Wed Dec 03 00:00:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hawkeyes Face Toughest Test Yet: Road Battle Against Reigning Big Ten Champs, Michigan State

IOWA CITY, IA – The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-0) are set to face their first true road game of the season as they travel to East Lansing, Michigan, to take on the defending Big Ten regular-season champion Michigan State Spartans (7-0) on Saturday, December 2nd at 6:00 PM CT. This highly anticipated matchup will be broadcast on Peacock.

Head Coach Ben McCollum acknowledges the daunting task ahead, stating, “We’re starting at the biggest one, outside of Purdue and a few others that really create a homecourt advantage. We’re going to the defending champs and obviously one of the toughest places to play in America.”

After a comfortable start to the season with five home games and a pair of neutral-site contests in California, the Hawkeyes are now entering a new level of competition. While their early success includes victories over power-conference opponents Xavier and Ole Miss, Michigan State presents a unique challenge, not just in terms of talent but also due to the intimidating atmosphere of the Breslin Center.

McCollum is preparing his team for the hostile environment, saying, “You just pump some noise into the gym… You just can’t simulate the intensity of it all, the noise, the crowd.”

The Spartans are a formidable opponent, boasting wins over Arkansas, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Their balanced offense features seven players averaging at least six points per game. The Spartans excel in size, defense, and rebounding, particularly on the offensive end, which Iowa will need to mitigate.

One potential area for Iowa to exploit is three-point shooting, as the Spartans have struggled from beyond the arc. The Hawkeyes, shooting 38.4% from three, could gain an edge if they can establish a strong perimeter game.

McCollum recognizes the pedigree of the Tom Izzo-led program, noting, “Obviously, they’re one of the best and most consistent programs in the country… They’ve created an environment that’s very difficult to play in.”

Despite the challenge, Iowa’s strong start to the season has earned them a #16 national ranking, providing a solid foundation for their March Madness aspirations. The Hawkeyes get two coveted Quad-I opportunities in their next three games and a strong showing against Michigan State, even in a loss, would be a valuable learning experience.

Read More