Ohio State is gearing up for a shot at redemption as they prepare to face Iowa in the opening round of the Big Ten tournament. The Buckeyes are looking to turn the tables after a previous loss to the Hawkeyes earlier this season.
Iowa comes into this matchup with renewed energy, having just defeated Maryland 75-64. Cooper Koch was on fire, scoring a career-high 19 points and sinking 5 of 8 from beyond the arc.
Bennet Stirtz also played a pivotal role, adding 17 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, helping Iowa break a three-game losing streak. The Hawkeyes, now sitting at 21-11, had been struggling, losing four of their last five before heading to Chicago.
Ohio State, the No. 8 seed, has had a strong finish to their regular season with a three-game winning streak, including impressive victories over Purdue, Penn State, and Indiana. However, their challenge has been maintaining that form away from home.
The Buckeyes and Hawkeyes have already clashed once this season, with Iowa coming out on top 74-57 in Iowa City. For Ohio State, the key to victory will be controlling Iowa’s pace and dominating the boards. They’ll need to find a way to contain Koch and Stirtz, preventing them from replicating their standout performances.
The stakes are high, as the winner will advance to face the top-seeded Michigan on Friday. Iowa narrowly lost to Michigan in a close contest earlier this season, while Ohio State has fallen to the Big Ten champions twice. The Buckeyes are eager to prove themselves and keep their momentum rolling.