Sunday afternoon in Iowa City won’t feel like just another conference game. When No. 10 Iowa welcomes No. 12 Ohio State to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, it’ll carry the weight of history, revenge, and Big Ten supremacy all packed into 40 intense minutes.
It’s hard to ignore the excitement surrounding Iowa vs. Ohio State. This matchup feels more like March arriving early than January basketball, with both teams ranked, on the rise, and only one game separating them in the standings.
Iowa vs Ohio State: Everything You Need to Know Before Tipoff
What: Ohio State (18-2, 7-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 10 Iowa (17-2, 8-0 Big Ten) When: Sunday, January 25, 2026, at 1 p.m. CT Where: Iowa City’s Carver-Hawkeye Arena TV: Peacock Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network Iowa’s next game is on Thursday at 8 p.m. at USC. The CT
A Historic Start for the Hawkeyes
Not only is Iowa’s flawless 8-0 Big Ten start impressive, but it’s uncommon. The Hawkeyes haven’t started league play this hot in almost thirty years, when Iowa won 12 straight conference games in 1995–96, Angie Lee’s first season as head coach.
The group this year has a unique, tough personality. The victory over Maryland in overtime on Thursday night, 85-78, perfectly encapsulated it. After watching their commanding 17-point lead evaporate in the last three minutes of regulation, Iowa responded with poise and toughness in overtime, closing on a decisive 12-3 run.
Leading the way with 20 points was Ava Heiden, while Chit-Chat Wright had one of her best runs of the year with 18 points, eight of which came in overtime. It was telling even though it wasn’t attractive. Outstanding teams make it through such nights.
Ohio State: The One Team That’s Had Iowa’s Number
If there’s a Big Ten program Iowa hasn’t consistently solved, it’s Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are the only team among the league’s established powers that still has a 42-37 advantage over the Hawkeyes in their all-time series. Ohio State defeated Iowa twice last season, first in a thrilling 86-78 overtime match in Columbus and again in a heartbreaking 60-59 Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal. That past is still present. Players keep in mind. Indeed, fans do.
Ohio State is on a seven-game winning streak and is only one game behind Iowa and UCLA in the conference race going into Sunday.
The Buckeyes made their most recent statement on Thursday night when they defeated Indiana 81-67 after overcoming a 10-point halftime deficit and dominating the second half 49-25.
The Players Who Could Swing the Game
Jaloni Cambridge, the current 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, is Ohio State’s engine. With an average of 21.6 points per game, which ranks third in the conference, Cambridge is now a full-fledged star who can dominate portions of a game virtually on his own. Kennedy Cambridge, her sister, leads the Big Ten in steals per game and causes havoc on defense. When combined, they create one of the most disruptive backcourts in the league.
Throughout the season, balance has been crucial for Iowa. The Hawkeyes punish teams with depth, patience, and quick shots rather than depending on a single scorer. Against an Ohio State defense that thrives on forcing turnovers and rapid momentum swings, that adaptability will be essential.
Why This Game Matters More Than the Rankings
Yes, it’s No. 10 vs. No. 12. Yes, it’s Iowa vs Ohio State. But the real stakes go deeper.
Why This Game Is More Important Than the Rankings Indeed, it is No. 10 versus No. 12. Yes, Ohio State will play Iowa. However, the true risks are more profound. A victory solidifies Iowa’s hold on the top spot in the Big Ten standings and keeps it flawless in league play. In a rivalry that is already biased in Ohio State’s favor, a defeat instantly tightens the race and gives them an additional psychological advantage.
Above all, Sunday provides a benchmark. It’s an opportunity for Iowa to demonstrate that this hot start is not only remarkable but also long-lasting. It’s a chance for Ohio State to remind the conference that Columbus is still on the path to a Big Ten championship. Carver-Hawkeye Arena should be noisy, tense, and memorable in any case. This is an event that Big Ten basketball fans should not miss.
