Michigan State is back at the Breslin Center on Friday night, and the timing feels simple enough: keep the momentum rolling, avoid the classic letdown, and handle business against Northern Iowa.
The Spartans are 3-0 after their win over No. 2 Duke earlier this week in the Champions Classic, a result that instantly gave this early-season run some real weight. Now they get a Northern Iowa team that arrives at 2-1, fresh off a win over Green Bay and looking to test itself against one of the nation’s hottest starts.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, with FS1 carrying the game. Michigan State is a heavy favorite, listed at nearly 30 points, which tells you plenty about how the matchup is being viewed.
Still, the Panthers won’t be walking into a building full of intimidated spectators. They’re a traditionally solid mid-major program, and Michigan State will need to stay sharp if it wants to avoid any unnecessary drama. A post-Duke dip is always possible, but even a so-so night from the Spartans should still be enough to put Northern Iowa in a tough spot.
The edge here comes down to depth and talent. Michigan State has enough of both to wear down most teams on its schedule, and that advantage tends to show up most clearly against programs from the mid-major level. For Northern Iowa, pulling the upset would take a lot more than a clean start and a strong effort.
The prediction here is Michigan State 86, Northern Iowa 61. That would give the Spartans a 4-0 start before they head into a massive true road game at No. 11 Tennessee on Tuesday.
In Other News...
FAA Grounding Suddenly Puts One Michigan Team In A Tough Spot
The Federal Aviation Administrations grounding of flights across the U.S. has created an unexpected wrinkle for several Michigan sports teams, but Michigan State football is the one suddenly facing the most uncertainty. With Washington still in Seattle, the Spartans upcoming game against the Huskies is now in doubt, turning what should have been a routine week of preparation into a travel problem with real scheduling implications.
Around the state, other teams have already managed to get where they need to be or are sitting tight without immediate travel concerns, including the University of Michigan football and basketball teams, the Detroit Lions, Pistons and Red Wings. For Michigan State, though, the situation is more precarious because the opponents departure remains unresolved, leaving the Spartans waiting to see whether the matchup can stay on track. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Lets Another Big Ten Title Slip Away Late
Michigan State came within a whisker of another Big Ten title before Purdue turned the championship game into a late heartbreak. The No. 3 Spartans battled back from deficits to force overtime, showing the same resilience that carried them through the tournament, but Purdue had the final answer in a 4-3 win that ended on Jaiden Andersons golden goal in the 97th minute.
Grace Millers nine saves helped keep Purdue alive through the pressure, and the Boilermakers made the most of their chances when it mattered most. Even in defeat, Michigan State had two players recognized for their work over the weekend, with Bella Najera and Renee Watson earning spots on the All-Tournament Team. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States Blowout Raised A Bigger Question Fans Still Feel
Michigan States 106-72 rout of Northern Iowa had the kind of offensive pop that can make a November box score look like a statement. The Spartans buried a program-record 18 three-pointers, and freshman Jasiah Jervis added another encouraging sign for the rotation with 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting, giving the staff a glimpse of how much scoring punch this roster can generate when the shots are falling.
Still, the blowout did not settle the most obvious question hanging over the team. The center spot remains unsettled, with Anton Bonke, Ethan Taylor and McCulloch all getting run but none separating as the clear answer yet. For a team that just flashed so much perimeter firepower, the next layer of growth may depend on whether Michigan State can find a dependable presence in the middle before the schedule gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]