Iowa’s Three Potential Opponents in B1G Quarterfinals

The Badgers have lost nine straight games and somehow found a way to limp into the conference tournament. Keep in mind, not every team makes it. Wisconsin got off to a strong enough start where not even their horrendous 2026 record (4-12) was enough to keep them out of it.

Most importantly though, Iowa just crushed the Badgers, in Madison no less. Wisconsin lost that game 81-52 but the Hawkeyes win didn't do enough to keep them out of the tournament entirely. Either way, Iowa shouldn't have anything to worry about if Wisconsin somehow manages to win their first two games.

No. 10 Illinois

For reference, The Fighting Illini took down Wisconsin back on February 11, 92-60. If that game is any indication of what's to come, Iowa has a safe guess as to who will be squaring off in the second round.

When it comes to a potential Iowa vs. Illinois showdown, Iowa has a bit more to be concerned about. This is a tough Fighting Illini squad, one that came to Carver and nearly knocked off a Hawkeyes team that just beat No. 6 Michigan.

Iowa prevailed, 82-78, but Illinois taking down Wisconsin and Michigan State would give them plenty of momentum ahead of a rematch with the Hawkeyes.

No. 7 Michigan State

The Spartans earned a first-round bye as they'll play at 6:30 p.m. EST on March 5. Michigan State is currently the No. 18 ranked team in the AP Top 25. All season long they've consistently been around that number.

Should Illinois take care of business, MSU would play them in a rematch of their January 4 showdown where the Spartans prevailed, 81-75.

Three games later, MSU dropped a game at Carver, 75-68. That was a huge Top 15 win for Iowa as the Spartans were ranked No. 15 at the time. Iowa knows they're in for a tough battle against either Illinois or Michigan State, but it's crazy to say they might actually prefer to play a Spartans team who has lost three of their last five and six of their last 11.