Utter humiliation for March Madness contender as awful coaching blunder sees team toppled in huge upset

Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg made a costly mistake during their shock March Madness defeat to Iowa after leaving only four players on the court at a key moment in the game.

With 58.8 seconds remaining, Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras pulled off an easy dunk after the Cornhuskers somehow lined up one defender short, moving them five points ahead in the Sweet 16 matchup.

By the time Nebraska got the ball back they were down six points, and they failed to claw back that deficit in an eventual 77-71 loss.

It proved a miserable night for the No. 4 seed, with many backing them to get the better of No. 9 Iowa and advance to the Elite Eight stage.

And after the defeat, Hoiberg took full responsibility for the gaffe which allowed Folgueiras to extend the Hawkeyes’ lead on the night.

‘Put that one on me,’ he admitted. ‘There was a miscommunication and I’m the head coach, put that one on me.’

Hoiberg had guided Nebraska to its first-ever March Madness win in the first round against No. 13 Troy, before getting the better of No. 5 Vanderbilt to reach the Sweet 16.

Despite their disappointing exit, the Cornhuskers coach is proud of his team’s historic run at the tournament.

‘These guys will be a part of history of Nebraska basketball forever, for winning the first NCAA tournament game, getting to the Sweet 16, most wins in the history of the program, highest ranking,’ Hoiberg said.

‘They just did so many things to elevate our program. I’m really proud of them.’

Bennett Stirtz was on hand with 20 points for Iowa in the victory, while Tate Sage added 19. Folgueiras also had 16 off the bench.

However, it was Nebraska star Pryce Sandfort who led the game with 25 points in his team’s defeat.