Fri Mar 07 01:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Spartans Aim for Outright Big Ten Title Against Hawkeyes
**Iowa City, IA** – No. 7 Michigan State Spartans (24-5, 15-3 Big Ten) will face off against the Iowa Hawkeyes (15-14, 6-12 Big Ten) at Carver-Hawkeye Arena Thursday night. A victory would secure the Spartans their first outright Big Ten title in five years. The game will be televised on FS1.
The Spartans enter the matchup riding a five-game winning streak and boasting a top-five national ranking in defensive efficiency. Their strength lies in their defensive prowess, particularly their 3-point defense (allowing just 28.4% from beyond the arc), rebounding dominance, and block rate. This contrasts sharply with Iowa, who ranks last in the Big Ten in both defensive efficiency and 3-point defense, allowing opponents a whopping 39.1% from three in conference play.
Iowa, however, possesses a potent offensive game, shooting a high percentage from beyond the arc (36.8% in conference play). Payton Sandfort (16.1 PPG) leads the Hawkeyes’ scoring efforts. The Hawkeyes are fighting to secure a spot in the Big Ten tournament, currently tied for 15th place. Their season has been hampered by the season-ending injury to leading scorer Owen Freeman. Speculation surrounds coach Fran McCaffery’s future with the program.
Michigan State holds a significant advantage in the all-time series (77-60), but lost their last meeting against Iowa. This game presents a critical matchup; Michigan State’s strong defense against Iowa’s 3-point shooting prowess. While MSU might struggle with their own 3-point shooting, the Spartans’ rebounding advantage and overall superior team performance give them the edge. The Spartans are playing for a championship, while Iowa battles to secure a tournament berth, creating an interesting dynamic for the game.
First Piper 