Let's not sugarcoat it: that was a pathetic loss.
Iowa was finally starting to get back on track, winning two out of three games against No. 9 Nebraska and Ohio State.
The Hawkeyes were trending in the right direction after their 17-point victory over the Buckeyes earlier in the week, and had a prime opportunity to lock up a top-eight finish in the Big Ten standings.
Iowa hit the road to State College, PA to take on a bad Penn State team, and they flat-out faceplanted in a must-win game.
The loss all but drops Iowa out of double bye contention in the Big Ten Tourney
Excluding a shooting clinic by Cooper Koch (career-high 18 points), the offense went cold for long stretches, and the typically stout Iowa defense allowed the Nittany Lions to score at will from inside and the three-point line.
Penn State shot 64 percent from the field and 60 percent from three-point range, knocking down nine three-pointers in the 71-69 win over Iowa.
Entering the game, the Hawkeys had over a 90 percent chance of earning a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament with a win, and that fell to under 65 percent with a loss.
It is not impossible, but with games against Michigan and Nebraska on the horizon, it is not looking good for the Hawkeyes.
Iowa had a chance to wait until day three of the Big Ten Tournament for its first game, and it was almost a lock to make the NCAA Tournament.
With a loss against Penn State and two potential losses to end the season, Iowa must find a way to upset one or both of Michigan and Nebraska and win a game or two in the conference tournament to lock up a postseason spot.