Iowa’s Perfect Start Faces a True Test: Big Ten Opener at Michigan State
The Ben McCollum era at Iowa is off to a dream start. Seven games, seven wins - and now, the real work begins.
On Tuesday, the Hawkeyes head to East Lansing to open Big Ten play against a Michigan State team that’s already battle-tested and built for the grind. If Iowa wants to prove it belongs in the upper tier of the conference, there may be no better measuring stick than a December showdown with a Tom Izzo squad.
Let’s be clear: Michigan State is legit. The Spartans have already notched three wins over ranked opponents this season - No.
14 Arkansas, No. 12 Kentucky in New York, and No.
18 North Carolina in Fort Myers. That’s not just a strong résumé - that’s the kind of early-season gauntlet that hardens a team for March.
And in typical Izzo fashion, this group is tough, disciplined, and plays with an edge.
For Iowa, the 7-0 start marks the program’s best opening stretch since the 2021-22 season. But while the early wins have built momentum and confidence, Tuesday’s matchup will be the first time we really see how McCollum’s system holds up against elite competition on the road - and in one of the most hostile environments in the Big Ten.
On Monday, McCollum spoke to the media via Zoom, offering a window into his mindset heading into the conference opener. He touched on his admiration for Izzo, the challenges of preparing for a team that thrives on pressure and physicality, and how his own coaching philosophy is beginning to take shape in Iowa City.
This is more than just a coaching debut in the Big Ten - it’s a clash of styles. McCollum, known for his offensive creativity and ability to maximize player movement, faces off against a Michigan State team that thrives on defensive intensity and rebounding dominance. It’s a classic chess match: tempo versus toughness, new-school flow versus old-school grit.
For Iowa fans, this game offers a glimpse into how quickly McCollum’s system can adapt to the grind of Big Ten basketball. For McCollum himself, it’s a chance to see how his team responds when the lights are brightest and the opponent doesn’t give an inch.
Tuesday night in East Lansing isn’t just another game - it’s a statement opportunity. And if Iowa can walk out of the Breslin Center with its perfect record intact, the rest of the Big Ten will have no choice but to take notice.