Big Ten quarterfinals set
Ohio State advanced to face top‑seed Michigan in the Big Ten quarterfinals after a 72-69 win over Iowa, while Michigan closed its regular season with a 90-80 victory over Michigan State — both matchups are at Chicago’s United Center in the quarterfinal slate [](https://www.cbssports.com/mens-college-basketball/news/big-ten-tournament-2026-bracket-schedule-scores/). Other quarterfinals this weekend include Illinois vs. Wisconsin, Purdue vs. Nebraska, and UCLA vs. Michigan State — winners move to the semis and bolster (or sink) their NCAA hopes .
Bruce Thornton scored 24 points and John Mobley Jr. supplied all 12 of his points in the second half, with Mobley knocking down two late free throws after Thornton’s personal 10-0 burst that helped Ohio State build a 51-35 lead; Bennett Stirtz led Iowa with 17 points. (espn.com) Yaxel Lendeborg finished with 27 points (19 in the first half) and Morez Johnson Jr. added 18 points and seven rebounds as Michigan closed the regular season 29-2 overall and 19-1 in Big Ten play, celebrating Senior Day and raising the conference championship banner after an 11-0 second-half run. (mgoblue.com) The United Center quarterfinal slate for Friday, March 13 listed No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 8 Ohio State (Game 11, 12:00 p.m. ET on BTN), No. 4 Illinois vs. No. 5 Wisconsin, No. 2 Nebraska vs. No. 7 Purdue (6:30 p.m. ET), and No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 6 UCLA, with winners advancing to Saturday’s semifinals. (ncaa.com) Bracketologists had Michigan projected among the No. 1 seeds and identified Michigan State, Purdue, Illinois, Nebraska and UCLA as teams with at-large or near-at-large status, meaning Friday’s quarterfinal outcomes were expected to influence seed lines ahead of Selection Sunday on March 15. (sportingnews.com)
