The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ Big Ten Tournament title defense gets underway today from the United Center in Chicago.
Fifth-seeded Iowa (19-12, 11-9 Big Ten) takes on No. 13 seed Ohio State for the third time this season in its opening game of the conference tournament. The Buckeyes toppled 12th-seeded Wisconsin last night, 65-57.
Ohio State led the Badgers at the break 36-18 and by as many as 27 in the second half following Brice Sensabaugh’s jumper. That shot from Sensabaugh extended Ohio State’s lead to 47-20 with 15:34 remaining.
Wisconsin came charging back and actually brought the deficit all the way back down to just five points after a series of three consecutive made 3-pointers. It was 57-52 Ohio State with 2:17 remaining at that juncture, but the Buckeyes made free throws to put the contest away and move on to today’s battle against Iowa.
The Hawkeyes enter having lost their regular season finale against Nebraska, 81-77. Iowa had a chance to lock up a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament, but now the Hawks are seeking a path like last year.
Iowa won four games in four days, topping Northwestern, Rutgers, Indiana and then Purdue in the Big Ten Championship game. Jordan Bohannon banked a 3-pointer in just before the buzzer to beat the Hoosiers and send the Hawkeyes to the title tilt.
Then, Keegan Murray scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Iowa’s 75-66 title win over Purdue. It was the third Big Ten Tournament championship in program history for the Hawkeyes and the first since 2006.
Here’s how fans can watch Iowa versus Ohio State from the United Center.