As some have said, it is a battle of the corn between Nebraska and Iowa in the Sweet 16 as these Big Ten foes will meet in a win-or-go-home showdown. After taking down the first one-seed in the tournament, the Hawkeyes are probably riding high, but they now must turn around and play a team they are more familiar with.
The Hawkeyes and Huskers split their matchups this season, both winning at home. If the home crowd is going to decide this game, Nebraska may have already punched its ticket to the Elite Eight, as the Husker faithful have already proven they will travel for their team.
It should be an electric matchup, and these teams even got an ideal tipoff time for the battle in Houston.
Nebraska vs. Iowa set for 7:30 p.m. EST tipoff in Houston for Sweet 16
Nebraska and Iowa will have a very comfortable tipoff time of 7:30 p.m. EST, 6:30 p.m. CT in Houston for their Sweet 16 showdown. The last time these two teams played was on Senior Day for the Huskers when Nebraska blew a big lead late and had to win it in overtime.
The Huskers' bench came up clutch in that game as Cal Jacobsen scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half, including the three-pointer that broke the tie in overtime. Pryce Sandfort and Sam Hoiberg also added 15 points to the mix as the Huskers walked away with the 84-75 overtime win.
In the first matchup, it was all Hawkeyes in a close 57-52 defensive battle where the Huskers' leading scorer, Pryce Sandfort, only eclipsed 13 points for Nebraska. There is a wonder what round three of this rivalry will bring as both schools are going for history.
Iowa has not made it to the Elite Eight since 1987 and is hoping to get back and make some serious noise for the winner of Houston and Illinois. Having never won an NCAA Tournament game before this season, Nebraska is playing to make the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.