Iowa Ends 5-Year NCAA Tournament Win Drought

The Iowa Hawkeyes just proved that patience and perseverance pay off in March Madness.

Five years is a long time to wait for tournament success. But on March 20th in Tampa, the 9-seeded Hawkeyes finally broke through with a 67-61 victory over Clemson, ending a drought that stretched back to 2021.

The game started rough for Iowa. Neither team could buy a basket in the first half, with both squads shooting under 41% for the entire game. The Hawks managed just one made layup in the opening 20 minutes as Clemson's defense locked down driving lanes.

But something clicked after halftime. Iowa suddenly went perfect on layups in the second half, converting all six attempts after missing nearly every one before the break. That newfound success attacking the rim opened up free throw opportunities, and the Hawkeyes capitalized by sinking 17 of 22 attempts from the charity stripe.

Junior guard Kael Combs led the charge with 15 points on efficient 5 of 7 shooting. Bennett Stirtz added 16 points despite an off shooting night, showing the kind of grit that wins tournament games. Alvaro Folgueiras chipped in 14 points and delivered clutch free throws down the stretch.

The turning point came with Iowa clinging to a narrow lead late in the game. Clemson had closed the gap to just four points with under a minute remaining. Coach Ben McCollum put the ball in Combs' hands, and the junior responded with a straight-line drive for a layup that pushed the lead back to six with 56 seconds left.

The Bright Side

This victory means more than just advancing to the next round. For a program that had stumbled in recent tournament appearances, the win shows that Iowa can compete when the stakes are highest. The team's ability to adjust at halftime and execute under pressure demonstrates the kind of growth that builds championship confidence.

The Hawkeyes also dominated the boards, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds that led to 16 second-chance points. That hustle and determination proved the difference in a game where neither team shot particularly well.

Now Iowa moves forward with momentum and belief that their best basketball is still ahead.