Michigan State Basketball: Iowa seeks revenge against red-hot Spartans

Michigan State basketball has passed just about every test to date, but Iowa could present an interesting challenge for the Spartans.

No one can seem to get enough of this year’s Michigan State basketball team. Last year was supposed to be Tom Izzo’s best yet, but the 2018-19 version may have already surpassed the 2017-18 squad, in terms of cohesiveness and effectiveness.

Michigan State just continues to win, putting together 12 straight victories after starting the season 5-2 with losses to Kansas in the Champions Classic and then at Louisville in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge — in overtime.

This team will face yet another stiff test in the midst of a rough stretch of games. The Spartans have already played at Ohio State, Purdue, at Nebraska, at home against Maryland and will now travel to Iowa for a difficult road matchup with the Hawkeyes in Iowa City. This is one of the toughest places to play in the conference because of the atmosphere.

Now that the target on the Spartans’ back is growing, Iowa will take its shot at the green and white after losing by 22 almost two months ago. This has all the potential to be a trap game for the Spartans, especially with a road game at Purdue approaching on Sunday.

Here’s how you can watch Thursday’s Michigan State vs. Iowa game:

Date: Thursday, Jan. 24
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Venue: Carver-Hawkeye Arena
TV: FOX Sports 1
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go or FuboTV

Keys to Victory

Let’s be honest, Nick Ward isn’t going to be held to zero points in back-to-back games, but he needs to be a dominant force for the Spartans in the paint. For Michigan State to come out on top, Ward needs to have one of his best games and make Iowa’s post players work hard and even get them into some foul trouble. What kind of game does he need to have to help the offense become non-dependent on outside shots (or Cassius Winston)? I think about 15 points and 8-10 rebounds would be ideal.

What Michigan State did the first time around was slow down Tyler Cook, holding him to 6-of-13 shooting, and taking the 3-pointer away from the Hawkeyes and it worked wonders. That needs to remain the case on Thursday night as the Hawkeyes will try to beat the Spartans from deep. If Michigan State can keep Joe Wieskamp and Jordan Bohannon in check — it’ll be up to Matt McQuaid — the Spartans will be able to slow the Iowa offense, as a whole.

Players to Watch

Michigan State did a solid job against just about every one of Iowa’s stars in the first matchup back in early-December, but this time around could be very different in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes feed off their home crowd and it’ll likely be a sellout on Thursday night. Who could break out for the Hawkeyes on Thursday?

• Tyler Cook: 16.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 59% FG
• Luka Garza: 13.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 53% FG
• Joe Wieskamp: 11.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 51% FG, 45% 3-point
• Jordan Bohannon: 11.2 points, 3.3 assists, 39% 3-point
• Isaiah Moss: 10.0 points, 2.4 assists, 45% FG, 46% 3-point

Prediction

Michigan State has faced plenty of tough tests this season (at Nebraska, at Ohio State, Maryland) but this one is on par with the rest. The Hawkeyes are 10-1 since losing to the Spartans in December and they’re ranked No. 19 in the country. Michigan State has a chance to knock them from the rankings, or at least put them on the edge, with another big win, but a 90-68 finish isn’t likely. The Hawkeyes will score over 70, breaking the Spartans’ defensive streak and this one will come down to the wire as Cassius Winston will once again show he’s clutch. This kid’s Big Ten Player of the Year candidacy will garner more believers after this one.

Final Score: Michigan State 78, Iowa 73