Michigan State Aims for Big Ten Title Against Struggling Iowa

Iowa City, IA – The No. 8 Michigan State Spartans (24-5, 15-3 Big Ten) will look to secure the outright Big Ten regular-season championship when they face the Iowa Hawkeyes (15-14, 6-12) on Thursday night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

Michigan State enters the game on a five-game winning streak and has already clinched a share of the title after Michigan lost to Maryland on Wednesday. In stark contrast, Iowa has dropped four of its last five games, with their most recent defeat being a 68-57 loss at Northwestern.

The Spartans are favored by 6.5 points, according to the latest odds from SportsLine, with an over/under set at 154.5 points. As Michigan State aims for its first outright conference title since the 2019-20 season, they will rely heavily on their depth and recent momentum.

Head coach Tom Izzo’s squad has thrived against top competition, having won their last four games against top-20 opponents. “We’re playing with confidence,” Izzo said. “Our depth has been a big advantage, and we’re looking to build on this momentum as we head into the tournament.”

Iowa forward Payton Sandfort, who is currently the team’s leading scorer with an average of 16.1 points per game, is expected to play a crucial role for the Hawkeyes. Despite the team’s struggles, Sandfort showed promise in their last home game, scoring 27 points against his previous opponent.

“Playing at home gives us an advantage,” Sandfort noted. “We need to channel our energy and focus on every possession to turn our season around,” he added, referring to the added pressure Iowa faces after a disappointing road trip.

Historically, Iowa has performed better at home, boasting a 12-5 record in Carver-Hawkeye Arena this season. The Hawkeyes recently covered the spread against the Spartans in five straight games, winning five out of their last six matchups overall.

As the game approaches, betting trends indicate that roughly 66% of public money is favoring Michigan State to cover the spread. The Spartans’ ability to effectively play in transition and their defensive prowess, ranking fourth in defensive three-point percentage, will be significant factors in tonight’s game.

The game promises to be a critical matchup for both teams as they finalize their regular-season strategies ahead of the upcoming tournament. Michigan State remains on the hunt for their conference title while Iowa looks to recover and sustain its postseason hopes.

With both teams looking to assert dominance, this showdown in Iowa City adds yet another exciting chapter to a fierce rivalry.