Even though Iowa's game against Ohio State was not a true "must-win," it was pivotal for the Hawkeyes' postseason hopes.
The Hawkeyes sat just one spot ahead of the Buckeyes in the Big Ten Conference standings heading into the February 25 game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
A win for the Hawkeyes secures No. 8 in the standings and puts them in the driver's seat to earn a double bye in the upcoming Big Ten Tournament.
After a rough start that saw the Buckeyes go up 14-2 early in the first half, Iowa ended the half on a 36-9 run and ran away with the game.
With a 74-57 win over the Buckeyes, Iowa secured the No. 8 spot in the Big Ten Standings, achieving something it hasn't done in five seasons.
Iowa's first 20-win season since 2021 has them on track for a double bye
The Hawkeyes notched their first 20-win season since the 2021-2022 season, and moved past Ohio State for eighth in the Big Ten.
Eighth place secures them a double bye and a day-three start to the Big Ten Tournament if they can hold on in the last three games of the regular season.
The win also gave Iowa another Quad 2 victory, making them a perfect 7-0 in Quad 2 games in head coach Ben McCollum's first season at the helm.
Iowa's remarkable turnaround did not take as long as many people predicted, and it further proves that McCollum wins wherever he goes.
There is still work to be done with three pivotal games against Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska to close out the regular season, but the Hawkeyes are sitting in a prime position for a good seed in the Big Ten Tournament.