Michigan State tips off its Big Ten season Tuesday night with a marquee matchup at the Breslin Center, hosting an undefeated Iowa squad in what’s shaping up to be a tone-setter for both programs.
The Spartans enter the game as 5.5-point favorites, and it’s not hard to see why. They’ve opened the season with a perfect 7-0 record, and more importantly, they’ve already proven they can handle heavyweight competition. Wins over Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina have vaulted Michigan State into the national top 10, and they’re starting to look like the kind of team that can make serious noise deep into March.
But Iowa isn’t just showing up to play spoiler - they’re unbeaten too, also sitting at 7-0. While the Hawkeyes haven’t yet cracked the top 25, they’ve picked up solid victories over Xavier and Ole Miss. Tuesday night offers them their first shot at a ranked opponent this season, and they’ll be eager to prove they belong in the national conversation.
This one has all the ingredients of a classic early-season Big Ten battle: two undefeated teams, one of the conference’s most iconic venues, and a whole lot of talent on both sides of the floor. Michigan State’s calling card so far has been its defense and rebounding - staples of a Tom Izzo team - and that physicality was on full display in their Thanksgiving win over North Carolina. The Spartans controlled the glass, limited second-chance opportunities, and made the Tar Heels work for every bucket.
Iowa, on the other hand, brings a more up-tempo style to the table. They’ve shown they can score in bunches, but the question heading into this one is whether they can match Michigan State’s intensity on the defensive end and hold their own on the boards. That’s where this game may be decided - in the trenches, not just in transition.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET, and the game will stream live on Peacock.
For Michigan State, it’s a chance to keep the momentum rolling and defend home court. For Iowa, it’s an opportunity to make a statement.
And for the rest of us? It’s must-watch basketball.