Remaining League Games for Top Teams

[Conn53victor]

EDITED: Noon, February 20, 2026: Let’s look at the rest of the regular season for the top teams in the B1G10 in the search for a double-bye in the conference tournament. Ignoring UCLA, we have the most favorable schedule of the top teams, giving us a solid chance for third in the league and a shot at second. Notice how many of these are against other teams at the top. Tip o' the hat to Hawkeye_Miguel for finding my error.

Remaining games after Thursday, February 19, 2026:
UCLA (16-0) faces:
Wisconsin (5-11)
@ USC (9-6)

Michigan (13-2) faces:
@ #13 Iowa (12-3)
@ #10 Ohio State (11-4)
#14 Maryland (9-6)

Iowa (12-3) faces:
#6 Michigan (13-2)
Illinois (8-7)
@ Wisconsin (5-11)

Minnesota (12-4) faces:
#18 MSU (10-6)
@ Illinois (8-7)

Ohio State (11-4) faces:
USC (9-6)
#6 Michigan (13-2)
@ #18 MSU (10-6)

TEAM CONF​ UCLA 15-0​ Michigan 13-2​ Iowa 12-3​ Minnesota 12-4​ Ohio State 11-4​ Michigan State 10-6​ Maryland 9-6​ Washington 9-6​ USC 9-6​ Illinois 8-7​ Oregon 7-8​ Nebraska 5-11​ Wisconsin 5-11​ Purdue 4-11​ Indiana 3-12​ Penn State 2-13​ Northwestern 2-13​ Rutgers 1-14​

​

 

[AFM22]

Iowa needs to win out for a chance at the 2. For sure need OSU to drop 1 to give some space.

A 2nd place finish would exceed my beginning of year expectations. I for sure thought they'd finish behind Ohio and Maryland. Didn't expect Michigan to have the year they're having.

 

[Scott559]

Iowa needs to win out for a chance at the 2. For sure need OSU to drop 1 to give some space.

A 2nd place finish would exceed my beginning of year expectations. I for sure thought they'd finish behind Ohio and Maryland. Didn't expect Michigan to have the year they're having.

Preseason rankings, Coaches had Michigan 3rd, Media had them 4th, Neither had Iowa in the top 5.

 

[The Big Z]

Well we will be favored in all 4 games. OSU obviously has the toughest remaining schedule. They'll lose at least 2 more. MIchigan could lose 2 more but Minnesota looks to be the sleeper as they could end up winning the last 3 if they continue playing the way they've been playing.

 

[Ihawkscott]

Well we will be favored in all 4 games. OSU obviously has the toughest remaining schedule. They'll lose at least 2 more. MIchigan could lose 2 more but Minnesota looks to be the sleeper as they could end up winning the last 3 if they continue playing the way they've been playing.

I think michigan will be favored when they play the hawks

 

[CRHAWK]

Let’s look at the rest of the regular season for the top teams in the B1G10 in the search for a double-bye in the conference tournament. Ignoring UCLA, we have the most favorable schedule of the top teams, giving us a solid chance for third in the league and a shot at second. Notice how many of these are against other teams at the top.

Remaining games:

UCLA (15-0) faces:
Washington (9-6)
Wisconsin (5-10)
@ USC (8-6)

Michigan (13-2) faces:
@ #13 Iowa (10-3)
@ #10 Ohio State (11-3)
#14 Maryland (9-6)

Ohio State (11-3) faces:
@ #23 Minnesota (11-4)
USC (8-6)
#6 Michigan (13-3)
@ #18 MSU (9-6)

Iowa (11-3) faces:
@ Purdue (4-10)
#6 Michigan (13-2)
Illinois (7-7)
@ Wisconsin (5-10)

Minnesota (11-4) faces:
#10 Ohio State (11-3)
#18 MSU (9-6)
@ Illinois (7-7)

Michigan and Illinois are the only tests left this year. Illinois is better than their record

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

OSU vs Minnesota will be helpful. That's a guaranteed loss for at least one of those teams.

I don't think there's a big difference between getting the #2 seed vs #3 seed for the B1G tournament. Getting the 4 is a much harder draw because you'll be staring down UCLA in the semifinal

 

[whynot?]

OSU vs Minnesota will be helpful. That's a guaranteed loss for at least one of those teams.

I don't think there's a big difference between getting the #2 seed vs #3 seed for the B1G tournament. Getting the 4 is a much harder draw because you'll be staring down UCLA in the semifinal

Agree, must go all out for 2!

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Well we will be favored in all 4 games. OSU obviously has the toughest remaining schedule. They'll lose at least 2 more. MIchigan could lose 2 more but Minnesota looks to be the sleeper as they could end up winning the last 3 if they continue playing the way they've been playing.

Well we will be favored in all 4 games. OSU obviously has the toughest remaining schedule. They'll lose at least 2 more. MIchigan could lose 2 more but Minnesota looks to be the sleeper as they could end up winning the last 3 if they continue playing the way they've been playing.

I doubt we'll be favored vs Michigan on Saturday.....

 

[oldhawk56]

I doubt we'll be favored vs Michigan on Saturday.....

Sunday...

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Sunday...

Swell, they probably won't be favored the next day either......

 

[The Big Z]

Michigan is 22-4 and we’re 20-5. And playing at home. They’re in 2nd and we’re in 3rd. At worst it will be a pick em game in my opinion.

 

[Destin Hawk]

Iowa Vs Michigan will come down to you does better team strengths wise....Iowa has the dominant interior, Michigan very strong in the wings/backcourt.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

Iowa Vs Michigan will come down to you does better team strengths wise....Iowa has the dominant interior, Michigan very strong in the wings/backcourt.

True. I doubt Michigan will play Ava person to person. I'm sure they'll have someone dig down on her. I'd imagine whoever is guarding Kylie will be dropping down a lot. That's what I'd do.

 

[Burghawk87]

True. I doubt Michigan will play Ava person to person. I'm sure they'll have someone dig down on her. I'd imagine whoever is guarding Kylie will be dropping down a lot. That's what I'd do.

I'd play the CC defense against South Carolina on Kylie. Sag all the way into the lane and dismissively wave your hand at her. If she happens to hit 4 or 5 shots then maybe think about coming out. But no earlier.

 

[Kceasthawk@77]

I'd play the CC defense against South Carolina on Kylie. Sag all the way into the lane and dismissively wave your hand at her. If she happens to hit 4 or 5 shots then maybe think about coming out. But no earlier.

I'd play the CC defense against South Carolina on Kylie. Sag all the way into the lane and dismissively wave your hand at her. If she happens to hit 4 or 5 shots then maybe think about coming out. But no earlier.

Absolutely. That's why as a group we'll need to hit some threes.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan2]

I'd play the CC defense against South Carolina on Kylie. Sag all the way into the lane and dismissively wave your hand at her. If she happens to hit 4 or 5 shots then maybe think about coming out. But no earlier.

I would say that I feel like I have seen that a little bit over the past several games...minus the dismissive wave off.

 

[citizenHawk1]

Britt Prince with 13 yesterday.

204K views · 3.5K reactions | Straight lockdown mode. | Iowa Women's Basketball

Straight lockdown mode.

www.facebook.com

 

[uihawk82]

Iowa needs to win out for a chance at the 2. For sure need OSU to drop 1 to give some space.

A 2nd place finish would exceed my beginning of year expectations. I for sure thought they'd finish behind Ohio and Maryland. Didn't expect Michigan to have the year they're having.

I am old fashioned as I want a regular season championship more than the Big Tourney title. I also like finishing high in the regular season standings more than getting to the semis of the tourney. A Big Tourney run to the title game is super exciting I admit.

 

[AFM22]

I am old fashioned as I want a regular season championship more than the Big Tourney title. I also like finishing high in the regular season standings more than getting to the semis of the tourney. A Big Tourney run to the title game is super exciting I admit.

I agree but UCLA has it pretty much all but locked up.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Iowa needs to win out for a chance at the 2. For sure need OSU to drop 1 to give some space.

A 2nd place finish would exceed my beginning of year expectations. I for sure thought they'd finish behind Ohio and Maryland. Didn't expect Michigan to have the year they're having.

OSU will lose at least 2 more games including tonight. I think Iowa ties Minnesota for 3rd at 14-4.

 

[CRHAWK]

Minnesota beat OSU by 13 tonight.

 

[Conn53victor]

Updated: Friday morning, February 20. 2026.

 

[herkhatescy2]

I doubt we'll be favored vs Michigan on Saturday.....

And that's fine. It'll make us play that much more inspired.

 

[Hawkeye_Miguel]

Updated: Friday morning, February 20. 2026.

UCLA beat Washington yesterday. They're 16-0 and have locked up the #1 seed in the BTT

 

[Conn53victor]

UCLA beat Washington yesterday. They're 16-0 and have locked up the #1 seed in the BTT

Oops. Misteaks R Us. Fixed it.

 

[Conn53victor]

I used Claude AI to create a BIG10 tourney bracket based on today's standings. Here was what I told it to do: "The women's basketball teams in the BIG10 Conference only have a few games left before their conference tournament. I'd like you to create a basketball bracket for the tournament based on the current standings. I've provided the blank bracket for this year."

 

[mphawk]

I used Claude AI to create a BIG10 tourney bracket based on today's standings. Here was what I told it to do: "The women's basketball teams in the BIG10 Conference only have a few games left before their conference tournament. I'd like you to create a basketball bracket for the tournament based on the current standings. I've provided the blank bracket for this year."

View attachment 1193521

Here is a better way:
mred's Big 10 WBB Tournament Seeding Tiebreaker

 

[Jonesy5960]

I used Claude AI to create a BIG10 tourney bracket based on today's standings. Here was what I told it to do: "The women's basketball teams in the BIG10 Conference only have a few games left before their conference tournament. I'd like you to create a basketball bracket for the tournament based on the current standings. I've provided the blank bracket for this year."

View attachment 1193521

Like too many things AI, this is kind of a guess and not a very good one. Minnesota will be a 3 or 4 seed. Not OSU.