Ohio State entered the Big Ten Tournament knowing a win over Iowa was likely essential to keeping its NCAA Tournament aspirations alive. After a disappointing late-game collapse against Indiana, the Buckeyes needed to rebound against a Hawkeyes team they had convincingly beaten earlier in the season. However, another offensive drought in crunch time sealed their fate, as Ohio State fell 77-70 to Iowa, making Selection Sunday an anxious affair for Buckeye Nation.

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort, Josh Dix, and Brock Harding led the charge with 17, 16, and 15 points, respectively. Meanwhile, Bruce Thornton put forth a valiant effort, scoring a game-high 24 points for Ohio State, while Devin Royal and Micah Parrish contributed 17 and 16 points.

The game began in chaotic fashion, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. The opening minutes were marred by missed shots and turnovers, as neither side could establish offensive consistency. Iowa failed to score for nearly six minutes, yet Ohio State was unable to take full advantage. Eventually, both teams found their footing, trading blows in a tightly contested first half that saw 11 lead changes and nine ties. A late flurry from the Hawkeyes gave them a 37-34 advantage, but a clutch, off-balance three-pointer from Scotty Middleton at the buzzer sent the game into halftime knotted at 37.

Coming out of the break, Ohio State fought to keep pace as Iowa opened with a strong offensive burst. Royal provided key moments, battling through traffic for a putback and finishing an emphatic dunk. However, Iowa gradually built an eight-point cushion behind Sandfort’s perimeter shooting and Seydou Traore’s inside presence.

Down 57-50, Ohio State showed resilience, stringing together an 8-0 run fueled by Thornton and Royal. With just over seven minutes to play, the game was tied at 61, setting the stage for a tense finish. Unfortunately, the Buckeyes once again faltered offensively at the worst possible time. A nearly four-minute scoring drought allowed Iowa to pull ahead 68-61, and despite Thornton’s late-game heroics—including an and-one layup and a floater—Harding’s dagger three-pointer in the final seconds effectively ended Ohio State’s comeback bid.

Now, Ohio State’s fate lies in the hands of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. With a 17-15 record, the Buckeyes are firmly on the bubble and will anxiously await Sunday’s Selection Show at 6 p.m. on CBS. Should they miss the NCAA Tournament, they are expected to compete in the inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas.

The loss not only stings in the short term but also carries historical implications. If the Buckeyes fail to receive a bid, it will mark the program’s first three-year NCAA Tournament drought in two decades. For a program with Ohio State’s pedigree, that reality is difficult to accept. Now, all that’s left to do is wait and hope for a favorable decision from the selection committee.