The Iowa Hawkeyes and Florida Gators will meet in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This second-round game in the South Region will take place at Exactech Arena in Gainesville, FL. The game is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
The Iowa Hawkeyes enter the tournament as the 9 seed. They finished the regular season with a 21-12 overall record and an 11-11 record in the Big Ten Conference. The Hawkeyes are looking to make an impact in the postseason after a solid regular season.
The Florida Gators are the 1 seed in this matchup. They have a strong regular season record of 26-7 and a 17-3 record in the Southeastern Conference. Last year, the Gators won the championship, defeating Houston in the final game. They aim to continue their success in this year’s tournament.
Florida Preview
The Florida Gators are ranked #4 in the AP poll. They play in the Southeastern Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 26-7. Their conference record was 17-3.
In the 2025 postseason, the Gators had a strong run. They won the championship game against Houston with a score of 65-63. Before that, they defeated Auburn in the Final Four, 79-73. They also beat Texas Tech, Maryland, Connecticut, and Norfolk State in earlier rounds.
Florida’s offense is notable for scoring 86.8 points per game, ranking 15th. They have a high number of rebounds per game at 45.4, which is 3rd overall. However, their three-point shooting percentage is lower at 30.8, ranking 382nd.
On defense, the Gators average 6.7 steals per game. They also have 5.1 blocks per game. Their turnovers per game stand at 11.6. Despite these stats, they have been successful in games, with a strong straight-up record of 30-4 in 2025.
Iowa Preview
The Iowa Hawkeyes play in the Big Ten Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 21 wins and 12 losses. Their conference record was 11 wins and 11 losses.
Offensively, the team scored 75.2 points per game, ranking 223rd. They had a field goal percentage of 49.1, which placed them 21st. The Hawkeyes made 8 three-pointers per game, with a 3-point shooting percentage of 35.7.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes averaged 7.1 steals per game. They also had 2 blocks per game. The team committed 17.6 fouls per game.
Key players included Bennett Stirtz, who averaged 20 points per game. Tavion Banks contributed with 10.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Alvaro Folgueiras added 8.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Florida vs Iowa
The game between the Florida Gators and the Iowa Hawkeyes will be shaped by key stats. Florida’s high-scoring offense, averaging 86.8 points per game, will be a challenge for Iowa’s defense. Iowa’s field goal percentage is strong at 49.1, which could help them keep up. Rebounding will be crucial, with Florida averaging 45.4 rebounds per game, while Iowa has only 29.4. Turnovers and fouls could also play a role, as both teams have room for improvement in these areas.
- Florida Points Per Game: 86.8 (15th)
- Iowa Points Per Game: 75.2 (223rd)
- Florida Rebounds Per Game: 45.4 (3rd)
- Iowa Rebounds Per Game: 29.4 (514th)
- Florida Turnovers Per Game: 11.6
- Iowa Turnovers Per Game: 9.4
- Florida Fouls Per Game: 17.8
- Iowa Fouls Per Game: 17.6
- Iowa Field Goal Percentage: 49.1 (21st)
Betting Insights
The Iowa Hawkeyes and Florida Gators have different betting trends from last season. Iowa had mixed results, while Florida showed strong performance. This game offers interesting betting angles. Here are the top trends to consider:
- Florida is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Florida is 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games.
- Florida is 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Florida is 5-0 on the Over in their last 5 games.
- Florida is 3-0 on the Over in their last 3 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Florida vs Iowa
The Florida Gators are expected to have the upper hand in this game. Their offense is strong, scoring 86.8 points per game. This will challenge Iowa’s defense. Florida’s rebounding is also a key factor, as they average 45.4 rebounds per game compared to Iowa’s 29.4. This advantage can give Florida more chances to score.
Iowa will rely on their shooting accuracy, with a field goal percentage of 49.1. This could help them stay competitive. However, Florida’s defense, with 6.7 steals and 5.1 blocks per game, might disrupt Iowa’s scoring attempts. Iowa’s key players, like Bennett Stirtz, will need to perform well to keep the game close.
Considering the stats and trends, Florida is likely to win. They have been strong against the spread recently. The Gators’ ability to score and control the boards should lead them to victory. Iowa may struggle to keep up with Florida’s pace and defensive pressure.
- Our Free Prediction: Florida -11.5
