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Michigan State Basketball: Staff score predictions vs. Iowa in Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 30: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a shot as Caleb McConnell #22 and Eugene Omoruyi #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defend during the first 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: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a shot as Caleb McConnell #22 and Eugene Omoruyi #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defend during the first 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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Iowa comes to town on Monday evening to end Big Ten play until January for Michigan State basketball. Who’ll come out on top?

Two Big Ten games before New Year’s? Count us in. Michigan State is looking to start conference play 2-0 with two early wins for the second straight season, but the Spartans will have to take care of a tough Iowa team, ranked No. 18 in the country.

Must Read: MSU basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Iowa in Week 5

The Hawkeyes are 6-1 and are coming off a home loss to Wisconsin last week. Still, Iowa always seems to give the Spartans a battle, and this ranked matchup will be no different.

Who’s going to get a ranked Big Ten win on Monday night in East Lansing?

Connor Muldowney: Iowa is probably the toughest matchup Michigan State will see until Jan. 5 when the Spartans travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State. The Hawkeyes have a high-scoring offense, but with a streaky shooting lineup, they’ll fall cold late at Breslin. Iowa will start off red-hot and Tyler Cook will silence the crowd early with a thunderous jam, but they won’t be able to keep pace with the up-tempo Spartan offense. Michigan State wins as Nick Ward dominates the post.

Final Score: Iowa 69, Michigan State 80

Ryan Kay: The No. 14 Iowa Hawkeyes come in to the Breslin Center for a Top 25 showdown with the Michigan State Spartans. Iowa looked impressive early this season when the won the 2K Classic title by easily defeating Oregon and UConn.

Then, even though Pittsburgh was undefeated heading into their game with Iowa, the Hawkeyes struggled at home and escaped with a one-point home victory over the Panthers in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa’s struggles continued when they lost at home to No. 22 Wisconsin. However, Iowa is still 6-1 and ranked in the Top 25. They challenged themselves in non-conference play as opposed to playing a bunch of lesser opponents.

With all that being said, Iowa looks to be a little worn down and a road trip to Michigan State will not help.

Iowa has four players averaging double-digits in points per game in Tyler Cook, Luka Garza, Joe Wieskamp and Jordan Bohannon. Iowa also has depth as they have nine players who average at least 12 minutes or more a game. Cook is their all-around best player but Wieskamp is pretty productive as well. Garza and Bohannon are main contributors and give the Hawkeyes balance offensively. Iowa coach Fran McCaffrey has developed a very solid team this season and the Hawkeyes will be looking to compete against the Spartans tonight.

Michigan State’s guards will be the reason the Spartans win tonight. Cassius Winston and Joshua Langford must use their quickness to attack the basketball and be able to make their 3-point attempts. Iowa has taller guards but Michigan State has played against teams with similar guards and have played well. The Spartans must limit their turnovers as they have turned the ball over at an alarming rate in recent games.

However, the X-factor will be Nick Ward. He has been playing well lately and if he continues to dominate down low in the paint, then Iowa will have a difficult time of winning this game. Iowa knows how to get to the free throw line by getting their opponents in foul trouble so players like Xavier Tillman and Aaron Henry need to be ready to step up.

It’s still unclear if Matthew   McQuaid will miss his third straight game, but Kyle Ahrens has filled in nicely for him. Michigan State has that look of a time that does not quit and that plays very well in the second half. Look for the Spartans at home to win in a high-scoring game.

Final Score: Iowa 77, Michigan State 89

Next. MSU Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2018-19. dark

Stephen Robb: Iowa dropped its Big Ten opener to Wisconsin in close game. The Hawkeyes are 6-1 and have looked good thus far. Coach Fran McCaffery is hoping they can bounce back after last year’s 14-19 season. Iowa is led by Junior Forward Tyler Cook, 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds and he is a load in the paint — he’s averaging just above 15 a game and eight boards. Also, Sophomore Luke Garza is a presence at 6-foot-11. They like to go inside and kick it out for the three ball. If MSU can hold Iowa under 30 percent from three then they have a great chance to win this game.

Final Score: Iowa 68, Michigan State 71

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