, accompanied by 5 steals in the game. Collectively, Nebraska secured 24 defensive boards and 2 offensive boards for a total of 26 rebounds.
Braden Frager played a crucial role for the Cornhuskers, finishing with 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting for a field goal accuracy of 54.5%. He contributed with 5 rebounds and logged 27 minutes on the court, along with 1 assist.
Nebraska boasts a season record of 28-6. The Cornhuskers average 14.3 personal fouls per game and enjoy a free-throw shooting percentage of 75.2%. They dish out assists at a rate of 18.0 times per game, ranking 13th nationally, while committing 9.7 turnovers per game. Nebraska has accumulated a total of 2,623 points this season (77.1 per game) and average 34.9 rebounds per game. Their offensive shooting stands at 46.6%, placing them 91st in the nation.
Defensively, Nebraska allows opponents to shoot 30.1% from long range (296 of 984) and their rivals convert 72.6% of their free-throw attempts. The Cornhuskers concede an average of 14.2 assists and 34.5 rebounds per game, ranking them 251st and 186th in the nation, respectively. Moreover, they are positioned 16th in D-1 for points conceded per game at 65.8, forcing opponents into 13.0 turnovers per game while limiting them to a 40.2% shooting percentage (19th in college).
Who will prevail in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Select Nebraska (-2)
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission always at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping us keep this site running.
