Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Iowa

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 03: Joe Wieskamp #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives to the basket while defended by Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 03: Joe Wieskamp #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives to the basket while defended by Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Big Ten may be a two-team race between in-state rivals

No Michigan State fan wants to admit it, but Michigan looks like the best team in the Big Ten right now. The Wolverines have blowout wins over Villanova, North Carolina and Purdue but the Spartans have been trying to keep pace with big wins over Iowa, Texas and UCLA.

If we learned anything from Michigan State’s win over Iowa, and the first month of the regular season, it’s that the Spartans and Wolverines are the clear favorites to win the Big Ten.

The Big Ten title is going to come down to the in-state rivals as both are playing at high levels and dominating opponents that seemed otherwise to be contenders. Purdue and Iowa were smacked by the Wolverines and Spartans, respectively, and they went from potential dark-horse contenders to being on the outside, looking in.

There are still teams like Wisconsin, Nebraska, Maryland, Ohio State and Indiana, but none have been playing quite as well as Michigan State and Michigan.

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

The Big Ten might be a two-team race this season.