**TAMPA, FLA. ** - Iowa forward Cooper Koch is making waves, following in the footsteps of his father, J.R., who played for the Hawkeyes from 1995 to 1999.
Back then, J.R. was part of the last Iowa team to reach the Sweet 16. Fast forward 27 years, and Cooper has helped bring the Hawkeyes back to that same stage, fulfilling a promise he made to his dad.
Cooper had offers from several top programs like Illinois and Purdue but chose Iowa, even sticking with the team after the departure of Coach Fran McCaffery. His commitment paid off, as he became an integral part of Iowa's journey to the Sweet 16.
J.R. shared his pride on social media, highlighting Cooper's determination: "Coop told me when he committed he would get the Hawks back in the Sweet Sixteen! He and his teammates did it!
Speechless! Go Hawks!"
Koch has been a starter in all 35 games this season, quickly adapting to new coach Ben McCollum's system. Known for his shooting skills, Koch improved his defense significantly, taking on challenging matchups throughout the season. Despite some shooting struggles, he found his rhythm in the last seven games, hitting 54.5% from beyond the arc.
In a thrilling 73-72 victory over Florida, Koch's hot streak continued. He nailed 4-of-6 three-pointers, including a crucial one from the March Madness logo that swung the momentum back to Iowa. With the shot clock winding down, he received a pass from Bennett Stirtz, turned, and launched a deep three to give Iowa a one-point lead, silencing the Florida-heavy crowd.
Koch's impact didn't stop there. With just eight seconds left, he executed a precise inbound pass to Stirtz, setting up the game-winning play. Stirtz advanced the ball, leading to Alvaro Folgueiras' buzzer-beater, sending Iowa to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.
After the game, an emotional Koch embraced his father, who had been cheering from the front row. "There were a lot of emotions," Koch said. "I think I started to tear up a little - that's how much it means to me."
With the Sweet 16 in sight, Koch and the Hawkeyes are focused on their next challenge against four-seed Nebraska, a team they split games with during the season. Koch is clear about his intentions: "We're not done this year. We've got a few more games to go."
J.R. echoed his son's determination: "Not done yet." The Koch legacy continues, and the Hawkeyes are poised for more March Madness magic.