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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Iowa battle in Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 30: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket as Caleb McConnell #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during the second half of a college basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center on November 30, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 78-67. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images,)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 30: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket as Caleb McConnell #22 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends during the second half of a college basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center on November 30, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 78-67. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images,) /
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Michigan State basketball is gearing up for its toughest Big Ten test of the early-season. What can we expect from Monday’s Iowa matchup?

There’s no better feeling than getting off to a 1-0 start to conference play. Not only is Michigan State ahead of the pack early on, but it gives the Spartans some extra confidence heading into the rest of Big Ten play.

On Monday night, the Spartans will face their toughest Big Ten foe so far as No. 18 Iowa comes to town. The Hawkeyes are fresh off a tough defeat at the hands of Wisconsin at home and will be looking for some vengeance.

Can Michigan State handle business against the Hawkeyes and improve to 2-0 in conference play with a second ranked win under its belt?

Monday’s game could be a good one and here’s what to expect.

5. Spartans make 15 shots from 3-point range

On average, Michigan State makes just less than 10 3-pointers per game, but there have been contests where the Spartans break that double-digit plateau and approach 15.

In fact, they made 13-of-24 against UCLA in their best shooting performance of the season but they’ll hit the 15-mark on Monday night against the Hawkeyes who have improved on the defensive end, but will get a wakeup call against the best offense they’ve faced all season.

Cassius Winston will do an excellent job of making the smart passes and finding his open teammates on fast-breaks on the perimeter and in the corner as the Spartans will finish with a season-high in 3-pointers made, hitting just under 50 percent. Winston, too, will add four of his own to remain red-hot.

Yes, they will get a lot of threes up and make a lot, but this isn’t the trend Tom Izzo wants to see continue — remember what happened against Syracuse?

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