The Iowa Hawkeyes have made a statement with their gritty 57-52 victory over the ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers, reigniting their season in spectacular fashion. Carver-Hawkeye Arena was buzzing with excitement as fans stormed the court, celebrating a win that could have significant implications for Iowa's NCAA Tournament hopes.
This victory not only breaks a tough streak of losses to Maryland and Purdue but also bolsters Iowa's résumé with a crucial Quadrant 1A win. The Hawkeyes now find themselves in a strong position, with ESPN's latest NCAA Tournament bubble watch suggesting they're nearly a "lock" for March Madness, boasting at-large odds above 95%.
Currently, Iowa's résumé is impressive, ranking in the mid-to-low-30s nationally and flirting with the top 25 in predictive ratings. However, the road ahead is challenging, with their remaining schedule jumping to the 12th toughest nationally and fourth hardest in the Big Ten, according to the BPI. Despite this, the models give Iowa a solid 96% chance of securing an at-large bid.
Looking ahead, Iowa's next matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers could be pivotal. Both teams are in the "should be in" category for the NCAA Tournament, and their showdown on Sunday, February 22, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena could push the winner into the "lock" status.
Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. CT, and fans can catch the action on FS1.
For the Hawkeyes, this win over Nebraska might just be the spark they need as they navigate the challenging road to March Madness.