Potential Big Ten Tournament scenarios set for Iowa basketball vs Nebraska

As Iowa basketball (15-15, 6-13 Big Ten) enters a pivotal win-or-go-home regular-season finale vs. Nebraska (17-13, 7-12) tonight from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincon, Neb., the Hawkeyes’ potential 2025 Big Ten Tournament outcomes have officially been finalized.

Despite a frustrating and sometimes agonizing season for the Hawkeyes, the easiest way for the program to return to the conference’s postseason tournament is with a win over the Cornhuskers tonight.

However, Iowa could climb even higher in the Big Ten Tournament seeding if they receive help from results elsewhere in the conference.

As crazy as it sounds, Iowa could rise to the 13th seed in a scenario where the Hawkeyes defeat the Cornhuskers, coupled with a Minnesota victory over Rutgers. This would give Iowa a better round-robin record against Nebraska, USC, and Northwestern, thus vaulting the Hawkeyes past all three.

However, if the Golden Gophers are unsuccessful against the Scarlet Knights, coupled with a Hawkeyes victory, Iowa will still squeak in at the 15th and final seed of the 2025 Big Ten Tournament.

Obviously, if Iowa loses its crucial game today against Nebraska, the Hawkeyes will miss the conference postseason and see their 2024-25 season come to a close.

“It’s something everybody’s aware of,” Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery said regarding the Big Ten Tournament implications of Sunday’s game. “But our focus is on the game plan for Nebraska. I’m quite sure they’re feeling the same way. You’re just stating the obvious otherwise.”

While qualifying for the 2025 Big Ten Tournament as the 15-seed would require the Hawkeyes to run the gauntlet of five wins in five days to capture an unprecedented title, it is still an opportunity for Iowa to make a miraculous postseason run.

Today’s game against Nebraska will be broadcast on Fox with a tipoff from a raucous Pinnacle Bank Arena set for 11:30 a.m. CT.

Iowa fans can also tune into Iowa play-by-play voice Gary Dolphin and color analyst Bobby Hansen call the game on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

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