Iowa and Michigan State put perfect records on the line in Big Ten opener

Iowa and Michigan State put perfect records on the line in Big Ten opener originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Iowa Hawkeyes and Michigan State Spartans kick off their Big Ten schedules on Tuesday night, and it is already one of the most interesting early conference games of the season.

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A surprising showdown to start conference play

Both teams arrive at 7-0, which few people expected when the year began. Now the first league matchup doubles as a chance for each side to prove its hot start is real.

Iowa enters with a new coach, a new identity and a very different reputation from the past few years. Michigan State rolls in looking more experienced, more connected and more confident than last season. The matchup in East Lansing will be the only meeting between these two programs during the regular season.

Iowa builds an unexpected identity

The Hawkeyes were not picked to be a contender this season, but first year coach Ben McCollum has quickly changed the way the team plays. Iowa is no longer strictly an offense first group. Instead, the Hawkeyes have been winning by guarding people.

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Opponents are averaging just over 61 points a game, which is a massive shift from the high scoring, low defense years under Fran McCaffery. McCollum has made it clear that his team needs to handle nights when shots do not fall, and so far his group has answered that challenge. Iowa has won tight games, low scoring games and physical games.

Senior guard Bennett Stirtz has been the driving force. After transferring from Drake, he has stepped right into a lead role, averaging nearly 19 points with strong outside shooting. He was named MVP of the Acrisure Classic after carrying Iowa past Ole Miss and Grand Canyon. Stirtz brings toughness and shot making that Iowa leaned on heavily in November.

Now the challenge becomes finding that same rhythm against Michigan State’s pressure and length.

Michigan State leans on…

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Publish date : 2025-12-02 16:42:00

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