Ohio State's NCAA Tournament chances just took it on the chin. The Buckeyes were already precariously on the bubble and it might have just popped in a 77-70 loss to Iowa in a Big Ten Tournament first-round game that continued a poor showing down the stretch of the season.

Iowa pulled away from Ohio State for a 77-70 victory in a Big Ten Tournament opener, a loss which could cost the Buckeyes an NCAA Tournament bid.

Ohio State was seeded 10th in the Big Ten Tournament, but the surprise defeat to the No. 15 seed Hawkeyes means the Buckeyes — which came despite 24 points from Bruce Thornton — will likely be watching the NCAA Tournament from home.