Iowa Hawkeyes Look to Knock-Off Spartans in East Lansing

I think there may be a dark horse for game of  the year with this one. We get two teams that have recently had close losses to unranked opponents. The #9 Spartans of Michigan State are coming off a win over in-conference foe Rutgers with a score of 78-67. And the Iowa Hawkeyes come into this one after picking up their first loss of the season to Wisconsin, 72-66. 

How Iowa Can Win

The Hawkeyes don’t have much over the Spartans in terms of lead-way. However, the Hawkeyes could display similar tactics to that of the Louisville Cardinals, but in a more efficient way. This comes through the staggering amount of defense and on-ball pressure mixed with a lot of attempted shots. This means Iowa will need to get the ball up as much as possible to even have a chance to keep up with Michigan State.

How Michigan State Can Win

Michigan State needs to control the tempo and pass the ball. This needs to be stressed due to the absence of passing during the Louisville game. And if the Spartans don’t want to repeat that mess, they need to be on it. Also, implementing a more controlled pace to match flows of the game could benefit them, but I feel a faster tempo would help them more in the grand scheme of the game.

Players to Watch

Iowa: Tyler Cook will need to lead the Hawkeyes into the battle against the Michigan State Spartans. Cook has shown an amazing ability to score large quantities for Iowa and grab lots of rebounds. We will get to see how Tyler Cook motivates his team tomorrow night to a hopeful victory. 

Michigan State: When we talk about moving the ball for Michigan State, Cassius Winston will get the Spartans going. Winston averages 17.9 points a game and 7.1 assists a game for Michigan State this year. If the Spartans will want to maintain the top spot above Iowa, then Winston will need to be doing his thing.

Score Prediction

Losing to Wisconsin is not what the Iowa Hawkeyes needed before a big game against Michigan State. And to be honest, this will be how they drop two-in-a-row. Michigan State has shown that the game against Louisville was a one-time thing and they are rolling again. Look for Michigan State to get a lead an hold it. Michigan State 87, Iowa 77

Photo Credits: https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/hawkcentral-hoops/2015/12/29/iowa-takes-down-no-1-michigan-state/78022262/