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Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions for important Iowa battle

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with Mady Sissoko during the second half in the game against Purdue on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.230116 Msu Purdue Bball 153a
Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo, right, talks with Mady Sissoko during the second half in the game against Purdue on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.230116 Msu Purdue Bball 153a /
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Jan 22, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) and guard Tyson Walker (2) in the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) and guard Tyson Walker (2) in the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Michigan State scores 80

Michigan State hasn’t scored 80 points since the non-conference finale against Buffalo and has yet to do so in conference play this year with the highest total coming against Nebraska (74).

That’s going to change on Thursday night.

Iowa has one of the worst defenses in the country and probably the worst in the Big Ten but they make up for that with their offense. It feels like the Hawkeyes score 80-plus pretty much every time out, but the Spartans will step up defensively to keep them in check.

That MSU defense will cause some rare turnovers for the Hawkeyes and some easy fast-break buckets. Iowa’s defense will have a tough time slowing down the Spartans.

Michigan State will get hot from deep and really bury the Hawkeyes at the Breslin Center, scoring over 80 for the first time in a month and covering the three-point spread.

Next. 3 second-year players who'll be stars for MSU football. dark

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