The Michigan State Spartans had a solid non-conference slate, beating then-#6 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, but Big Ten play has been much more difficult. The Spartans (8-4, 2-4 Big Ten) lost three in a row to open the conference schedule, losing to Northwestern, Wisconsin and Minnesota by a combined 48 points, including a 25-point spanking at Minnesota. They bounced back with wins at Nebraska and over then-#15 Rutgers (by 23) but then lost Friday at home to Purdue. Next up is a trip to fifth-ranked Iowa. The Hawkeyes (11-2, 5-1 Big Ten) lost by 11 to Gonzaga back before Christmas and then lost at Minnesota by seven in overtime on Christmas Day. Since then, they have run off wins over Northwestern, Rutgers, Maryland and Minnesota, getting revenge against the Golden Gophers when they came to Iowa City on Sunday. Can Sparty mount the upset?
Check out our college basketball betting thoughts on this Big Ten showdown.
NCAAB: Michigan State at Iowa (January 14)
When: Thursday, January 14, 2021, 9:00 pm ET
Where: Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Iowa City, IA
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: No National Radio
Live Stream: Hulu
NHL Odds: XXXX
Why should you bet on the Spartans?
Michigan State led Purdue by as many as 17 points in their loss to the Boilermakers, but they gave up the winning jumper with 4.5 seconds left in regulation. The Spartans went just 2 for 13 to finish the game and shot only 39 percent for the game, but they did post a 13-0 run in the first half and led, 31-16, at the intermission.
Joshua Langford had ten points for the Spartans, but had just three after halftime. In an interview at the game, the senior guard said, “There’s no reason to hang our heads, it’s too early in the season. The loss does hurt, especially losing like that when we had the lead.” For the game, the Spartans had 14 turnovers, most of them coming down the stretch when they also could not buy a basket from the floor. Given the way that Michigan State played against Rutgers earlier in the week, though, I expect them to shoot better and do a better job with ball security when they play the Hawkeyes.
Why should you put your money on the Hawkeyes?
Getting the win over Minnesota in the rematch was key for the confidence of the Hawkeyes. Senior guard Jordan Bohannon had 19 points and set a career best with 14 assists; he also grabbed seven boards and went almost 36 minutes without a single turnover. Luka Garza went off for 33 points, and Joe Wieskamp added 20. The ball movement that Iowa showed was particularly impressive, as they made 31 field goals as a team and had 27 assists. Bohannon, especially, seems to be on a tear, having put up 74 points in his last four games. Garza is the leading scorer in the nation, putting up 27.2 points per game.
That win gave Iowa four victories in a row, and they stay a half-game back of unbeaten Michigan. Playing in a conference as tough as the Big Ten will help both of these teams prepare for the tough play of the NCAA tournament. If you like Iowa on Thursday, you see their scoring touch continuing while Michigan State continues to show inconsistency over the course of conference season.
Final Score and Prediction
Iowa’s explosion behind Luka Garzas has been particularly impressive this season. While Michigan State is one of the venerable “blue blood” programs in college basketball, but while they had the scheme and the people to roll Rutgers at home, I’m not sure that happens down in Iowa City. I predict a final score of Iowa 90, Michigan State 81.
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