Heading into Tuesday night’s Big Ten opener in East Lansing, both Iowa and No. 11 Michigan State are undefeated - a scenario few saw coming when the season tipped off. But here we are, with two programs arriving at this early-season showdown from very different paths, each carrying momentum and a growing sense of identity.
Iowa's Fast Start Under Ben McCollum
Let’s start with Iowa. The Hawkeyes weren’t expected to come out of the gates this hot.
After a rough campaign last season and a coaching change, expectations were tempered. Enter Ben McCollum, who made the jump from Drake and has wasted no time reshaping the program.
Under former coach Fran McCaffery, Iowa was known for its high-octane offense but often struggled to get stops. McCollum has flipped that script. Through seven games, the Hawkeyes are allowing just 61.1 points per contest - a stark contrast to years past and a clear sign that defense is now a priority in Iowa City.
McCollum isn’t shy about embracing the grind-it-out mentality. “Sometimes it’s going to look ugly and you’ve got to win ugly,” he said.
“Who can’t win when everything’s going your way offensively? Can you win when things aren’t going your way?
Can you survive other ways? And our kids can.”
That gritty identity has been anchored by senior guard Bennett Stirtz, who followed McCollum from Drake and has quickly become the heartbeat of this team. Stirtz is putting up 18.6 points per game, shooting a sharp 45.7% from beyond the arc (16-for-35), and was named MVP of the Acrisure Classic after averaging 21 points in wins over Ole Miss and Grand Canyon. He’s not just scoring - he’s setting the tone on both ends.
Michigan State: Battle-Tested and Built for the Moment
On the other side, Michigan State’s undefeated record might not be as surprising, but it’s certainly been earned. The Spartans didn’t ease into the season - they dove headfirst into a nonconference gauntlet featuring three ranked opponents: Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina. And they came out 3-0 in those games.
That early-season trial by fire has forged a team that looks ready for the grind of Big Ten play. Point guard Jeremy Fears, who played key minutes during last year’s Elite Eight run, pointed to the value of that postseason experience.
“A lot of veteran leadership,” Fears said. “We played in big games last year, and that’s helped us this year.
We’ve already seen three top-25 opponents. Playing good teams last year is helping the new guys learn how to win.”
Fears himself has taken a massive leap. Now the full-time floor general, he’s leading the nation in assists at 9.7 per game while also chipping in 12 points a night. He’s controlling the tempo, creating for others, and showing a command of the offense that’s rare for a third-year player.
Michigan State’s frontcourt has stepped up in a big way too. Forward Jaxon Kohler is nearly averaging a double-double with 14.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, center Carson Cooper is adding 10.6 points and 5.9 boards while anchoring the paint with tough, physical defense.
Head coach Tom Izzo summed it up well: “We’re not an overly talented team. But boy, we are a connected team.
We are a tougher team. When those things come together, special things can happen.”
A Statement Game for Both Sides
This is the only regular-season meeting between Iowa and Michigan State, which adds even more weight to Tuesday night’s clash. For Iowa, it’s a chance to prove their hot start is no fluke - that McCollum’s defensive-first identity can hold up against a top-tier opponent on the road. For Michigan State, it’s about continuing to build on a strong foundation and showing that their early-season wins weren’t just about talent, but toughness and cohesion.
Two undefeated teams. Two very different stories. One early-season Big Ten game with real implications.
Buckle up.