Whether that will be the final time Hawkeyes fans see Sandfort or McCaffery still isn't clear. An NIT appearance remains a possibility.

With Iowa trailing Illinois, 69-60 with 13:33 remaining, Iowa guard Brock Harding was dribbling the ball up the court when the referee closest to Iowa's bench called McCaffery for a technical foul. McCaffery had his hands and his pockets and did not appear irate, but likely said something to make the referee blow the whistle.