In the opening round of the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament on March 12, 2025, the Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Iowa, the 15th seed, improved to a 17-15 record with this victory. Payton Sandfort led the team with 17 points, while Josh Dix added 16 points, rebounding from a scoreless performance against Ohio State earlier in the season. Brock Harding contributed 15 points, including a crucial 3-pointer in the final moments to secure the win. Pryce Sandfort also added 10 points.
Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton scored a game-high 24 points, with Devin Royal adding 17 points. Despite their efforts, the Buckeyes’ late-game struggles led to their early exit from the tournament. This loss may impact Ohio State’s chances of securing an NCAA Tournament berth.
Iowa advances to face the 7th-seeded Illinois Fighting Illini in the next round. The teams previously met on February 25, where Illinois emerged victorious with an 81-61 win over Iowa.