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.

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.

Heading into Wednesday’s game, Ohio State’s chances of making the NCAA Tournament were up in the air. A win against Iowa would’ve all but secured the Buckeyes’ spot in the big dance. But Ohio State couldn’t execute down the stretch and now its tournament hopes are in extreme jeopardy.