Coming into the basketball season, the Big Ten made a decision that surprised many: The conference was altering its new conference tournament format after just one season — where only 15 of the 18 teams qualified — and opted to accept all 18 starting in 2026.

The ESPN NCAA Tournament bracketology update is liking the Hawkeyes as well. In the latest projections, Iowa is climbing a seed line and is now staring at a potential Cy-Hawk rematch with the Iowa State Cyclones in the second round for a spot in the Sweet 16.

After two straight losses, the Iowa Hawkeyes have gone from a team on the cusp of locking up an NCAA Tournament bid early to nearing bubble talk.

With eight Big Ten games remaining, Purdue is considered a lock for the NCAA Tournament. Four other teams in the league have also secured March Madness spots.

The No. 1 Wolverines face No. 7 Purdue in a Big Ten brawl that is one of the marquee games on a night jam-packed with great action

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL. Monday, Feb. 16. 5 p.m. CBSSN - Colgate at Boston U. 6 p.m. ESPN - Syracuse at Duke. 6 p.m. ESPNU - Bethune-Cookman at Jackson State. 6 p.m. SWAC TV -

Michigan State basketball continues its path to coach Tom Izzo's 28th straight March Madness bid. Here's what seed Spartans are in bracketology.