Iowa begins the Big Ten tournament against Ohio State on Wednesday in Indianapolis and wants to use the experience from already playing an elimination game.
No. 15 Seed Hawkeyes (16-15) defeated the values of Nebraska 83-68 on Sunday to claim the last tour over Cornhuskers.
“It’s good that it’s not over,” Iowa said forward Payton Sandfort. “We’ll get a new start. We’re going to Indy and everything can happen in March.”
No. 10-seed Buckeyes (17-14) had its own drama in the regular season finale and lost 66-60 to host Indiana to give Hoosiers No. 9 seeds and a village for the second round on Thursday.
To win the tournament and the automatic NCAA bid, Ohio State or Iowa must win five matches in as many days.
Hawkeyes will be inspired by North Carolina State to carry out the performance in the 2024 ACC tournament, says Pryce Sandfort, Payton’s younger brother.
“We definitely talked about it as a team,” he said. “NC State is a perfect example of this, so that’s what we plan to do.”
Ohio State establishes its jump on fifth year guard Micah Parrish and junior guard Bruce Thornton.
Parrish has played 165 career games in his first season and helped San Diego State to the 2023 National Championship game against UCONN.
Thornton leads Buckeyes with an average of 17.5 points and takes 3.4 returns per match.
“Micah is the guy who has had the most experience for us,” said Ohio State coach Jake Diebler. “The way he played, and kind of backed up what he said, I think, has been really influencing.
“We want to play with great joy, and our leaders have to lead the way with it. Micah has been really good. Bruce’s leadership has been really good.”
Hawkeyes will rely on the trio of Payton Sandfort (22 points), Pryce Sandfort (16) and Josh Dix (15), which combined for 53 points against Nebraska. Pryce Sandfort had a team best 11 returns and his brother added eight.
The winner plays No. 7 Frö Illinois on Thursday.
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