Prop Bets: Iowa Hawkeyes VS Nebraska Cornhuskers 2026-03-26
Iowa vs. Nebraska: A March Madness Slapstick Special
The Iowa Hawkeyes, armed with a 15th-ranked eFG% offense and Bennett Stirtz’s "I’ll carry you on my back" bravado, will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who’ve mastered the art of three-point shooting and defensive efficiency. Iowa’s hopes hinge on Alvaro Folgueiras, a man who hit 34 threes this season (at 23.2%!) to keep the lights on. Nebraska, meanwhile, brings Pryce Sandfort (16.5 PPG) and Rienk Mast, a 6-10 Dutchman who’s hit multiple threes in three straight games.
The Odds: Nebraska is the clear favorite (-150), implying a 60% chance to win. Iowa (+210) is a 32.3% shot, which is about the same chance I have of understanding why anyone roots for a team named "Cornhuskers." The total is set at 131.5 points, and with both teams ranked in the bottom third for pace (Iowa: 361st, Nebraska: 23rd), this could be a snoozefest. The Under is favored, because who needs excitement when you can have a 40-minute chess match?
Player Props to Bet Against:
- Bennett Stirtz Over 19.5 PPG (-114): Iowa’s leading scorer is a one-man band, but even he can’t solo a jazz quartet.
- Rienk Mast Over 1.5 Threes (-108): Mast’s been hot, but Nebraska’s "plod-and-pray" offense might leave him cold.
- Sandfort Over 16.5 PPG (-105): He’s efficient, but Iowa’s defense is "effective" enough to make him look like a starter from 2012.
The Verdict: Nebraska’s net efficiency edge (+3.8 per KenPom) and ability to force contested threes (Iowa’s worst matchup) make them the logical pick. But if Iowa’s defense can force turnovers and Stirtz goes off (like he did against Clemson), this underdog story could write itself a happy ending.
Final Score Prediction: Nebraska 65, Iowa 60. The Hawkeyes will make you sweat, but the Huskers will have the last laugh—and the most three-pointers.
Note: If Folgueiras hits a three, immediately check the time. It’s either a miracle or 3 a.m.
Created: March 26, 2026, 11:47 a.m. GMT