McCaffery was ejected in the second half of Iowa's 106-94 loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament. The ejection and subsequent defeat came amid widespread speculation that the 2024-25 season may be the Hawkeyes' last with McCaffrey at the helm.

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery would have preferred to bid farewell to his seniors in front of the crowd Thursday night. Instead, his second-half ejection forced that scene to play out in the privacy of the Hawkeyes' locker room.

The technicals came following a foul on Iowa's Even Brauns, which led to a pair of free throws by Illinois' Tre White. White knocked down both attempts. As Iowa brought the ball up on the ensuing possession, McCaffery continued arguing with the officials and was whistled for a technical foul.