Michigan State vs. Iowa: First-Half Breakdown
Michigan State tipped off its Big Ten campaign with a statement-and it wasn’t just about scoring. While the pregame chatter focused on Iowa’s “methodical” offense and how it might test Michigan State’s defense, it was the Spartans who flipped the script. From the opening tip, it was Michigan State’s energy, physicality, and defensive intensity that dictated the tone, leaving Iowa scrambling through a frustrating first half.
A Rocky Start Turns into a Spartan Surge
The Spartans opened with a lob attempt from Jeremy Fears to Carson Cooper on the very first play-an aggressive tone-setter that didn’t quite land, as the ball slipped through Cooper’s hands. Iowa quickly capitalized, knocking down a three and jumping out to a 5-0 lead. Cooper’s early struggles around the rim didn’t help matters, but Michigan State didn’t let the slow start snowball.
That’s where the glass came into play.
Tom Izzo called his team “Rebounding U” before the game, and they lived up to the billing. Cooper and Jaxon Kohler went to work early, controlling the boards and giving the Spartans second-chance looks that eventually opened the floodgates. Kur Teng finally got MSU on the board with a three, and from there, the Spartans started chipping away.
By the first media timeout, it was 7-5 Iowa, but the momentum was already shifting.
Fears, Kohler, and Carr Spark a Takeover
Out of the break, Fears tied things up with a pair of free throws, and Kohler continued to clean the glass like it was his personal mission. The refs started calling a series of fouls against MSU-much to the Breslin Center’s dismay-but the Spartans didn’t let the whistles throw them off.
Coen Carr had one of the more creative plays of the half, going up like he was about to drop a sky hook, only to dish midair to Cooper for an easy finish. That gave MSU its first lead, 9-7, and they wouldn’t look back.
Iowa tied it briefly, but the Spartans were just getting started.
Fears added more free throws, Jordan Scott chipped in at the line, and before long, Iowa found itself in serious foul trouble. The Hawkeyes hit the bonus with over nine minutes left in the half, and Michigan State took full advantage. The Spartans got into a rhythm at the stripe, forced turnovers, and turned defense into points.
At one point, MSU was on a 17-1 run. Iowa couldn’t buy a bucket-at one stretch, they were 1-for-11 from the field-and Michigan State kept piling it on.
Kohler was everywhere: rebounding, running the floor, finishing in transition. He snagged his seventh board of the half and went coast-to-coast for a layup that pushed the lead to double digits.
Then came the backbreaker: Jordan Scott, the freshman, stepped into a three and drilled it to make it 23-10. That capped a stretch where Iowa had more turnovers than rebounds-never a recipe for success.
Vintage Izzo Basketball
This was classic Tom Izzo basketball: defend, rebound, and out-tough the opponent. The Spartans dominated the glass 19-10 in the first half, and it showed in every possession. Iowa simply couldn’t match the physicality or the pace.
Even when Iowa hit a couple of threes to cut the lead to 10, Michigan State had an answer every time. Carr threw down a pair of emphatic dunks, Fears kept the offense organized, and Kohler continued to be a force in the paint. By halftime, Kohler had already logged 8 points and 8 rebounds-an anchor on both ends.
The Spartans went into the locker room up 35-21, and it felt like they were just getting warmed up.
First-Half Takeaways
Michigan State didn’t just win the first half-they owned it. Their dominance on the boards, ability to draw fouls, and relentless defensive pressure completely disrupted Iowa’s rhythm. The Hawkeyes couldn’t get comfortable, couldn’t string together stops, and couldn’t keep Michigan State off the glass.
Turnovers were an issue on both sides-MSU had 6, Iowa 7-but the Spartans made theirs hurt less by controlling the tempo and staying aggressive. They turned defense into offense and made Iowa pay for every mistake.
If Michigan State keeps rebounding like this and maintains the same level of defensive intensity, this one might not get close. Iowa’s going to need a massive second-half turnaround to flip the script, because right now, the Spartans are in full control.