Predictions, Picks & How to Watch Iowa vs Florida

• Defending Champion Florida is a 10.5-point favorite over Iowa in 2nd Round South Region action
• The Gators set an NCAA record for margin of victory in a 1 vs 16 matchup on Friday
• Don’t miss my predictions, picks and how to watch the Iowa vs Florida showdown, below

Fresh off a 59-point 1st Round win, the defending national champion Florida Gators (27-7) clash with the Iowa Hawkeyes (22-12) in a March Madness South Region 2nd Round showdown tonight.

Online sportsbooks expect the champs to deliver another knockout blow in this matchup, pegging the Gators as double-digit favorites in the college basketball odds.

I’m avoiding a spread recommendation in this game, but there are plenty of other betting targets for this contest. See my predictions and picks for Iowa vs Florida below, plus how to watch this 2nd round matchup.

Iowa vs Florida Predictions

• Over 144.5 (-120 at FanDuel)
• Bennett Stirtz Under 18.5 Points (-105 at Bet365)

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Florida enters this matchup as a top contender in the March Madness championship odds. The top-seeded squad obliterated Prairie View A&M 114-55, setting a tournament record for margin of victory for a No. 1 vs. No. 16 seed. Meanwhile, the ninth-seeded Hawkeyes grinded out a 67-61 win over Clemson to secure their first tournament victory since 2021.

Offensively, these teams operate in completely different stratospheres. Florida shot an elite 64% from the field in the 1st Round, splashing 10 triples and grabbing 16 offensive rebounds. Iowa played a much slower, grind-it-out style, scoring just 67 points on under 41% shooting.

Despite the Hawkeyes slow pace, I’m still banking on this game exceeding the total. I expect the the Gators to dictate the tempo, forcing their opponent to push the pace in a desperate game script.

Iowa lacks the offensive efficiency to keep up Florida, which has me leaning towards the Gators -10.5, although it won’t make my official wagers. The Hawkeyes rely heavily on guard Bennett Stirtz, who played all 40 minutes last game but shot a dismal 4-for-17 from the floor.

Stirtz will be forced to take difficult, high-volume shots to keep his team alive. There will be no shortage of opportunity, but points will be difficult to come by versus a Florida defense that ranks eighth nationally in opponent effective field goal percentage.

That’s why taking the Under on his 18.5 points prop is an incredibly smart angle. It’s always hard fading a player who produces as much as the top contenders in the March Madness Most-Outstanding Player odds, but this is a nightmare matchup for him.

Iowa vs Florida Picks

• Reuben Chinyelu Over 11.5 Rebounds (-105 at Bet365)

Sticking in the player props market, Florida center Rueben Chinyelu is fresh off a performance where he vacuumed up 13 total rebounds in just 19 minutes. Surrounded by hyper-efficient playmakers like Boogie Fland, Chinyelu possesses too many matchup advantages.

That’s especially true given the horrific state of the Hawkeyes rebounding. Iowa ranks 355th in total rebounding this season, and 347th in defensive rebounds per game.

Iowa vs Florida Odds

Before making any wager on the Iowa vs Florida contest, make sure to shop around for the best lines. From a total perspective, you’ll want to visit FanDuel if you expect offensive fireworks, as their 144.5 point Over is a point less than consensus.

Props wise, not all sportsbooks are offering two way markets on player points, rebounds or assists, so make sure you check out Bet365, who is among the shops that are.

Odds as of March 21, 2026. New Customers can claim the FanDuel Promo Code to bet on the 2nd Round of March Madness.

How to Watch Iowa vs Florida

Tip-off for Iowa vs Florida is scheduled for 7:10pm ET tonight, from the Benchmark International Arena, in Tampa, FL. TBS will handle the broadcast duties nationwide, while Canadian viewers can watch the action unfold on TSN.

The winner of this matchup will face the winner of the Vanderbilt vs Nebraska contest in the Sweet Sixteen, with a spot in the Elite Eight of the printable March Madness bracket on the line.