Michigan State Can Secure Big Ten Title With Win at Iowa

Michigan State Looks to Lock Up Big Ten Title in Iowa City

No. 8 Michigan State secured at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship without even stepping on the court. On Thursday night, the Spartans have a chance to claim the outright title with a road win against Iowa.

The Spartans (24-5, 15-3 Big Ten) benefited from Michigan’s 71-65 loss to Maryland on Wednesday, ensuring that at worst, they will share their first conference title since 2019-20. However, a loss to Iowa would open the door for the Wolverines to grab a share of the crown when the two rivals meet Sunday in East Lansing.

For head coach Tom Izzo, winning the regular-season title is significant, but it’s not the final goal.

“There’s other goals that we have,” Izzo said. “Playing better all the time, so we get more prepared for the tournaments that are coming up, when it’s one bad day, one bad half, and now you’re out.”

With his 11th Big Ten title (shared or outright), Izzo now ties the conference record for most championships by a head coach. The Hall of Famer passed the legendary Bob Knight for the most Big Ten wins earlier this season, adding another milestone to his résumé.

“It’s exciting to be in the position,” Izzo said. “I’m not making it a bigger deal or a smaller deal. I’m making it this is why you came here. This is what we do here. We don’t hang things of records. We hang things of championships.”

Spartans Hitting Their Stride at the Right Time

Michigan State enters the matchup on a five-game winning streak, with its last four victories coming against ranked opponents. The depth and balance of the team have been major strengths, with multiple players stepping up in key moments.

Recent standout performances:

• Jase Richardson – Led the Spartans in scoring in three of their last five wins.
• Jaden Akins – Scored 19 points in Sunday’s 71-62 win over Wisconsin, his highest total since Jan. 9.
• Deep rotation – The Spartans go 10 deep, providing Izzo with flexibility and fresh legs heading into March.

Despite the strong play, Izzo doesn’t believe his team has hit its peak yet.

“We’re nowhere near peaking,” he said.

However, Michigan State is well aware that a road game against Iowa won’t be easy.

“It’s Senior Night, they got some good seniors that have been there. Michigan State comes in, and we understand it’s a big game,” Izzo said. “We understand that there’s pressure on them, pressure on us. That’s the nature of the beast, so we’re excited and ready to go.”

Iowa Aiming to Spoil Michigan State’s Celebration

The Hawkeyes (15-14, 6-12 Big Ten) have had a season filled with ups and downs. After starting 12-4, Iowa has gone just 3-10 in its last 13 games, leading to questions about head coach Fran McCaffery’s future.

McCaffery, in his 15th season at Iowa, remains committed to the program.

“I’m fully committed to the program, to the players,” he said. “I have no intention of moving on.”

Despite the struggles, Iowa has shown flashes of strong play and will be motivated on Senior Night. With leading scorer Owen Freeman (16.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg) out for the season following finger surgery, senior forward Payton Sandfort (16.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg) has taken on a bigger role.

Sandfort also defended McCaffery, stating that his passion on the sidelines is often misunderstood.

“He gets a really bad rap because of his antics on TV, but all that is is just caring for us and wanting the best for his players,” Sandfort said. “That’s what I’ve noticed throughout the last four years is just how much he really does care about us and wants to protect us.”

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Game Preview: Key Matchups & Trends

1. Can Iowa’s Defense Contain Michigan State’s Depth?

• The Spartans have multiple scoring threats, with six players averaging 8+ points per game.
• Iowa’s defense has struggled, allowing 74.5 points per game (ranked 13th in the Big Ten).

2. Who Will Step Up for Iowa Without Freeman?

• Payton Sandfort has been strong, but Iowa lacks a true second option with Freeman out.
• Michigan State’s No. 2 ranked defense in the Big Ten will test Iowa’s offensive depth.

3. Spartans’ Road Toughness vs. Iowa’s Home Court Advantage

• Michigan State is 7-2 in true road games this season.
• Iowa is 11-4 at home, including wins over Purdue and Wisconsin.

Prediction: Michigan State Wins a Hard-Fought Battle

Michigan State is playing its best basketball of the season at the right time, while Iowa has struggled down the stretch. The Spartans’ balanced attack and strong defense should be enough to overcome the energy of Iowa’s Senior Night crowd.

Expect a competitive game, but Michigan State’s depth and execution should help them clinch the outright Big Ten title.

Final Score Prediction: Michigan State 74, Iowa 67

Can the Spartans Secure the Outright Big Ten Championship?

The stakes are high for Michigan State, and with a win, they can eliminate any doubt about their conference supremacy. But Iowa has the potential to play spoiler in front of their home crowd.

Will the Spartans take care of business, or will the Hawkeyes throw a wrench into Michigan State’s title plans? Find out Thursday night in Iowa City.