No. 8 Michigan State Hosts Iowa in Big Ten Opener: What to Know Ahead of Tuesday Night’s Clash
Michigan State basketball is off to a flawless start, and now the Spartans are stepping into the next phase of their season - Big Ten play. Sitting at 7-0, Tom Izzo’s squad returns to the Breslin Center to host a fellow unbeaten in the Iowa Hawkeyes, tipping off Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET.
This isn’t just a conference opener - it’s a high-stakes early test between two teams that haven’t tasted defeat yet. And while it’s still December, matchups like this can go a long way in shaping the conference race and setting the tone for the grind ahead.
How to Watch
You won’t find this one on traditional TV. The Michigan State-Iowa game is streaming exclusively on Peacock, NBC’s digital platform. Radio coverage is available through the Spartan Media Network for fans who prefer to tune in the old-fashioned way.
Tip-off: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Breslin Center, East Lansing
Streaming: Peacock (exclusive)
A Look at the Spartans
Michigan State enters this matchup fresh off a statement win over North Carolina in the Fort Myers Tip-Off Classic, where they rolled to a 74-58 victory. That performance wasn’t just a win - it was a showcase of the kind of balanced, defensive-minded basketball Izzo-coached teams are known for.
Through seven games, the Spartans have shown depth, discipline, and a defensive edge that’s giving opponents fits. They’ve been particularly strong in transition defense and have done a solid job limiting second-chance opportunities - two areas that will be tested against a fast-paced Iowa squad.
Who Are the Hawkeyes Under Ben McCollum?
Iowa may be unbeaten, but the Hawkeyes are still something of a mystery to Big Ten fans - and that’s largely because of the man leading them. Ben McCollum is in his first season at the helm in Iowa City, and while he’s new to the conference, his coaching pedigree is hard to miss.
McCollum won four Division II national championships at Northwest Missouri State (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), building a reputation for disciplined, efficient basketball. He then spent a single season at Drake, where he led the Bulldogs to a school-record 31 wins, swept the Missouri Valley Conference titles, and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Now, he’s bringing that same winning DNA to Iowa - and so far, the results are speaking for themselves. The Hawkeyes are 7-0, and while they haven’t faced a team of Michigan State’s caliber yet, their early-season form suggests they’re ready to compete.
Why This Matchup Matters
Big Ten games always carry weight, but when both teams are undefeated, the stakes feel even higher. For Michigan State, it’s a chance to validate their top-10 ranking and keep momentum rolling into a tough December schedule. For Iowa, it’s a measuring stick - a chance to prove they belong in the upper tier of the Big Ten under McCollum’s leadership.
Expect a clash of styles: Michigan State’s physical, grind-it-out approach versus Iowa’s up-tempo, spacing-heavy offense. The battle on the boards and the ability to control pace could be the difference.
What’s Ahead for Michigan State
Tuesday’s game kicks off a December stretch that’s as challenging as it is revealing. After Iowa, the Spartans face Duke, travel to Penn State, and take on Toledo, Oakland (in Detroit), and Cornell before the calendar flips to January.
Here’s what the rest of the month looks like:
- Dec. 2: vs. Iowa
- Dec. 6: vs. Duke
- Dec. 13: at Penn State
- Dec. 16: vs.
Toledo
- Dec. 20: vs.
Oakland (Little Caesars Arena, Detroit)
- Dec. 29: vs.
Cornell
Each of those games offers a different kind of test, but it all starts with Iowa. The Breslin Center will be rocking, the stakes are real, and the Big Ten season is officially underway.