Takeaways from Iowa basketball's overtime win against Wisconsin

Iowa Hawkeyes pull off an overtime victory against No. 20 Wisconsin, keeping NCAA Tournament hopes alive with a much-needed win.

The Iowa Hawkeyes faced a monumental challenge on Saturday when they hosted the No. 20 Wisconsin in a late-season showdown. With only six games left in the regular season, every game becomes a must-win if the Hawkeyes hope to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Sitting at 10th in the Big Ten standings with a 14-11 record, the inconsistent Hawkeyes are in a tight race in the middle of the conference pack. The final few games are crucial for determining their standing heading into the conference tournament.

Despite being the underdogs on paper, Fran McCaffery's boys put up a fierce fight against Wisconsin at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Despite a slow start, the team pulled it together at the end of the first half and rode a wave of momentum to bring them back into the game.

After a nail-biting battle, Iowa emerged victorious in overtime, defeating Wisconsin 88-86. The win was a significant one for the team, and there were several key takeaways from the game.

The game looked to be another tough loss for the Hawkeyes, but a strong finish to the first half brought them within four points heading into the break. The team rose to the challenge in the second half and eventually in overtime.

Freshman point guard Brock Harding made valuable contributions off the bench, scoring six points and providing an energy boost whenever he entered the game. Owen Freeman also had a standout performance, leading the team with 20 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks.

In addition to Freeman, three other Hawkeyes reached double digits, with Payton Sandfort and Tony Perkins both adding 18 points and Josh Dix scoring 17.

The victory was crucial for the Hawkeyes, who have been on the receiving end of late-game comebacks from other teams. They needed to prove that they could come through in the clutch, and they did just that.

Overall, the win was a significant one for the Hawkeyes, who are fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Every game is essential at this stage in the season, and this victory was a step in the right direction for Iowa.