Iowa Hawkeyes Defeat Nebraska Cornhuskers 77-71
Thursday, March 26, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Toyota Center (Houston)
Iowa Hawkeyes 77, Nebraska Cornhuskers 71, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Iowa Hawkeyes vs Nebraska Cornhuskers?
Iowa Hawkeyes beat Nebraska Cornhuskers 77-71 at Toyota Center (Houston) on March 26, 2026.
Who was favored in Iowa Hawkeyes vs Nebraska Cornhuskers?
Nebraska Cornhuskers were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -125 (about 56% implied). The underdog won.
In a closely contested matchup at the Toyota Center in Houston, the Iowa Hawkeyes emerged victorious against the Nebraska Cornhuskers with a final score of 77-71. This game was particularly significant as it marked a continuation of a competitive rivalry, with Iowa now leading the season series 2-1 against Nebraska.
The Cornhuskers entered the game with a home record of 28-7 and had been struggling recently, holding a 6-4 record over their last ten games. They had averaged 71.4 points scored while allowing 66.7 points during that stretch, but were coming off a loss to the Purdue Boilermakers, which snapped a brief winning streak. Nebraska had previously faced Iowa just a few weeks prior on March 8, where they secured an 84-75 victory at home. However, the Cornhuskers were unable to replicate that success in this matchup.
On the other side, the Hawkeyes had a record of 24-12 and were coming off a disappointing 3-7 stretch in their last ten games. Their scoring average during this period was 68.5 points, while they allowed 71.0 points per game. Iowa's recent form included a win against Maryland but was marred by losses against Ohio State and Nebraska in their previous encounters. The Hawkeyes had struggled on the road, with an away record of 0-5 in their last five games leading into this matchup.
The game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. Iowa's victory was bolstered by key scoring plays in the second half, including a crucial 28-foot three-point jumper by Bennett Stirtz, which pushed the Hawkeyes ahead 68-65. The momentum continued with Tate Sage and Alvaro Folgueiras contributing significant baskets, including a dunk and free throw that extended Iowa's lead to 77-68.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams had been navigating their respective challenges leading into the game. The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Nebraska favored by 1.5 points, with a total set at 131.5. The odds reflected a close matchup, with Nebraska's money line at -125.0 and Iowa's at 105.0.
The conditions in Houston were conducive to a competitive game, and both teams showcased their strengths and weaknesses. Viewers were treated to a display of three-point shooting, with Iowa's ability to capitalize on long-range shots proving pivotal in their victory. This game not only highlighted the rivalry between the two teams but also underscored the challenges faced by both as they navigated the late stages of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NEB -1.5 | 131.5 o -105 / u -115 | Iowa Hawkeyes +105 · Nebraska Cornhuskers -125 |
Leaders
- PointsPryce Sandfort25Nebraska Cornhuskers
- AssistsSam Hoiberg6Nebraska Cornhuskers
- ReboundsBerke Buyuktuncel10Nebraska Cornhuskers
- PointsBennett Stirtz20Iowa Hawkeyes
- AssistsKael Combs5Iowa Hawkeyes
- ReboundsTate Sage8Iowa Hawkeyes
Recent form
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Last 10: 6-4Streak L171.4 scored · 66.7 allowed per game4-2 at home
- L58-74vs Purdue BoilermakersMar 13
- W84-75vs Iowa HawkeyesMar 8
- L52-72at UCLA BruinsMar 4
- W82-67at USC TrojansFeb 28
- W74-61vs Maryland TerrapinsFeb 26
- W87-64vs Penn State Nittany LionsFeb 21
- L52-57at Iowa HawkeyesFeb 18
- W68-49vs Northwestern WildcatsFeb 14
- L77-80vs Purdue BoilermakersFeb 11
- W80-68at Rutgers Scarlet KnightsFeb 7
Iowa Hawkeyes
Last 10: 3-7Streak L168.5 scored · 71 allowed per game0-5 away
- L69-72at Ohio State BuckeyesMar 12
- W75-64vs Maryland TerrapinsMar 11
- L75-84at Nebraska CornhuskersMar 8
- L68-71vs Michigan WolverinesMar 6
- L69-71at Penn State Nittany LionsFeb 28
- W74-57vs Ohio State BuckeyesFeb 26
- L71-84at Wisconsin BadgersFeb 22
- W57-52vs Nebraska CornhuskersFeb 18
- L57-78vs Purdue BoilermakersFeb 14
- L70-77at Maryland TerrapinsFeb 11
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 37-3 | - | 19-1 |
| Nebraska | 28-7 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Michigan State | 27-8 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Illinois | 28-9 | 4 | 15-5 |
| Wisconsin | 24-11 | 5 | 14-6 |
| Purdue | 30-9 | 6 | 13-7 |
| UCLA | 24-12 | 6 | 13-7 |
| Ohio State | 21-13 | 7 | 12-8 |
| Iowa | 24-13 | 9 | 10-10 |
| Indiana | 18-14 | 10 | 9-11 |
| Minnesota | 15-18 | 11 | 8-12 |
| USC | 18-14 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Washington | 16-17 | 12 | 7-13 |
| Rutgers | 14-20 | 13 | 6-14 |
| Northwestern | 15-19 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Oregon | 12-20 | 14 | 5-15 |
| Maryland | 12-21 | 15 | 4-16 |
| Penn State | 12-20 | 16 | 3-17 |
Box score
| Stat | Iowa Hawkeyes | Nebraska Cornhuskers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-52 | 24-58 |
| Field goal % | 52 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 13-30 | 13-38 |
| Three-point % | 43 | 34 |
| Free throws | 10-12 | 10-11 |
| Free throw % | 83 | 91 |
| Rebounds | 26 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 3 | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 23 | 23 |
| Assists | 18 | 19 |
| Steals | 6 | 3 |
| Blocks | 1 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 10 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 20 | 7 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 6 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 20 |
| Fouls | 7 | 14 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 10 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 5 | 81 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half28-34Cooper Koch makes free throw 2 of 2
- 1st Half28-36Sam Hoiberg makes driving layup (Pryce Sandfort assists)
- 1st Half28-38Sam Hoiberg makes driving layup (Pryce Sandfort assists)
- 1st Half30-38Tate Sage makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 1st Half30-40Pryce Sandfort makes driving layup (Braden Frager assists)
- 1st Half32-40Alvaro Folgueiras makes 5-foot dunk
- 1st Half35-40Bennett Stirtz makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 1st Half38-40Cooper Koch makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bennett Stirtz assists)
- 1st Half38-41Jamarques Lawrence makes free throw 1 of 3
- 1st Half38-42Jamarques Lawrence makes free throw 2 of 3
- 1st Half38-43Jamarques Lawrence makes free throw 3 of 3
- 1st Half38-46Jamarques Lawrence makes 24-foot three point jumper (Sam Hoiberg assists)
- 1st Half40-46Alvaro Folgueiras makes 6-foot jumper (Tate Sage assists)
- 1st Half43-46Tate Sage makes 25-foot three point jumper (Bennett Stirtz assists)
- 2nd Half43-48Rienk Mast makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-48Bennett Stirtz makes 26-foot three point jumper (Cam Manyawu assists)
- 2nd Half46-50Berke Buyuktuncel makes layup (Rienk Mast assists)
- 2nd Half48-50Bennett Stirtz makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half50-50Tate Sage makes driving layup (Kael Combs assists)
- 2nd Half50-53Pryce Sandfort makes 24-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half53-53Cooper Koch makes 23-foot three point jumper (Bennett Stirtz assists)
- 2nd Half53-56Braden Frager makes 26-foot three point jumper (Rienk Mast assists)
- 2nd Half53-58Pryce Sandfort makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot (Jamarques Lawrence assists)
- 2nd Half55-58Kael Combs makes driving layup (Tate Sage assists)
- 2nd Half57-58Bennett Stirtz makes driving layup
- 2nd Half57-59Braden Frager makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-62Pryce Sandfort makes 27-foot three point jumper (Sam Hoiberg assists)
- 2nd Half58-62Tate Sage makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-62Tate Sage makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-62Cooper Koch makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cam Manyawu assists)
- 2nd Half62-65Pryce Sandfort makes 23-foot turnaround jump shot (Rienk Mast assists)
- 2nd Half65-65Alvaro Folgueiras makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kael Combs assists)
- 2nd Half68-65Bennett Stirtz makes 28-foot three point jumper (Cooper Koch assists)
- 2nd Half71-65Tate Sage makes 24-foot three point jumper (Alvaro Folgueiras assists)
- 2nd Half71-68Braden Frager makes 23-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half73-68Alvaro Folgueiras makes 1-foot dunk (Kael Combs assists)
- 2nd Half74-68Alvaro Folgueiras makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half76-68Alvaro Folgueiras makes 2-foot dunk (Tate Sage assists)
- 2nd Half77-68Tate Sage makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-71Pryce Sandfort makes 28-foot three point jumper (Cale Jacobsen assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Nebraska Cornhuskers, below favours Iowa Hawkeyes.
Venue
- Toyota Center (Houston)Houston, TX
- Attendance17307
- OfficialsBrian O'Connell, Earl Walton, Doug Sirmons
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