Michigan State basketball: 3 reasons Spartans will win at Iowa

It’s been four years. Four years since Michigan State basketball last won a game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Coincidentally, that was the last time Michigan State had truly great guard play. This year, the Spartans have just that. They have great guards and solid wings, but the post play leaves a lot to be desired. Still, the pieces are there for Michigan State to make a run in March and play with anyone on its schedule, so winning at Iowa should be more than a possibility.

It should be likely.

But that’s not how the Big Ten works. The best teams don’t always win on the road, but I think Michigan State, coming off an emotional win, will have the momentum to carry into this one.

Here’s why I think the Spartans will beat Iowa.

3. Iowa has been ice-cold lately

While previous games hold no bearing on what happens on Saturday afternoon, the fact that Iowa has been ice-cold offensively over the past two games, scoring 60 against Northwestern and 52 against Wisconsin, should at least help the Spartans a little bit.

The Hawkeyes have been cold from deep which has been their bread-and-butter all season and for years so if Michigan State can defend at the level it did against Indiana, it should be fine.

The cold shooting heading into this game isn’t the issue, it’s that Iowa has to face a Michigan State defense that has held teams to their worst shooting performances all year.

Defense will be key on Saturday and Michigan State has a good one.