It is not everything, but it surely is something. More importantly, this is downright hilarious. In the final minutes of their crucial Sweet 16 game, the Iowa Hawkeyes may have gotten a blessing from the ole television gods. After Pryce Sandfort hit a 3-pointer to give the Nebraska Cornhuskers a 65-62 lead, their football coach Matt Rhule was caught on camera in the crowd rooting on his employer's team.
Fate would have it, Iowa would go on a 15-6 run from that point on after everyone saw Rhule on TV.
Iowa finished on a 15-6 run after the broadcast showed Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule in the stands.#Hawkeyes
— Cody Hills (@ByCodyHills) March 27, 2026
While he may have had no way in knowing, Rhule's cameo undoubtedly handed Nebraska a hard loss.
At 6:16 left in the game, Pryce Sandfort made a 3 to take the lead against Iowa. The TBS broadcast showed Matt Rhule in the crowd.
— Stephen Glansberg (@RenobHawk) March 27, 2026
After said basket, Nebraska went on a 5 minute and 9 second scoring drought and got outscored 15-6 for the rest of the game. pic.twitter.com/dJ3KIvIIl6
No. 9 Iowa advanced to the Elite Eight, where the Hawkeyes will take on the No. 3 Illinois Fighting Illini.
The winner of this one will have the right to play either Duke or UConn in the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Iowa fans will always remember the time Matt Rhule was on the TV screen
While still in year one, Ben McCollum is doing the stuff of legend. He has no interest in the UNC job. Will Wade and Darian DeVries cannot hold a candle to what he has accomplished in his first season at Iowa. Fran McCaffery is in utter shambles now. Iowa is having a moment right now. No matter what happens vs. Brad Underwood's Fighting Illini on Saturday night, Iowa will always have this Sweet 16.
From an outsider's perspective, this Iowa team has been a total breath of fresh air in the NCAA Tournament. Yes, we all learned about the sluggish pace in which McCollum's team plays at. It is not for everyone, but it won prolifically for Tony Bennett for years at Virginia. Because this Iowa team is so incredibly locked in, other opponents just do not value each and every possession they way the do.
At this time, we can effectively cross-compare what McCollum is doing in year one at Iowa City vs. what Rhule has tried to do on the college football gridiron over in Lincoln the last few years. Winners find ways, and Rhule will find excuses... One is leading a traditional power in his sport, while the other is doing something that has not happened in well over a generation at his. McCollum is thriving now!
Whoever wins on Saturday night between Illinois and Iowa is going to be so incredibly emotional.