Iowa vs. Michigan State: Big Ten Opener Brings Clash of Unbeatens and Contrasting Strengths
The Big Ten season is kicking off with a heavyweight bout.
No. 25 Iowa (7-0) heads into East Lansing to face No.
8 Michigan State (7-0) in a battle of unbeatens that should tell us a lot about both programs. It’s the conference opener for each, and the timing couldn’t be better-two teams riding early momentum, each with something to prove, and both bringing very different strengths to the table.
Iowa’s Offense Is Clicking
The Hawkeyes come in hot after taking home the Acrisure Classic title with wins over Ole Miss (74-69) and Grand Canyon (59-46). Senior guard Bennett Stirtz was electric in the semifinal, dropping a season-high 29 points against the Rebels. Then sophomore Isaia Howard stepped up in the final, leading the way with 19 points in a gritty, low-scoring win over Grand Canyon.
What’s really made Iowa stand out so far is their shooting efficiency. They’re hitting at a 53.1% clip from the field-good for eighth-best in the nation.
That’s not just solid; that’s elite. The ball movement is sharp, and they’re getting high-quality looks across the board.
Stirtz, in particular, has been a model of consistency, averaging 18.6 points per game on 50% shooting overall and a blistering 45.7% from deep.
And while Iowa’s known for its offensive firepower, what they did on the defensive end against Grand Canyon shouldn’t go unnoticed. Holding a team to just 46 points?
That’s the fewest they’ve allowed since 2010. It also marked their first win while scoring fewer than 60 points since 2020-proof that this team can grind one out when they need to.
Michigan State’s Defense Is Built to Test That Efficiency
But if Iowa’s offense has been a machine, Michigan State’s defense might be the perfect wrench.
The Spartans rank 11th nationally in scoring defense, giving up just 61.6 points per game. They’re also top-35 in field goal percentage defense, and they’ve already shown they can shut down high-level opponents.
Just look at their résumé: wins over then-No. 15 Arkansas (69-66), then-No.
13 Kentucky (83-66), and then-No. 17 North Carolina (74-58).
That’s three ranked wins before December.
This team doesn’t just win-they smother. Their length, physicality, and discipline on the defensive end have been a nightmare for opposing offenses. And they’ve got the offensive balance to back it up.
Spartans’ Balanced Attack
Michigan State has four players averaging double figures, led by forward Jaxon Kohler’s 14.6 points per game. Kohler’s not just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently, shooting 46.2% from three.
Guard Jeremy Fears Jr. is right behind him at 12.0 points per game and hitting 47.1% from beyond the arc. Add in forward Coen Carr (10.7) and center Carson Cooper (10.6), and you’ve got a well-rounded, versatile attack that can beat you inside or out.
That kind of scoring depth makes it tough to key in on any one player, and it allows Michigan State to adapt to just about any defensive scheme.
Ben McCollum’s Historic Start
For Iowa, this game also marks a milestone for head coach Ben McCollum. He’s just the fourth coach in program history to start his Hawkeye tenure with seven straight wins, and the first to do it since Tom Davis back in 1987-88.
That’s not just a trivia nugget-it’s a testament to how quickly McCollum has this team buying in. The Hawkeyes are playing disciplined, unselfish basketball on both ends of the floor, and they’re doing it with a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just a measuring stick game-it’s a tone-setter for the Big Ten race. A win here means more than just an 8-0 start.
For Iowa, it would be a statement that their early-season success isn’t just the product of a favorable schedule. For Michigan State, it would reinforce their status as a legitimate national contender and a team that can impose its will on just about anyone.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, and it’ll be worth tuning in. Two unbeaten teams, two very different identities, and one early-season showdown that could have March implications written all over it.
Up Next for Iowa
After Michigan State, the Hawkeyes return home to face Maryland on Dec. 6, then hit the road for a rivalry clash at Iowa State on Dec. 11.
The full conference grind is coming fast, but this opener? This one’s circled in red.
Iowa 2025-26 Schedule Highlights (All times CT):
- Dec. 2 at Michigan State: 6 p.m. (Peacock)
- Dec. 6 vs. Maryland: 3 p.m.
(FS1)
- Dec. 11 at Iowa State: 7 p.m.
(FS1)
- **Dec. 14 vs.
Western Michigan:** 2 p.m. (BTN)
- Jan. 3 vs. UCLA: 5 p.m.
(Peacock)
- Jan. 14 at Purdue: 5:30 p.m.
(BTN)
- **Feb. 14 vs.
Purdue:** 4 or 7 p.m. (Fox)
- March 5 vs. Michigan: 7 p.m.
(Peacock)
- March 10-15: Big Ten Tournament
This is the kind of early December matchup that can shape a season. Iowa’s shooting touch versus Michigan State’s defensive grit-something’s gotta give.