Preview: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators in NCAA Tournament Second Round

TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — A contrast in seasons will be on display Sunday when the seed Iowa Hawkeyes face the seed Florida Gators in a second-round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Amalie Arena.

Iowa (22-12) arrives after a grinding 67-61 first-round victory over Clemson on Friday, a performance emblematic of its resilient but inconsistent campaign. The Hawkeyes have navigated a tough Big Ten schedule, marked by several narrow losses, but showed their capability in the tournament opener.

Florida (27-7), the Southeastern Conference regular-season champion, enters off a dominant 114-55 rout of Prairie View A&M. The Gators have been one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, averaging over 85 points per game, and are heavily favored on what amounts to a home court.

The matchup features backcourts led by standout sophomores. Iowa’s Kael Combs is coming off a team-high 15-point effort against Clemson and has shown flashes of high-volume scoring, including an 18-point outing in a overtime loss at Nebraska. His consistency will be critical against Florida’s pressure.

The Gators are powered by guard Boogie Fland, a dynamic scorer and playmaker. Fland averaged 15.7 points in his last three meaningful games, including a 22-point performance at Texas, and orchestrates Florida’s up-tempo attack. His duel with Combs will be a key subplot.

Iowa’s path to an upset likely requires controlling the pace and replicating its defensive effort from Friday, when it held Clemson to 36% shooting. Bennett Stirtz, who scored 16 against Clemson, and Alvaro Folgueiras (14 points) provided vital support.

Florida’s depth and firepower present a formidable challenge. Alongside Fland, forwards Alex Condon and Thomas Haugh provide interior scoring and defense. The Gators’ 74-91 loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament serves as a reminder of their occasional vulnerability, but their body of work is superior.

The Hawkeyes are 2-5 in their last seven games away from home. The Gators are 15-2 at neutral sites and in true road games this season.

Sunday’s winner will advance to the Sweet 16 next week in Los Angeles. Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 2:30 p.m. EDT, with television coverage on CBS.