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Michigan State vs Iowa preview, predictions, odds and live stream

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 29, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery and Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo shake hands before the game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery and Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo shake hands before the game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thursday’s Michigan State vs Iowa could spell revenge for the Spartans over the Hawkeyes.

Michigan State‘s first loss of the season came on December 29 against these very same Iowa Hawkeyes and since that defeat, the Spartans have been waiting for the chance to exact revenge.

Iowa has been red-hot ever since it started the season with a 3-2 record, reeling off nine wins in 10 games to get to 12-3 and 3-0 in Big Ten play. Traveling to the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Thursday night will definitely be the Hawkeyes’ toughest contest of the year to this point, though.

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The Spartans are considered one of the top national title favorites and have been absolutely destroying opponents this season while also taking down some ranked foes in the process. Out of the Spartans’ 16 wins, 11 have been by at least double digits. Other wins that weren’t by double figures included No. 4 Kansas, No. 24 Louisville, Florida and Oakland without Denzel Valentine.

Who will win this rematch between the No. 4 Spartans and No. 16 Hawkeyes?

Details for Thursday’s Michigan State vs Iowa game are below:

Date: Thursday, Jan. 14
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: East Lansing, MI
Stadium: Breslin Center
TV Info: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Click here

Three Keys to Victory

Jan 10, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20) shoots a layup during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Michigan State defeated Penn State 92-65. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Jan 10, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Matt McQuaid (20) shoots a layup during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryce Jordan Center. Michigan State defeated Penn State 92-65. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
  1. Get the freshmen involved. Matt McQuaid has been playing some solid basketball over the past two games. It seems as if the freshman guard has turned the corner in his play, so he will need to continue to improve in this one. Deyonta Davis will need to be a force in the post as well, not allowing Adam Woodbury to get easy buckets while making that feathery baby hook of his.
  2. Bryn Forbes’ shooting touch. Bryn Forbes was absolutely on fire against Penn State last week, helping the Spartans take a 13-point lead into halftime. If Forbes can catch fire yet again, Michigan State will have no excuses for not getting an early lead.
  3. Denzel needs to be Denzel. Denzel Valentine’s first game back was a minor success, putting up 10 points, four rebounds and four assists, but the Spartans will need more going forward. Denzel will need to be the old Denzel in order for the Spartans to get to 17-1.

Three Storylines to Follow

Jan 10, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Eron Harris (14) drives the ball around Penn State Nittany Lions forward Payton Banks (0) during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Michigan State defeated Penn State 92-65. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Jan 10, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Eron Harris (14) drives the ball around Penn State Nittany Lions forward Payton Banks (0) during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Michigan State defeated Penn State 92-65. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O /
  1. The role of Eron Harris. Tom Izzo said that Eron Harris’ role will still be a prominent one even though Denzel is back, but how big of an act will he actually play with the Spartans off the bench?
  2. Denzel’s health. The senior captain looked to be a little hampered by his injury in his first game back against Penn State on Sunday, but he got stronger as the game wore on. Will his health play a key role in this one?
  3. Revenge. It’s always interesting to see how a team responds in a revenge game. Will the Spartans get the last laugh or will the Hawkeyes prove to be the better team this season and extend their lead over Michigan State in the Big Ten standings?

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Michigan State -7

Iowa Players to Watch

  • Jarrod Uthoff — 18.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, 45.5% three-point shooting
  • Peter Jok — 13.1 rebounds, 3.2 rebounds
  • Mike Gesell — 9.9 points, 6.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 48.5% FG shooting
  • Adam Woodbury — 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 54.5% FG shooting

Prediction

Denzel Valentine will put the team on his back early on, getting the Spartans a decent lead heading into halftime — up by seven. The second half will be relatively back and forth early on as Jarrod Uthoff will be difficult to guard, but Bryn Forbes will make some daggers down the stretch to put the Hawkeyes away for good.

Final Score: Iowa 62, Michigan State 75

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