In a thrilling showdown at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa basketball pulled off a stunning upset against No. 9 Nebraska, securing a 57-52 victory that sent ripples through the Big Ten standings. Freshman forward Cooper Koch, who has been making waves this season, shared his thoughts on the intense rivalry and the significance of the win for the Hawkeyes.
Koch, standing tall at 6-foot-8 and hailing from Peoria, Illinois, is averaging 6.8 points per game, shooting 44.0% from the floor and 37.0% from beyond the arc. His contributions also include 3.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game.
After the game, Koch candidly expressed the team's competitive spirit, noting, "They're a second to Iowa State. I mean, we don't like them, so it was nice to get a win for them."
This matchup was particularly charged due to the return of former Hawkeye guard Pryce Sandfort, who transferred to Nebraska following an offseason coaching change at Iowa. Koch, however, harbors no ill will towards his former teammate, acknowledging Sandfort's lifelong allegiance to the Cornhuskers.
Looking ahead, Iowa and Nebraska are set to clash again on March 8 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers will undoubtedly be eager to avenge this loss on their home turf.
The win was crucial for Iowa, especially in light of No. 25 Wisconsin's significant 17-point defeat at the hands of Ohio State. This victory places Iowa in seventh place in the Big Ten, just a game behind the Badgers.
Next up for the Hawkeyes is a pivotal game against Wisconsin on February 22 at the Kohl Center in Madison. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
CT, and fans can catch all the action on FS1. With the stakes high, Iowa will be looking to continue their momentum in the Big Ten race.