Preview: Ohio State Buckeyes at Iowa Hawkeyes IOWA CITY, Iowa (Interstat) — A pivotal Big Ten men’s basketball matchup with postseason implications is set for Wednesday night as the Iowa Hawkeyes host the Ohio State Buckeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Iowa (19-8 overall) enters the contest looking to solidify its NCAA tournament resume and rebound from a tough 84-71 road loss at Wisconsin on Sunday. The Hawkeyes have been strong at home this season and are led by guard Alvaro Folgueiras, who is coming off an 11-point, six-rebound, four-assist performance against the Badgers. Iowa’s offense will aim to rediscover its rhythm after being held under 60 points in two of its last three games. Ohio State (17-10) arrives seeking consistency after a 66-60 defeat at Michigan State on Sunday. The Buckeyes’ fortunes often hinge on the play of standout guard Bruce Thornton, who is in the midst of a stellar individual stretch. Thornton poured in 32 points in the loss to the Spartans, marking his fourth game with 27 or more points in his last six outings. His scoring burst will be critical for an Ohio State team that has alternated wins and losses over its past seven games. The head-to-head battle in the backcourt between Thornton and Iowa’s Folgueiras will be a key storyline. Thornton’s high-volume scoring contrasts with Folgueiras’s more varied all-around contributions. In the broader conference picture, both teams are jockeying for seeding in the upcoming Big Ten tournament. Iowa, with a more robust overall record, will look to defend its home court and create separation. Ohio State, hovering around the .500 mark in league play, views this as a crucial opportunity for a quality road win to bolster its postseason credentials. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. EST tipoff on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. Following this contest, Iowa will travel to face Penn State on Saturday, while Ohio State prepares for a home showdown with Purdue on March 1.