Big Ten Tip-Off: No. 7 Michigan State Hosts Iowa in Early Conference Clash
It’s December, and that means the cupcakes are off the table. Conference play is here, and for Michigan State and Iowa, it starts with a bang.
Tonight in East Lansing, the No. 7-ranked Spartans welcome the Iowa Hawkeyes to the Breslin Center in a showdown between two unbeaten squads. Michigan State, led by the ever-steady Tom Izzo, is rolling into Big Ten play with a 7-0 record and some serious momentum after a dominant showing at the Fort Myers Classic, including a 74-58 win over then-No. 16 North Carolina.
That win wasn’t just a statement-it was a warning. The Spartans are playing with the kind of balance and poise that screams contender, and they’re doing it with a mix of proven leadership and rising stars.
The Spartans’ Engine: Kohler and Fears Jr.
Michigan State’s frontcourt-backcourt combo is clicking in a big way. Jaxson Kohler has been a force inside, leading the team in both scoring (14.6 ppg) and rebounding (9.7 rpg). He’s been a consistent presence in the paint, cleaning up the glass and finishing with touch around the rim.
Then there’s Jeremy Fears Jr., who’s made the leap in his sophomore campaign. He’s averaging 12 points and a team-best 9.7 assists per game, but it’s not just the numbers-it’s the way he’s running the show.
In the win over North Carolina, Fears was everywhere: 19 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds. He’s the kind of floor general who controls tempo, sees the floor two passes ahead, and knows when to push and when to pull back.
His chemistry with Kohler is already one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous duos.
The Spartans have already racked up three Quad 1 wins, including victories over No. 14 Arkansas and No.
12 Kentucky. They’ve topped 80 points in four of their seven games while holding every opponent under 70.
That’s a recipe for dominance, and it’s why Michigan State enters this one as the clear favorite.
Iowa’s New Look Faces Its First Real Test
On the other side, Iowa is also 7-0, but tonight will be their first real measuring stick.
This is a brand-new Hawkeyes team in many ways. First-year head coach Ben McCollum has brought in a wave of transfers and new faces, and so far, the early returns are promising. Iowa won the Acrisure Classic behind an impressive defensive showing and some high-efficiency offense.
The centerpiece of the Hawkeyes’ attack is Bennett Stirtz, a Drake transfer who’s stepped in and immediately become the guy. He’s averaging 18.6 points and 5.4 assists while shooting the ball with impressive efficiency. His MVP performance in the Acrisure Classic was no fluke-he’s been the engine of Iowa’s offense.
But tonight, he’ll face his toughest challenge yet. Michigan State’s backcourt, led by Fears and Coen Carr, is physical, aggressive, and disciplined. If Iowa’s going to hang around, Stirtz will need help.
That means players like Alvaro Folgueiras, another transfer who’s averaging 10 points and 4.7 boards, and Tavion Banks, also from Drake, have to step up. Isaia Howard could be an X-factor-he dropped 19 off the bench in Iowa’s win over Grand Canyon and brings some scoring punch in reserve.
It’s a young, untested group with just two returning players from last season. But there’s talent here, and the Hawkeyes didn’t crack the top 25 of the Coaches Poll by accident.
Still, walking into the Breslin Center for your first Big Ten game? That’s a tall order.
What to Watch: Backcourt Battle and Defensive Intensity
The key matchup in this one is going to be the guards. Fears and Carr versus Stirtz and Banks. Whichever duo can control the pace, limit turnovers, and create quality shots is going to give their team a major edge.
Michigan State has the advantage in experience and cohesion. They’ve been tested against top-tier opponents and have shown they can win in different ways-fast-paced shootouts or grind-it-out defensive battles.
Iowa, meanwhile, is still figuring out its identity. But if they can keep it close and get contributions from their supporting cast, they’ve got the firepower to make things interesting.
Game Info
- Location: Breslin Center, East Lansing, MI
- Watch: Peacock
- Streaming: YouTube TV
- Betting Odds: Michigan State -270 | Iowa +220
- Total: 135.5
- Series History: Michigan State leads 30-14
- Last Meeting: Michigan State 91, Iowa 84 (March 6, 2025)
Projected Starters
Michigan State Spartans
- Jaxson Kohler (14.6 ppg, 9.7 rpg)
- Coen Carr (10.7 ppg)
- Cooper Carson (10.6 ppg)
- Jeremy Fears Jr. (12.0 ppg, 9.7 apg)
- Trey Fort (6.6 ppg)
Iowa Hawkeyes
- Bennett Stirtz (18.6 ppg, 5.4 apg)
- Kael Combs (6.0 ppg)
- Tavion Banks (9.3 ppg)
- Alvaro Folgueiras (10.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
The Bottom Line
This one’s got all the ingredients of a classic early-season conference battle. Michigan State has the edge in experience, depth, and defensive pedigree. Iowa brings a fresh look, a hot start, and a star guard in Stirtz who’s ready to prove himself on a bigger stage.
One of these teams is leaving the Breslin Center with its first loss. The other takes a big step toward Big Ten legitimacy.
Let the conference chaos begin.