The No. 9 seed Iowa Hawkeyes mounted a stunning upset victory over the reigning national-champion, No. 1 seed Florida Gators in the Round of 32.
Behind a game-winning 3-point shot from Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras, the Gators’ NCAA Tournament run came to a screeching halt with a 73-72 final score.
Folgueiras was ultimately the Hawkeyes’ March Madness hero. But earlier in the game, the Spanish forward was one half of a loose-ball scuffle with Florida big man Alex Condon.
Folgueiras and Condon crashed to the floor as they fought for the rebound with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. Folgueiras appeared to throw a punch, but his fist did not connect.
The play resulted in a double-technical and neither player was ejected.
Florida head coach Todd Golden was visibly upset after receiving an explanation from officials, believing an ejection was in order for Folgueiras.
During his postgame press conference, Golden told reporters what he heard from the referees.
“I was told that they threw a punch but it didn’t connect, so it didn’t go any higher than a Flagrant 1,” he said. “I’m not exactly sure what that means and I really don’t understand why [Condon] got a technical. They were both fighting for the ball equally. [Condon] was just stronger and pulled him down to the floor.
“They were both grabbing the ball. It was a confusing play. I’m not really sure how it landed on that result.”
Folgueiras claims he did not throw a punch.
“It was just two guys fighting for the ball,” he said, via Florida beat reporter Kevin Brockway. “I didn’t throw a punch.”
Condon also weighed in on the scuffle during his postgame press conference.
“I don’t even know if he hit me or what but we will look at the tape. I wanted to set the standard for physicality,” Condon said.
Iowa will face off against the No. 4 seed Nebraska Cornhuskers in a Sweet 16 matchup on Thursday.
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